6 Affordable Ways to Pamper Your Dog
Your dog is part of your family. When was the last time you pampered your dog like you pamper yourself?
Thankfully, your dog doesn’t need $100 trips to the local spa; you can give them the royal treatment right at home. To make your dog feel great, here are six affordable ways to pamper your dog.
- Paw pad balm
Your dog’s paws are made to handle some rough wear and tear, but that doesn’t mean they have to suffer from dry and cracked paw pads. Paw balm keeps paw pads moisturized and in good repair, similar to how farmers use Bag Balm to protect cow udders.
If you’ve never used this awesome product before, check out the paw balm reviews from Bone & Yarn for a detailed breakdown of the most popular products on the market.
Cracked and dry paw pads happen naturally
Over time, a dog’s paw pads can become cracked, cut, and dry from normal use. Dogs are adventurous and love running and will chase every squirrel and rabbit they see. They’ll run through blackberry brambles, wood, and any other surface that gets in their way.
When you moisturize your dog’s paw pads with paw balm, you’ll prevent those cracks from getting bigger and getting infected.
- Brush their teeth
Your dog won’t understand the benefits of brushing their teeth, but that’s okay. It’s the best thing you can do for your dog’s health. Vets estimate that more than two-thirds of dogs three years of age and older suffer from periodontal disease. If you think about it, this makes sense considering dogs don’t brush their teeth like humans.
Periodontal disease, along with other dental problems, can lead to serious infection. It all starts with bacteria that multiplies on their teeth and forms an impenetrable barrier known as plaque. Tartar build-up on the gums can also lead to infection. It’s critical to brush your dog’s teeth to prevent tartar and plaque from forming.
Not all dogs enjoy getting their teeth brushed, but many do. Some dogs even love their electric toothbrush!
You can find toothbrushes specifically made for dogs just about anywhere. The best ones have 360-degree bristles. However, one company makes an ultrasonic 360-degree toothbrush that will clean your dog’s teeth better than a manual brush.
- Homemade peanut butter cookies
Let’s face it – store-bought cookies are never as good as homemade. Even a dog who will eat anything can tell the difference.
Check out this peanut butter dog cookie recipe and modify it for your dog’s preferences. You can add ingredients like pumpkin and sweet potato, or any other dog-friendly ingredient your pup enjoys.
Many dog treats, even organic goodies, contain some kind of preservative or anti-caking agent that doesn’t get listed in the ingredients. There’s no way a truly natural, organic dog cookie will last long enough to make it into the store and remain on the shelf for any period of time.
- Brush your dog with a slicker brush
Most dogs love to be brushed once they realize how good it feels. While there are different brushes for brushing your dog’s fur or hair, slicker brushes are what feels the best.
Even if your dog doesn’t have a thick undercoat, see if they like being brushed with a slicker brush. The bristles are wiry and create a good scratching. You don’t have to brush your dog too hard or for too long, but a gentle brushing will feel just like a good back scratch. You can find out more about dog brushes and tips to grooming over at HoundGames if you have the time.
- Treat your pups to organ meats
Organ meats are fantastic for your dog. They contain the best nutrition your dog can get. Think about it. In the wild, animals eat just about every ounce of the prey they catch. You can get whole-prey kibble, but it’s not the same. To your dog, eating kibble is like eating crackers. It’s nutritious, but fresh meat tastes better.
Head to your local butcher shop to get some organ meat. Some butchers even package it up specifically for dogs.
- Give more belly rubs
The number one way to pamper your dog is to give them more belly rubs, back scratches, butt scratches, or whatever your dog enjoys. Let them sit in your lap more often. Take them for more walks. Bring them with you to check the mail.
Give your dog all the time and attention you possibly can – they will feel pampered. You go above and beyond and get your furry friend a cool dog hoodie.
Dogs deserve to be pampered
There’s no better way to spend your time than giving your dogs the best life possible. Dogs are family, so pamper them whenever you can.