Whether you’re planning to buy a puppy for the first time or you happen to be a seasoned pet owner, a new four-legged friend will fill your living space (as well as your life) with a one-of-a-kind type of joy.
For your pet to be bouncy and bubbly, able to spread happiness at every turn, they need to be in good shape both physically and emotionally. Their health must become a high priority, and here’s how to help your dog live a happy and healthy life.
How to know if your dog feels well?
Unfortunately, pets can’t communicate every nuanced feeling or state they might be in. Learning how to assess your dog’s health will require some practice, but once you’ve got a hang of it, your perception skills and intuition will become your greatest allies.
As a rule of thumb, there are several factors to consider when checking if your dog is feeling well, and these include the pet’s eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Measuring the dog’s body temperature, weight, and pulse are also important, while regular visits to a trusted vet are mandatory.
Besides on prescribed vaccines (that will help your dog stay safe from illnesses such as rabies, parvovirus, hepatitis, and leptospirosis), your pet’s health also depends on your watchful eye. Here are the things to pay special attention to.
1. Keep an eye on suspicious symptoms
A healthy dog is a happy dog! Don’t wait for your pet to start howling in pain to start noticing something’s not quite right. A suspicious change in their normal behavior might suggest the appearance of a symptom that needs to be checked out.
To make sure your little friend is in the clear, never disregard the manifestations that might signal a bigger issue. If you’re not sure how to interpret a certain symptom, check in with your vet as soon as possible.
2. Monitor their behavior and body language
Tail wagging is one of the behaviors dogs are known for, but almost every part of a dog’s body can send a message if you know what to look out for.
Your dog’s eyes, ears, mouth, and overall body language can easily suggest if they’re scared, irritated, aggressive, or happy as a clam. Learning to read those signs can be easier than you think. In addition, understanding their appetite, socializing tendencies, sleeping patterns, and general behavior when they’re around you can help a lot.
What is a “normal degree” of misbehavior for a dog? It depends on the breed and upbringing, but here’s a short, helpful guide to make analyzing easier.
3. Provide a proper amount of exercise
The right amount of exercise depends on several factors: your dog’s age, breed, and health status. This means that a healthy puppy of a high-energy breed will need a lot of attention and opportunities to run, jump, and play, while an older pet with some health issues needs a more relaxed approach.
For most dogs, taking them for a walk around the block is a great start. For breeds with lower exercise requirements, taking them out twice during the day might be just the right amount of activity. Other breeds will, however, need to be challenged, so make sure to run some quick research before establishing a definitive routine.
Socializing your dog in a new normal
We live in challenging times, having to put our health and the health of others before activities we learned to love. Socializing in the world marked by a new virus has become quite rare, and this situation can also affect the lives of our beloved pets.
Even in times like these, taking your dog for a run in a local park and letting them spend some time with other four-legged visitors is still important. Interacting with other dog owners isn’t a necessity, though.
If you feel more secure sitting alone, watching your pet lose themselves on their favorite playground, it’s quite alright! Don’t feel obliged to behave the same way you did before the pandemic. Spending time outside and seeing your pet happy will be quite the mood boost on its own, helping you stay healthy physically and emotionally.
To conclude: is a healthy dog a happy dog?
The short answer to this question is, undoubtedly, yes. However, don’t make the mistake of assuming that only the physical health of your dog counts in the long run.
Dissertation writing services regarding canine health have become very sought-out in recent years. As a result, some of the best essay writing service writers specializing in the wellbeing and psychology of dogs stepped out to share their findings and experiences on the matter.
As these professionals highlight, spending one-on-one time with your little buddy, petting them, and playing with them, can prolong their life and make it a lot more joyful.
About the Author:
John Peterson is a skilled journalist with 4 years of experience working in the London magazine “Shop&buy”. He also writes well-researched college paper.org reviews, is a professional mini-tennis player, and he has written a novel called “His heart”. Find John on Facebook to order his best essay writing services.
