There are millions of us all over the UK that have a furry friend at home. Whether you’re a feline fanatic or a dog lover, you’ll want to do everything possible to keep your pet safe, happy, and healthy. Unfortunately, our beloved animals don’t have the longest of life expectancies, especially when compared to us humans. However, there are certain strategies and actions you can take that will keep a close eye on your pet’s health and wellbeing.
Whether you’ve recently rescued an animal or you’ve got an older cat or dog at home, here are some helpful pet health strategies worth trying out for the new year.
A
Feed Your Pet a Nutritious Diet
If we’re honest, we’ve all been guilty of giving our pets a little too much food! After all, how could we possibly resist their cute face when they’re crying out for food. The bad news is, too much food isn’t going to be good for your pet in the long run, especially in regard to what you’re feeding them. For example, if you’ve got a pooch and you’re giving them leftovers from your dinner, this isn’t an adequate diet. In fact, you could be doing more harm than good for their health and immune system.
The best thing you can do is feed your pet a nutritious diet. As we move into the new year, making changes to what you put in their bowl can make all the difference. What you feed your pet will obviously depend on their breed and age.
See Your Vet
Just like humans, animals need to have regular checkups at the vet. Even if you have no concerns for their health or nothing seems out of the ordinary, your pet could have an underlying condition that cannot be seen with the naked eye. For that reason, scheduling a vet appointment is essential. It’s wise to do this annually so your pet can have a thorough examination and you can hopefully be given the all clear.
Don’t feel embarrassed about taking your pet to the vet. If they’re overweight or obese, your vet isn’t there to judge. Instead, your vet will recommend options and strategies you can implement to get your pet in a healthy weight zone. Routine visits to the vet can prevent all kinds of treatable diseases. As your pet gets older, they may require additional visits to the vet.
Take Out Insurance
There’s no doubt about it. If you care about your pet’s health and want ultimate protection in place, taking out pet insurance is a must. To start your search, you can get a pet insurance quote online over on the Purely Pets website. This can help you gain more of an understanding on the benefits of pet insurance and help you find a policy that’s right for your pet.
We all know how expensive vet bills can be. If you’re worried about footing the bill, having pet insurance in place can cover you and bring you peace of mind. Make sure to take your time looking at the different insurance policies so you find one that’s suitable for your pet and your needs.
Make Exercise a Priority
While we know cats like to be left to their own devices and don’t necessarily enjoy being put on a lead, those who have dogs need to ensure their beloved pet is getting plenty of exercise. There’s nothing better than getting outdoors with your best friend in tow and soaking in vitamin D. Whether you take your canine to the park, a field, or a walk around the block, your dog is going to appreciate and benefit from this just as much as you!
Regular exercise helps your pet stay flexible and limber, not to mention cut back on bad behaviour which is normally caused by boredom. Regular joint movement and muscle movement can be achieved with daily walks, swimming, and runs. Regardless of the weather, making the effort to take your dog out is essential for their health.
Don’t Forget Oral Health
When it comes to pet care, many owners predominantly focus on what to feed their animal or exercise. However, oral health is just as important. A healthy set of gums and chippers enable your pet to grind up their food with ease. This helps in aiding digestion and allows the enzymes in the stomach to do their job correctly.
One thing you can do is purchase a pet toothbrush. You will need to ease your furry friend into the process as they may be frightened at first. Also, stock up on chews. These can be excellent for your pet’s oral health and lower the risk of health issues later down the line.
Keep Your Pet Hydrated
While we appreciate this may be basic advice, it’s vital your pet has fresh and clean water available 24/7. Water is essential for pets as they can become dehydrated quickly and need fresh water to help their body digest food properly. Make sure to wash your pet’s bowl out often. This will lower the chance of algae and bacteria growth.
If you’ve noticed your pet isn’t drinking much water, there are certain actions you can take. These include buying more bowls, ensuring water is accessible, adding some water totheir food, or offering water from your hand. If you’ve tried any of these to no avail, consult your vet.
Groom Your Pet
Your pet should have a lovely, shiny coat that protects them throughout the seasons. While most cats are more than capable of doing this themselves, dogs need a little helping hand. Grooming your pet helps in preventing skin conditions, as well as improving their fur’s appearance.
When you groom your pet, use this as an opportunity to check them all over. This makes it far easier to discover signs of illness, like lumps, sores, bumps, and weight loss. Alternatively, take your pet to a professional groomer.
As a pet owner, you’ll inevitably want to keep your furry friend as happy and healthy as can be. Thankfully, there are plenty of easy strategies and tactics you can try out in the new year that will put more focus on their health and wellbeing, and ultimately, keep them around for as long as possible.
