Anybody who has pets knows that they are more than just animals; they are like beloved family members.
Pets are family members, so much so that people call themselves pet parents; their pets are their “kids.”
And since people are prone to talk about their pets as family, it’s not too far a stretch to say that prioritizing pet health is crucial.
It’s essential to take proactive measures to ensure the pet’s health and well-being so they can live a long, healthy, productive life.
Yet, even with prioritizing pet health, things happen and come up.
Your pet can get sick or injured, or if you’re moving to a new home, the stress of relocating and taking your pet out of a familiar environment can prove to be too much, so to keep them safe, there are things you’ll need to consider if you move.
That said, there are some things you can do to keep your pets safe and to give them the best opportunity to live a healthy life.
The keys to your pet’s health and wellness include:
- Proper Nutrition
- Regular Exercise
- Mental Stimulation
- Routine Veterinary Visits
- Regular Grooming
Proper Nutrition
Eating right and having a balanced diet aren’t just for humans but are concepts for pets as well.
The idea that what they eat will provide all the macronutrients for solid bones and muscles and the right amount of energy for their lives should be central to any types of food choices you provide.
But before you make any drastic meal plans or select different food sources, consult your veterinarian first to ensure that what you have in mind is both beneficial and worth the money.
Pet food often makes specific claims about its nutritional value, but the language can often be misleading.
For example, for pet food that says it is beef flavored, by law, only is required to have 2% meat in the composite food.
And by regulation by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), pet food must list the ingredients in order of weight, meaning that items listed first are the most plentiful (by weight) in the ingredient list.
So, if you’re looking to buy salmon pet food and the first ingredient isn’t salmon, it’s a processed food source.
Why does it matter? Well, for one, the pet food may lack the right combination of nutrients, and two, the additives may cause a variety of ailments, from allergic reactions to illness.
Think about it this way: you wouldn’t feed your kid a diet of processed sugars and fats with minimal nutritional value, would you?
No, probably not, so finding the correct type of nutrition appropriate for your pet’s age and weight will give them the energy they need to live a long, healthy life.
Regular Exercise
Another key to your pet’s overall health and wellness is to provide some form of regular exercise based on the type and age of your pet.
For example, if you’re a dog parent, taking your dog on long walks around the neighborhood or exploring new hiking parks will provide adequate exercise to build strong bones and muscles and engage their minds.
Exercise provides various benefits, from more muscular skeletal-muscular strength, improved cardiovascular performance, appetite control, maintaining flexibility, engaging the mind, building upon your rapport, and boosting mood.
Mental Stimulation
Just like a child, your pet gets bored and needs mental stimulation to learn, grow, and feel affection.
Mental stimulation for a pet can take various forms, from chasing a toy to playing a game of “fetch” to providing a toy designed specifically for your pet type.
The more that your pet gets mental stimulation, the happier they’ll be, the less inclined they may be to develop negative behaviors and to prevent issues like anxiety and even depression.
Regular Grooming
Grooming regularly increases the bonds between pet and pet parent, and for many types of animals, it is also crucial to their health and happiness.
For instance, cats are habitual groomers; it’s a function of their instinct to hunt, and having a cat comb around is a great way to keep your cat happy, but it is also something they will look forward to.
What’s more, regular grooming is another way to provide mental stimulation to your pet as they are active participants in the grooming process.
Routine Veterinary Visits
When it comes to creating a healthy environment for your pet to live a long, healthy life, including routine veterinary visits should be at the top of your list.
Since your pet can’t talk (yes, even a parrot can’t speak; they mimic sounds), a veterinarian trained to identify underlying health issues can help diagnose and prevent problems from worsening.
Regular check-ups should be done to determine your pet’s overall health and wellness significantly before you change their daily habits or dietary changes.
When looking for a vet, you’ll want to research one that is experienced in your particular type of pet and fits your budget.
Looking for a vet that fits your needs can be found in various ways. You can ask friends and colleagues for referrals or look online through review sites like Yelp or even Google search.
If you’re looking for a vet in your area, you can type general or specific location terms in the Google search bar terms like:
- Veterinarian near me
- Animal hospital close by
- Carmel Valley Veterinary Clinic
- Napa Animal Clinic
- Vet Clinic In Carmel Valley
The key is to find a veterinarian that is close enough to your home that it isn’t challenging to make it and one that specializes in your pet.
Not all vets take on all types of animals, so once you have a list of local vets, call around and ask them if they’ll look at your pet and what an expected price range may be.
Pets are more than just animals; they bond with you and look to you to provide food, shelter, and comfort. And providing them with all the resources to live a long life is part of your responsibility as a pet parent.