Being a dog owner can be a wonderfully rewarding thing. Having a dog that loves you unconditionally and provides constant companionship can help anyone feel less alone in this world. This is especially true for elderly individuals who live on their own. Their dog can help them continue to live independently by providing purpose, love, and companionship. But while a pet dog can provide many blessings, it’s also important that the owner is a responsible dog owner.

National Responsible Dog Owner Day is Sept 17

The American Kennel Club celebrates National Responsible Dog Owner Day each year on September 17. Even if your loved one and his dog aren’t American Kennel Club members, this is a great day to review how your loved one is caring for his beloved pet and ensuring that his dog is still receiving the responsible care it deserves. One of the top qualities of responsible care includes caring for the pet’s overall health.

Five Tips for a Healthier Dog

• Good Grooming. Many people think good grooming just helps a pet to look cute, but good grooming is important to the dog’s overall health as well. To prevent matting (which can be painful to a pet), pets need to be regularly brushed. For non-shedding dogs, trimming and grooming can help fur from becoming matted or overly dirty.
• Prevent Tooth Decay. Just like people, dogs can have tooth decay and gum disease. Dogs should have their teeth cleaned regularly as well as enjoy treats that are designed to help clean the teeth between professional cleaning visits.
• Keep up on Preventive Care. This can include vaccinations, medications, and other methods to prevent diseases and parasites from infecting your loved one’s dog. Regular vet visits can ensure your loved one’s dog gets examined for any health issues yearly, helping your loved one keep it healthy.
• Feed Appropriately. Sure, it’s cute and funny to watch a dog eat a piece of pizza and he probably loves it, but continually giving a dog high-fat, high-sodium people food is harmful to the dog’s health. It can also cause weight gain which will reduce the dog’s ability to stay fit.
• Exercise Regularly. Even small dogs need some regular exercise. If your loved one has a larger dog, regular exercise is even more important. Exercise keeps their minds sharp and prevents boredom from occurring while at home.

Companion Care at Home Providers Can Help with Pet Care

If your loved one is struggling to provide responsible care for his beloved dog, it doesn’t mean he needs to have the dog taken away. That can be harmful to both him and the dog. Instead, look at the areas that he’s struggling with and help him find solutions to fill those gaps. You might have family members that can step in and help or you might have a companion care at home provider step in and help during their visits.

If exercise is a concern, consider having companion care at home providers help by engaging the pet in games while they visit or taking the dog for a walk with your loved one. Often managing the leash is the hardest part for an elderly person, so having a companion care at home provider hold the leash can easily solve that problem. Companion care at home providers can also help with grooming by brushing the pet while they visit with your loved one.

If you or an aging loved one are considering companion care at home in Milton, GA, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands – Serving Forsyth and North Fulton County today at (770) 744-3928.

Assisting Hands – Serving Forsyth and North Fulton County provides exceptional home care in Buckhead, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Cumming, Gainesville, Suwanee and the surrounding areas in Georgia.