How do you make dogs happy? It’s a simple question with many not-so-simple answers. What makes a dog happy depends on the dog, but there’s a lot they have in common.
.jpg)
How do you make dogs happy? It’s a simple question with many not-so-simple answers. What makes a dog happy depends on the dog, but there’s a lot they have in common.
Whether your dog’s happiness comes from playing fetch at home, a long walk with friends, fuss and cuddles on the sofa or learning a new trick, keeping them healthy is key to them enjoying their favourite things for longer.
That’s why this article covers our top tips for keeping your dog both happy and healthy - so they can enjoy the things they love, for longer.
Socialising puppies is vital and helps to set them up with the confidence and social skills they need to live a happy life. However, there’s no reason for training to end after their puppy classes.
Whether your dog struggles with anxiety, doesn’t always know how to behave or simply never seems to run out of energy, training can be a great way to improve their (and your) quality of life.
If your dog’s behaviour is already picture-perfect, training is still a brilliant way to bond with your dog - even older dogs can still learn a new trick, despite the classic saying! Learning new tricks enhances your bond with your dog and keeps their brain active, as well as helping to tire them out.
For dogs with anxiety, a slow, structured training programme can make a particularly significant difference to their long-term happiness.
This usually centres around two core training concepts:
For other dogs, it can be a struggle for them to understand what behaviours are appropriate. Telling your dog off all the time definitely isn’t going to make anyone happy - and it’s also unlikely to be effective.
Instead, training should centre around redirecting your dog to an appropriate behaviour that’s incompatible with the behaviour that’s not wanted. You can then reward them for carrying out the right behaviour. For example, if your dog jumps up and mouths at visitors due to excitement, you can reward them for picking up a toy when visitors come to the door.
Behaviour can be incredibly complex, so if your dog has significant issues or basic training isn’t helping, it’s best to speak to your vet and either work with a reputable dog trainer using reward-based techniques or consult a qualified animal behaviourist.
Regular walking is vital for dogs’ wellbeing - and not just as exercise. Alongside the physical health benefits, walks provide an array of exciting sights, sounds and smells for your dog to experience, keeping them mentally stimulated too.
A brisk walk can provide great exercise, but slower paced strolls with plenty of time for sniffing offer a whole range of benefits. Try switching between the two to keep your dog both physically and mentally healthy.
Dogs with conditions such as arthritis may not be able to manage long walks, but a gentle wander can still be rewarding. If possible, try different routes or locations to give them more to sniff and explore.
Most healthy dogs need at least one to two walks a day and, depending on their breed and personality, they may want to walk for anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour.
Walks are critical to keep your dog happy, but they’re not the only way to battle boredom. There are many simple ways to add some extra mental stimulation to your dog’s day and get their brain firing.
These include:
An article on how to make dogs happy wouldn’t be complete without mentioning one of their favourite things: food.
However, there’s a lot more to consider than just feeding them whatever makes them happy. Feeding your dog the right food, in the right quantity, is essential.
So, what is the best food for dogs? There’s no single right answer, but there are some key points to remember.
Most importantly, 90% of your dog’s diet should be made up of a complete and balanced dog food. Many different options are available, but the ‘complete’ description is key - these diets have been formulated to provide all the nutrients dogs need, in the right amounts.
If you’re keen to try a home-prepared diet it’s essential to consult a veterinary nutritionist as it’s very easy for the ratios and amounts of certain nutrients to be out of balance.1 This may not cause health issues immediately but could cause potentially irreversible issues later on.
Raw diets have also become increasingly popular, but if you pick this option it’s still important to make sure the diet is complete and balanced - raw meat alone doesn’t contain all the nutrients dogs need! Your dog may also be at higher risk of certain infections, parasites and, if whole bones are fed, dental fractures.2 If you’re planning to feed raw it’s worth discussing things like additional parasite treatments with your vet.
Feeding your dog is a guaranteed way to make them happy in the moment, but what about in the future?
With up to 65% of dogs in the UK estimated to be overweight3 it’s more important than ever to pay attention to your dog’s weight. Keeping your dog a healthy weight doesn’t just boost their energy levels and quality of life - it also reduces their risk of health problems such as arthritis, heart disease and heat stroke and can significantly increase their life expectancy.4
So, how much food do they need?
Both diets and dogs are too variable to give a set answer to this - but the key is to pay attention to your dog’s body condition score. The body condition score is a measure used by vets to assess dogs’ and cats’ weights and relies on assessing their waistline and the layer of fat covering their ribs.
Feeding guidelines on pet food packaging are a great place to start, but remember these don’t factor in treats and tidbits, or your dog’s metabolism. If they’re overweight a good way to start is to reduce their food intake by approximately 10% and re-assess in 6-8 weeks before making further adjustments.
It’s always recommended to get your dog checked by a vet before making any significant changes to their diet, especially if you’re concerned about underlying health issues.
Not sure where to start? Find out more about keeping your dog a healthy weight or speak to your vet practice for tailored advice and support.
Dental care is easy to overlook, especially in young dogs - but dental health is essential to keeping your dog comfortable and healthy (as well as helping to keep their breath fresh!).
Prevention is always better than cure, but whether you’ve got a puppy with perfect teeth or a dog with the early stages of dental disease, it’s worth introducing some dental care. Options include dental diets, chews, toothpastes and supplements. Remember, daily brushing is always best (if there was an equally effective alternative, humans would be using it by now!), but other interventions can still make a difference.
Not sure where to start? It’s always worth getting your dog’s teeth regularly checked by your vet as dental disease isn’t always obvious. Unlike a hurt paw, dental pain is typically chronic and dull, meaning many dogs show no obvious signs.
The good news is that with appropriate treatment, even the most severe dental disease can be treated successfully, leaving your dog much happier - and if you’re able to look after your dog’s teeth at home, you can aim to prevent any further issues in the future.
Your vet can offer tailored advice on the best approach - but a good starting point is to look out for products with the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal of approval.
Preventative healthcare might not be something your dog seems to enjoy, but taking a proactive approach to their health can help to avoid health problems down the line.
Dogs need yearly boosters for their core vaccinations to ensure they remain protected against infections such as parvovirus and leptospirosis, which are present across the UK and can cause life-threatening disease.
These visits aren’t just for their vaccines, however - regular health checks can also help to pick up underlying issues before they cause a bigger problem. Early diagnosis of conditions such as heart murmurs, kidney disease and cancers can lead to better outcomes and in many cases less intensive treatment being needed.
It’s also important to keep up-to-date with your dog’s parasite treatments. Speak to your vet about what cover your dog needs, as there are many different factors to consider. Lungworm, for example, is a parasite that’s present across the UK and can cause severe health issues, but not all products are effective against it.
You can help to keep your dog healthy by monitoring their health at home. Changes in appetite, thirst, toileting, behaviour or weight should be flagged to your vet as they can indicate an underlying problem. Unexpected weight loss, for example, is often associated with health issues and should be discussed with your vet as soon as possible.
While your dog may not thank you at the time, keeping on top of their preventative care will keep them healthier and happier in the long run.
Keeping on top of your dog’s healthcare can sometimes feel overwhelming - from remembering flea and worm treatments, keeping track of vaccinations and monitoring their weight to recalling every detail from your last vet visit…
That’s why we developed Pawpass, to put you back in control of your dog’s health.
With Pawpass you can:
Discover how Pawpass can make managing your dog’s health effortless.
.jpg)
%20(2).jpg)
