A holistic guide to a happier, healthier dog
Feb 5, 2026
What wellness for your dog really means
Dog wellness is about more than reacting when something goes wrong. It’s a proactive, whole-life approach that supports your dog’s physical health, mental wellbeing, and long-term comfort. From nutrition and exercise to preventative care and routine check-ups, wellness is built through small, consistent habits, many of which are easier to manage when everything is in one place.
Nutrition: feeding the right food, the right way
Good nutrition is the cornerstone of dog wellness, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. Different dogs have different needs based on their breed, age, size, activity level, and any underlying health conditions.
When changing your dog’s food, it’s important not to switch suddenly, as this can upset their digestion. Instead, introduce new food gradually over a week:
A simple transition plan:
Day 1–2: 75% current food + 25% new food
Day 3–4: 50% current food + 50% new food
Day 5–6: 25% current food + 75% new food
Day 7 onwards: 100% new food
Choosing the right food matters just as much as how you transition. Whether your dog needs support for sensitive stomachs, joint health, weight management, or high energy output, there are specialist options designed to help them thrive. In the Biscuit Pet Care app, you can also find discounts and offers on high-quality dog food brands, making it easier to feed well with quality ingredients and no unnecessary additives, without stretching your budget.
Physical activity: making sure your dog gets enough exercise
Exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, strong musculature support, mobile joints, and good mental health. But many dog owners either underestimate or overestimate how much movement their dog gets.
Tracking your dog’s walks helps ensure they’re hitting their daily activity goals throughout the day, especially useful for:
High-energy breeds that need structured exercise
Dogs on weight-management plans
Older dogs who benefit from consistent, gentle movement
Using the walk tracking feature in the Biscuit app, you can build a clear picture of your dog’s activity levels over time and adjust routines if needed. Consistency, not intensity, is often the key to long-term wellness.
Weight & body condition: tracking health over time
Your dog’s weight can be one of the earliest indicators of changes in health. Small increases or decreases may not be obvious day-to-day, but patterns over time matter.
Recording your dog’s weight quarterly helps you:
Spot gradual trends early
Adjust food or exercise before issues develop
Support healthy growth in puppies or stability in senior dogs
The Weight Badge in the Biscuit app makes this easy, giving you a nudge to weight them again and the ability to spot a trend if anything is changing, so you’re not relying on memory alone. It’s a simple habit that can have a big impact on long-term health.
5. Preventative care: staying on top of the essentials
Preventative care protects your dog from avoidable illness and discomfort, and it’s much easier to manage when reminders are built into your routine.
Flea, tick, and worming treatments
Annual vaccinations to keep protection up to date
Regular vet checkups to catch issues early
The Biscuit app’s badges for flea, tick and worming, as well as the vaccination badge, act as practical reminders so nothing slips through the cracks. While you’re at the vet for vaccinations, it’s also a great opportunity to book a general health check and discuss any changes you’ve noticed.
Supplements: only when they’re truly needed
Supplements can be helpful, but only when they’re appropriate for your dog. Giving supplements your dog doesn’t need won’t improve wellness and may even cause issues.
That said, some dogs do benefit from targeted support for common ailments, such as:
Joint mobility supplements for older or very active dogs
Skin and coat support for dogs with sensitivities
If your vet recommends a supplement like YuMove for joint health, the Biscuit app can help here too, with exclusive offers that support both your dog’s comfort and your wallet. Wellness should be effective, not excessive.
Mental & emotional wellbeing: wellness beyond the physical
A truly well dog is calm, confident, and mentally fulfilled. Alongside physical care, dogs also need:
Mental stimulation
Predictable routines
Positive social interactions
Daily walks, training games, enrichment toys, and quiet rest all play a role. When physical needs like exercise and health care are well managed, emotional wellbeing often follows naturally. Look out for habits or behaviours that are destructive, attention seeking or generally not what you want them to be doing and consider whether these could be linked to under-stimulation.
Building a simple wellness routine with biscuit
Wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple routine might include:
Tracking daily walks
Recording weight every few months
Completing preventative care badges
Keeping vaccination dates visible
Updating your insurance policy to make sure both your dog's needs and your wallet are well covered in the event of needing veterinary care.
Reviewing nutrition and supplements as your dog’s needs change
Having everything in one place, like in the Biscuit Pet Care app, makes it easier to stay consistent and confident in your care.
Small actions, lifelong benefits
Dog wellness is built through everyday choices. When nutrition, movement, preventative care, and monitoring work together, dogs don’t just live longer, they live happier, more comfortable lives.
By staying organised, informed, and proactive, you’re giving your dog the best possible foundation for a healthy future, and tools like Biscuit can help make that journey simpler, calmer, and more rewarding 🐾💜