Keeping Your Pet HealthyPets bring a variety of emotional and social benefits. Did you know that owning pets can help improve your physical health as well?Pet owners have been found to have lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels than people without a pet. This is due to the fact that pet ownership encourages healthy habits like regular exercise, good diet and regular exercise.1. Proper nutritionA healthy diet is essential for your pet's health. It improves the health of your pet's coat and skin, helps with weight management as well as strengthens their immune system, and improves overall health. A healthy diet will ensure that your pet receives all the minerals and vitamins they require to be healthy and happy.The best pet food brands contain the right balance of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fats. Selecting the right food can help you meet the nutrient requirements of your pet. For instance, pets that work (hunting, field trial and herding dogs) have different dietary requirements than lap dogs and sedentary household cats.Avoid eating table scraps and human foods as they are often laden with high levels of salt and fat that can be harmful to your pet's health. Use small amounts of cooked lean meats, fish or lean meats as an added ingredient to your pet's food. These should be free from seasoning and spices, and bones, to avoid illness.In moderation carbohydrates can be a beneficial source of energy for your pet. However, too many carbs can cause your pet to become overweight and lead to other serious health issues.Minerals and vitamins are required for a variety of vital functions, such as bone growth, enzyme production, healthy blood cells and immune system function. Choose a commercial-grade brand of cat or dog food that is trusted to ensure that your pet gets the right amount of minerals and vitamins.Keep your pet's food and water fresh. Changes in the way your pet eats can be an indication of an illness. responsible pet ownership should monitor this closely. A sudden increase in thirst or a sudden loss of appetite can be a sign of diabetes. A slow walking pace or difficulty navigating stairs could be a sign of arthritis or other musculoskeletal issues. If you notice any of these signs, schedule an appointment with your family physician to determine the most appropriate method of treatment.2. ExercisePets bring many benefits to your lifestyle that include promoting fitness, lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels as well as improving your mental health and encouraging socialization. Pets can also aid children to develop social skills, as per studies.It is essential to ensure that your pet gets regular exercise to be healthy and happy. This is good for their mental well-being but it can also help prevent problems with chewing on objects that they shouldn't or running away from the house. Dogs are most benefited by daily walks and outdoor activities while cats can be enticed by cat toys and training.The amount of exercise your pet needs daily will depend on their age, breed and health. However, a general rule of thumb is that all dogs should spend 30 to 2 hours in a single activity per day. This could include playing fetch, visiting the dog park, working out at home using pet balls or an interactive toy, or even participating in a supervised group activity like a yoga class for pets (also called "doga").Petting your pet is not just a way to make them feel loved but can also help to build an emotional bond with you as well as reduces anxiety and stress. In fact, a recent study in the journal Science found that petting your cat or dog can cause the release of oxytocin humans. This hormone occurs naturally and encourages trust and bonds. It also lowers the heart rate and blood pressure of humans.It is essential to give your pet drinking water that is fresh at all times. This will help prevent constipation and diarrhea as well as urinary tract infections. Fill the bowl with water if it is easily cleanable. You can also purchase water fountains that clean and filters the water when it flows through. We recommend that you give your pet drinking water each when you take a drink yourself to ensure they're getting enough fluids.3. people and pets Like people, pets also have to take care of their gums and teeth. Plaque will accumulate on the teeth of your pet just as it does on ours and if left untreated can lead to dental decay, gum disease or even a serious illness. Dental care for your pet is crucial for maintaining your pet's health, and routine veterinary checkups are essential to spot any issues before they turn into major problems.Bad breath, or halitosis is among the clearest indicators that your pet should be seen by a veterinarian to discuss their oral hygiene. But, it's not just the smell that is a problem, when bacteria from dental issues enter the bloodstream, they could extend to other areas of the body, and can affect organs like the liver and kidneys.By brushing your pet's teeth regularly, giving them chews that are safe and play with them and undergoing regular dental checkups by an experienced vet, you can help them to live a long and happy life. A healthy mouth is crucial to maintaining proper digestion so your pet can take in food and get the nutrients they require.Your pet's oral health is also important for their overall health since it can affect other parts of the body such as kidneys and the heart. Your pet may be in discomfort if they suffer from severe dental problems, and this can make them unable to take their food as often as they would normally. This can cause the loss of weight and malnutrition, which can be detrimental to your pet's health.Regular checkups for veterinary health with a veterinarian will include complete dental examinations and professional cleaning. Your pet will need to be anesthetized in general to undergo this procedure, however an expert cleaning is the most effective way to eliminate tartar and plaque, and also prevent future dental problems from developing.It is important to start oral care early for your pet as the baby teeth have to fall before their adult teeth develop. If they aren't removed, they can be pushed against the adult teeth, causing gum irritation, or other dental issues. Your veterinarian can provide advice on how you can take care of your pet's dental health, and also provide you with a list of the products to help you.4. Preventative MedicationsPreventative care could include routine wellness exams as well as vaccinations and parasite control. Your veterinarian might also suggest other treatments for your pet. This preventative care can improve your pet's health, wellness and quality of life.Veterinarians are increasingly focusing on prevention of disease instead of treating ailments after they have occurred. The goal is to discover risk factors and intervene early to limit the effects of diseases and other issues, cut down on treatment costs, and increase the rate of success.As pets become longer-lived their vulnerability to illness and disorders increases, making regular visits to the vet and preventative care even more crucial. The vet's team can help pet owners understand the unique risks that their pet faces and create a suitable plan to meet the pet's lifestyle, risk factors and needs.While the veterinary team has an important role to play in shaping the attitudes, knowledge and behaviors (KAPs) of pet owners, it is essential that the general public also take an active role in their pet's health. If you don't brush your dog's teeth on a regular basis it is more likely that your pet will be suffering from tartar and plaque that could lead to other health issues, like tooth decay or infection. of teeth.Additionally, if do not use tick and flea control on your pet, it is more likely that these parasites will attack the pet. These parasites carry and transmit a variety of disease pathogens that impact not only pets, but as well their human family members, specifically those with a disability, elderly people, pregnant women, and those with immunosuppression.Heartworm, also known as Dirofilaria immitis, is a different disease that can be very damaging to the heart and lungs of your dog if left untreated. Heartworm can be prevented with tablets every month, or an annual injection.As pet owners, it is our goal to ensure that our beloved pets live long. A good preventative program can increase the odds that your pet will live a long, happy life. Talk to your veterinarian about the best preventative medicine that is right for your pet. AHS is partnered with Boehringer Ingelheim, the makers of Frontline NexGard and HeartGard to offer these essential medications and vaccines for our pets.