written by Julie Gajewski
Every year millions of people make New Year’s resolutions to eat better, exercise more and live a healthier life style. Why not include man’s best friend in your New Year’s resolutions this year! Here is a list of 5 things you can resolve to do better for your furry companion in 2017.
1) Increase the quality of your dog’s kibble by at least one star
Number one on our list of New Year’s Resolutions for Dog Parents is, increase the quality of your dog’s kibble by at least one star. Did you know that not all pet food is created equal? Many pet parents have no idea what ingredients go into their pet’s food, let alone the quality of those ingredients. Sadly, most commercial pet food brands are rated less than 3 stars by dogfoodadvisor.com. By studying the ingredient list and the meat content within the food, Dog Food Advisor determines the rating of each food. According to their website, Dog Food Advisor says, “a five-star dog food is one that is high in meat content and free of any by-products, suspicious chemicals or plant-based protein boosters.” You can visit dogfoodadvisor.com to find your pet’s food rating or to research a pet food that is highly rated. Did you know that Dawn Olson, owner & operated of Distinctive Pet Care & Ken Caryl Pet Spa in Littleton, CO has completed a 100-hour course in pet nutrition? She is an excellent resource for pet parents looking to feed their pets a higher quality kibble.
2) Add supplements to your dog’s daily routine to promote health & wellness
Number two on our list of New Year’s Resolutions for Dog Parents is, add supplements to your dog’s daily feeding routine to promote health & wellness. Just like human’s dogs can benefit from supplements that aid in digestion, mobility, and overall health. Goat’s milk makes a great addition to your dog’s daily kibble ration. Soaking your dog’s kibble in goat’s milk help aids in digestion and expands the kibble before eating to help prevent gas and bloating. Goat’s milk is easily digestible and contains probiotics which may help with many chronic diseases. Turmeric, which is a member of the ginger family, is an herb that has been used in eastern cooking and medicine. According to Dr. Randy J. Horowitz, the medical director of the Arizona Centre for Integrative Medicine and assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, “Turmeric is one of the most potent and natural anti inflammatories available.” Turmeric aids in heart health, epilepsy, cancer, detoxing the liver, preventing cataracts, and more! Send Dawn Olson owner & operator of Distinctive Pet Care & Ken Caryl Pet Spa an email by clicking here to learn more about goat’s milk, turmeric, and other all natural supplements for Fido today.
3) Pamper your pet with regular grooming & nail trims
Number three on our list of New Year’s Resolutions for Dog Parents is, pamper your pet with regular grooming & nail trims. Did you know that grooming is the first line of defense for your dog’s health? Groomers pay attention to your dog’s skin, eyes, & ears during the entire grooming process. Abnormalities, signs of infection, cancer, and much more care often spotted during a bath, brush, or clip and can be brought to your attention so you can get Fido to the veterinarian for an exam sooner rather than later. Did you know that long nails can cause damage to more than just your hardwood floors? As the nails grow out, they begin to curve. If left untrimmed, nails will grow into the paw pad causing pain and discomfort to your dog, and may also result in an infection. Dew claws (the nails on the side of the paw) can often get snagged on clothing and blankets resulting in painful injuries that may require surgery to fix. Overgrown nails can also cause your dog to lose their grip on slippery surfaces resulting in injuries. Pain from overgrown nails will cause a dog to alter they way they walk, forcing them to rock backward onto their heels as opposed to walking on their toes. This not only shifts the balance of weight, put your dog at a higher risk for tearing ligaments and for injuries to their ankles, shoulders, and hips. Our sister company, Ken Caryl Pet Spa, located in Littleton, CO can help you with all of your grooming needs.
4) Schedule semi-annual visits with your veterinarian
Number four on our list of New Year’s Resolutions for Dog Parents is to schedule semi-annual visits with your veterinarian. Dogs age at a much higher rate than humans do. The math is not as simple as we once thought! Check out this handy chart to figure out your dog’s age in human years. You wouldn’t go several years without visiting the doctor would you? So why should your pet? We all know the importance of having routine check-ups for our children and family, routine exams for our pets are just as important! Semi-annual exams help catch illnesses early and we all know how important preventative medicine can be! Ask your veterinarian what tests and vaccines they recommend doing every six months to help keep Fido happy & healthy!
5) Get outdoors more often with your dog
Number five on our list of New Year’s Resolutions for Dog Parents is, get outdoors more often with your dog The great outdoors has so such to offer for both you and your pet. If you are like most people, exercise more is at the top of your list of New Year’s Resolutions. Why not include Fido in your nightly walk or weekend hike? It will get both you and your four-legged companion out of the house and will be a great bonding experience for you both! Find like minded friends to make it a social outing, just make sure all of the canine companions are vaccinated and well behaved enough to be around other dogs! Get some fresh air, recharge, and get to know your dog in a whole new way.
