Begin 2024 by setting goals to enhance you and your pet’s life! There are many different activities you can implement into your furry best friends life. Things like daily walks, enrichment, training, and wellness are a great start!

Nail Maintenance

Did you know that your pet’s nails need to be trimmed, on average, every 2-4 weeks? Of course, every dog is different, some dogs have faster or slower growing quicks. But, maintaining healthy nails can help improve your pets life in many ways. While it doesn’t harm your dog to let their nails get long for a short period of time, if they are left long over long periods, grown out nails change their stance, putting their entire body out of alignment. Thus, leading to joint problems and pain in later years. Overgrown nails can also cause risk for injury, making it more likely for them to get snagged on things and become broken or cracked. Nails aren’t just an aesthetic problem, it is a functional one! In extreme cases, overgrown nails can even curve and grow into the pad of the foot. If your dog isn’t a fan of nail trims, try doing it with a lick mat or using a scratch pad instead. Call to schedule a nail trim with us anytime!

Weight Management & Exercise

Exercise is crucial for keeping your pets healthy and happy! Obesity in pets is shown to decrease their lifespan by 2 years on average. Recent studies show that 56% of dogs in the US are overweight or obese.  “And it’s not an isolated issue; obesity is linked to a whole raft of health problems including arthritis, chronic kidney disease, bladder/urinary tract disease, liver disease, low thyroid hormone production, diabetes, heart failure, high blood pressure, and cancer.” So, what can you do?

Most vets agree that weight management starts and ends with the bowl! Make sure you know exactly how much you are feeding your pet each day, including treats and snacks. The feeding guidelines on most commercial dry dog food packages aren’t always accurate as. The parameters, which are based on adult dogs for all life stages, are far too broad to accommodate every dog’s needs. Take into consideration things such as your dogs activity level and if they are spayed or neutered, their energy requirements reduce by 20-30%. Always consult your vet to determine what your individual dog needs!

Exercise your dog by going for proper walks & bike rides, go for a swim, play fetch, or even try out a new dog sport like agility! Click here to check out a great podcast to learn more about why it is important to manage your pets weight properly!

Enrichment & Training

All dogs benefit from training and enrichment! Anything from tricks and obedience to nose games and puzzle toys, your pet will surely have a blast putting their brains to use.

Training your dog should be enjoyable. The smallest behaviors like walking nicely on a leash, sitting for their food, and not rushing doorways, go a long way in the mind of your pet. The better behaved your pet is, the more they get to partake in fun activities inside and outside of the home! Think you want to train your pet, but don’t have the time? Check out our Board and Train Blog to learn more about our new program.

If you have a dog that enjoys using their nose or even a dog that struggles with destructive behaviors, then giving them an outlet with enrichment toys is a great idea. You can try toys like puzzle feeders, snuffle matts, treat dispensing toys, and more!