Make 2020 the Year of the Dog
As usual, this is the time of year when we start putting into action our new years resolutions; lose weight, get fit etc. So this year we have some tips for including your dog too - we suspect he will have had his fair share of Christmas Cheer, ours certainly did!
Diet
As you know, we are passionate about the health of our #slickersfamily and keeping them healthy starts with their diets. We are advocates of grain free and meat meal free foods (which you can find in our store and online). However it can be confusing knowing what is and isn't good for your dog due to the conflicting information presented to us online. But just like our own diets, you cant beat fresh meat and vegetables!
When feeding your pet, you must be sure to be feeding them the right food that is the most nutritionally balanced to their needs. Bone deformities, allergies and digestive issues can all arise if your pup doesn’t get the nutrients it needs, and the right diet will strengthen their natural defense and immune systems. If your not sure what your dog needs at this stage in its life, here are some guidelines to help...
Puppies – Puppies need everything a fully grown dog needs plus a little extra to support healthy growth and development. Glucosamine is important to support the healthy development of joints and bones. Extra protein and fat is essential to build muscle as well as maintaining a healthy weight. These come naturally from meat, vegetables and pulses in foods like Beco Food.
Adults – When feeding a fully matured dog, one of the main things to look out for in their food is meat-meal. It is a processed form of dried meat used in most kibbles, and tends to be made up from untraceable bones, feathers and low quality cuts of meat. Less tasty, negligable nutritional value.
Seniors – Senior dogs need a lower fat diet than most dogs (fat under 12% is considered a low fat diet). This is because they tend to get less exercise than younger dogs do. As well as that, foods that are rich in omega 3 and 6 are good for their joints.”
Exercise
When you start your new fitness regime, include your best friend too!
Try new activities such as outdoor or beach ‘doga’, and while doing your exercises take a Beco Ball and get your dog to join in. Or, blow away the cobwebs, put your walking shoes on and try some of our recommended brisk walks.
Not getting enough exercise can cause health problems, such as obesity, but can also lead to behavioural problems. A bored dog is an unhappy dog and often show their frustration through chewing, barking and over-grooming. Exercise is a brilliant stress relief for any dog and it is generally recommended that your dog gets between 30 minutes and 2 hours worth of activity everyday. Check the chart below to see if your dog is getting enough exercise each day...
The most important thing for us and our dogs is that exercise isn’t a chore it should be fun! And exercising is not only good for their health, but it also allows them to socialise with other dogs which is extremely important to their behavioural development. Not to mention all the fellow dog walkers you may meet along the way – lets make our main resolution to play more and enjoy 2020!
Follow the link below to check out and download iWalk Cornwall. It is a thoughtfully-crafted app that has just over 250 circular walks across Cornwall. With over 4,000 miles worth of walks and more still to come, you won't run out of places to go anytime soon! IWalk makes your walks convenient and easy to track so that you can fully take in and enjoy your surroundings, I can't think of a better way to spend 2020, can you? https://www.iwalkcornwall.co.uk/
As with everything else, there are a few things to be mindful of when exercising with your dog. The RSPCA has put together a wonderful article on this matter and we would definitely recommend giving it a read. Click on the link below and you'll be directed to it in a new tab:
https://www.rspcapetinsurance.org.au/pet-care/dog-care/how-to-safely-exercise-dog-or-puppy
Comment down below or send us a message, and let us know what you want us to blog about next.
References:
https://www.becopets.com/nutrition
https://www.iwalkcornwall.co.uk/