5 Healthy Habits for Your Dog

Adopted a new dog? A puppy? Or have an aging, sick dog? Start these super easy 5 health habits & see the changes in your dog's well-being. 

It's a new year and I want you to make some health goals for Fido. What is on your mind about your dog's health that is troubling you and your bank account? Or is it that you just adopted a new dog or a puppy and this time, you really want to 'get-it-right?'

This year I am going to give you step-by-step articles that flow in order so that you can make small changes at a time without the overwhelm and see the results unfolding right in front of your eyes! 

All this is like a guide or a course - to help you and your dear dog. All you have to do is open the e-mails and read the article and then start following the advice right away. Most dogs in the present day world are over-loaded with toxins, thanks to their diet, vaccinations, pills, artificial supplements/vitamins and what not! Add to it, lack of real, colorful nutrients as well as lack of holistic remedies that work with the body for healthcare. On top of that, owners end up missing small, do-able changes early on that can really affect the dog's well-being in the long run as well as prevent high vet bills. 

OK. So, for today, we are going to focus on your dog's internal health, joint/overall body comfort and 1 simple change that will make a big difference when going on walks. Let's start! 

Simple Change #1 - Add 1 Raw Fruit to Your Dog's Diet

This week when you go grocery shopping for yourself, pick up some bananas for Fido! That's correct - dogs are little monkeys! and dogs love bananas and if you really want to give them fiber, calcium, potassium and a great digestive, then I would say go with bananas. All of my dogs have been eating bananas since the day they become mine and I can tell you that none of them have ever had arthritis, joint issues or any body pain - even as they aged. I really think it is couple of good things I did for them but one of them is giving all of them banana on a regular basis.

Now, we will start with more fruits but banana is what I recommend first. This is because banana won't upset your dog's tummy and because it is soft in texture, your dog will eat it easily. Another great thing about bananas is that even senior dogs who have bad teeth or no teeth can easily enjoy it.

If this is the first time you are going to give banana to your dog then follow this (& adjust accordingly if needed) -

1. For small dogs like chihuahuas, etc - Give 1/3 of medium banana to start with. Increase to half later during the week.
2. For small to medium dogs like poodles, dachshunds - Start with 1/2 medium banana.
3. For over this range - You can go 1/2 medium 2 times a day. Heck, my small to medium dogs have eaten banana 2 times a day without ever any digestive upset. 

Onto the 2nd step for this month..:)
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Simple Change #2 - Add 1 Raw Veggie to Your Dog's Diet

Colorful nutrients are necessary for your dog and not just because they provide vitamins and minerals but also because they feed the good bacteria in your dog's gut. The vegetables are great as prebiotics (food for probiotics - the good bacteria). 

So, pick 1 veggie to start with this week. That's all I ask you do. Now, to optimize this step, what else can we make sure of? Pick a veggie that is organic, seasonal and fresh - not in plastic cup/bag. So, pick daikon radish as it is in season and you don't want your dog to miss out on its benefits. Plus, your dog would love it and it is a root vegetable, making it even more important.

My dogs eat it as a treat - yep, they don't mind the pungent smell or the spiciness in it. I give them raw and they have been enjoying it during the season.
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Simple Change #3 - Adding Coconut Oil to Your Dog's Diet

If you really want beautiful coat and skin, healthy teeth, odorless breath, daily detox, healthy sugar balance, well lubricated joints and spine, and little to no shedding, then you just got to add one miraculous gift from Nature - organic coconut oil. Make sure it is unrefined so your dog gets the full benefits. 

With such a high inflammatory diet that American dogs are given, it is NO surprise to me why so many American dogs have cancer, arthritis, hip dysplasia, bad teeth/breath, kidney/liver issues, skin issues, etc and excessive shedding. 

Because coconut oil is high in lauric acid, it lowers inflammation in the body. So, add on a small teaspoon (depending on your dog's size) to a whole tablespoon per day in your dog's diet. 

Tip: You can even freeze some coconut oil and then take out a bit with spoon and give it as a cold treat to your dog. Start with less and then increase slowly over the month.
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Simple Change #4 - Invest in Orthopedic Bed w/Bolsters

Dog owners can spend anywhere from $1000+ per year if their dog has arthritis. Pretty expensive? All right, let's move on.

All dogs need bed - their own bed. So, if you are going to buy one, then why not spend your money where it really benefits the dog and...you? All we can do is try our best to avoid any problems that can show up in the future...so...let's try. 

Whether you got a new puppy or a new adopted adult dog or a senior, aging one, invest in good orthopedic bed with bolsters right away. The reason I recommend one with bolsters is because all my dogs have loved laying their head on the bolsters and so I always buy beds with them.

Another point is to make sure your dog is able to fully stretch on the bed - even if you have to pay a little extra and buy a larger size. I cannot say this point enough coz I see so many owners buying beds for their dogs and yet, the poor dog is too big for the bed. All he can do is lie curled up!! Really?! Imagine the effect of this overtime on the dog's body. Having to lie curled up because of the bed size is detrimental - it folds the intestines and the spinal cord, which is not healthy for the dog in the long run. Not cool. This is a very important point - even well-meaning owners miss this point - so don't miss it now.

Tip: Buy online if you know the dimensions and the company's quality well. Or you can take your dog to the store and buy then. Have multiple dogs? Buy x-large/jumbo size and buy 2 minimum.

Pictured here: Furhaven Pet Dog Bed - X-Large Orthopedic
(2 of the dog beds in my home are Furhaven x-large/jumbo orthopedic ones just like the image. So far so good).
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Simple Change #5 - Invest in Harness

Oh boy! That dog that pulls the leash and that collar that pulls the neck! Horrible! Now, I also use collars but only when we go out and the dog has to pee - anything more than that, is harness. Period.

So, if you haven't bought a harness for your dog, then this week your mini-cute-fun homework is to take Fido and go for some harness shopping. You never want a pinched nerve or even tired neck which happens a lot as dog ages. Dog owners and vet can never ever connect this link  but rest assured, as part of The Garden Recipe community, I am going to tell you these small steps you might miss otherwise.

Lot of dogs in America also get seizures. And even though seizures have a lot of other factors involved, which is for another article, I have to say harness might be a strong preventive. Think of it - out neck is connected to our spine as well as brain. What happens if someone just kept pulling our neck with some collars everyday 4 times? minimum? Ouch! Not good.

Same for dogs - let's not take a chance and let's not give our money to the vets anymore. Buy a harness and start using it right away for your dogs. 

All right - these are your first 5 steps. If you are doing all, then great job! If not, now use this as your checklist. I am going to go deeper into holistic care for your dog but article by article. So that way, you have time to work on your little homework assignment and feel the joy and fun in doing all this - for yourself and Fido!

OK. Until next article..
Somyata.