You do everything you can to show your dog how much you love them. Would you be surprised if I said you might be doing things that make your dog feel unloved without even realizing it?
We all know life just gets in the way sometimes, but with a little bit of effort, your dog will finally realize and appreciate the full extent of your love for them. Here are 6 things you might be doing that can make your dog feel unloved.
#1 – Not giving them enough exercise
Exercise is crucial for your dog’s health and happiness. Your dog doesn’t care if you’re too busy or too tired to take them for a walk. They need their exercise and if their exercise requirement isn’t being met, it may feel like you don’t care about them.
#2 – Ignoring their dental hygiene
Do you brush your dog’s teeth every day? You at least give them dental toys, treats, or chews regularly, right? Your dog’s dental health is crucial to maintaining his overall health. Gum disease can lead to problems with your dog’s internal organs. Even if your dog’s bad teeth don’t affect his organs, the pain associated with dental issues can make a dog miserable. Your vet should be checking your dog’s teeth every visit and your dog may need occasional deep cleanings to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
#3 – Leaving them home alone too much
Dogs are social animals and need to spend lots of time with either you or an animal friend to truly be happy. Being left alone all day every day with nothing to do can make them unhappy and even destructive. If you can’t get home to take your dog out at lunch, consider hiring a dog walker. You may also want to leave your dog with a Comfort Cuddler or treat-dispensing toy.
#4 – Playing favorites
We know it’s not intentional. Sometimes you just connect better with one dog more than your others. The problem is that your other dogs can tell when you’re playing favorites, and it upsets them. Studies have shown that dogs can sense favoritism and can get jealous. Make sure each of your dogs is getting equal amounts of attention.
#5 – Neglecting their grooming
Grooming doesn’t just help your dog look good, it helps them feel good. Regular grooming is important for your dog’s well-being, and the pain they can experience from matted fur shouldn’t be taken lightly. Go ahead and reach up and pull on your hair. Now imagine your dog feeling that along his entire body all day, every day. That’s not a pleasant picture, is it?
#6 – Ignoring their health
Dogs are adept at hiding their pain, but it’s up to you to notice it and take them to the vet if they experience any behavior, appetite, or energy level changes. If you want your dog to live a long, healthy life, you need to be attuned to their normal behavior and investigate any changes that could be caused by underlying health issues. A dog in pain is an unhappy dog.
(H/T: One Green Planet, WebMD Pets, Preventive Vet)
