As a pet owner, you want to make sure that life is as long, happy, and healthy as possible for your furry pals.
Here are some quick and easy ways to keep your pals healthy, active and less prone to health problems.
1. Keep your pet at a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight will help your pets a live a longer life. If you notice that your pet has been gaining a little weight, help them lose it slowly. Reduce their caloric intake and help them lead a more active life. Spend a bit more time playing with them or take them on a long walk.
2. Exercise your pet. Make it fun for them! Use toys, take them out on long walks, make them jump and run when you play with them. Exercise has many benefits for pets as well as humans, and our pets can tend to get lazy sitting around at home all day. Remind them of how fun it is to have a good chase!
3. Feed your pet a balanced, nutritious diet. Find food that is rich in protein and does not contain grains. Make sure you are purchasing the correct food for each stage of their life, as puppies have different nutritional needs than senior dogs. Also make sure that you are feeding the right portions, we tend to overfeed our pets in an attempt to spoil them, without realizing this can harm their health.
4. Keep their water clean and within reach at all times. Proper hydration is key to good health. Also make sure that your pet is kept in an environment that does not have temperature extremes. Heat can affect their small bodies much more quickly than ours, and the same goes for cold! Never leave your pet inside a hot car!
5. Have your veterinarian examine your pet at least once a year. Even if your pet seems healthy, do not skip your vet’s annual exam. Their trained eyes can see something that you might have missed, and the sooner a disease is diagnosed, the better. Try to make the experience more pleasant for your pet by comforting them, praising them or giving them a treat. This will make their annual visit easier.
6. Vaccinate your pet against potentially deadly diseases such as distemper or rabies. Vaccination is very important for your pets. Nobody likes getting them, but they can save your pets from potentially lethal diseases. Make sure to comfort your pet afterwards! After all, nobody likes getting shots.
7. Keep your pet free of parasites (fleas, ticks, heartworm, etc.). You can find many products that will help your pet combat these nasty buggers. With so many options available, there is no excuse for your pet to have to suffer with fleas and ticks. Apart from discomfort, these parasites can bring more serious illnesses to your beloved pets.
8. Brush and groom them regularly. Long haired pets need to be brushed regularly to prevent knots and excess shedding. Use a tool like the Furminator to avoid finding all that pet hair on your furniture. Your pets will appreciate you keeping them fresh and clean, and this will also keep them healthy too! A healthy pet should look their best. You can also find supplements for skin and coat that will help them shine!
9. Pet proof their environment so they don’t get hurt. Particularly when you are away and they get restless. Make sure they don’t chew on wires or are exposed to sharp objects. If your pet does get accidentally injured, make sure to have a first aid kit handy. Remember the best way to treat small emergencies is by preventing them!
10. Most importantly give them lots of love and attention. Just like everyone, our furry friends need to feel loved and appreciated in order to be happy. Show them your love by petting them, playing with them, or giving them a special treat. After all they are your best buds!
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