As a dedicated, loving and responsible pet owner, you will want to everything in your power to ensure that your adored animal has the opportunity to enjoy a long, healthy, active and fulfilling life with you. We treat our pets very much as additional members of our family and largely afford them the same considerations and care that we would offer any human. The good news is that there are lots of ways in which you can make this desire entirely achievable.
Here are our top 10 tips for keeping your pet happy and healthy.
1 – Ensure Your Pet Gets The Right Nutrition
A healthy, balanced diet is just as important for pets as humans. It surprises many people to learn that an animal’s nutritional requirements change during their lifetime and for this reason, it is important that you remain aware of what your pet should be eating and why. Younger pets, senior pets, those which are overweight and those animals which have health problems can all benefit from tailored diets so don’t be afraid to speak to your vet for advice as to the most suitable feed for your pet.
2 – Offer Plenty Of Exercises
Most owners know that some degree of exercise is essential to keep your pet as healthy as possible. Regular physical activity is good for his heart, lungs and muscle tone will help keep his weight under control and offer him important mental stimulation. If you aren’t sure how much exercise your pet needs, your veterinarian will be happy to advise you.
3 – Watch Their Weight
Obesity is a leading cause of premature death in pets and people alike. This is because carrying extra weight comes with a lot of risks to your pet’s health and happiness. Obesity can lead to health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and joint problems, back pain and even increase your pet’s risk of developing some types of cancer. The right diet and plenty of exercises will help you to stay in control of his weight.
4 – Take Him For Regular Veterinary Check-ups
Your vet is your best support for keeping your pet healthy. With extensive training and experience, they know how to spot problems before they become big issues that require extensive and expensive treatment. However, for them to be able to do this they need to see your pet regularly so that they can monitor his health. Be sure to attend his regularly-scheduled appointments.
5 – Make Sure His Preventative Medication Is Up To Date
Preventative care is all that stands between your pet and countless dangerous parasitic infections and diseases. Your vet will create a schedule of preventative care based on the needs of your pet. This may include vaccinations, oral tablets, and spot-on treatments. Sticking to this schedule is vital to ensure that your pet is continuously protected.
6 – Get Him Neutered
Spaying/neutering your pet doesn’t only prevent unwanted pregnancy and will help ensure that you don’t further add to the overpopulation crisis, it also has significant health benefits. This includes reduced or eliminated the risk of some cancers and uterine infections and improved behavior.
8 – Schedule In Some Training
Training is an important aspect of care for most pets as it helps them to understand your expectations of them. This means less confusion when it comes to the house rules that will keep your home harmonious, such as whether he can sit on the couch, or where he should pee. Other important training, particularly for dogs, includes responding to his name and recall.
9 – Groom Him Regularly
Grooming is often overlooked, but it can actually contribute to the health and happiness of your pet. Claw trimming is essential to prevent painful ingrowth while brushing out your pet’s coat will remove dead skin and hair that prevents him from regulating his body temperature effectively. Grooming is also an ideal time to check your animal’s body for any unusual lumps or bumps that may need to be checked by a vet.
10 – Don’t Forget Mental Stimulation
Sitting around indoors all day can be mind-numbingly boring if you don’t have anything to do. Regular mental stimulation can prevent pets from becoming bored and developing bad habits and behaviors such as scratching and chewing. Be sure to schedule in some playtime every day, teach him some tricks or invest in toys such as a stuffed Kong where your pet will have to work hard to get his reward!
If you would like more top tips on the best way to keep your pet happy and healthy, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable veterinary team at Madison Animal Care Hospital in Madison, AL 256-461-7575.
