Dog athletes need special care in terms of nutrition, regeneration and exercise. What basic facts should you know and follow if you have a dog athlete at home?
Doing sports with a dog is a great way to spend time together and keep you both in shape. Even if you only do recreation sports with your dog and don't compete, you should always think about your dog's health first and then about results.
Let's start with nutrition. It's clear that a physically active dog needs high-quality food. Unlike regular kibble, its food should have a special ration of nutrients, as they need more energy and protein. You should therefore choose food with the labels sport, endurance, energy or maintenance. The ingredients in this food are put together especially for physically active dogs.
You also need to tailor your dog's exercise regime. Warm him up before intense exercise. Do not forget to take regular breaks during exercise, and finish with light running or walking. You also need to remember to rest between individual exercises either with a quiet walk or undisturbed sleep.
Training should also be regular; one-off exercise (just on the weekend) would be hard on your dog's body, and could even cause muscle fever. On the other hand, he shouldn't overexert himself; you should avoid doing the same exercise for too long. I have written more about this in the article When excessive exercise is harmful to a dog.
So if you don't have time for full training, keep your dog in shape by running together, he can accompany you during a bike ride, or you can do balance exercises or swim with dogs.
It is clear that not only a dog's joints but also his bones, ligaments and tendons are under strain. We need to remember this and give them extra nutrition in the form of balanced nutritional supplements. Vitamins, minerals and amino acids help slow down cartilage degeneration and strengthen ligaments and tendons. They also improve mobility and reduce joint pain.
In addition to nutritional supplements, salmon oil or brewer's yeast are also great for dogs. Salmon oil not only contributes to a healthy joint and musculoskeletal system, it also promotes a healthy heart and blood circulation and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Brewer's yeast promotes metabolism, has a beneficial effect on digestion, improves resistance to stress and disease and is also a source of energy under stress.
We can also help the musculoskeletal system through regeneration. Massages are very beneficial. In the event of problems, the Dorn method or physiotherapy can help.
How do you and your dog stay fit during the winter?
Many times, I was left standing with my mouth open when I was watching the fall maneuvres of my cat partner. I was curious and started to look for more information about where the cat ability to always fall onto all fours come from along with their...
Sri Lanka – a holiday paradise in south-eastern Asia, the promised land for travellers. It is no problem to communicate here in English, the prices are relatively low, the locals are poor, but friendly… However, to dog lovers, apart from the fairy-tale...
A pet brings joy, that’s what everybody who lives with one in a joint household knows. With its playfulness and unconditional love, it often distracts us from stressful thoughts and duties. It teaches us to live here and now, to concentrate on the...
In this series, we will get to know famous dog personalities. Dogs, after all, play an important role in our life, so let us take a look what have they already managed to achieve during the time of us living together. Bobbie walked an incredible 4000...
Did you know, that such watches exist? You can join them as well. I’ve first heard about these watches referenced this year while on holiday doing a crossing of Šumava (the Bohemian Forest). And of course, I had to find out more!
If your dog sniffs on every corner when you’re walking it, nosework would probably be the right sport for it. Do you know, what it is?
Same as with dog record holders, we will find many cat records as well. For example, do you know, what is the record in the number of cats living under one roof?
Are you interested in how big the tallest dog is, how small is the smallest one or perhaps how many balls a dog managed to stuff in its mouth? Among the typical records such as age or size, we will find also a few more peculiar ones, so let us have a...
Securing windows and balconies is one of the first things that you need to arrange at home, when a cat arrives into the family. Do you know, what your options are?
Everyone, who has a cat at home, is definitely aware of its beneficial influence. When you are down or worried, nothing beats a purring ball of fur settled on your lap or a cat which massages you with its small claws. However, did you know, that...
Japan is not the only country, that has an island full of rabbits. Did you know, that you can find one even in the Czech Republic?
It is clear to every cat owner, that a fluffy needs its own place where it will feel safe, where it can laze about, play, scratch and climb. Not every cat will like a scratching post or a tree, but if your cat belongs among those who love it, the...
