Just as we have to follow a healthy lifestyle if we want to be physically fit, so must our pets. Dogs require a combination of good food, exercise, love, and attention from their owners to lead a healthy life. It doesn’t take a lot of money to give your pup everything he needs to maintain a healthy mind and body. It just takes a little bit of care and attention from a loving owner.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your dog requires following some basic principles.

When it comes to food, quality not quantity
To ensure your dog is healthy, take care to feed him a high-quality, nutritious diet. Just as you need a nutritious diet that includes balance and natural ingredients, so does your dog. Veterinarians recommend that a dog’s diet be about 40% meat or protein, 50% vegetables, and 10% carbohydrates. Look at the ingredients listed on your dog’s food and make sure protein sources, such as lamb, chicken or venison, are among the top five ingredients. Dogs also benefit from whole grain, low-fat dog foods. In this area, spending a little more on a more nutritious brand of dog food will actually provide long-term health benefits for your pet.

regular exercise
Making time for regular exercise is also a key component to a dog’s healthy lifestyle. Dogs don’t have the ability to understand the positive benefits of exercise, so it’s up to you, the owner, to make sure your pet is in proper physical shape. If you’re not sure how much exercise is appropriate for your dog’s age and breed, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.

Walking your dog is the easiest way to keep it healthy. A 10- to 15-minute walk through a nearby park or around your neighborhood can help a dog settle down before bed or can be a good start to the day. Swimming is also a fun and easy way to get your dog outside and active during the summer months. If your dog is social, consider taking him to a dog park to play fetch.

During exercise time, be sure to monitor your dog closely for abnormal changes in breathing or gait. Be sure not to push your dog too hard too quickly, and keep his exercise pattern as regular as possible. As you begin or change your dog’s exercise routine, be sure to note any changes in eating or sleeping patterns and notify your veterinarian.

owner care
Providing regular, loving care for your pet is the easiest element to forget, but it is often the most crucial to keeping your pet happy and healthy. Loneliness and aggression are common in dogs that have not received proper care and socialization. Dog experts have even found that a dog who has not been socialized into a loving and trusting environment when he reaches sexual maturity may never have close, trusting relationships with people or other animals. Whether you’re walking your dog, throwing a ball together, or just snuggling together on the couch, rest assured that time together is well spent and necessary for your dog’s health.

The best way to make sure your dog is happy and healthy is to take care of him like you do yourself. A nutritious diet, regular exercise, and time and attention, along with regular visits to the vet, will keep your dog happy throughout his life.

~Ben Anton, 2008