You arrive at home after a tiring day at work. As soon as you enter the door, you are welcomed by the excited four-legged friend. The moment you notice this, you give a pretty smile. Undoubtedly, owning a pet is one of the greatest fortunes of life that brings moments of giggles and selfless companionship.
Fact check: It is remarkable to note that over 65% of households in the USA own a pet. The most popular choice among them is cats and dogs.
But let us tell you that owning a pet comes with lots of responsibilities. With the happiness and unconditional love they bring, it is your duty to keep them healthy and safe. As these are curious creatures, they can attract to anything they see around that entices their senses. This is the reason that you need to focus on their needs to keep them healthy.
So, how can you keep up with their well-being and ultimately be a more responsible pet owner? Without further ado, read ahead and get all the answers.
4 Routine care measures for your pets
1. Bi-annual examination
The most basic thing that you can do for your furry friend is to take him for routine veterinary examinations. In this way, it will be easy for you to determine if the pet is suffering from any potential problem.
In this routine examination, the veterinarian will check the health condition of the pet from nose to tail. They will check the heart and breathing patterns to their ears and mouth. Additionally, the vet may suggest the following:-
A blood panel test
It includes several tests that help monitor the RBCs and WBCs, kidney and liver function for a few abnormalities that your four-legged friend might not be sharing with you. In this case, your vet may suggest a bi-annual examination for your furry pal.
Additional tests
These include other tests like X-rays, an electrocardiogram, urinalysis, and more. All the important tests recommended by the vet will be based on their individual history and needs.
2. Healthy diet
The diet of the pet changes over the course of a lifetime. Moreover, nutritional requirements for every kind of pet are different. Remember to consult the dietary requirements for your pet at every stage of his life. Check if the food package is labeled as “Association of American Feed Control Officials certified.”
The label should ensure the safety of the product. Besides, you should be using proper cat food dishes, or the ones precisely designed for your pet. The reason being, dedicated bowls or dishes would ensure that your pet does not accidentally ingest any toxic chemicals or anything that they should not. You can also use proper measuring cups to feed the right portion to your pet. Consider his ideal weight to determine the portion as some pets may require less or more than the labeled amount.
Let us clarify this further. Experts recommend that a dog should eat the food that contains –
- Essential vitamins and minerals to strengthen the immune system.
- Fiber is necessary to maintain a healthy digestive tract.
- For energy purposes, give them healthy grains.
Furthermore, this is what is recommended for the cats –
- Not to mention that cats are carnivorous, so their food items should include fats and a high level of easily digestible protein. It should also contain taurine, which is an organic compound healthy for eyes and heart muscle.
- The food products should contain the appropriate amount of Vitamin A and niacin for healthy growth.
3. Dental care
Oral hygiene holds supreme importance to maintain the overall well-being of the pet. As per the American Veterinary Dental Society, it has been found out that over 80% of dogs and cats aging more than three years show symptoms of oral disease. And it could also lead to oral melanoma, which is a type of cancer.
According to research, properly taking care of your pet’s oral health can augment his life from 2-5 years. It varies from pet to pet whether your companion needs professional dental cleanings or not. However, with few simple tactics, you can promote good dental hygiene in them –
- Greenies – As per one of the organizations, greenie is the edible dental chew that has the ability to reduce the tartar buildup by 10.5% if your pet eats it once a day. Consult the vet for the appropriate size of Greenie, and keep in mind that eating it adds to the total calorie intake that your furry pal consumes in a day.
- Bad breath – Do you think that a stinky mouth is normal in the case of pets? If yes, then you may need to think again. Foul-smelling breath is a symbol of a serious problem in the pet’s mouth, or it could be a digestive issue. So, take assistance from your vet to find out the suitable solutions for this problem.
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4. Daily exercise
As per a study, nearly 60% of pets are overweight. And diseases like diabetes, bone, and joint diseases, skin conditions are commonly found in overweight animals as compared to fit ones. Being overweight also leads to shorter life expectancy. The simple and effective solution to this is maintaining a proper weight with regular exercise and a healthy diet.
- Daily walks – Take your companion for daily brisk walks of at least 15 minutes a day. This will improve their cardiovascular fitness and decrease stress.
- Indoor activities – Those of you who think that outdoor space is the only way to exercise, hear us out. You can make efforts to get your routine pet exercise indoors as well. Get them the chance to play with interactive toys like balls, motion-activated mice, and there are other choices as well. These toys stimulate their brain cells and encourage exercise.
To sum it all up
Believe it or not, maintaining their health not only extends their life but also makes them happier. Apart from keeping up with their health, do not forget to feed them with the holistic nourishment that is important for their mental and emotional well-being.
Most importantly, your pet’s happiness will know no bounds if he feels that he lives in a happy and healthy home. Simply share little activities with your four-legged friend, and make him feel special with all the love and care. You will be amazed at the results of how selfless these animals are when they give you their companionship in return.
At last, James Cromwell can’t be more right when he said –
“Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life.”
