Dogs are the most popular types of pets in many homesteads. Unlike most pets, dogs are loyal, they are loving, cuddly, and most importantly, they are devoted. However, just like humans, dogs too become sick. They also become stressed and undergo other unfortunate events that might compromise with their well-being. The well-being of your dog affects you directly, and that is why you should ensure your favorite pet is okay always.
Keep reading to know more about the types of dogs’ well-being, why they are essential, and how you can improve your dog’s overall welfare.
Types of Dogs Well-Being
There are three main types of dog’s well-being. They are:
- Mental well-being – Mental well-being relates to the mental health of your dog. Dogs who are mentally fit learns faster, happier, and do not show any behavioral problems. Also, dogs with the right mental well-being are more active and lively.
- Social well-being – Social welfare refers to the ability of the dog to interact with people and other animals well. A dog with the right social well-being is always happy and does not live in isolation.
- Physical well-being – As the name implies, physical well-being refers to the general health of the body. A physically fit dog eats well, sleeps well, exercises well, and does not get ill quickly.
Why your Dog’s Well-Being is Important
If your dog is healthy, active, and happy, you will also experience positive impacts. Here are some of the benefits that you can get from a healthy dog:
-
Better Social Life
According to researchers, the well-being of a dog can help you have a better social experience. A dog is a man’s best friend, and you can, therefore, play with it and enjoy each other’s company and have a better social life.
-
Less Stress
The well-being of your dog can minimize your stress levels. Therapy dogs, for instance, can lower your blood pressure. The dogs can also relieve pressure between married couples or people experiencing trouble at work.
-
Reduced Depression
A healthy and active dog can reduce your chances of suffering from depression. This is particularly helpful to people living with HIV/AIDS, chronic illnesses, or the older adults who, in most cases, are isolated in the community.
-
Less Doctor’s Visits
The well-being of your dog can help you reduce hospital trips. On your side, the dog will keep you physically and socially fit, then reduce the chances of getting some stress-related illnesses. On the dog’s side, you will make fewer visits to the vet if the dog is healthy, active, and feeding well.
-
It’s a Legal Requirement
The law requires all dog owners to observe the well-being of the dogs. It’s your responsibility to ensure that the dog is well taken care of throughout. You can easily face the wrath of the law if you fail to pay attention to the welfare of your pet.
How to Improve Your Dog’s Well-Being
Apply these tips to make your dog healthy, happy, and active throughout.
Play with Him
According to experts from doggiesolutions.co.uk, the dog’s mind is similar to that of a child aged three to five years. Just like children of that age, dogs need a lot of play. As such, you should limit the time that the dogs spent alone. Dogs that spent most of their time alone have a miserable social life because they lack enough companionship. Also, the dogs which stay for long hours suffer from boredom and engage themselves in destructive practices. Create some free time out of your busy schedule to bond with your dog, and to engage in different exercises. There are plenty of practical activities that you can carry out with your dog. For instance, you can participate in a daily walk or even run together. You can also purchase the dogs’ toys to keep your pet busy.
Improve your Dog’s Diet
Diet is one of the main contributors to the dogs’ well-being. Unfortunately, many dog owners do not know what to feed their dogs. It is not easy to choose the right dog food, but you should at least try to research or seek advice from the dog professionals. You can also visit these experts to know the specific food recommendations that can work well for your dog. As a dog owner, you will come across marketing hypes. Those advertisements are not always right, and you should solely focus on the nutritional content only. If possible, consider the fresh whole food products; avoid cooking meat, and use organic vegetables.
Groom and Bathe your Dog Well
Bathing plays an essential role in the well-being of your dog. It keeps the skin and the coat clean and free from pests and parasites. Dogs do not require a regular bathe, but you can scrub them daily, depending on the type of environment they live in. The breeds with oily coats are more vulnerable to dirt and pests, and you can, therefore, wash them more frequently. For proper cleaning, use lukewarm water, the recommended shampoo, and rinse the dog thoroughly. Doggiedesigner.com has detailed reviews helping you choose the right shampoo or conditioner for your pup. You can also air-dry the dog’s skin if you live in areas with low temperatures. Remember to clean the dog’s immediate environment, its bowls, and all its accessories daily.
Observe Regular Vet Visits
Many dog owners do not know when the dog becomes unwell unless the situation worsens. To be on the safe side, you should consult professionals regularly to confirm if your dog has underlying body issues. When you observe regular vets visits, the chances are high that you will keep your dog’s well-being on the check. In addition to that, you will cut down the expensive costs of dealing with severe health conditions in the future.
Dogs have feelings and emotions too, just like us. We should handle them with care, feed them well, clean them, and play with them. By so doing, the dogs will be happy, physically fit, and they will have stable well-being. You will also enjoy the benefits of having a healthy and active pet. If you observe an adverse change in the behavior of the dog, inform your veterinary officer immediately for an examination.
