Celebrate National Pet Wellness Month: Tips to Keep Your Dog Happy & Healthy
October is known as National Pet Wellness Month. At Dogtopia, we make it our mission to ensure the health, wellness, happiness and all-around safety of your dog is prioritized. From socialization and education to exercise and nutrition, here are a few tips and tricks you can use at home to celebrate National Pet Wellness Month and keep your favorite furry family member happy and healthy.
Healthy Dog Treats
Fatty treats and table scraps are easy and tempting to feed your dog but can lead to weight gain and lack of nutrition. And since we all want our dogs to grow up to be strong and healthy, it’s important to be mindful of how you reward and treat your dog. Dog treats are great for training and rewarding but it’s best to only use them for special occasions! If you would like to reward your dog in a healthy way, and on a regular basis, try fresh fruit and vegetables! Great options include carrots, green beans, blueberries, strawberries and apples. Carrots are high in fiber and beta-carotene, which helps produce vitamin A. Green beans are packed with iron, calcium, and other important vitamins and minerals. Blueberries, strawberries, and apples are high in vitamin C and flavor. While you’re at the grocery store, feel free to pick up a few of these healthy alternatives to see which your dog loves the most.
Dog Food & Nutrition
In addition to healthy treats, it is important to follow a vet-recommended feeding schedule. Depending on the size, breed and age of your dog, you may need to feed your dog a specific kind of food or adjust the number of times they need to eat per day. For example, puppies may need extra meals depending on where they are at in their development, whereas an older dog may require less meals per day or a special diet.
It is also important to ensure dogs are getting enough nutrients in their diet. A few nutrients to keep in mind are water, proteins, healthy fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins and minerals. Take a moment to ake sure your dog’s food meets the AAFCO standards.
We’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered with NutriSource Pet Foods, a third-generation family-owned business, to provide healthy and nutritious food and treats for our dogs. Like Dogtopia, NutriSource Pet Foods has always prioritized the health and happiness of furry family members and we’re pleased to carry NutriSource as our house dog food and share their treats via our Dogtopia Foundation treat machine. In business since 1964, NutriSource offers a wide variety of diets for dogs of all sizes and ages while tailoring products to pets’ individual needs such as weight management, high performance and age. Its wide variety of wholesome ingredients support proper digestion and gut health, proper nutrient utilization, cognitive health and brain function, and a healthy coat and skin. Learn more about NutriSource by clicking here.
Please speak to your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s food or feeding schedule.
Regular Grooming
Regularly pampering your dog not only helps them look fresh and clean but is also a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with every aspect of your dog. In the event of a cracked nail or a painful tooth, you can recognize a problem with ease before the problem escalates. Some important areas to regularly groom are your dog’s nails, teeth and fur. Nails should be regularly trimmed as often as it takes to prevent the nails from touching the ground when they are standing and teeth should be brushed daily to keep your dog free of possible infection. Brushing and bathing your dog will allow you to notice any irritation or cuts in need of attention below their fur. Some dogs require more grooming than others so make sure you stay on top of your dog’s needs just as you would for a child.
Exercise & Socialization
Exercise is one of the most important activities you can provide for your dog. A few exercises you can participate in with your dog include daily walks, a game of fetch, hiking, swimming or an at-home obstacle course. A consistent routine of exercise helps to build a strong bond and will keep blood pressure low, energy high, and the heart beating strong ensuring your dog is around for years to come. Even after a long walk, is your dog begging for more exercise or maybe they are a little bored of the same neighborhood stroll? No offense to you, but dogs are social creatures and crave to be around and play with other dogs. Dog daycare at Dogtopia is the perfect place to let your dog enjoy some safe and fun exercise and socialization. Think of it like childcare, but for your dog!
Dogs at Dogtopia are separated by size and temperament and are cared for by our highly trained Canine Coaches. Dogs enjoy a variety of mental and physical games throughout the day to help them develop into the best dog they can be. From follow the leader to name recall and walking on a leash, all these playroom activities help to reinforce positive behavior your dog can show off at home. And did you know that Dogtopia daycare dogs walk an average of 30,000 steps in a day while playing with their BFFF (Best Furry Friend Forever)? That’s a lot of steps and a lot of fun!
Regular daycare dogs are social butterflies and used to meeting new dogs and new people. Taking them to a restaurant, dog park, farmer’s market, friend’s house or anywhere else in public is generally much less stressful for both you and your pup.
National Pet Wellness Month is here, and we welcome you to take a few moments to ensure your dog is getting the nutrients and care they need.
Have a question about how to better care for your dog or interested in Dogtopia daycare to improve your dog’s quality of life? Find a Dogtopia location near you by clicking here and schedule your dog’s Meet & Greet today! We would love to introduce your dog to their BFFF (Best Furry Friend Forever) and allow them to get the exercise and socialization they need to be happy and healthy for years to come.
