We all want to be the best pet parents we can be, and you may well have it sussed. But every now and then it’s good to take a step back and ask yourself if there’s anything you might be missing or if anything new has come along. Here are 7 dog healthcare tips to help you make sure you’re still on the right track and still the best pet parent you can be.

1. Water

It may seem too obvious to include, but water is the very basis of life and is something that should never be overlooked. Dogs vary hugely in shape, size, coat and where they live, so their water needs may vary but they all need it. Your dog should have access to fresh, clean water at all times. It’s preferable to have a few water stations around the house and garden, depending on how big your place is. Some dogs are dainty drinkers, others slobber in their water and then all over the floor! You will soon get an idea of how often your individual dog’s water needs changing.

As a general rule, dogs need about 40-60 ml of water per kilogram of their body weight per 24 hours. Lots of things can affect this. If you feed your dog any wet food, they will get more water in their food; if you only feed your dog kibble, your dog will need to drink more. Your dog may love to drink from rivers and streams when you’re out and about and so may drink less at home. Active dogs, furry dogs and dogs in warm climates will all need more water than others. The easiest way to make sure your dog has enough is to make sure they are never far away from a refreshing drink.

2. Food

It may seem simple – go to the pet shop, buy dog food, feed dog. But nutrition has come a very long way in the last few decades, and dogs have changed a lot in that time, too. Good nutrition is essential from the word go to ensure healthy growth, optimal brain and skeletal development and a healthy and happy journey into adulthood. There are hundreds of choices out there, so ask your vet what would be best for your own dog’s age and activity level. Make sure any food you feed them is complete and balanced. This means that it provides all the right nutrients in the right proportions. You can give your dog wet food, dry food or a combination of the two to suit your and your dog’s needs.

Remember to keep them slim from the start, too. Fat puppies become fat dogs, and we know that slim animals live longer. If you want the maximum time with your new best friend, then good nutrition in just the right amounts is the way forward!

Get into good habits early on. Don’t feed your dog from the table. This will cause a lifelong habit of begging that can be very hard to break. You also run the risk of giving your dog human foods that are toxic to them, such as onions, grapes and chocolate. If you feel bad eating when your dog isn’t, just feed them their ration split into meals like yours. As long as they are not being overfed, they can happily have two to four meals a day as you see fit.

3. Exercise

Dogs need to be active every single day. This could include going on a walk or run, playing fetch or simply playing tug-of-war or hide-and-seek in the home. Your dog might like a more specific activity depending on what breed they are. For example, many retrievers can spend hours paddling across a lake in pursuit of a tennis ball. Some dogs enjoy hiking or backpacking. You know their personality best, so find what they love and try to make it part of their daily routine. Being active with your dog is good for your health, too!

Far too many dogs never get off-lead exercise. Often this is because they can’t be trusted to come back when they are called. This isn’t their fault! Teaching recall is one of the fundamentals of being a great pet parent and it’s never too late. Start at home and in the garden when your dog is not distracted. Always use positive reward training and don’t tell your dog off. If, on a walk, they eventually come back after you’ve been shouting for an age and they get scolded, all it does is tell them they get punished when they come back to you. The more you work on recall, the more enjoyable and relaxing your walks will be for you, your dog and anyone you meet.

Walking your dog isn’t just about exercise – it’s incredibly important for their mental stimulation. Giving dogs time to sniff and really explore their surroundings is essential. It may seem tedious to us, but walks are not only about being active. This is why off-lead exercise is so great. It’s more relaxing for you, and your dog can exercise and get all the new “smelly news” at their own pace.