Looking after your fluffy best friend on a daily basis can be costly without adding three-figure vet bills into the equation. Unfortunately, there are times when a trip to the vet is inevitable and there is nothing that you can do to avoid this. However, there are many different ways that you can ensure that you keep your pet in top shape so that you can avoid unnecessary trips to the vet for things that could have been prevented! Here are some simple and effective ways that you can keep your pet happy and healthy.
Getting Physical!
Not only is exercise good for a pet’s physical health to keep them trim and in shape, but just like us humans, exercise is important for their mental health too! Ways that you can encourage your pet to keep moving can be obvious for some pets like dogs who naturally love ‘walkies’, but for other animals like cats or rabbits, this is not always straightforward. You can encourage your pet to be active from an early age, as leads are not just available for dogs. However, this may not be suitable, and so you can invest in toys that encourage your pet to physically move, such as balls or toys that hang from a cage or shelter.
Eating Good, Feeling Good!
It is sometimes hard not to give into temptation when your pet begs for human food off your plate or wants to eat up any leftovers. However, giving food to your pet that isn’t necessarily made for them can be damaging to their health. Deciding what food to feed your pet can be difficult, as there are so many different product ranges, and articles offering different advice. It is always best to stick to pet foods with minimal additives, natural ingredients, and bursting with different nutrients, just like we humans should with our own food. There are certain key ingredients that can actually boost the health and immune system of your pet, which you can learn about by checking out the Grain Pet Food Facts About Probiotics infographic.
Showing Them Love!
A pet’s physical health is just as important as their mental health, which is why you might hear stories about dogs who have developed health issues as a result of feeling depressed through being neglected socially. Just as we like to socialize and receive attention, pets need to be cuddled, loved, and receive the care they deserve too. Looking after your pet’s mental health includes providing stimulating toys so that they don’t get bored, ensuring that they receive plenty of human or animal contact, and having enough space to have their own sense of freedom.
Remember that looking after your pet is a full-time commitment and by following this advice on a regular basis, you’re going to give your pet the best chance of living a long, happy, and healthy life. Please do remember that if your pet has any existing conditions or shows signs of poor health, you should seek professional veterinary advice as soon as possible.