How to Keep Your Dog Happy and Healthy While You’re at Work

If you feel pangs of despair at your dog’s reaction as you get ready to leave for work, you’re not alone. Many dog owners can barely stand their dogs missing them throughout the day. Taking some steps to provide your dog with comfort and reassurance while you’re away can help both you and your dog bear your time apart more easily. Here are four things to consider about keeping your dog happy and healthy while you’re busy working.

1. Give Your Dog a Nutritional Supplement

Your dog’s nutritional intake and digestive health has a big impact on his or her physical comfort, and it can also affect your dog’s mental health. If he or she is missing out on key nutrients and experiencing digestive imbalance, it can cause your dog to feel anxious and withdrawn. A steady state of anxiety can be greatly exacerbated by separation anxiety. You can enhance your dog’s well-being with a nutritional supplement. Choose a supplement that’s formulated by a veterinarian to provide vitamins, minerals, and digestive enzymes. Take advantage of an ultimate pet nutrition coupon for additional savings. A supplement can round out nutritional gaps that can affect mood and energy. Also, it can promote better digestive regularity, sparing your dog from being anxious or upset about having to go out for a walk while you’re away.

2. Ensure That Your Dog Access to Fresh Water

Good hydration is extremely important to your dog’s health. While you’re away at work, he or she has to wait until you’re home for access to fresh water. A dog may not want to drink water that has been sitting out all day any more than you would. In fact, dogs have a very acute smell and the odor of stagnant water would be very apparent to them. A dog may prefer to drink from the toilet bowl rather than his or her water bowl simply because it’s fresher. Of course, you shouldn’t let your dog do this because bacteria or cleaning chemicals could be harmful. One of the best ways to help your dog stay hydrated while you’re at work is to use a pet fountain. It has a continuously running stream of water that prevents carbon dioxide from settling into the water and making it stagnant. Also, the sound of running water may pique your dog’s interest and encourage him or her to drink.

3. Don’t Crate Your Dog

Unfortunately, some owners put their dog in a small cage when they leave the house. Crating a dog can cause them to experience serious discomfort and anxiety. If there are certain areas of your home where you don’t want your dog to go while you’re not there, use a gate to restrict access instead of putting your dog in a cage. Give your dog an area where he or she can relax comfortably, move around, play with toys, and drink water.

4. Consider Doggy Daycare

A daycare program isn’t a good fit for all dogs, but a lot of dogs absolutely love getting to hang out and play with furry friends. Your dog’s past behavior in the dog park is probably a good indicator of how he or she would fare. If your dog is fearful or aggressive with other dogs, daycare would not be fun and could be dangerous. If your dog loves saying hello to every dog and makes fast friends, a daycare would probably be something to look forward to every day. Look for a daycare that’s well-reviewed and well-staffed. A facility should have a large outdoor play area with shade, a climate controlled area, and soft beds or raised cots for older dogs to relax on when they’re tired from playing.

Of course, you and your dog would probably prefer to spend all day together if you could. Being attentive to your dog’s health and environment can make being apart a little more manageable for both of you until you’re joyously reunited.