Our pets are an essential part of our family and we, as pet owners, are in the driver’s seat when it comes to their health and overall wellbeing. A pet’s health does not solely depend on regular veterinarian appointments and visits; it involves a comprehensive blend of their mental, social as well as other integral needs. After all, your pet’s health is a crucial concern and by just making a bunch of informed choices you can support your pet’s health and happiness extensively.
Here are some fundamental guidelines to get you started and steer your bond with your pet in a healthier direction.
1. Preventive Care
No one knows your fur pal better than you! A common mistake most pet owners tend to make is reaching out to the vet when their pet is ill or injured, however, preventive care is always amiss.
In the case of kittens and puppies, visiting the vet every three to four weeks to get their initial set of vaccines, deworming doses and to observe their development and physical growth is paramount. For adult pets, annual wellness checkups are adequate, nonetheless, once they hit their senior years, biannual vet visits are apt, with the sole motive of identifying health issues linked to old age ahead of time and treating them as early on as possible.
2. Healthy Diet
Did you know that the lifespan and well-being of your fur buddy depends upon its diet? Hence, one of the most crucial steps to ensure a healthy and hearty lifecycle for your pet is to provide nutritious and nourishing food. It is extremely essential to strike the right balance between vegetables and meat in your pet’s diet since an excess of either/or could lead to some fatal health concerns. Alarming enough, isn’t it?
To ensure you’re picking the right foods for your pet, consider taking the opinion of your vet. They will recommend a proper diet depending upon a few relevant factors - size, weight, and age of your pet. Additionally, in case of allergies that could surface in your pet, the vet will also help work out a balanced diet around the sensitivity.
3. Pet Exercises
Exercise is a natural practice when it comes to pets, nonetheless, sometimes, it is neglected. Your pet’s behavior will, in all likelihood, be an indicator of how much exercise it needs. The rule of thumb here is- the more destructive or active it gets, the more exercise it could do with. The amount of exercise required is predominantly dependent on the type of pet you possess- Most research recommends between 30 minutes to 2 hours in the case of dogs, keeping in check exceptions depending upon the breed and the age of the dog. It is best to get your research in place to understand the exercise time that is best suited for your breed.
Walking your pet helps it shed any extra pounds as well as engages its muscle tone and joint movement. Furthermore, you can always consider buying toys for your pet that could help them exercise and engage, resulting in their healthy development both physically as well as mentally.
4. Dental Care and Grooming
Brushing your pet’s teeth at home is a great start to taking care of their dental health since most pets by the age of three have some degree of dental disease. You can brush their teeth daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush and some pet-friendly paste. Consider alternatives like dental treats, toys, etc. to help with their preventive dental care in the long run.
Grooming your pet by brushing its coat at least weekly not only helps remove shed fur but also gives you the perfect chance to check for skin issues, lumps, fleas, or ticks. In the case of long-haired pets, it’s recommended to brush through their fur more frequently to avoid matting and tangling. In most cases, pets love to be brushed gently, which is why it is considered an exceptional bonding opportunity. Bathing pets that are healthy is only required when they get dirty or start to smell, however, if your pet is dealing with allergies or any skin problems, frequent baths can be a requisite to their condition.
Looking into your pet’s ear weekly for dirt or wax and cleaning it out if needed is key. Any signs of redness or discharge should be highlighted to the vet. Additionally, trimming your pet’s nails if they grow too long should be a monthly drill.
5. Pet’s Behavior
To combat behavioral problems in your pet, socializing is the best course of action. It is pivotal that you expose your pet to as many new people and situations as possible- preferably when it's young. Be sure to give it enough physical and mental exercise as possible, which in turn will ensure your pet does not act up due to the pent-up energy.
It is also highly recommended that you teach your pet tricks as well as basic commands-
- Come
- Stay
- Drop It
- Sit
- Stand
Doing so will make sure you can control your pet in potentially dangerous situations, provide them the much-required mental stimulation as well as create a stronger bond with your pet.
Hope these tips help you make smarter choices for your pet, so that you get to enjoy their companionship for as long as possible.
Go ahead and let us know what you think of our list. And please feel free to add in anything that you feel we’ve possibly missed out on in the comments below! We’re all ears.
