Last Updated on 1 year by Dr Alisha Barnes
It’s summer, and everyone is wondering how they can best take care of their furry friends. In addition to providing your dog with plenty of fresh water, food, and attention, there are other things you can do to help boost your dog’s wellness and keep them feeling their best! If you’ve been wondering “how can I take care of my dog in the summer,” then read on to discover things you can do to help support their health and well-being!
Let them get plenty of exercise
It’s critical to make time for regular dog exercise. Not only will it allow you to keep an eye on the agility, mobility, and overall health of your dog, but it will also establish a consistent routine that your dog can rely upon to warm up their muscles, stretch their ligaments, and maintain bone health.
Decide what sort of activity is ideal for your dog’s health and fitness objectives. This will be determined by your dog’s age, physical condition, and energy levels. It also influences whether your dog has ever had any injuries or is undergoing rehabilitation.
Regular activity may be as simple as walks and runs for some dogs. This might be a quick walk in the yard, some swimming, or fetching a ball or other toy for others. Keep in mind that temperatures typically rise during the summer, so ensure that your dog has plenty of cool, fresh water available and a respite from heat and exercise.
Engage in playtime and stretching with them
Although exercise is important, it isn’t the only type of activity that is beneficial to your dog’s musculoskeletal system. Playing and stretching are two types of movement that provide a great deal of significance in terms of ensuring that your dog gets enough different exercise throughout the day.
Short bursts of exercise, whether it’s fetching a ball or other toy, tug of war, agility training, chasing one another, or other games, help your dog warm up their muscles and stretch their bodies while also allowing them to perform activities that they may not get the opportunity to do during standard exercise sessions.
Another fun thing to do with your dog is to stretch out with them! You’re likely to notice that your dog copies and mirrors your body language and energy. Set aside some time for side-by-side stretching, such as before or after long periods of sitting, before activity, or just at random!
Make their home environment more comfortable and accessible
It’s difficult on your dog’s joints to hop on and off of surfaces. Dogs (particularly little dogs) frequently like to jump on the sofa and bed, which may make it appear simple and easy—but it isn’t! Jumps onto higher than shoulder-height surfaces can cause deterioration in your dog’s musculoskeletal system over time.
Instead, make it simple for your dog to get on and off of surfaces, even if they are young and healthy. This will avoid future injuries and damage to their musculoskeletal systems, which will help them maintain good health in the long run.
There are several products accessible to assist your dog to climb up and down surfaces, such as portable ramps and steps.
Make sure they are supplied with minerals and vitamins
There are a number of meals that can aid your dog’s musculoskeletal system. Calcium, Vitamin D, protein, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids are the nutrients that support the musculoskeletal system the most. Just like us, dogs can get hot and dehydrated in the summer months. Ensure they have plenty of drinking water available and nutrient-rich foods.
Organ meats, dog-friendly vegetables, fish, chicken, beef, eggs, fish oil, dog-safe fruits, and supplements such as hyaluronic acid and glucosamine are all good sources of nutrients for your dog’s musculoskeletal system.
Visit a chiropractor!
A pet chiropractor is a wonderful method to help your dog’s musculoskeletal system. Your pet chiropractor is an expert on the musculoskeletal system and can give adjustments and therapies to improve and support your pet’s bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and soft tissues.
Your dog will undergo a complete examination when you first bring him to a pet chiropractor to look for any outside concerns that need to be addressed. Your expert chiropractor can provide treatments that assist your pet deal with any discomfort or degeneration he is feeling, as well as improve general health and agility, as well as mobility in excellent dogs who are already healthy and young.
Owners who visit a chiropractor on a regular basis report increased energy, improved mood, better sleep, and overall vitality in their dogs.
If you live in the Boulder, Windsor, or Fort Collins, CO area and are ready to give your furry friend the best health of their life this summer, make your appointment now!