They say being a dog owner is a lot like taking care of a baby—you want to buy them the best food, purchase the best quality products and make sure they’re happy and healthy. Summer is a great time of year to get your dog outdoors and let them just kind of be—but as fall arrives and the colder weather months loom, you might be looking to find new ways to spruce up your dog’s life. And, let’s face it, there’s only so long you can scroll TikTok looking for #DogMom inspo.
If you’re looking to hit the ‘reset’ button this fall for your pup, we’ve compiled a list of seven ways you can improve your dog’s quality of life—and you might even reap some benefits along the way.
#DogMomFall Is in Full Swing: Here Are 7 Tips to Take Even Better Care of Your Pup
1. Include Them in Your Workout
We’re not the first to tell you that getting exercise is extremely important for us humans—and it’s just as important for dogs. So, while the weather is still bearable outside, take your dog with you for your daily hot girl walk or run. Then, both you and your dog can reap the benefits of some much needed exercise and vitamin D (weather permitting). And, if you’re heading outside with your pup, you’ll definitely need a great leash. We recommend scouring brands like Hamilton for stylish, safe and comfortable leashes—then you both can hit the town in your cute new workout clothes.
2. Switch to Dog Food with Natural Ingredients
It’s a good feeling knowing you’re giving your dog the best of the best—and high-quality dog food should be at the top of your list. That’s why we trust Stewart, a brand that provides unbeatable flavor and uncompromising nutrition with every bite. Stewart offers a variety of all-natural food options for your pup, from dog food and treats to meal toppers that feature healthy ingredients like omega- 3 fatty acids and probiotics.
What sets Stewart apart from other dog food brands, you ask? Stewart offers three unique ways to feed your dog a raw diet. Starting off strong, they have Raw Coated Kibble, which is slow-cooked in small batches, and then coated in a premium freeze-dried protein powder for unbeatable flavor (seriously, it’s preferred by dogs five times more than regular kibble—they tested it.) Next, Stewart has Raw Naturals, a 100 percent freeze-dried meal packed with more protein than other brands. Bonus: it works great as a topper too. And finally, there’s Raw Medley, which is the most transparent dog food on the market. You can actually see the green beans and cranberries in there, alongside freeze-dried protein, for a complete and balanced meal that also works great as a topper.
You can help your furry friend be the healthiest dog on the block by feeding them Stewart food and treats this fall—and if you need further convincing, they’re offering 10% off until Oct. 20 with the code "DOGMOMFALL" at checkout.
3. Get Some Cute, Seasonal Dog Toys
It goes without saying there is a truly limitless supply of cute (and hilarious) dog toys out there—and with fall in full force, why not treat your furry friend to a festive toy? Perhaps a little stuffed ghost or a plush candy corn will brighten up their day—or maybe your pup prefers horror movies and would rather a Friday the 13th Jason Voorhees toy? (Hey, dogs can enjoy cinema too.) Either way, your dog will be super happy when that new toy arrives, so it’s definitely worth a purchase.
4. Socialize with Other Dogs
Letting your dog play with other pups has to be one of the cutest sights on planet earth—there are few better feelings than watching your furry BFF run around with other dogs, wagging their tails and getting out their zoomies together. Even if you don’t have a dog park near you, there are alternative ways you can bring your dog out to socialize. For example, look on Facebook or local websites for public events like farmers markets or fall festivals that allow dogs. Bringing your dog to a community event helps not only get your dog out of the house and around other pups, but also forces you to get out and enjoy all the beauty and excitement of fall.
5. Keep Up with Their Check-Ups
You already know that caring for your dog’s health is priority number one. Taking them to regular vet appointments is just the starting point, though. There are lots of other things you can do at home to prevent illnesses and infections. For example, investing in some good quality grooming products can go a long way. We’d recommend brands like Miracle Care, who offer useful products like dental cleansers, flea and tick shampoo, sterile eye wash and more to ensure your dog is clean and healthy.
6. Consider a New Dog Bed
If you want your pup to sleep snug as a bug this fall, it might be time to invest in a new dog bed—because let’s be honest, when was the last time you cleaned or upgraded that one you’ve had for years? Perhaps you have a particularly bougie pooch; you might want to go for a high-end, chic bed like this red and white checkered one from Lay Lo, or this vintage striped one from Williams Sonoma. So, when your dog is done with their zoomies rush at the end of each night, they can rest their little heads on their brand-new bed and dream of treats all night long.
7. Celebrate the Season with Matching Sweaters
OK… hear us out. You can’t deny that you get a little spark of joy any time you see a dog in a cute seasonal outfit. Even if you don’t necessarily want to match outfits with your dog (although we think it would be really cute if you did), you could still find some seasonally appropriate, stylish sweaters (and even Halloween costumes!) for your pup. We particularly love this black-and-white striped turtleneck from Furb for some preppy-fall dog energy.