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How To Keep Your Pets Active & Healthy

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Arya Potts


Pets can bring joy and companionship to our lives, and we must do everything we can to keep them happy and healthy. Here are some tips for maintaining the well-being of your furry, feathered, or scaly companions.


Provide regular veterinary care: 

It is important to bring your pet to the veterinarian regularly for checkups and vaccinations. This can help to identify and address any potential health issues early on. Make sure to keep your pet's records up to date, including their medical history, vaccination records, and any medications they are taking. A plan for emergency care should also be in place in case your pet gets sick or hurt and your regular veterinarian is unavailable.


Feed a nutritionally balanced diet:

  1. Choose high-quality pet food appropriate for your pet's age, breed, and size.
  2. If you are feeding your pet a homemade diet, ensure it is nutritionally balanced and meets your pet's specific needs.
  3. Please consult your veterinarian or a pet nutritionist to ensure your pet gets all the necessary nutrients.
  4.  Restrict human foods. Too many table scraps can result in weight gain. Be particularly cautious when handling human foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, garlic, and macadamia nuts because they poison animals.

It is also important to monitor your pet's food intake and body condition and make necessary adjustments to their diet.


Exercise regularly: 

For your pet's physical well-being and mental stimulation, exercise is crucial. But unlike people, there are no standards for how much activity they should get. There are different needs for various breeds. You can sense your pet's activity level when you play together. 

If you have a high-energy dog, try an agility course, or take your dog with you for a hike, skate, or swim. For more bonding experience, do a downward-facing dog with your real dog during an in-person or online yoga class. Ensure your dog is well-behaved enough to stay by your side throughout the class.

Cats are only some of the best walking companions, but you can keep them from getting too sedentary by incorporating play daily. Most cats like toys that remind them of prey, like dangling feathers or little cloth mice. If your pet has slowed down from arthritis, try veterinary acupuncture. This method uses fine needles to stimulate various pressure points on the animal's body, just like its human equivalent. Research shows acupuncture helps to improve movement and relieve pain in dogs and cats. Plus, some pets find it relaxing. 


Help Your Dog Maintain a Healthy Weight

Maintaining your dog's healthy weight is crucial for maintaining its overall health because obesity has been linked to many serious conditions in dogs, such as diabetes and joint pain. While selecting high-quality food is essential, feeding your dog the correct amount is important. Most food bags have guidelines based on your dog's size, but it doesn't hurt to check in with your vet to find your pup's ideal number of daily calories. 

You should also monitor the number of treats your pup is getting. While treats are great training tools, it's important to feed your dog only a few so that you're going over their daily recommended calorie amount. Treats should only make up about 10% of your dog's daily intake.


Keep your pet's environment clean: 

Regularly clean your pet's living space to help prevent the buildup of dirt and germs. This includes cleaning their bedding, litter boxes, and any other areas they use regularly. It is also important to regularly groom your pet to keep their coat clean and healthy.


Practice good hygiene: 

Please wash your hands before and after handling your pet, and clean up after them to prevent the spreading of disease. This is especially important if you have a weakened immune system or are caring for a pet recovering from an illness.


Keep the mouth of your pet clean.

Dental disease and oral health problems, common in dogs and cats, can hurt your pet and make it difficult for them to eat. Oral health issues may lead to heart and kidney disease if left untreated. The best way to care for your pet's mouth at home, in addition to routine dental exams, is to brush their teeth. Other alternatives exist if your pet isn't a big fan of toothbrushes, including dental diets, treats, and toys. Ask your veterinarian for some recommendations.


Parasite Prevention – 

Heartworm disease, illnesses transmitted by ticks, and flea infestations can all be easily avoided with one monthly dose of medication. Compared to the cost of treating the conditions they treat, these drugs are secure, efficient, and affordable. Unquestionably among the best and simplest things pet owners can do to keep their animals healthy!


Spay/Neuter Your Pet

Spaying or neutering effectively lowers the number of homeless dogs and cats that are put to death every year, affecting millions of animals.

Spaying and neutering your pets improve their health and behavior and helps prevent tumors and uterine infections, reducing the number of homeless animals.


Good grooming – 

Regular grooming helps your pet feel and look her best. Baths, nail trimmings, and brushing maintain a healthy coat and skin on your pet. Additionally, grooming enables you to check for lumps and bumps that might concern and monitor changes in your pet's skin and coat. Consult your veterinarian for advice on how to groom your pet properly.


Keep your pet from wandering around unattended.

You might believe that letting your dog or cat roam freely is doing them a favor. However, roaming animals are prone to various risks, such as traffic mishaps, predator exposure, exposure to contagious diseases, poisons, and more. Additionally, if your pet ever "relieves" itself in your neighbor's lawn or digs up their garden, letting them roam free could make them hostile toward you.


Ensure the comfort of pets Regardless of the Weather's Change

Whether cold or hot outside, it's important to keep your pets comfortable. They can protect their health this way and cope with changing weather.

During the hot season, take your pet to cool locations and avoid leaving them in the parking lot for extended periods. Heat stroke can be avoided in this way. You can purchase fitted coats for the winter to provide them with additional insulation from the chilly air and to keep them free of runny noses and colds.


Social butterfly – 

A dog or cat that has been socialized will enjoy and feel at ease in new situations, surroundings, and encounters. According to studies, pets with good social skills display fewer alarming behaviors and are less likely to be abandoned at shelters.


All you need is love – 

Aside from feeding and giving them the right supplements, you should also be able to give your pet the holistic nourishment they need for their mental and emotional development.

Your pet would feel happier and more energetic knowing he lives in a happy home. But how do you provide the right emotional support that it needs? Share bonding activities with your pet, especially during special occasions, and give the love and care he deserves. You'll see how much he can give you in return.


We all want to see that our pets are healthy. With these straightforward suggestions, you can extend the life of your pet and ensure that those extra years are happy and fulfilling.


The Huntington Village Animal Hospital team treats your pet as its own. They know how to make your pet feel safe and comfortable. They provide the best care available in the area to help the pet stay healthy and happy. Book your appointment today.


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Arya Potts
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