1. Exercise, Love, and Attention

I love my dog, so I want to make sure I am taking care of her to the best of my ability. For as much as we love our dogs, our dogs amazingly love us so much more.  They want us around all the time and want us to play with them and show them attention.  It’s important to make sure you give your dog ample exercise such as walks, runs, and play time in the yard or dog park including games to stimulate their brain.  And, of course, give your dog lots of love and attention, and they will live a happy life.

2. Healthy Dog Toys and Bones

Gold Medal Toys: Eco-friendly toys made with 100% organic cotton such as Simply Fido

Silver Medal Toys: Tuffy (these toys are tough so that dogs can’t chew them open and swallow stuffing and squeakers)

Bronze Medal Toys: No Stuffing (these toys have no stuffing for a dog to choke on or swallow)

Bones should be hard enough for a powerful chewer and free of chemicals.  The best are actual bones with zero artificial ingredients.

3. Healthy, Natural Food

According to Dr. Karen Becker, renowned holistic vet, the following are the best diets for dogs:

Gold Medal Diet: A nutritionally balanced species-appropriate raw food diet consisting of 30-60% raw meat and the rest fruits and veggies.

Silver Medal Diet: Organic, grain-free canned food

Bronze Medal Diet: Organic, grain-free dry food (kibble) with lots of water

Because I just cannot stomach giving my dog raw meat every day, I have decided to feed Roe the healthiest dry food possible daily, canned food once a week, and raw fruit and veggies for “treats.”  

Recommended brands:

Castor & Pollux Organix grain-free canned and dry dog food

Castor & Pollux Ultramix grain-free and poultry-free canned and dry dog food

Newman’s Own Organics grain-free canned dog food

The following is a list of foods that are toxic or unhealthy for dogs and they should never eat:

• avocados
• onions
• garlic
• grapes
• raisins
• macadamia nuts
• persimmons
• peaches
• plums
• yeast dough
• salt
• alcohol
• tea/herbal tea leaves
• caffeine/coffee
• dairy products
• candy/sugary food and drinks
• gum
• chocolate
• fat trimmings
• baking powder/baking soda
• nutmeg

Safe Food for Dogs:

• apples
• oranges
• bananas
• watermelon
• carrots
• green beans
• cucumber
• zucchini
• cinnamon
• dill
• mint

For more information on healthy diets for dogs, go here: Healthy Pets with Dr. Karen Becker and Happy, Healthy Pets.