7 Need-To-Know Tricks To Keep Your Pet Healthy
Having a pet provides countless benefits, namely staying fit, and keeping stress and loneliness at bay. Being a furparent can also become your ticket to meeting new people and gaining friends.
The quality of your life can improve when you have a pet, but keep in mind that this role also requires responsibility. When you become a pet owner, you need to regularly exert time and effort to ensure that your pet stays healthy and happy long-term.
Regardless if this is your first or fourth time having a pet, the tips listed below can help you maintain or improve their health long-term:
- Regular Vet Visits
Vets can become your biggest allies in keeping your pets healthy. Vets have the experience and equipment to diagnose and treat any health condition your pet may have. They can even give you expert advice about your pet’s health—from home remedies to help cure your dog’s upset stomach, to learning the signs of common behavioral issues.
Vets can also provide different types of tests to assess the overall condition of your pet. Ideally, your pet should have a blood panel or fecal test twice a year. Your vet might also recommend your pet to undergo urinalysis, blood pressure measurement, and x-rays.
- Proper Nutrition
Giving your pet the right amount and type of food is essential to keeping them healthy. Proper nutrition improves the immune system of your furry friend, making it easier for her to stay active and stave off illnesses and diseases.
There are different types of diets available for pets today, namely dry, canned, semi-moist, home-cooked, and raw. Choosing which one to give your pet can be challenging, so make sure to research more on dog nutrition information and ask for recommendations from your vet.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all diet for pets, so be careful about what you feed your pet. Don’t feed your pets a diet just because it’s cheap or popular.
- Exercise
Just like humans, your pet also needs physical activities to stay healthy and happy. Exercising regularly can also reduce behavioral problems, such as excessive barking, chewing, and digging.
When deciding on which type of exercise to give your pet, consider the age. For example, puppies often need more exercise during the day as they have more energy in their bodies. Seniors, on the other hand, need simple and short exercises to keep their bodies strong.
Aside from walks, playing a game of fetch and swimming are also great exercises for your pet. If you have a super active pet, consider enrolling her in agility classes.
- Professional Grooming
Sure, you can always give baths to your pet at home using store-bought products, but nothing compares to expert services. Professional grooming is a must to maintain your pet’s healthy coat and skin, and reduce the risk of ear infections.
If your pet has long and thick fur, you might need to take them to a professional groomer every four to eight weeks. For short-haired breeds, visiting the groomer every eight to twelve weeks is ideal.
- Affection
Establishing a strong bond with your pet is beneficial for both of you. Giving your pet cuddles and belly rubs is a great way to show much you love them, plus it helps both of you to stay calm.
Being affectionate to your pet will enable you to build and strengthen an emotional connection while promoting positive interactions with other humans and animals. Once your pet sees how affectionate humans are, it’ll be easier for them to remain comfortable even when surrounded by new people.
- Spay Or Neuter
Spaying or neutering your pet has many health benefits, namely reducing the chances of breast cancer and uterine infection for females, and testicular cancer for males. Spaying or neutering can also eliminate urges to find a mate, reducing your pet’s tendency to leave the house and be exposed to harm.
Most importantly, getting your pet fixed can reduce the number of unwanted pets in your community, decreasing the number of starving and homeless animals, and euthanasia.
Spaying and neutering are safe procedures that can be given to dogs once they reach six months. For cats, it’s best to spay or neuter them before they reach five months of age.
- Pet Safety
Pets are prone to accidents, especially when they’re young. Pets are naturally curious and would often roam around the house, not knowing that danger is lurking in the corner.
There are many ways to keep your safe pet, and letting them wear collars with ID tags and microchips is a great start. To make your home pet-friendly, store your trash and household chemicals away from your furry friend. Also, make sure to hide electrical cords behind or under furniture to protect your pet from electrocution as well.
Knowledge Is Power
Looking after a pet can be challenging, but it’s not impossible to accomplish. By incorporating the tips in this article into your routine, you won’t have any problem keeping your pet in the best shape for years!
