Our fur babies bring so much joy into our lives. They’re part of our families, and when we bring them home we commit to caring for their every need, much as we do our children.
Heck! They are our kids!
That can vary, though, according to several factors including the size of your dog. In this article, we’ll concentrate on care for small dogs and take a look at some of the things they need in paw-ticular…
1. Keep Your Canine Clean
Let’s start by stating the obvious!
Small dogs are naturally closer to the ground than their larger brothers and sisters, so they’ll usually need more care in the grooming department.
Think about it!
When they go for their walkies or meet their buds at the dog park for a good old romp, they’re picking up much more dust, dirt, and grass.
So, what can you do to keep that coat shiny, clean, and purr-fect?
- Special doggie wipes are paw-some to get out the grime before taking them back inside. Wipe their coats all over, swipe out their ears, and don’t forget the paws. You don’t want them licking off what they collected outside.
- Regular baths with a good anti-itch shampoo and conditioner with aloe vera and oatmeal can go a long way to helping care for your muddy mutt! Small dogs are so much easier to bathe at home than big ones. Care for small dogs is easy-peasy!
- Don’t forget protective clothing, either. Canine couture is IN, and designers love dressing our little besties. If it’s not too hot, sweaters, jackets, vests, t-shirts, or a cute dress can dramatically cut down what dirt your pup picks up. Strut your stuff little doggie!
2. Ulti-Mutt Health
We all know that pets don’t live as long as their hoomans, sadly. So while we have them in our lives, we want them to be healthy and live a high-quality life.
Yep, we want ‘em to stick around as long as possible.
Just as we take supplements to help us live our best lives, they may also do wonders for our furry friends.
Finding ones that cater to a little dog’s needs is the way to go.
Chews need to be small so they’re not intimidating to our pets. It can be messy cutting up bigger chews and we inevitably lose some of them as they crumble on the chopping board.
They also need to be super tasty. Small dogs can be very picky. You want your baby to see them as treats, so they’ll look forward to them and gobble them right down.
Yum!
Search for products and ingredients that you know promote overall well-being as well as those specific to small-dog needs.
Joint Health
Everything in our world is hooman size, and sometimes we can forget our tiny canines have trouble reaching the couch or bed. So, supporting their joint health with ingredients such as glucosamine, condrition and msm is a great way to keep the pep in their (little) step!
Immune Support Health
Small dogs want just as much TLC for their immune system as the big dogs! That's why it's always good to lend a helping paw with chewables that can support their immune function and assist with seasonal allergies.
Calming Support
That actually brings us to our next topic, which is...
3. Relaxing Rambo
Small dogs have mighty hearts, and they’re often brave beyond measure. They make great guard dogs because of this. No one will ever get close to your house without them telling you about it loud and clear!
While some of those traits are adorable and funny, they can lead to dogs being over-excited. Or worse.
Do you have a yapper? Or a mini-Napoleon? Jack Russells, Yorkies, Chihuahuas, and Dachshunds, just to name a few, may pretend to be a little TOO big and tough!
But don’t despair! Help is at hand!
These days, there are a variety of methods you can try that may naturally soothe and calm your fearless fido. Here are some of them:
- Jackets that relax your pet with a swaddling action when wrapped around them tightly.
- Music – classical and Native American.
- Functional pet supplements – look for those with ingredients such as Suntheanine® and melatonin.
- Pheromone plugins or collars.
Different dogs will respond to different methods, so experiment and see if one might do the trick for your little warrior.
4. Resting Dog = Happy Pet Parent!
Last but not least, one of the best ways to maintain your pet’s health is to keep them moving!
Hey! The same goes for us, right?
Exercise fulfills a dog’s needs by letting him explore his environment. It also promotes contentment and calmness.
If you’re out at work all day, your baby will be so much happier to be left if they’ve had a nice walk. Doggie daycares are also paw-tastic. When you pick them up they’ll be tired and happy.
Most small dogs need just as much exercise as big ones, with a few exceptions in the Toy group, such as the Pekingese and the Pug. But even these couch potatoes still need walks.
If you have a terrier in your life, watch out! If these guys aren’t exercised enough you could be in trouble!
Terriers are working dogs bred to track down small animals, go down into holes to drag them out, and never give up until the job is done. If their abundant energy is not drained, they’ll use it to get into things they shouldn’t or chew your house up!
However, somewhere in between the Pug and the Jack Russell Terrier, is the happy medium. Dogs that love regular walks for a taste of adventure or maybe a turn around the dog park to check in with their mates.
And you know what’s great? When you take your little guy out for a walk, you’re getting one, too. Doggie moms and dads are healthier and live longer because of that. It’s a win-win!
We hope you enjoyed this article, and that it gave you some good ideas on how to care for small dogs. Check in with us at any time, and share photos of your furry friend on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest using #ZestyPaws.
If you have any comments, questions, or tips of your own, feel free to tell us below as well. If you’d like to learn more about our collection of products, you can also reach out to us directly at 1-800-738-0661 or bark@zestypaws.com