Safe Play: Top Tips For Dog Owners

We all know that dogs love to play. While encouraging exercise is crucial for optimum health, there are risks to be wary of. If you’ve recently become a dog owner for the first time, or you’re eager to ensure your pet pooch plays safe, here are some top tips to take on board.

 

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Securing your outdoor space

Many of us enjoy watching our precious pets tanking around the garden, letting off steam with their tails wagging enthusiastically. Spending time in the open air, and letting your dog run around is great for their physical health, but it is important to ensure the environment is safe before your dog starts running free. Secure the space, look for products like specially designed fencing for a dog, and make sure any gates are closed before you let your pups run wild. Your garden may be a safe haven, but you never really know what kinds of hazards may be lurking over hedges or through holes in the fence at the bottom of the yard. Check your outdoor area on a regular basis, and if you have people visiting, always make sure you ask them to close gates and doors behind them.

Removing hazards

It’s always useful to carry out a risk assessment as a dog owner. Dogs are very smart, and their senses are brilliant at picking up danger, but they don’t always detect every hazard. Have a walk around your garden before you let your dogs out, and if you’re taking them to a forest or a park, keep your eyes peeled for objects that might cause harm.

Buying safe, suitable toys

Dogs love to play with toys, but they also tend to think that everything in their pathway is a play-thing. Your slippers, shoelaces, and children’s toys can all become part of your pooch’s play box if you’re not careful. To avoid losing your possessions and to keep your pet as healthy as possible, invest in suitable dog toys that meet safety standards. Look for products that are appropriate for your dog in terms of their size and weight and their activity levels. Buying toys is a fantastic way to encourage regular exercise, to keep your dog entertained, and to prevent boredom.

Hydration

If you have a dog that will run and run, even when the sun is beating down, it’s vital to ensure they have access to fresh, cold water. Try and avoid exercising during intense heat, and wait for temperatures to drop if it’s a hot day. Choose shady patches to play with balls or attempt training drills, and take a bowl with you if you’re going out with your dog. Hydration is key for good health. Signs of dehydration include loss of appetite, fatigue, a dry nose, dry gums and vomiting.

As a dog owner, there’s nothing more satisfying than watching your precious pup enjoying playtime. Although it’s hugely beneficial for dogs to exercise frequently, it is essential to ensure they have access to a secure environment, safe toys, and plenty of water.

Tips that will Keep your Dog’s Teeth Healthy

When you take your dog to the vet, there is a high chance that they will stress the importance of brushing your dog’s teeth. The problem is that most dogs won’t just sit there and let you brush their teeth for them. They’ll probably squirm, wriggle away and just make it hard work in general. If this sounds like your dog, then there are a few things that you can do to try and keep your dog’s teeth healthy and clean without the drama.

Feel Good Food

Feeding your dog good food will help them in more ways than one. Quality food that includes whole ingredients will nourish their body and it will also help them to have strong and healthy teeth. If you can, you should avoid foods that are made with cereal grains, meals and even by-products. The main reason for this is because they are much more likely to stick to your dog’s teeth and they may even cause them more problems in the future.

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Vegetables and Fruit

Dogs love snacks. A lot of dog owners also love giving them as well. The problem is that a lot of snacks are awful for your dog’s teeth. This is especially the case for ones that are high in cereal grains, fat or sugar. If you want to give your dog a healthy snack that won’t harm their teeth then consider carrot slices, apple and even squash. As your dog chews these food products, the plaque will slowly be scraped off their teeth and this can work wonders for their gums. Of course, when feeding your dog treats like this, you have to make sure that you don’t feed them more than 10% of their daily allowance.

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Dried Meat Treats

There are a huge range of meat treats out there for your pet and they will give them an excellent amount of chewing action. They will help to keep their teeth clean and some of them can be really good for their immune system too. If you want to give your dog some treats then consider beef eats, dried tendons or even snouts. Sure, they might not seem the most appealing to us, but to a dog, it’s a tasty treat that will always be gratefully received.

Chew Toys

If your dog loves to chew then don’t be afraid to let them. Give them a hard rubber or even a nylon chew toy. As your dog chews away, they will be scraping their teeth, and this can help to prevent plaque build-up. If you want your dog to get the best result, then you need to give them the toy at the end of every meal. If you want to give them some great dog food, then check out these Freshpet reviews.

Raw Bones

Bones are great for keeping your dog’s teeth healthy. The best bones are ones that are uncooked and large. This can include cow bones. If you give your dog bones that are too small, then there is a high chance that they will splinter and break. They may get stuck in your dog’s mouth and this can cause you even more problems in the future.