They have been lovingly dubbed ‘man’s best friend’, and that title certainly fits. Dogs are amazing, loyal companions that bring a lot of happiness to their owners. It can be difficult to imagine your life without your dog once you bring them home, and you want to make the most of each day you have with them. As your dog loves you so much, it’s important to love them back and take care of them to the best of your capability. Below are some of the basics when it comes to giving your dog the best possible care.
Register with a Great Vet
One of the first things that you have to do when bringing a dog home is to register them with a great vet. They will need to have annual health checks and treatments to keep them healthy, which is why it is always the sooner, the better when it comes to finding a vet. You need to make sure your dog’s vet is kind, professional, and affordable, as these bills can be expensive! If you want an example of a clinic that can offer all of these things, look up easyvet.com and discover their locations.
Manage Their Diet Properly
As tempting as it can be to give your dog treats when they are doing tricks or just being downright cute, overindulging them can lead to unhealthy weight gain. It is important to manage your dog’s diet properly so that it is balanced, and they are getting the correct nutrients. It might also be tempting to let them have the scraps from your plate, but it is better to avoid this if you can, as not all the foods that are OK for you to eat will be good for your dog. They will also start to expect to get scraps from your plate, which isn’t a good habit for them to get into.
Regular Walks
Part of being a dog owner is taking your pet out for regular walks throughout the day. Depending on your dog’s breed, the duration of these walks will vary as some breeds will need more exercise than others. If you are unable to take your dog a walk during the day, ask a friend or pay a professional dog walker to do this for you. When it comes to the weekend, think about driving out to the countryside with your dog and taking them on a longer hike. This adventure will be something that they will enjoy and also give you plenty of exercises.
Play with Them
As well as walking your dog, playing with them and giving them attention is also essential. This will be how you bond with them but also let them know that you do care and want to spend time with them. Whether it’s play fetch with their ball in the backyard or tug of war with one of their chew toys, these games will be fun for you both. Cuddles on the sofa after a long day will also be a great way to feel close to your dog and show them some love.
If you have recently welcomed a dog into your home or are intending to do so, remember the basics of taking care of them, so they get all the love that they deserve.