A pet is more than just a furry friend. Be it a dog, cat, or bird, our pets keep us company and make us healthy. It’s true: the companionship of a pet can reduce feelings of loneliness and depression, and playing with them can help decrease blood pressure. It’s no wonder 81% of pet owners love their friends unconditionally.
Of course, you’ll only have a great companion if your pet is in their best health. So why not return that unconditional love by making sure your best friend is as happy and healthy as it can be? Below are some great ways to take better care of your pet starting today.
Find A Good Vet
Just like humans, pets need routine check-ups at least once a year. Even if there’s seemingly nothing wrong with your buddy, vet visits will rule out and prevent any health problems before they become an issue. For this reason, it’s a good idea to take your time researching vets who are experts in their field.
Also, don’t forget to consider pet insurance coverage. While it may sound unnecessary, insurance for an animal works just like it does for humans: by reducing costs in case of expensive yet necessary medical care. You can compare pet insurance options with iSelect and find the most affordable plans for your budget.
Make Sure Your Pet Gets Exercise
In the United States, more than 50% of dogs and cats have been diagnosed with obesity. Excessive body fat, while it makes pets look “fluffy” and cute, is a threat to your best friend’s heart, joints, and overall health. If you want your pet around you for many years, you better get it to exercise on a regular basis.
Regular exercise for your puppy can be as easy as going for a daily morning jog with it, or, if you own a cat, playing with a cat wand that gets it to jump up and down. Besides reversing obesity, daily exercising can alleviate symptoms of arthritis in dogs. Look at it this way: you’ll be caring for your pet’s health while spending quality time together.
Check Your Pet’s Vaccination Schedule
Are you sure your pup isn’t missing any shots? If your pet hasn’t been vaccinated in a while or has never been vaccinated, it’s time to schedule a vet appointment.
Depending on how many weeks or months old your furry friend is, there are certain vaccines they should’ve gotten already, and other shots they should get annually, like the rabies shot. A vet will likely show you a vaccination schedule, and you’ll be able to know when your pet needs each shot and how often.
Choose The Right Foods
It may sound contradictory that regular dog food is bad for dogs, but it’s true. Your current pet’s meals are probably doused in fat and you don’t even know it.
By the way, whoever said that dogs can’t eat human food isn’t completely right. The secret is to avoid giving our dogs what we wouldn’t eat ourselves. In this case, it’s okay to feed dogs with veggies and lean meats, but not fried foods, for example. If you have no time to cook your four-legged friend a healthy meal, try looking for natural, raw food brands and gradually change your pet’s diet.
Bathe Your Pet Regularly
Bath time is the best time to check your pet’s fur for fleas and ticks. The bite of those bugs could cause itching to tick paralysis, so you should always be on the lookout for anything odd. Also, washing your pet every other week keeps their fur-free from allergens and dirt, which is recommendable if the pet or the owners have any allergies.
The previous tips not only protect your pets from harm but also encourage a loving, lasting relationship with your best friends. After all, we should reciprocate the joy they give us every single day.
