A study conducted by HealthyPaws pet insurance shows that treating stomach conditions for dogs could amount to $6,500, according to NBC News. When your furry friend runs around the house, wags his tail, and licks your face, it is a sign of good health and happiness. As a pet owner, you want your dog to always be in good health to avoid hefty medical bills and the stress associated with caring for a sick pet.
While you may have an idea on how to take care of pets, you may still find it challenging to improve your dog’s health. Fortunately, there are simple  ways to keep your dog healthy and happy.
Be Consistent with Meals
Changing your dog’s diet frequently is one of the leading causes of intestinal problems. That is why it is advisable to let your dog feed on their current meal if they are healthy. However, if the foods are posing a health risk, consult your vet. A professional will recommend the right meals to try, but be sure to introduce new foods to them slowly.
This step will help your pet adapt to his new meal without complications. Equally important, ensure you are feeding high-quality pet foods that provide the required nutrition for healthy growth.
Personalize ExercisesÂ
You might already know that regular exercises are essential for keeping your dog in good shape. A daily walk, for example, keeps your furry friend active. However, you may want to  personalize your dog’s exercise routine by adding different activities. Think about other activities your pet loves and create time to indulge in them. For instance, if your dog enjoys playing fetch, spend quality time throwing the frisbee or ball.
Find a perfect place for them to swim and splash if they love water. Consider hiking, build obstacle courses, hide treats, and try new tricks to ensure your pup is engaged. Providing opportunities to play will keep your dog physically and mentally active, relieve boredom, improve self-esteem, promote digestion, and strengthen healthy bones.
Show Happiness Around Your Dog
HappiestDog.com suggests that it is essential to maintaining healthy overall well-being in pets. This includes showing positive emotions and rewards as dogs are happy and loyal animals. They love and care for their owners unconditionally and like young children, dogs follow your daily behavior. If you are anxious around them, they may become nervous and aggressive.
Therefore, stay calm, interact positively, and be attentive to your pet’s needs. Building a powerful bond with your dog promotes not only their happiness but also reduces stress and anxiety. Cuddles, belly rubs, petting, walking, and brushing their coats are excellent tricks to show your pup some positive affection.
Encourage SocializationÂ
It may seem enough that you and your puppy are best friends, but dogs need to expand their social networks. Set aside time to visit local parks where your pup can interact with other dogs. There are plenty of  benefits for dog-to-dog socialization as well as dog-to-human interaction. Meeting new friends will boost a dog’s happiness and well-being. Your pup will also enjoy mental and physical exercise, resulting in enhanced morale and behavior around the house.
Prioritize Vet VisitsÂ
No matter how healthy your dog may look, you need to maintain a regular visit to the veterinarian. Having a professional evaluate your pet’s health will help detect any underlying issues. Since dogs can’t talk and hide their signs and symptoms well, it’s difficult to know if they are ill. During annual checkups, vets will perform thorough blood tests and assess their overall physical condition. These procedures help monitor potential health risks that become common in most dogs as they age. Besides performing physical exams, vets will provide rabies booster shots and tests, including heartworm and fecal.
If you are a new pet parent, find out  how often you should see a vet as different dogs require unique treatment based on their age, size, and breed. Puppies, for example, require plenty of visits from birth to sixteen weeks to ensure they receive the required vaccinations and preventative medication. Adult dogs ages one to seven years might need one checkup per year if they are healthy and have no previous conditions. Senior dogs will need two visits every year because they are more prone to health problems.
Grooming is Necessary
Many pet parents assume that brushing their pets once a week is enough to keep them clean and healthy. However, there are many  perks linked with regular grooming. When you groom furry friends, you can eliminate potential problems like paw irritation, excessive shedding, long toenails, fleas, and ticks. While you may pamper your dog at home, the services of a professional groomer are beneficial.
Expert groomers will check for inflammation, rashes, and lesions that you might miss when grooming your dog. A groomer will then recommend the necessary actions to prevent serious health conditions.
Keeping your dog healthy and happy is the best way to extend his or her lifespan. You can achieve the long-term results by prioritizing vet visits, providing high-quality meals, regular grooming, exercising, and socializing. Also, make it a habit to show your furry friend plenty of affection to boost their happiness. After all, when your pet is happy, the entire family is happy too.
