Pet ownership offers many rewards, including joy, companionship, and unconditional love from your four-legged friend. You may wonder how you can help keep your pet healthy, safe, and happy to increase their quality of life. Like people, pets require proper care, attention, and maintenance to stay at their best. Our Animal Care & Emergency Services team provides 10 essential tips to help you keep your furry friend healthy and happy.

#1: Schedule routine wellness exams for your pet

Veterinary care is the foundation of your pet’s good health, ensuring changes are detected early. Our veterinary team gathers information on your pet’s normal health baseline so we can tailor their nutrition, exercise, vaccinations, and other health components to their specific needs. Veterinary wellness care encompasses many aspects of your pet’s health, including:

  • Nose-to-tail physical exam
  • Vaccinations
  • Deworming
  • Parasite prevention
  • Heartworm testing
  • Spay or neuter surgery
  • Dental exam
  • Nutritional advice
  • Behavior consultation
  • Complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry profile

#2: Feed your pet a balanced diet

Your pet’s optimal health relies on a diet that meets their nutritional needs. Your pet’s food impacts their energy level, immunity, and overall well-being. Providing your furry pal with food suitable for their species, age, and size is essential. If your pet has specific health conditions requiring a specialized diet, such as weight management or gastrointestinal (GI) sensitivities, our team will provide you with some great options. 

#3: Provide your pet with appropriate daily exercise

All animals must engage in exercise to promote their physical and mental health. Playing and exercising are crucial to your pet’s need for enrichment and appropriate behavior. However, keep in mind that some exercises may not be suitable for your pet. When considering your pet’s exercise needs, consider their current health status, age, species, and breed. For example, most dogs are well suited for walks, but high-energy breeds may require long or rigorous walks, while senior dogs may need slow or short walking intervals. Cats benefit from interactive toys and climbing structures to satisfy their instincts and physical activity needs.

#4: Encourage mental stimulation through enriching pet toys

Keeping your pet’s mind engaged with interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and training sessions encourage appropriate behavior and strengthen their training. Mental stimulation prevents boredom and destructive behavior and, when you and your pet play games together, strengthens your pet-owner bond. Consider changing their toys periodically with new ones to keep your pet’s enthusiasm and excitement going.

#5: Groom your pet

Grooming your pet encourages a luxurious coat, bright smile, and pleasant smell. What’s not to love about that? Brushing your pet’s fur removes dirt, prevents matting, and distributes natural oils. Nail trims help keep your pet’s nails from becoming overly long, which can lead to discomfort and injury. Regular toothbrushing is necessary to ward off periodontal disease and other dental diseases. Grooming affects more than your pet’s appearance; this care is crucial to your pet’s health.

#6: Keep your pet on parasite preventives

Many pet owners assume that summer is the only time when pesky pests are alive and biting. This is untrue. Parasites are a year-round problem. Fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, heartworms, and many other parasites can wreak havoc on unprotected pets. Our Animal Care & Emergency Services team can establish an effective parasite prevention program for your furry friend, and screen and treat them for parasitic infection. Play it safe and keep your pet on prescribed parasite prevention throughout all seasons.

#7: Provide your pet with a safe environment

One of the best ways to keep your pet safe is to thoroughly pet-proof your home and garden. Remove all hazardous products and items from your pet’s reach, including household cleaners, medications, lawn and garden chemicals, and automotive products. Learn about common household toxins’ dangers to help prevent your pet from having an emergency. You can create a safe haven for your furry friend by using lockable containers, sheds, and cabinets.

#8: Maintain your pet’s healthy weight 

Pet obesity is an epidemic in the United States, and the condition poses several health risks. Diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease are linked to pet obesity. This is why you should strictly abide by our team’s recommendations for your pet’s diet, daily food amount, and exercise. Avoid giving table scraps, sugary treats, and other foods to your pet, which can set them up for weight gain. 

#9: Train and socialize your pet from an early age

Positive reinforcement training is the best way to help prevent your pet from exhibiting destructive behavior. Socialize your pet from a young age to help them feel comfortable around other animals, people, and new environments. Positive interactions with various stimuli contribute to their emotional well-being and prevent anxiety-related issues. Consider group training using a professional trainer to address especially problematic behaviors, including leash pulling and not following basic commands.

#10: Provide your pet with unconditional love and attention

Above all, shower your pet with love, attention, and affection. Spend quality time together, provide plenty of cuddles and praise, and be attentive to their needs. Your bond with your pet is invaluable for their overall happiness and well-being.

By implementing these essential tips, you can ensure that your pet enjoys a long, healthy, and fulfilling life by your side. Remember, responsible pet ownership is a commitment that brings immeasurable joy and companionship, and it’s worth every effort to keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Schedule your pet’s routine wellness appointment with our Animal Care & Emergency Services team.