Bringing a new furry friend into your home is a lot of responsibility. They may be cute, but they still require a lot of work and attention. And since they’re your new BFFF (best furry friend furever) you definitely want to make smart and healthy choices for them so they live just as long as you do! 

But where to start? There are a ton of resources out there that say feed your dogs this…don’t feed them that. Let them sniff on walks…don’t let them sniff. Use this multivitamin…not this one. It can be hard to navigate through all of this research which is why our Frenchie team has rounded up the best and simplest tips when it comes to making smarter choices for your pet’s health.

Important Note: We are STILL not doctors! PLEASE CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN BEFORE MAKING FOOD AND VITAMIN CHANGES TO YOUR DOG'S DIET.

What to Feed Them

Probably the most common choice for a fur parent is to make sure your dog is getting the right nutrients. Again, please consult your vet and do your brand research before swapping out your pup’s entire diet. But there are a lot of nutrients and vitamins that aren’t in dog kibble that you’ll need to give them in a different way. There are multi-vitamins that you can give them, raw diets to incorporate or simply some human foods that are super safe and healthy for dogs (like spinach, blueberries, and chicken!). They say that dogs eating strictly kibble for their entire life is equal to a human eating cereal for theirs. Sure, you could survive off it, but you’re missing a lot of important nutrients your body needs to be healthy and strong.

Multi-Vitamins

Another thing you’ll need to verify with your vet and do plenty of research on, but some dogs (especially older ones or different breeds) need a little more. Just like humans, some of us have low iron or need more Vitamin D—dogs are the same way! After talking with your vet, see if there are any multi-vitamins you should be giving to your dog, or other supplements for things like joint health, skin allergies, or healthy fur. 

Dental Hygiene

When I say that humans and dogs have a lot in common—I mean it. You go to the dentist, right? Well, your dog does too! Dental care plays a big role in maintaining a pet’s overall health. According to PetInsurance and the American Veterinary Dental Society, it’s estimated that more than 80% of cats and dogs over the age of three show signs of oral disease. You can help by brushing their teeth at home, giving treats to combat bad breath, and bringing your pups in to your vet for an annual oral exam.

Exercise…duh

This one may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how little a small walk around the neighborhood does for a dog. Dogs need a lot of exercise. Any chance you can to give your dog some physical and mental stimulation please take advantage of it. Let them run around the dog park, play fetch in the backyard, or even invest in some dog puzzles for a brain game. Having a good exercise routine will keep your dogs healthy and in your life a lot longer.

Medicine

Keeping up with parasite control is instrumental in maintaining the health of our furry friends. Fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites can cause everything from discomfort to life-threatening illnesses in pets. Speak with your vet about what medications and vaccines they need -- including annual treatments, monthly preventatives, and high-tech gadgets like flea collars and microchips. 

Annual Vet Visits

Which leads us to our final point…visit your vet! Make sure that you have a good vet you trust and are taking your dog to their bi-annual vet appointments. Anytime your dog has been sick or just “not acting himself”, taking him to the vet gives a rush of relief the minute a professional checks him out. Vets should be someone you trust, and you know that if something's wrong with your little buddy—they’ll take care of them!

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