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How to Improve Your Dog’s Diet for a Longer and Healthier Life

A well-balanced diet is one of the most important factors in keeping your canine companion healthy, energetic, and happy. With so many food options available, it can be difficult to determine what truly benefits them.

Are they getting the right nutrients, or are there better alternatives to their current meals? Thoughtful dietary choices can have a lasting impact on their overall well-being. Understanding proper nutrition is the first step toward ensuring a longer, healthier life. Keep reading to learn more.

Understanding Nutritional Needs

puppy



Proper nutrition is essential for growth, energy, and maintaining overall health. Protein supports muscle development and is found in meats, fish, and eggs. Healthy fats provide energy and contribute to skin and coat health, with sources like fish oil and chicken fat. While some carbohydrates support digestion, not all dogs require them in high amounts. Vitamins and minerals help with strong bones, immune function, and metabolic processes.

Each dog has unique dietary requirements based on age, breed, and activity level. Puppies need more protein for growth, while older ones may benefit from foods that support joint health. Consulting a veterinarian ensures they receive the right balance of nutrients.

Choosing High-Quality Food

Not all commercial dog food is created equal. Some brands contain fillers and artificial additives that offer little nutritional value. Choosing high-quality food ensures they receive the best possible nutrients. Always look for real meat as the first ingredient rather than "meat meal" or "by-products." Avoid artificial colors, flavours, and preservatives to limit unnecessary chemicals in their diet. Fillers like corn, wheat, and soy can be difficult to digest and offer minimal benefits.

Adding natural, protein-rich chews is a great way to supplement their diet. Options such as beef trachea for dogs provide a highly digestible protein source while supporting joint health with glucosamine and chondroitin. These chews also promote dental hygiene, making them a nutritious and beneficial part of a feeding routine.

Incorporating Fresh and Whole Foods

Fresh ingredients can provide additional nutrients and variety to meals. Lean meats like chicken, turkey, and fish supply high-quality protein. Vegetables such as carrots, spinach, and green beans aid digestion, while fruits like blueberries, apples, and bananas offer antioxidants. Eggs provide essential amino acids and can be a valuable protein boost.

Certain foods should always be avoided. Grapes and raisins are toxic, onions and garlic can harm red blood cells, and chocolate contains compounds that are dangerous. Artificial sweeteners, particularly xylitol, pose a serious risk to liver function. Introducing new foods gradually helps prevent digestive upset.

Portion Control and Feeding Schedules

Cocker Spaniel

Overfeeding is one of the most common causes of obesity, which increases the risk of joint problems, diabetes, and heart disease. The appropriate portion size depends on factors like weight, age, and activity level. Checking packaging guidelines or consulting a veterinarian can help determine the right amount. Measuring portions prevents overfeeding and ensures consistency.

Establishing a consistent feeding schedule supports digestion and helps maintain a healthy weight. Most adult dogs thrive on two meals per day, while younger or more active ones may need additional feedings. If they seem hungry between meals, offering a low-calorie snack such as a carrot or cucumber is a better choice than processed treats.

Keep them Hydrated

Water is just as important as food. Dehydration can cause fatigue, kidney issues, and digestive problems. Always ensure access to fresh, clean water throughout the day. Washing bowls daily prevents bacteria buildup, and adding moisture to meals with water or broth can support hydration. On hot days or after exercise, encouraging extra water intake is essential to avoid dehydration.

The Role of Supplements

A balanced diet typically provides all the necessary nutrients, but some dogs may benefit from supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids support skin, coat, and joint health and are commonly found in fish oil. Probiotics help digestion and promote gut balance. Glucosamine and chondroitin support joint health, particularly in ageing pets. Before adding supplements, consulting a veterinarian ensures they are safe and necessary.

Monitoring and Adjusting the Diet

Dietary needs can change over time. Signs that adjustments may be necessary include digestive issues such as diarrhoea, vomiting, or bloating. A dull coat or skin problems may indicate a lack of essential fatty acids. Low energy, unexpected weight gain, or weight loss could suggest nutritional deficiencies or excess calorie intake.

Regular veterinary checkups help detect dietary concerns early. Monitoring weight, coat condition, and overall energy levels provides insight into whether adjustments are needed. Any dietary changes should be made gradually to avoid stomach upset.

Conclusion

Improving a dog's diet doesn't have to be complicated. Choosing high-quality food, incorporating fresh ingredients, and maintaining proper portion sizes all contribute to long-term health. Paying attention to energy levels, weight, and overall well-being ensures they receive the best nutrition. Consulting a veterinarian for personalized recommendations can provide further guidance. Small dietary changes can lead to a significant improvement in quality of life.
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Why Is My Dog Not Eating His Food Anymore?

Dogs tend to stop eating food for a variety of reasons. While some causes for this behaviour may just be environmental-related, research shows that the type of food given to dogs greatly impacts their feeding habits.

Reasons Why Dogs Refuse to Eat

dog

Like humans, a dog’s lifespan is partially dependent on the food they eat. As such, different companies have come up with ways to ensure that dog food is not just appealing to the canine but also benefits their body health-wise. Even with this realisation, some dog owners still have to deal with their pets refusing to eat. The following are some of the reasons why your furry friend doesn’t want to eat and remedies to solve this problem.

Your Dog’s Age

As a puppy gets older, their feeding habits change. The fact that older dogs have a decreased sense of smell and taste has a lot to do with it. This behaviour is common and has nothing to do with the dog’s state of health. Due to the decreased sense of smell and taste, the dog tends to be less excited about food, hence, the loss of appetite. Additionally, older dogs tend to be less active and thus spend less energy, which in turn means they require less food.

Change in Food Preference

While refusal to eat may indicate the need for attention or general tiredness, it is also important to note that it could be a sign of the dog being bored with the food you are offering. Dogs are known to be less picky than other animals in terms of food. Therefore, a slight change in diet may be beneficial for your pup.

With time, companies are embracing organic pet food, giving dog owners choices to choose from. Such example is the pug dog food, which provides a healthier organic option for pugs.

Maybe They’re Just Not Hungry

Any dog owner would recall being worried about their pet’s eating habits but then realise that there was nothing wrong with them health-wise. Before jumping to conclusions and worrying about your furry friend endlessly, consider that maybe they’re just not hungry. Eventually, once they do get hungry, they are going to eat just as normally as they would.

Do Not Switch Your Dog's Food Abruptly

Although adding dietary nutrients to dog food is well and good, note that your four-legged friend may refuse to eat food if you completely switch their food abruptly. They may end up suffering from gastrointestinal upset, which can include vomiting and decreased appetite. Whenever you decide to change your dog’s food, the switch should be gradual (ideally over a 7-10 day period gradually increasing the new food fed every 2-3 days) to allow the seamless transition onto a new diet.

Visit Your Local Veterinarian for Advice

While there may be nothing wrong with your canine refusing to eat their food, it is advisable to visit a veterinarian just to be sure. Like humans, refusing to eat among dogs may be an indication of an underlying issue, one that may be life-threatening. It is, therefore, safer to have your buddy checked before coming to any conclusions. This will help address any health problems.

Final Thoughts

Every dog breed is different. The approach to your pup's feeding habits should depend on how well you know them and their breed in general. You have to make sure that your canine friend gets all the necessary nutrients to be healthy. Although it may not always be possible to have your dog eat as you may like, make sure that any signs of appetite changes are addressed and solved. It may be nothing serious, but it is always best to be safe rather than sorry.

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How To Get Your Dog To Sleep Soundly

Those of us who are dog lovers really worship our dogs. Dogs are so loving and give this love unconditionally. We love to look after our dogs and keep their well-being at heart, so when there is something wrong with their health, like sleep problems, it becomes a worry. However, there are many things you can do to help your dog get a good nights sleep. Let's have a look at how you can get your dog to sleep soundly. 

Sleep varies

dog sleeping

Depending on the age of the dog their sleep varies. If you have a puppy they may sleep 18 hours a day but an adult dog will sleep between 12 to 15 hours a day. So if your puppy or dog is not sleeping enough then have a look at what you can do to help.

Set a routine

Setting a sleep routine is important, just as you do with your kids.  Ensure you give him his food at the same time and allow him to digest it before bed. Take your dog for a walk in the evening then keep the environment calm when you return so the dog has time to wind down.  Exercise is important to ensure your dog gets tired. It's also the time for them to relieve themselves. If you have a big dog it will need more exercise than a small dog. If your dog knows his routine then he will settle into it.

Comfort

Make sure your dog has its own large dog bed or doggy basket that is comfortable to sleep in or an area he knows is his. Perhaps this area has a dog blanket and his own special comforting toy made for dogs.  Letting your dog share your bed isn't a good idea as it can disrupt the sleep of you both. So be strict in this area. 

Environment

dog sleeping

As I said above keep the environment calm at night after your dog's walk. Make sure there is no loud TV and set the lighting to low.  Ensure as well that the area isn't too hot or too cold for your dog. Once it's your dog's bedtime settle him to his sleep area, use a soothing tone and then shut out the light. Your dog will then know that it is time to sleep.

Health

If you find your dog still isn't sleeping it's worth getting him checked over by a vet. There may be underlying medical conditions that are affecting your dog's sleep. It's worth getting your dog checked out for peace of mind. Some conditions affecting your dog's sleep could be that they have kidney problems or diabetes and so need to go to the toilet a lot disrupting sleep, or they are in pain from arthritis. If your dog is anxious this can also lead to sleep problems in dogs.

If you want to find out more check out this post on getting your dog to sleep soundly and follow the hashtag SleepForDogs. Let me know if you have a dog, and what you have done to help them sleep soundly. 

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4 Simple Ways To Make Your Dogs Feel Pampered

If you love your dog, then chances are that you want them to know how special they are to you. Aside from looking after them every day and giving them treats, though, how do you do that? By pampering them!

This doesn’t necessarily mean breaking the bank on luxury items for your pet, although if you have the money, it’s yours to spend as you wish. Instead, it’s more about giving simple gifts or making small changes to their lifestyle which show them just how much they’re loved.

Do A Doggy Spa Day

dog

When life stresses you out, what do you do to unwind? Some of us like to spend a day at the spa because there’s nothing quite like a massage and a facial to wash away all your worries. The great news is that there are also plenty of places out there that provide a similar service for your pet. Of course, if you’d rather stay at home, there are a lot of great DIY doggy spa day ideas that do just as good a job of making your pup feel pampered.

Change To Raw Food

Just as what we eat can either have a good or bad impact on our bodies, the same goes for dogs. Although dry food isn’t necessarily dangerous to their health, it doesn’t provide nearly as many benefits as raw food does. Better digestion, more energy, and a glossier coat are just some of the changes you can expect if you switch up your pet's diet.

What’s also great is that you can get raw meals delivered via a dog food subscription service. If you tell Bella & Duke about your dog, they’ll tailor their 100% natural ingredients to his or her needs and ship them straight to your door. That saves you a lot of hassle and gives your pet a meal plan that will boost their health and make them feel loved.

Give Plenty Of Cuddles

dog cuddles

Some dogs love to be spoiled, just like the rest of us. However, at their core, our pets are very simple animals. All they really care about is love and affection, something that’s super easy to give them without spending a penny. If you want your dog to feel pampered, just cuddle with them or play when they want attention. You might be surprised by how easily you can win over your pet and make them feel special this way.

Buy A New Bed

Unlike humans, dogs are pretty much free to spend as much of their day sleeping as possible. With that in mind, it’s worth getting your pet a bed that will make them feel like a king or queen as they catch some z’s.

It’s not hard to find dog beds that are a little more on the luxurious side, and you can almost guarantee that your companion will love it. If the price tag puts you off a little, just consider this an investment for your pet’s future. Besides, if you buy a good-quality dog bed like these, you won’t need to get a replacement anytime soon.

Pampering your pets may sound like something that would break the bank, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Also read: why memory foam dog beds are the best choice.

While a little bit of money doesn’t hurt to show your dog that you love them, just remember that giving them affection goes a long way too.

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My Pet Story

Dogs are amazing pets. They are loyal, loving and non-judgmental, which is more than I can say for most people, and the benefits of having a dog are well documented. The PDSA say that looking after a dog can keep you physically healthy, and can improve your mental well-being for example and much research have proven this. 

My first dog was a cocker spaniel, Rusty. I adored this little dog and I was only little when my dad told me it had run away. It broke my heart. He actually found the dog a new home, not sure why to this day he told me it had run away but that was dad logic in the 1970s! I think he was concerned that it was not getting enough exercise. It looked like this cute puppy above, but we don't have any photos of her I'm afraid.

Fast forward 20 years on, and my next dog was Ben. He was a Collie cross. My ex-husband worked in an old peoples' home and one day an old lady was admitted who had no one to look after her dog. This is when my ex-husband came home and said 'I have a surprise for you' and Ben came running in. Before long we were looking after Ben permanently as the old lady needed full-time care and had to stay at the home.

Ben was a big softy and looked like Lassie. He would come for cuddles and would put his head on my lap looking to be stroked. If I was there watching TV, he would nudge my hand so I could stoke him. He was very protective and loyal, a typical Collie. I remember walking him around the area I lived through the park and then taking him off the leash and throwing a ball for him to catch. Although Ben had lived with the old lady for a couple of years, she had found him in a dogs home and Ben was not without his behaviour problems, and sadly we think he has been hit in the past. Unfortunately, his behaviours became an issue when I had my son Jake.

 When Jake came along, Ben started getting jealous of any attention I gave to Jake and not him. One day when my neighbour's two-year-old child was in the house, Ben went for her and took a nip at her. Luckily she was ok but she had a red mark on her face. I was mortified and couldn't apologise enough! Of course, we couldn't take any chances when Jake was so tiny, so we asked my mother-in-law to look after Ben for a while instead.  We saw Ben every week until he became ill with cancer and sadly died. Ben was a loving dog, his past, unfortunately, was a big cause of his behaviour issues. 

 Fast forward to today and I am married to Marcus or Mr W as I call him. As we travel a lot, and Jake has been away at university for the past three years we don't have a dog, but I miss not having one.  This led us to recently trying housesitting. Housesitting is where you look after someone's house, and very often their pets too when they are away. There are a number of sites you can register to do house sitting on and mostly this is an exchange of services. You look after the house and pets for free accommodation, the owners know their house is safe and they pets are fed and well looked after. It's a way to travel the world for free and also have the benefit of looking after pets too.

Our first house sit was in a beautiful listed house in the Cotswolds. We were warmly welcomed by the owners who were incredibly laid back. Help yourself to the food they said! When we turned up, there was even a bottle of wine waiting for us. The dogs were brilliant too. A gorgeous Sprocker spaniel called Nellie and an older chocolate labrador called Meg.  


Our day would involve getting up and feeding the dogs, letting them out to go to the toilet and then gave them a long walk morning and night. While we were there we toured the immediate area and saw some of the Cotswolds which is beautiful. 


 We loved looking after Meg and Nellie, however, it was not without incident,  Nellie was an incredibly active dog and would chew everything in sight but we had been warned about this by her owners. One day I was looking for my hairbrush everywhere and couldn't find it, then I saw Nellie with it in her mouth, wagging her tail! She also had a habit of wriggling under the fence in her garden, I almost had a heart attack when I thought I had lost her. Again the owner warned me she would do this but always comes back. Nellie was a right pickle! 

 We would definitely housesit again as we loved looking after the dogs so much. You can choose which animals you are comfortable looking after. Check out Trusted Housesitters and other sites if you are considering house sitting. 

 So this is my pet story. Petplan want to hear your Pet Stories too, so whether it is a recovery from illness or just their day to day mischief share your story on Petplan’s Facebook or Instagram using #PethoodStories and check out Petplan Pet Insurance for peace of mind. 

 *This post is in conjunction with Petplan but all thoughts are my own
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How To Teach A Dog To Walk On A Leash

In most cases, dogs are adorable animals yet often they can be a handful especially when they are puppies.

As a dog owner, you have to have enough energy to keep up with your pet. One of their favourite things is, of course, walks. During these walks, they have the opportunity to run, to be active and socialize with other animals. It is always a great experience for them which they enjoy.


However, these walks can also be problematic for young pups. They are full of energy, always restless and willing to explore. Unfortunately, you cannot simply allow your dog to roam around. It needs certain social boundaries and the ability to adapt to its human environment.

This is why leash was invented.

A leash will limit the dog’s movement allowing you to control it better. Unfortunately, it is also a very unnatural item for puppies and they don’t know how to behave while on it. They will start pulling and pulling even if it chokes them.

As an owner, you need to teach your puppy how to walk on a leash. Here are some tips that will help you do it the right way.

Leash training basics


Leash training basics are very similar to other forms of training.

The first thing you need to do is create a hierarchy. Although puppies naturally listen to people around them, you need to make sure they will listen to you in particular and know that you are the boss. This can be a problem if you have a bigger family and everyone performs a different task.

You have to be authoritative and the puppy has to understand there will be repercussions if it doesn’t listen to you. When talking about repercussions, make sure to avoid any type of physical punishment. Everything you do with your dog needs to be done with lots of patience and love; physical punishment will only distance the doge from you.

Then, you need to make sure that the message is always the same. Consistency is very important for any training as mixed messages are something you don’t need during puppy training. Try to use the same gestures and voice commands all the time and react as soon as something bad happens.

Now, let’s get to the practical side of things.

How should you train your dog?


Leash training starts as soon as the puppy is ready to go outside, but before you introduce it to the outside world, take a week or two to teach it some basics.

Walk around your house or backyard before going to a local park. At home, there are fewer things to distract your dog so it’s much better if it gets accustomed to a leash in a controlled environment.

Walk around with a leash on for at least 15 minutes each day. This will also get the puppy accustomed to the leash as an item. Bear in mind that dogs hate clothes of any kind; they feel most relaxed when naked and unobstructed in any way.

Once you’re ready, it’s time to go outside.

Most puppies will start pulling as soon as you step outside of the house. This can be very dangerous as the dog can even start choking. The best way to address pulling is by constantly changing directions. If a dog starts pulling in one direction, you simply turn around and go in another. Repeat this until puppy gets tired of pulling.

Sometimes, you can also stand still. This will tell a dog that you’re going according to your pace and that, no matter how hard it pulls, you will arrive at the destination when you want.

Lunging is another thing that can pose a problem. If a dog sees a bicycle, a passerby or some other dog, there is a chance it will lunge forward. Not only will this scare other person but can also lead to choking. Because of this, you have to find a way to distract your puppy. As soon as you notice it will lunge forward, call it by its name or do something else that will occupy its attention.

Conclusion

Leash training may seem scary but it is rather basic; you will learn it no time.
Just be patient, take your time and try to send messages that your puppy will pick up.

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A Real Best Friend

Dog 2
 (Photo credit: EuroMagic)

I have been wanting to get a dog for a long time. My husband and I now work from home, however, we have a flat and I would rather wait for the time in the future where we have a house with a garden, to let the dog out in an emergency. I have had two dogs in the past and I would love to get another one, one day I will.

We all know dogs are a mans best friend, they are so loving and affectionate in general, and incredibly loyal too. However, I didn't realise all the remarkable things they are capable of. 

These are some of the things they can do:-

Help those with Autism

Research has shown that they help reduce the stress of an autism sufferer, as well as helping them in social situations.

Help those with depression

Looking after a dog can provide health benefits for those with depression by providing routine, activity and exercise as well as companionship.

Help those with diabetes

With training, dogs can be used to detect low blood sugar in those with diabetes. They are also great at alerting others if an attack has occurred by barking and bringing attention to the situation.

Help those with epilepsy

It's amazing to think that dogs can detect seizures before they happen. It is still not known how they do it but researchers think they detect subtle changes in scent or human behaviour. 

Helping those with food allergies

Dogs can be trained to detect substances that you are allergic to, for example, peanuts.

As you can see, dogs are so much more than man's best friend, they can be a vital help to those in need.
Infographic courtesy of Bolt Burdon Kemp 

Do you have a dog? Have they ever helped you in need? Did you know some of the amazing things dogs can do?

* post in collaboration with Bolt Burdon Kemp

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