Pet treatment isn’t simply about reactionary medicine – it’s about preventive care and pet appropriate products to help ensure your dog enjoys a long and happy life.

By raising a loved dog that’s strong and happy, you can keep your beloved canine active and healthy for years to come. So, read on for 11 great tips to help ensure your dog’s life is long and active by being attentive to your pet’s well-being.

Give Your Dog Attention

You should be providing your dog at least 30 minutes of undivided attention each day. Whether it’s play time, training time or grooming, that love and focus is critical to building a deep bond and fostering your animal’s mental health.

Get Regular Exercise

Most dog owners know that regular exercise is critical to your dog’s health and emotional well-being.

ID Tags

While technically not a health-related pet treatment, ensuring your dog wears a flat collar and ID tag at all times, even inside, will help bring him home safely if he ever escapes or gets lost.

Practice Obedience

Obedience commands and training will not only provide you with a well-behaved dog, but they are essential for your pet’s mental development and well-being. The structure of obedience is important, while ongoing training helps to keep their minds active and healthy.

Annual Checkups

Take your dog to the vet once a year for a thorough physical exam and discussion of any new or ongoing health issues.

Brush His Teeth

Most veterinarians recommend brushing your dog’s teeth every day. It’s difficult, cumbersome and not always fun, but it will keep gingivitis, tooth decay and disease at bay. Remember, you don’t have to brush forever – a few nightly swipes should do the trick.

Give Him a Bath

You should bathe your dog whenever he is itchy, smelly or dirty. Your dog can pick up a lot of parasites, dirt and bacteria when he’s out splashing in puddles or rolling around in the dirt. Just like with humans, good hygiene is critical for good health.

Don’t Leave Your Dog Alone

Dogs naturally live in packs, meaning they’re intensely social animals. So, if your dog is home alone all day, consider putting him in a doggie daycare or hire a dog walker to take your pet out during the day. Without interaction, dogs become bored, lonely and sometimes destructive.

Give Your Dog Some Room

Dogs need their own space, so give your dog a peaceful and comfortable place where he can go to lie down, have some quiet time and take a nap. When your dog is resting or relaxing, be sure to respect his space and need for rest.

Buy Good Dog Food

Invest in quality dog food that’s formulated for your pet’s weight, age and health. If you love your dog, don’t cheap out on its diet and nutrition.

Heartworm Medicine

Probably the most important preventive pet treatment is to keep your dog on heartworm prevention medicine during mosquito season. Heartworm is a deadly disease that is excruciatingly painful, so keep your dog safe from it.