How to Keep a Dog in Good Health

Being a dog parent is not easy. One needs to be very careful about the special needs of the dog and offer them proper care and attention. In fact it would not be an exaggeration today that the adopting a dog is akin to being a parent of your child. You have to offer them a happy and healthy life that would not only increase their obesity but also offer them a high standard of life. One thing that you should remember here is that you don't have to adopt the dog only because of its liveliness or charm but also because you want to form a lifelong relationship. So you need to be very careful about physical and mental health of your dog as you are careful about your own child.

Here are a few helpful tips to maintain the health of you dog:

Daily Exercise

Daily exercise is the most important part of a dog's schedule. In fact many pet owners would not like to take their dogs to nearby parks for walking as they are too much worried about the dog being attacked by street dogs. In that case you may use a vehicle to take your dog in a vehicle and park it outside the garden. Then you can take you dog inside the park and allow it to enjoy brisk walking. The obese dogs find it difficult to breather and are at a high risk of developed diabetes.

Diet

Some people treat they dogs as their own family members. However it times they go a bit too far. It is especially true in the case of diet; In fact the dog's biological system and digestion process is distinctly different from human beings. So chocolate can be a treat for your child but for your dog it is a threat. The digestion system of dogs is designed in such a way that they cannot digest certain foods like chocolates, pizza, bread and others. Hence, instead of giving it what it likes the most you should rather offer it something that is most beneficial of its body.

Mental Well-being

The dogs are very sensitive when it comes to psychology. Many people buy dogs, not adopt them. It means that they buy them because of their liveliness instead of forming a genuine relationship. Such dogs are pampered too much in the beginning and later on when the owners are fed up they stop giving much attention to them. Sure, they get the food and water on time. But that is not enough. They also want to get proper care and love. Many such dogs suffer mentally and finally they fall victim to various psychiatric problems. So, it is very important to adopt a dog only of you have enough time to take their proper care.

Even if you buy healthy dog, they might observe that it develops certain kind of health issues in the course of time. In fact when you adopt dogs you change their lifestyle intentionally or unintentionally that may lead to a variety of dog diseases.

Credit: Ashish Chhanwal

How To Choose The Best Food For Cats

Having a pet cat or kitten can be really nice especially if it is your first time. However, you also need to be responsible enough to know what is best for your pet. The first thing that you should know when you opt to have a pet cat is to choose the best food for cats. You cannot just buy any food you see in a pet shop as you have to consider the nutritional value.

When choosing a cat food brand, consider your pet's age. A cat's age is broadly segmented into three stages: kitten, adult and senior. Ideally, you should choose cat food that is appropriate to your pet's age.Foods manufactured especially for kittens are rich in both protein and fat which are essential to the development of your pet's muscles, bones, and teeth.

Additionally, kittens require more protein and fat because they are more active and can burn more calories. Adult cats, on the other hand, require a diet low in calories. Just like humans, adult cats can become overweight if they are overfed or given the wrong type of food and do not get much physical activity. Being overweight can leave them susceptible to diseases and conditions like heart disease, diabetes and arthritis.

The only exception here is if the cat is pregnant or nursing. Pregnant and nursing cats require meals which are higher in fat and protein. When your pet reaches old age, it becomes more sedentary and will require a diet which is low in fat and rich in proteins which can be easily be digested as well as processed by their kidneys. Once you have narrowed down your food choices to those appropriate to your cat's age, the next thing that you need to do is to look at the food labels.

Look for important content such as protein, taurine, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fatty acids, and water as the top ingredients. You may also notice preservatives listed on the labels. These are used to keep the food fresh, although quality brands use less artificial preservatives and fillers. Avoid cat foods which list ingredients like by-products, animal digest, meat and/or bone meal, added sugars, corn meal, too many carbohydrate fillers, and chemical preservatives.

Experts suggest rotating different cat foods to prevent boredom and to ensure that your cat gets a balanced diet. It is also recommended that you give your pet both dry and canned food. Choosing the best food for your cats is really very important to ensure their health.

 Credit: Christina Gandia

Dog Treats - The Best Time To Treat Them

Pet treats are of great importance. They can be a great asset, when given at the right time. If you find it difficult that your pooch is not following or listening you even after a treat, then there is something wrong with your timing or reason. To help you practice the right time to give it to your pet, here are some guidelines that can solve all of your confusion and aid you in administering the treat easily with all positive results.

When To Give Treats To Your Dogs

Giving treats in between the meals is ideal. Remember never include treats along with dog food. Try to find the liking and taste of your pooch and select a treat that your dog will enjoy. It is also quite helpful when you are training your dog. Also, your treat will not work as an encouraging tool, if you are likely to give it right after the meals. Therefore, ensure to give the treat only in between the meals and not immediately before or after the meals.

One of the best techniques to give treat is to hold it into your hand between the first two fingers and thumb. Then, let your dog sniff through it to find that it is there. The golden role here is: first nose, then mouth and ears! Starting with a dog's nose, is highly rewarding as you are appealing to the most important part of her brain.

Furthermore, as your dog is sniffing and getting interested, slowly lift the treat above nose height and move it gradually over her head and slightly back towards her shoulders. The aim is to make your dog sit on the butts, to lower the shoulders back and lift her head up.

Lift the treat slowly and easily so that your dog's nose follows it in your hand. When your dog jumps at your hand, take it away. Second time, have the treat hand closer to her head. The moment she begins to follow the treat with her nose and eyes along with putting her butt to the floor, say - "sit", calmly and slowly and give her the treat. Say softly as not to disturb your pooch. Also remember, not to overexcite your furry pal as he may lose the lesson in all the chaos.

Well, dog treats are to show the feeling of affection. Given abruptly will not churn out to bring in the desired results. Treats need to be given at the right time for the right reason. If you are not sticking to the rules or consistent when you give a treat to your furry pal, you may just end up confusing your pooch greatly. Ensure to give treat as a reward for a good behavior or for showing affection after a good deed.

It's essential to treat your pet at the time and on the right occasion as this will boost positive behavior in your furry pal.

Credit: Eugene Hix