Life after getting a dog undergoes a massive transformation.

Dogs are a man’s best friend, which is what we learn as children. As we grow and become a pet’s parent, we understand that dogs are more than just a friend. They are companions for life, our kids, siblings and partner-in-crime. Over the course of time, we learn what causes a dog stress and anxiety and how we can help them.

Our canine friends bring to our life a new breeze of innocence and unconditional love. Who says they don’t speak? As they look up to us with their cute little eyes or snuggle close, we can hear them saying how much they love us.  As any pet parent, we will go to any extent to keep them cheerful and lively, thus offering them a quality life.

October is not just a month of festivals but also a month to show your love to your furry companions. In this month for Pet Wellness, let's all take the initiative to ensure their proper well-being with foods and activities for our fur buds. 

Here is a list of activities to ensure that you are taking proper care of your doggo’s overall well being-

1. Have a heckin good time!

Spending some quality time with your canine buddy is not only good for you but also for them. Trust us when we say that nothing will make your dog happier (except maybe chicken), than spending time with them. 

So, go for long walks around the block twice a day, play fetch and tug of war till your dog gets tired. 

A tired dog will be calmer, better behaved, and happier because they just spent some time with you. However, depending on the breed, size and age of the dog, the level of exercise will vary. For example, large dog breeds such as a German Shepherd and Doberman will require more activities compared to small dog breeds like Pomeranian, Spitz etc.

On the other hand, some dog breeds like Labradors, Pugs, and Bulldogs love eating, which makes them more prone to obesity and eventually heart diseases. These breeds will need regular exercises, which will improve their metabolism and keep their weight in check. 

2. Dietary variations for your fur baby’s health

Earlier it was considered that dogs require only one type of protein twice every day. But in recent years, veterinarians are suggesting that like us, our dogs need variations in their diet. It will keep things interesting for them, and make mealtimes much more enjoyable. Vets recommend introducing them to different types of proteins and even some vegetables to ensure that they are eating a balanced diet. 

Wellness pet food and yummy treats are also great ways to bring variation in your pet's diet. 

However, ensure you regularly clean your cat’s food station, bed and litter box.

3. Treat them to a spa day

Just like how we need some TLC once in a while, it is also important to ensure that our canine friends enjoy some well-deserved pampering. 

Treat your dog to a spa day! 

Take them to professional dog spas or give them a pampering treatment at home. Start off with a relaxing bath for a clean and smooth coat and eliminate itching and odour. No matter how much your dog hates bathing, he or she will love you after getting a squeaky clean coat sans itching. 

Follow up with a pawdicure to keep your dog's nails short and trimmed. It will help them to run faster and reduce the chances of slipping on smooth surfaces. Short nails also eliminate the risk of your pets injuring themselves while scratching. Some professional spas also offer facilities like pet ear cleaning and hair shaping to improve appearance.

However, this habit may lead them to wreak havoc on your furniture. So, for the peace of mind of both parties involved, get a scratch post for your cats and train them to use it for scratching their nails. 

Elder cats are, however, less likely to use the scratch posts. 

In that case, you need to trim their claws regularly so that they don't get long and curved and penetrate the pad, which can be painful.

4. Make routine vet visits a part of YOUR routine!

To ensure your fur baby's wellbeing, you should take them to a vet's clinic as often as possible for check-ups to detect any early signs of disease or infection, which you as a pet parent normally cannot. A vet is also the best person to tell you if your dog is gaining weight and suggest a proper nutritional plan if necessary. 

Few veterinary doctors also offer services like dental care for dogs which is essential to prevent any oral health issues. 

5. Look out for signs of stress and anxiety

While dogs are the best mental health boosters, it should be remembered that they also suffer from stress and anxiety. Especially during festive seasons, your dogs will be exposed to loud music, firecrackers and ensuing cacophony. 

You must, thus, be extra careful around this time!

One thing you need to understand is what can cause your doggo stress and anxiety. Besides loud noise and a large group of people, staying away from you for prolonged periods can also induce anxiety. 

Once you have an idea about the symptoms of dog stress you will be able to create a safe space for your pet. 

Few of these signs include: 

• Drooling, excessive licking, and yawning. 

• Change in posture.

• Their ears will be pinned back against their head instead of sticking out.

These pointers below can help understand how to reduce stress and anxiety for your boop buddies; but remember, what helps other pets, may not work for yours. Hence, you may want to check with your vet if these tips work for your pet.

• If your dog is facing separation anxiety, spend more time with them.

• In case it is due to loud noise, give them treats and talk to them in a soothing voice.

• Classical music also helps dogs to calm down.

6. Mandatory hair brushing daily

Your furry companion will only feel comfortable if you clean and groom its fur. Regular brushing of their hair will prevent mats and lice from settling on their body. It will also stop their furs from being entangled and remove lice from their bodies.

Regular brushing helps get rid of excess and loose fur. As a result, you have to deal with less fur flying around your furniture, food and clothes.  

Also, fur hanging over their eyes can be quite irritating.  Therefore, if your pet’s hair grows long and is covering its eyes, it is time for a haircut.  You can clip those extra fringes over its head for a trendy look.

7. Clean their cute ears

You need to clean your pet’s ears periodically to get rid of excess wax and mucus. Excessive wax discharge, if left neglected, can cause fungal or bacterial growth, which can further lead to infections.

Unclean ears can attract mites to lay eggs in your pets' ears. Not all dog breeds require regular ear-cleaning. However, if your doggo is a poodle, Doberman, labrador, dachshund or beagle, they need regular ear cleaning.

 Therefore, cleaning their ears is an essential part of your dog’s wellness plan.

8. Let them learn while playing

Like toddlers, your canine babies can be moody during training sessions. They may want your attention so that you play or cuddle with them. As much as games and cuddles are important, training is necessary too. 

So, why not combine them?

Like kindergarten kids, your doggo can learn a lot while playing. 

You can start slowly using reward tricks and making them comfortable with toys. Next, you can involve them in games like fetch.  During playtime, you can teach them to follow simple commands like “come” or “fetch”.

These training sessions tend to be slow and require patience. However,  they will give plenty of time for you to bond with your pet.

9. Keep toxins away from your fur baby

Just as you keep sharp objects or hazardous materials away from kids, the same rule applies to your doggo. 

Curious by nature, they may sniff, knock down or lick anything rolling on the floor. Consequently, in no time, you will find yourself running to the vet.  Toxins do not just include expired medicines or small objects. They can be any food item which is harmful to your dog’s body. 

For instance, if you are a labrador parent, keep foods like dairy products or sweets out of your dog’s reach. Dairy products like paneer, curd, sweets or chocolates are harmful to their digestive systems.

10. Kiss them a collar-free goodnight

Different collars can make your pup look smart and adorable on your Instagram. However, they are a choking hazard for your pet and are uncomfortable to carry around throughout the day. 

Even though some people say that you must habituate your pet with dog collars, you should release its neck at night. Unleashing these collars makes their neck feel free and relaxed like we feel after taking off tight belts or jeans. They can also have a sound sleep after an eventful day.

The bells on their collar can be irritating while sleeping. This makes it more important to remove collars for your doggo’s wellness.

Our fur bud loves us unconditionally and welcomes us warmly with a wagging tail and eyes that makes us forget our stress. As pet parents, we love them too and can do anything in our power to protect them from any harm. However, to err is to be human, so there can be some shortcomings in our care. 

The above dog wellness food and care tips will ensure you are taking complete care of your baby, so their loving eyes sparkle forever. As we inch closer to Pet Wellness Month, let’s pledge to be the superb parents that our ‘pawsome’ babies deserve!

You can follow these tips for your pawsome partner's wellness but keep in mind that the best medicine for them is your time and love. So, shower them with cuddles and chicken (not too much, though!) to enhance their overall wellbeing.