Ahh, the joys of doggie ownership: you go for walks, get plenty of cuddles and muck about with an outrageously adorable animal that loves you unconditionally - what could be better?!

But no one would ever tell you that owning a dog doesn’t come with a bit of hard work. After all, they’re doggies, and they need plenty of love and care to ensure they are always at their happiest and healthiest!

You’ve got the best dog insurance, you’re stocked up with healthy food, now let’s take a look at some of the other important tips of owning a pooch!

1. Make annual vet appointments

Your local veterinarian is an expert on dogs, so you should follow their advice when it comes to your doggy’s health such as giving your dog arthritis supplements, probiotic or multivitamins. They can provide a personalised opinion on your dog’s health that can help maintain their wellbeing for years!

2. Don’t overfeed your dog!

There’s nothing sadder than seeing an obese dog: it’s seriously bad for their health and should be avoided at all cost. Unfortunately, most dogs don’t know when to stop eating: they are instinctive and want to enjoy the delicious foods placed before them as much as possible!

But do not overfeed them: provide them with the recommended food intake and they should remain happy and healthy and without the need to constantly scoff huge amounts of food!

3. You might want to make a doggy “first aid kit”

Dogs are as prone to accidents as humans, but some of these accidents don’t necessarily require an expensive trip to the vet! A DIY first aid kit is a great idea for if you need to treat your dog for a minor accident at home - you can find all the things you need for one at your local pet store!

4. Pick up dog insurance

You never know when expensive vet bills are going to pop up, and so picking a dog insurance to cover any unforeseen emergency vet bills. You can get a range of different policies that cover your doggo, and they can help cover things like prescribed medications, long term health conditions and other issues!

5. Don’t forget to brush

People overlook brushing their pup’s teeth, but their teeth are important to their overall health and wellbeing. You can easily find toothpaste that is made especially for dogs, and with a little patience and training it can easily become part of your doggy care routine.

6. Be prepared for any emergencies

This sucks to talk about, we know, but it’s a good idea to have an emergency in place in the unfortunate hypothetical that you are no longer able to look after your doggo! Produce a list of important information about your dog including their medications, how often and what they are fed, sleeping habits etc. This list can then be passed onto someone in case you are unable to care for your doggo anymore.

7. Give them plenty of love & kindness

Dogs and humans get along so well because they have an overriding similarity - we both love goodness! Not that you need reminding (because obviously you love your doggo!) but the best thing for a pup is to know they are truly loved and being looked after. Take your dog for walks, create some space for play time during the day, give them plenty of cuddles and they will love you forever!