If your dog is experiencing issues with their mental health you may notice that they seem possessive or aggressive. They might destroy furniture, or show little interest in exercise or their toys. Perhaps your dog is howling or barking more than usual? Maybe you’ve noticed some anti-social behaviour? All of these are signs that your dog may be having problems. To help you look after the mental health of your dog, focus on these five key areas.
1 . Regular trips to the vet
If you want to keep your dog happy it’s important to take them to the vet regularly. Perhaps your dog has been experiencing some behavioral problems recently? It could be that an underlying health condition is responsible. Regular vet trips can help you to prioritize the overall health of your dog.
2. Mental stimulation
If you want to keep your dog healthy and happy you’ll need to provide them with lots of mental stimulation. There are lots of different ways you can mentally stimulate your dog, including:
- Buy your dog a special puzzle toy.
- Play plenty of games with your dog.
- Teach your pooch some tricks
- Create a fun obstacle course.
- Check out apps for dogs.
3. Plenty of exercise
To keep your dog mentally healthy they must get lots of exercise. Take your dog for plenty of walks and runs, exploring the green spaces around your neighborhood. Some dogs need more exercise than others, but in general, dogs need between 30 mins and 2 hours of exercise every day. Walks and runs are plenty of fun but if you’d like to shake things up a bit, consider going swimming with your dog. Not all dogs love swimming, but plenty of them do!
4. The right foods
To support your dog’s mental health ensure that they get a nutritious diet. You’ll need to choose the best dog food and doggie supplements. Plenty of veggies are safe for dogs to eat including brussel sprouts, broccoli, carrots, green beans, celery, and sweet potatoes. Dog’s can also eat fruits like watermelon and strawberries.
Many fruits and veggies are toxic to dogs, it’s important not to give your dog garlic, cherries, leeks, grapefruit, onion, or rhubarb. The iKibble app is a helpful tool that gives info about which foods you can and cannot feed to your dog.
5. Massages for dogs
Looking for a great way to boost your dog’s mental health, why not give them a massage? Giving your dog a massage can help them to feel calm and relaxed. If they seem stressed out, why not give it a try? The American Kennel Club provides a great guide about how to massage your dog.
With the help of these tips, you’ll improve your dog’s health. Taking good care of your dog is about noticing any changes in their behavior, and investigating the causes. If you notice that your dog seems down or anxious the first thing you should do is take them to the vet.
