Ava Williams
Relaxation, nutrition, and health – to counteract everyday stress, the wellness trend among us humans have been around for many years. A trend that is increasingly being transferred to our four-legged friends. Although dogs do not need expensive luxury products, you can still do something good for your animal regularly, for example with extensive dog sports, the right diet or even relaxing massages. We have put together some wellness tips here:
Wellness tip 1: Good food for the dog
A varied and balanced diet is the most important cornerstone for a healthy dog. Providing your dog with the right nutrients, vitamins, and minerals keeps him fit and promotes his well-being. If you make your food for your dog, pay attention to high-quality and nutritious products when putting it together. But even if you buy ready-made dry or wet food, you should always attach importance to the right ingredients.
Wellness tip 2: Extensive skin and coat care
Many dogs enjoy the attention and stroking of a gentle grease brush. Regular brushing, especially in dog breeds with severe hair loss, allows you to remove old hair and at the same time pamper your dog with a light massage. In the cold season, special care for the dog’s skin and paws may also be required. The paws are particularly stressed by the road salt and grit in winter and can easily become brittle and cracked. To avoid such injuries, you can rub your dog’s paws with an ointment or Vaseline in winter.
Wellness tip 3: Dog sport
The term wellness is made up of the two English words “well-being” and fitness and therefore includes not only pure relaxation but also sporting activity. The right dose of dog sport is therefore also part of wellness for dogs. Regular dog sport keeps the dog fit and strengthens its muscles and cardiovascular system. Whether running, hiking, or cycling, there are various ways in which you can also involve your dog in your sporting activities. In special dog sports, such as agility, the dog can also be mentally challenged.
Wellness tip 4: Water games for the dog
When it warms up again, swimming can be a welcome change for the dog. Most dogs are happy to jump into the cool water. But swimming is not only fun for many dogs, it also has a relaxing and therapeutic effect. The movements in the water gently train muscles and joints, similar to aqua training. Swimming is also a suitable wellness program for older dogs.
Wellness tip 5: Dog massages
After all that exercise, a massage can relax the dog. The gentle strokes relax the dog’s muscles and stimulate blood circulation. A dog massage is often used for therapeutic purposes and lasts about five minutes. You can also give your dog a massage yourself. To learn the correct gripping techniques, you should obtain brief instructions from the veterinarian.
Wellness tip 6: Physiotherapy for dogs
Physiotherapy for dogs is a somewhat more intensive form of massage and relaxes the muscles and joints, especially in older dogs. It is more difficult to carry out than the massage and should therefore initially only be carried out by a veterinarian or dog physiotherapist. If handled incorrectly, the handles can cause muscle tension and have the opposite effect. With a little practice, you can also carry out light physiotherapy at home and thus not only contribute to your dog’s relaxation but also prevent joint diseases.
Wellness tip 7: Short wellness vacation with the dog
Especially if you live in a big city, the dog will be happy to go out into the countryside. A short trip or a short holiday can therefore not only be relaxing for you, but also for your dog. You don’t have to travel far for this purpose. When choosing a location, however, make sure that the dog has plenty of opportunities to run around, for example through extensive meadows or forests. There are now many dog-friendly hotels that offer a joint wellness program for you and your dog.