Let 2025 be your dog’s healthiest year!

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All About Dogs is a weekly newsletter for owners who want to spend more time with their dogs and less time looking for online information.?

Puppies, senior dogs, and adolescent dogs need food, training, socialization, good health, and cuddles. Plus, stuff like toys, beds, harnesses, doggie tech, insurance... It’s enough to make a dog want to go for a walk! And the human is overwhelmed with choices. Don’t worry, all you need to know is in your weekly newsletter All About Dogs.??

There are only 11 months and a few days left in 2025 so what you can do to make 2025 your dog’s healthiest year????

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Without good health, your dog can’t reach his full potential and enjoy the longest life possible. This is how you can help.?

Be proactive!? Many life-shortening issues can be prevented by keeping healthy habits and avoiding life-threatening situations.??

• Keep a healthy weight.??

Obesity can shorten your dog’s life – there is no way to get around this. You do your dog a disservice by allowing him to become overweight. It's easier to keep the weight off than to lose weight.?

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• Feed him the best food you can afford.?

A lot is being written about dog food – what is healthy, what a dog needs, and what should be avoided. To make sense of all the information and buy or cook the best food possible you need to take your dog’s breed, age, health, and activity level into consideration. There is lots of information available out there, and you must be well-informed. However, speak to your veterinarian or health professional before you change your dog’s food.??

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• Get out and be active.?

Some breeds are more active than others, but all dogs need some form of exercise. What kind of exercise, how much, and how often will depend on breed, age, size, and the dog’s health. Puppies and older dogs need different types and lengths of exercise. Exercise, or just being active helps to relieve boredom and improves mental well-being. If you’re in any way unsure about the type of exercise and how much your dog needs, ask a professional for advice.??

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• Take care of his joints.?

Dogs are active and their joints are often the first to show wear and tear, particularly bigger breeds. This causes mobility issues and can lead to euthanasia. Deteriorating joints cause pain and lower your dog’s quality of life. He can’t join in activities and finds it difficult to climb stairs or get into cars. It can get to a point where she struggles to get up after sleeping, or can’t go outside to potty.?

To help prevent joint deterioration, keep dogs away from slippery surfaces, particularly puppies, older dogs, and large breeds. Protect the dog’s cartilage with low-impact exercise and add supplements rich in joint-supporting ingredients.?

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• Look after those pretty teeth.?

A dog’s dental health is crucial to his overall health. Bad dental health causes discomfort, bad breath, and can affect his heart, kidneys, and liver. Look after his teeth either by brushing, dental chews, fresh healthy food, raw bones, and regular vet visits for a dental checkup.?

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• Keep him safe.?

Basics first – secure fences that prevent the dog from escaping. Many dogs get lost every year. Always know where your dog is when you take her for a walk – dogs can vanish in an instant. Make sure your dog listens to your commands – like stay, no, and the all-important recall.??

The pet tech industry is big in the dog safety space – an indication that dog owners are concerned about their dog’s safety. There are a variety of products on the market that focus on keeping dogs safe. Wearables to monitor health, GPS trackers on smart collars, and indivisible fencing, all help to look after your dog and keep an eye on her health.??

This growing trend to use technology to improve pet safety helps pet owners to ensure their dogs are healthy and secure.?

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• Be aware of toxins.?

Toxins are bad for a dog and your dog should be exposed to as few as possible. Avoiding unnecessary chemicals can help to prevent losing your dog at a young age. While vaccines are important for puppies, and older dogs need boosters, try to limit it to what is absolutely necessary. Talk to your veterinarian to make sure your dog only gets what is necessary.?

Certain tick and flea treatments can get into your dog’s bloodstream overtax the liver and cause allergies, skin issues, and seizures. Try to use one of the holistic products that are available.?

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• Vet visits and signs of health problems.?

You're with your dog daily and the best person to notice when something’s not right. It's important to know the signs of thyroid disease, diabetes, gum diseases, to name a few. Also, notice the health of her eyes and ears, and feel for bumps (which often aren’t cancerous). Although regular visits to the vet are important, keep an eye on your dog’s health all the time.?

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• Look after her mental health.?

A dog’s mental health is an important part of his overall health and well-being. Play with your dog, even silly games! Spend time together – you are the center of her world. Get puzzle toys and feeders and play hide-and-seek. Hide stuff that he needs to sniff out, or ask someone to hide, then let the dog smell a piece of clothing and tell him to ‘Find Jim!’?

May 2025 be a wonderful, healthy year full of interesting activities for you and your dog!

Do you have plans for you and your dog in 2025? let us know in the comments.

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