Your dog's wellness routine can help enhance their quality of life and extend their lifespan to remain in your pack for several years to come. We recommend a holistic approach to pet wellness, by compiling the latest pet wellness tips into a comprehensive wellness routine that also fits into your lifestyle.
We all know that in the Human world WELLNESS has become so important because it means maintaining good health…. and preventing common problems and illnesses. It’s the old “a stitch in time, saves nine” adage applied to our bodies.
And whether the Wellness goal is getting plenty of exercise, or getting plenty of sleep, tons of research shows that having a ROUTINE can make all the difference…. Whether that’s exercising 3 times a week in the morning, or going to bed at the same time every night, routines help us stick to our desired behaviors.
The concept of Wellness very much applies to Dogs as well. There are simple things we can do that are preventative measures that really do result in happy, healthier pets and fewer visits to the Vet.
Here are some key Wellness pillars, and ways you can build a routine around them.
Dental Care
Why this a key part of Pet Wellness
Most Vet agree that the single thing that could make the most difference for most Dogs in America is better Dental Care.
Dental Care is important both for the health of the teeth and gums, but even has another issue. Infections that start in the mouth or gums can travel to other parts of the body, and even lead to heart issues.
Many pet parents have their dog’s teeth professionally cleaned, and that’s great. But dogs also need some regular home care between those professional cleanings. (Imagine if you got your teeth cleaned twice a year at the Dentist, but then did nothing else!)
Just like with Humans, the key goal for Dental Care for dogs is to remove PLAQUE. You want to remove this sticky film before it becomes TARTAR. Tartar is hard deposit that doesn’t come off with just brushing….it has to be scraped off at the Dentist’s office. It’s that scraping you feel when you go in for a professional teeth cleaning.
Most Vets agree that you need FRICTION to remove Plaque. So we don’t recommend certain kinds of treatments like water additives, or spray-on liquids, or gels, because they don’t provide the friction necessary for true cleaning. As one Vet expert said to me “That’s why we humans still brush our own teeth - because rinsing alone isn’t enough.”
Brushing works well, if you can make it part of your routine. Be sure to use a special toothpaste formulated for dogs. Human toothpaste is not appropriate for dogs, particularly since they can’t “spit it out”.
Dental Cleaning Wipes are another alternative. You wrap the wipe around your finger, and you don’t need a separate brush. Some pet parents find this easier than brushing, and it still provides the necessary friction.
Choose Your Dog's Dental Care Routine
Commit to at least one of these alternatives:
- Brush your dog's teeth 2 times per week
- OR Use dental wipes 2 times per week
- OR Give your dog dental treats 4 times per week
If you decide to go with dental wipes, check out our TrueBlue Fast and Fresh Dental Wipes.
Ear Care
Why this is a key part of Pet Wellness
Caring for your dog's ears is a perfect example of Pet Wellness.
Ear infections are one of the most common causes for trips to the Vet, but they’re mainly preventable with just a little bit of care. The Vet experts we work with estimate that you can eliminate 9 out of 10 ear infections by keeping your dog’s ears clean.
That's why we say: CLEAN EARS ARE HEALTHY EARS!
While some people use ear cleaning liquids or ear cleaning powders, we prefer wiping the ears clean.
The goal is to clean away dirt and debris from the outer flap of the ear… so that it doesn’t fall into the ear canal and cause infection. Some people use a warm washcloth or cotton balls, and there are also ear cleaning wipes made just for this purpose.
But remember that just like you don’t stick a Q-tip deep into a child’s ear, you don’t want to actually go into the ear canal when you are cleaning your dog’s ears. You are working on the ear flaps that are outside the body.
To be clear, this is preventive medicine. If your dog already has an ear infection, then you do need to visit the Vet. Here’s some info from the AKC on how to tell if you dog has an ear infection:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-ear-infections/
Ear Care Routine
Clean the ears at least once a week.
Consider cleaning more frequently if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors and off the leash.
If you decide to go with Ear Wipes, check out our Super Easy Ear Wipes.
Nail Care
Why this is a key part of Pet Wellness
Nails that are too long can cause two problems:
- They can make it easier for you dog to slip on certain kinds of floors.
- They can cause skin irritation or even tears in the course of natural scratching
All dogs scratch themselves from time to time. It's completely natural and not a problem in moderation. But nails that are too long can cause skin problems or tearing from scratching.
Trimming your dog's nails is not like trimming human nails. Dogs have a something called a QUICK which is a part of the nail that contains nerves and blood vessels. You definitely don’t want to cut the nails so short that you hit the Quick, as this can cause bleeding.
There are many good products on the market that help you trim the nails without hitting the Quick. Some make it easier to see the Quick, and some act more like sanders than clippers.
I will admit, that this is one of those things that I let someone else do! Almost all Dog groomers, and many Doggie Daycare places, offer nail trimming services.
Nail Care Routine
Check your dog’s nails every 2 weeks to see if they need clipping.
Follow this guide to determine if your dog's nails are too long:
https://www.greatpetcare.com/wellness/7-ways-to-tell-your-dogs-nails-are-too-long/
Skin and Coat Care
Why this is a key part of Pet Wellness
It’s really up to you how often you want or need to bathe your dog.
But the first rule of caring for your dog's skin and coat is “do no harm.” What we mean by this is when you do bathe, be sure to use a shampoo that won’t dry out the skin. Harsh shampoos can strip out the natural and beneficial oils from your dog’s skin.
Secondly, we recommend that you also occasionally use a Moisturizer or Conditioner as part of the bath.
Even if your dog has a short coat, and you wouldn’t think of that needing a moisturizer, it’s a great way to add moisture to the Dog’s SKIN.
Skin Care Routine
Bathe your dog with a shampoo formulated and pH balanced for dogs as frequently as needed.
Use body and paw wipes in between baths to freshen up and to wipe away pollens and allergens from paws and fur.
Use a conditioner or cream rinse every other time you bathe your dog.
