Did you know that nearly 40% of pet owners are worried that their pets are unhealthy? Do you share this concern? And should you be worried?
Sometimes caring for a pet can be a real challenge – especially when it comes to their health. Pets can’t communicate with us quite the way people can, so you never REALLY know what they are thinking or feeling. So it stands to reason that we always worry if our pets could be silently suffering.
“Is my dog in pain and I don’t know? Is he unhappy? Is he unhealthy?” – as pet owners, these are questions that go through our minds all the time.
Here’s the bottom line. There are 3 things that can have a major impact on your dog’s health: his age, his weight and his mobility.
As dogs get older they may tend to sleep more, gain some weight and be less active. Some dogs develop joint problems that contribute to this pattern.
What can you do to help keep your dog healthy?
1. Encourage play . Many aging dogs may prefer a nice nap to an active game of fetch or Frisbee, but it’s important to play with them regularly. Play helps keep dogs in shape.
2. Monitor the chow. When it comes to eating, no dog is going to turn down a juicy, tasty meal. Overeating is the #1 cause of canine obesity, so it’s up to us as good pet parents to monitor our dogs’ diets and keep them at an ideal weight. That extra weight a dog carries is really hard on the dog’s joints.
3. Feed a good quality dog food. Make sure your dog gets all the nutrients he needs. Some foods such as Pedigree have developed a Specialized Nutrition line that meets a dog’s three critical needs: Healthy Longevity, Healthy Weight & Healthy Mobility. The Specialized Nutrition line has proven formulas rich in antioxidants, proteins, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to improve health.
There are many things that can impact your dog’s health, but if you monitor him and keep his diet healthy, it will give you greater peace of mind.
Try to keep your aging dog at an ideal weight. And if you have slippery flooring, place rugs down to give him secure footing.
