Take care of your dog (and yourself)

Tim DoedijnsByTim Doedijns

Take care of your dog (and yourself)

The start of every new year is accompanied by new good resolutions. Often these include taking better care of yourself, exercising more and eating healthier. Unfortunately, many resolutions fade away, but you can increase the chance of success: make good resolutions for your four-legged friend too!

Go to the (animal) doctor on time

Many people postpone a visit to the doctor when they have complaints, but when it comes to their pets they take action right away. In this corona period it is smart to set the annual appointment for vaccinations in advance. Many veterinary clinics are extra busy because of the scarce staff and with an annual check you can also prevent complaints.

Pay attention to the teeth

Good dental hygiene is important for humans and animals! So make sure you know how to properly clean your dog’s teeth. Daily brushing is of course best, but make sure you only use products that are specially made for dogs. Xylitol, for example, is used in many toothpastes for humans, but toxic to dogs.

Choose the right food

You might notice early on when you gain weight, but obesity in pets is often not recognized. According to the University of Utrecht, about half of the Dutch dogs are overweight. Also in other countries many pets, and especially dogs, suffer from extra weight. And that can cause major health problems, especially in smaller or older animals. A good way to get and keep your dog at the right weight, is to weigh the daily amount of food for your dog can have and replace treats with vegetables or fruit – but be careful not to give fruit with seeds, as these are often not good or even toxic for dogs.

Get enough exercise

Exercise is good for body and mind. And that goes for you and your dog. When you walk the dog every day at the same times and for the same lengths, your dog will automatically remind you to go for a walk at those times and make the right turns during the walk. And with the right equipment, walking the dog becomes that much more pleasurable. For example, make sure that the dog harness fits well and that you use a reliable leash, for example from EQuest 4dogs. Do you need good outdoor clothing for yourself? Take a look at the Owney Outdoor catalog, they offer great and dogproof outdoor clothes.

Tip: is jogging your New Year’s resolution? Then choose the Orbiloc K9 Active Pack. That way you can run safely together.

Keep the mind sharp

Besides the daily physical activities, it is also important that the mind is fed. Dogs are intelligent creatures and thus need some mental challenges on a regular basis. If they don’t get mental stimulation, they will naturally find other outlets – and you may suffer from scrapping behavior. In addition to the daily walks, you can play games, such as playing hide and seek with their toys.

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About the author

Tim Doedijns

Tim Doedijns administrator

NOHO agency is founded by Tim Doedijns, avid skier and hockey player, hiker and proud owner of Border Terrier Luca.