Back to Routine: Reset Your Dog’s Wellness After a Busy Summer

After a summer full of snacks, road trips, late nights, and skipped walks, even the best-behaved dogs can feel a little... off.

Just like us, dogs thrive on routine. When their daily rhythms shift, their bodies can too. The good news? With a few easy habits—and a little extra support—you can help them ease back into balance this season!

In This Post, You’ll Learn:

1. Why disrupted routines can affect your dog’s health
2. 5 easy wellness tips to get back on track
3. Signs your dog may need a gentle reset
4. PupGrade’s top 3 soft chews to support seasonal transitions

Why Routine Changes Impact Your Dog’s Wellness

Dogs are creatures of habit, and even small routine shifts can affect their body more than we realize. A disrupted schedule can cause changes in things like: [1-5]

• Digestion: New foods, travel stress, and extra treats can impact gut function.

• Mobility: Less movement or longer car rides may lead to stiffness or discomfort.

• Energy: Late nights and sensory overload (fireworks, new people, beach days) can leave your dog wired or worn out.

• Sleep cycles: Dogs need predictable rest times to stay calm, focused, and emotionally balanced.

• Bathroom habits: Potty breaks tied to human schedules often shift in summer, leading to inconsistencies.

Even environmental changes (like hot pavement, dry air, or swimming in chlorinated pools) can influence how your dog feels!

Common Signs Your Pup May Need A Reset:

• Slower to get moving in the morning

• Gassy or irregular digestion

• Sleeping more (or less) than usual

• Seeming "off" or out of sync

5 Simple Ways to Support Their Post-Summer Transition

Getting back on track doesn’t require an overhaul—just a few thoughtful tweaks that support your dog physically and emotionally. Let’s take a look: 

1. Reclaim Your Routine

Start with your daily anchors: meals, potty breaks, and walks. Dogs feel safer when they know what to expect—same time, same rhythm.

Pro Tip: Set a recurring phone alarm for meals and walks. Even a 10-minute shift can help reset their internal clock.

2. Clean Up the Menu

Ease back into a stable feeding routine. Avoid mixing in new treats or foods too quickly, especially after a summer of sneaky BBQ scraps and ice cream licks!

Pro Tip: If your dog is pickier than usual, reintroduce regular meals slowly and avoid giving extras between meals. Be sure to consult your veterinarian about what foods are best for your dog.

3. Prioritize Gentle Movement

If your dog was more sedentary this summer (or just took more naps in the AC), try shorter but more consistent walks. Even 10 minutes twice a day can help support mobility and mood.

Pro Tip: Early mornings or evenings are best for cooler temperatures and low distractions, especially for easily overstimulated pups.

4. Reinforce Rest

Overstimulation from travel, house guests, or long summer days can leave dogs mentally wired. Now’s the time to create a calm, cozy corner where they can truly unwind.

Pro Tip: Set the vibe with a dim lamp, soft blanket, and their favorite toy. It's a bonus if it’s a phone-free zone for both of you.

5. Layer in Gentle Wellness Support

Seasonal transitions can be tough on your furry BFF’s body. A little daily support—like a digestive soft chew or a joint-friendly supplement—can help bridge the gap while routines are rebuilding.

Pro Tip: Pair new routines (like breakfast) with wellness support so it becomes a daily habit.

3 PupGrade Essentials to Help Them Reset, Naturally

Every dog is different, but when it comes to bouncing back after a disrupted routine, these three wholesome soft chews are a great place to start!

1. Digestive Support Soft Chews

Great for pups with unpredictable digestion post-summer.

• Formulated with pumpkin, prebiotics, and probiotics to support healthy gut function*

• 90% of surveyed pup parents saw smoother digestion**

• Tasty duck flavor dogs love—no food bribery needed

Probiotics/ Prebiotics

“That these probiotics/ prebiotics saved our dog. He now has regular, healthy stools and is eating well.” - Nancy B.

2. Joint Support Soft Chews

A gentle daily chew to help dogs get moving with ease.

• Includes glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin, and green-lipped mussel to support optimal joint function*

• 9 out of 10 dogs showed improved mobility in our customer survey**

• Soft, bite-sized, and naturally beef-flavored for easy daily use

LIFE-CHANGER!

“My 7 yr old Dachshund mix was dragging his back legs when I started him on joint support. Today, less than 2 wks later he ran to the door to meet a friend.” - Sonya D.

3. Daily Multivitamin Soft Chews

A full-spectrum multivitamin to help fill nutritional gaps.

• With vitamins A–E, B-complex, zinc, and cod liver oil to support energy, immunity, and general wellness (like a shiny, healthy coat!)*

• Ideal for seasonal transitions or when diets have shifted

• Duck-flavored and picky pup-approved

Best vitamins out there

“I’ve checked out different brands of muti vitamins and pupgrade has over thirty different things in there vitamins way more than other brands and my French bulldog loves them to and trust me when I say my boy is very picky what he eats.” - Craig C.

Ready to Ease Back into Routine—Together?

Whether you’re returning to school drop-offs or just reclaiming your morning walk schedule, now’s a great time to support your dog’s transition, too.

If you’re new to PupGrade, use code SS10 at checkout for 10% OFF your first order. Just real ingredients and real benefits, from the inside out!

This information is intended for general purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet or health routine, especially if you notice persistent or concerning changes in your dog's movement or behavior.

**Based on a survey of PupGrade customers.

**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.

Resources: 

1. Schork IG, Manzo IA, De Oliveira MRB, da Costa FV, Young RJ, de Azevedo CS. The cyclic interaction between daytime behavior and the sleep behavior of laboratory dogs. Sci Rep. 2022 Jan 10;12(1):478. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-04502-2. PMID: 35013533; PMCID: PMC8748904. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8748904/ 

2. BondVet. Why a Daily Dog Routine is Important & What it Should Look Like. https://bondvet.com/b/daily-dog-routine 

3. Gué, M., Peeters, T., Depoortere, I., Vantrappen, G., & Buéno, L. (1989). Stress-induced changes in gastric emptying, postprandial motility, and plasma gut hormone levels in dogs. Gastroenterology, 97(5), 1101–1107. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-5085(89)91678-8 

4. Cooper, J.J., et al. (2023). "Clinical approaches to canine anxiety management: A veterinary behaviorist perspective." The Veterinary Journal, 290, 105-117. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/the-veterinary-journal

5. Hermanson JW, de LaHunta A, Evans HE. Miller and Evan's Guide to the Anatomy of the Dog. Philadelphia: WB Saunders (2019). p. 1004. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4790228/