Happy New Year! As we welcome 2021, I know a lot of you have set resolutions and are masterminding new goals. Along with your own personal journey toward living your best life, here are 10 habits you can adopt this year to promote health and happiness for Fido!
1. Switch to Healthier Dog Food
Just like you, your fur baby needs to eat a well-balanced diet. Do you know the old saying: “You are what you eat”? Well, it also applies to your fur baby.
Some benefits of good nutrition include:
- Promotes Overall Well-Being And Longevity
- Benefits body weight
- Increases Immunity
- Decreases Risk Of Certain Cancers
- Promotes Heart Health
- Promotes Good Skeletal Health And Muscle Tone
- Aids In Healthy Digestion
- Promotes Healthy Skin And Coat
That’s why it’s super important to feed your pooch the highest quality food you can. So, let’s celebrate New Year = New, Fresher Food!
If possible, switch from processed kibble to meals made with fresh meats and veggies. If you’re in the market for new dog food, I’ve been feeding The Farmer’s Dog (a fresh food subscription service that formulates meals with your dog in mind) for just about two years now and my dogs are thriving on it. Basically, you fill out some information about your dog (age, weight, breed, lifestyle, etc.), and The Farmer’s Dog formulates how many calories he should eat each day. They cook the food fresh, it immediately gets packaged, labeled, and shipped over dry ice. You can find out more about it HERE!
If you prefer to cook for your dog then work with a veterinary nutritionist to create recipes that are perfect for your dog’s unique needs. You can also look into balancing supplements, like BalanceIt!
2. Ditch Doggy Junk Food (& Make Your Own Treats)
Every good dog deserves a yummy treat. But, unfortunately, many of the store-bought treats are loaded with red-flag preservatives, sugar, corn syrup, food dyes, etc. Even during treat-time, your pup doesn’t need that junk! Instead, consider taking matters into your own hands and whipping up some homemade treats. I have plenty of healthy recipes right here on my blog and in my cookbook, Proud Dog Chef: Tail-Wagging Good Treat Recipes.
3. Get Moving Every Day
Exercising your pet can be as simple as taking a daily walk or playing fetch in the yard. Or, you can get started with agility! The activity doesn’t matter as long as your pooch is moving and using energy.
Benefits of daily exercise include:
- Strengthens The Heart, Circulation, And Lungs
- Promotes Healthy Digestion
- Promotes Good Muscle Tone
- Relieves Boredom, Which Can Decrease Destructive Behavioral Issues Such As Chewing, Etc.
- Increases Your Pooches Happy Hormones
- Increases Self-Esteem
- Decreases Depression
- Decreases The Chances Of Obesity
- Aids Weight Loss
- Decreases The Chance Of Diabetes
- Decreases Risks Of Certain Cancers
- Promotes Healthy Bones
4. Keep a Close Eye on Your Pup’s Weight
Through a healthy diet and regular exercise, you’ll help your pup achieve a healthy weight. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is essential to your pup’s healthy life and lifestyle. But get this: An estimated 52.7% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. Does your pooch fall into this category? To check, place your hands on your dog’s spine and run them over his back and ribs. It should be easy to feel the ribs and spine (although, it shouldn’t poke out either). If not, chances are your dog is overweight. Check out this chart from GuideDogs.org for a better visual:
As you read through the following list of potential problems for an overweight pooch, you will notice they are quite similar to the potential problems that an overweight human could face. They include:
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- Respiratory Disease
- Diabetes
- Certain Cancers
- Arthritis
- Heat Intolerance
- Reproductive Issues
- Decreased Energy
- Depression
- Decreased Quality Of Life
- Decreased Lifespan
5. Try CBD Oil
One of the first things I do every morning is prepare my Chihuahua’s breakfast and drizzle a dose of CBD oil on top. I started giving it to him a few years ago, after he started showing the early signs of arthritis. After just two weeks of daily use, I started noticing a huge difference in the way he walked and carried himself. And a full four weeks in, he was like a whole new dog. Yes, seriously!
Many pet parents give it to their dogs for joint pain, anxiety, inflammation, digestive health, allergies, seizures, and the list goes on. While I was extremely hesitant to jump on the CBD/Hemp bandwagon, now my only regret is that I didn’t start sooner!
I personally use the iHeartDogs’ Cannanine™, which is an organic CBD oil from hemp. It’s manufactured in the USA from organically grown Colorado hemp. It’s a non-GMO, full-spectrum oil that’s been tested and found to be free of bacteria, yeast, mold, heavy metals, and other toxins. Plus, since the product is high quality, Cannanine™ freely shares its Certificate of Analysis right on their website.
Cannanine offers several strengths:
6. Do at Least One Thing Each Day to Enrich Your Pup’s Mind
Along with moving our dog’s body, there’s another type of exercise our pups need. It’s called mental stimulation and, just like it sounds, it literally means you’re exercising your dog’s mind.
Like people, dogs get bored. And do you know what happens when a dog gets bored? Yup! They find creative ways to amuse themselves. (In ways we usually don’t like. Think: excessive barking, destructive chewing, digging holes, etc.) By providing mental stimulation for your dog, you’re helping to:
- Bust doggy boredom
- Put an end to unwanted behaviors that are triggered by boredom
- Lower stress levels and improve mood
- Burn off energy/tire out your dog
- Keep your dog’s mind sharp (this is especially great for aging dogs)
Some ways to mentally stimulate your pup:
- Offer interactive games and puzzle toys, where your dog needs to fire up his brain and figure out how to unleash the tasty reward hiding inside
- Carve out time to work on new tricks
- Slow down on daily walks around your community and let your pup sniff around
7. Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
This is something I do every night. Dental hygiene is an extremely important part of your pooch’s overall health and should be a part of his/her daily routine. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), periodontal disease (AKA gum disease) is the most common dental condition in dogs and worsens with age.
The thing with periodontal disease is that it can lead to life-altering health issues, such as heart disease. Bacteria from the diseased gums can enter the bloodstream and have devastating effects. The great news is – it’s preventable.
Have your pooch’s teeth checked by your vet at least once a year and get into the habit of daily brushing. Start slowly and before you know it you’ll both be comfortable with your new routine. Some symptoms of gum disease include:
- Bad Breath
- Red Gums
- Swollen Gums
- Bleeding Gums
- Mouth Sensitivity
- Excessive Chewing
- Loose Teeth
- Trouble Eating
- Pawing At Face/Mouth
8. Brush Your Dog’s Coat Every Day
You comb your own hair every day, but how often do your bust out the brush and run it through your pup’s hair? While regular brushing may seem more essential for dogs with long hair (to prevent nasty mats from forming), it’s actually healthy for all dogs. Here are some benefits of daily brushing:
- Boosts circulation by encouraging blood flow
- Exfoliates the skin and stimulates natural oils
- Eliminates toxins through stimulating the lymph nodes and supporting a healthy immune system
9. Mini Massage
Oh yeah … that’s the spot! It’s no secret that most dogs love to be pet, scratched, rubbed, and massaged. Heck, when I stop petting my pups they immediately reach their paw out and start scratching my hand. It’s their way of saying, “Don’t stop! Keep going!” Along with feeling great, did you know a regular massage provides many health benefits to your pooch? It can help:
- Improve Circulation
- Decrease Blood Pressure
- Improve Lymphatic Fluid Movement
- Stimulate Liver and Kidneys
- Strengthen Immune System
- Aid Digestion
- Help Relieve Muscle Tension and Stiffness
- Speed Up Healing Process for Pulled Muscles
- Reduce Scar Tissue Formation
- Improve Flexibility & Range of Motion
- Reduce Anxiety
- Promote Relaxation
Plus, by getting a good feel of your dog’s body on a regular basis, you will easily be able to detect any changes happening underneath his coat and skin (such as newly formed lumps, bumps, or tender areas). In many cases, early detection can be life-saving.
So, in the evenings, when you’re kicking back to relax and unwind, why not give your pup a mini massage? In this instructional video below by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), Dr. Narda Robinson demonstrates some traditional massage techniques that you can use for your canine kids. I definitely recommend watching the full video as it’s filled with great tidbits from start to end.
10. Take Your Fur Baby to the Vet Each Year
Just like we see our primary care doctors once a year for a physical exam, it’s recommended that our canine companions see their doctors (AKA the veterinarian) once a year for a check-up (or twice a year for seniors). By thoroughly checking your dog’s health, and updating these records each year, it gives you and your vet a baseline of your dog’s health status. Knowing what is normal is key to recognizing anything that may change or become abnormal. These regular check-ups can help you uncover a disease or condition before your dog ever shows signs of illness. Early detection can make a huge difference in treatment, recovery, and cost!
Additionally, make sure your dog’s vaccinations and/or titers are up-to-date. While I’m certainly not a fan of over-vaccinating (which is why I recommend titer tests before boosters), protection is important. Depending on where you live, your fur baby could be exposed to various preventable diseases.
