How To Keep Your Dog Happy And Healthy

A dog's body and mind are deeply connected. If you want your dog to be able to enjoy the world around him, whether you're taking a walk around the block or competing in agility, it's important that your dog's body can keep up with his brain. Our friends at Dognition and Richard Hawkins, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, have teamed up to outline some great tips on dog cognition and how to keep your dog happy and healthy.

GET YOUR DOG'S BLOODWORK CHECKED ROUTINELY.

• Systemic diseases such as hypothyroidism (low thyroid levels) have been known to cause problems ranging from lethargy to aggression.
• Liver and kidney problems can cause a dog to feel under the weather, and in severe cases can affect the dog's brain function.
• Routine bloodwork can diagnose these systemic diseases before they cause any harm to your dog.

HAVE YOUR DOG PHYSICALLY EXAMINED ROUTINELY.

• Chronic pain can hinder your dog's interest in learning and training. Rather than showing obvious signs of pain or discomfort, a dog will often show reluctance to an activity or won't be able to perform at his normal level.
• During a regular physical, your vet will be able to identify even the most subtle orthopedic issue.
• As a result, you'll be able to get your dog on the appropriate medication or treatment plan to get him back to his peak level of activity and health.

DON'T SKIMP ON NUTRITION.

• You are what you eat, and that applies to your dog, too. Feeding your dog a high-quality diet can enhance your dog's physical and mental abilities.
• Your vet can help you decide if your dog is best suited for a kibble, canned, or raw diet.
• Feeding your dog a well-balanced, quality diet is one of the best decisions you can make as a pet owner.

EXERCISE YOUR DOG'S MIND.

• Mental exercise will help keep your dog's mind sharp, especially as he ages.
• Dognition's dog games are a great form of mental exercise. They'll help you learn more about your dog and build a stronger bond between you and your dog.
• Playing these games routinely will help you to quickly detect any abnormalities in your dog's behavior. As you become better able to understand dog behavior, you'll also become more in tune with your dog's health.