Pet Healthy 10 Things I Wish Id Known Sooner

Keeping Your Pet Healthy

Pet ownership comes with numerous social and emotional benefits. Did you know that they can also improve your physical health?

Pet owners have been proven to have lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels than those without pets. This is due to the fact that pet care encourages healthy habits like regular exercise, a healthy diet, and regular exercise.

1. Proper Nutrition

A balanced diet for your pet is essential to their health. It improves the health of your pet's skin and coat and aids in weight control as well as boosts their immune system and improves overall health. A proper diet will ensure that your pet receives all minerals and vitamins it requires to thrive.





Good quality pet food provides the right balanced mix of fats, protein carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that are vital to the overall health of your pet. Different breeds of dogs and cats have unique nutrient requirements that can be met by choosing the appropriate food for your pet. Working pets (hunting and field trial dogs, as well as herding cats) have different dietary needs than lap dogs and house cats.

Avoid table scraps and human food items, as they often contain high levels of salt and fat which can be harmful to your pet's well-being. Take small portions of cooked, lean meats or fish as an addition to the food your pet eats. They should be free of spices and seasonings, as well as bones, to prevent illnesses.

In pet care at home can be a beneficial source of energy for your pet. However, eating too much carbs can cause your pet to gain weight and cause other health issues.

Vitamins and minerals are essential for a range of essential functions, including enzyme production, bone growth, healthy blood cells and immune system function. Make sure your pet is receiving the correct ratio of minerals and vitamins by consuming a trusted brand of commercial cat or dog food.

Make pet care products that you ensure that your pet's food is kept fresh and always have clean water to drink. Changes in your pet's eating habits can be an indication of illness. You should monitor this closely. For instance, a loss of appetite could be a sign of an infection, whereas an increase in thirst could be a sign of diabetes. A limping gait or difficulty climbing stairs can be an indication of arthritis, or other musculoskeletal problems. If you observe these signs you should consult your doctor to determine what action is needed.

2. Exercise

Owning a pet brings many benefits to your lifestyle, including promoting physical fitness in addition to lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels and improving mental health and fostering socialization. Pets can also help children develop social skills, as per research.

It is essential that your pet is getting regular exercise in order to stay healthy and happy. This is not only beneficial for their mental well-being but can also help in preventing problem behaviours, like chewing on things they're not supposed to, or even escaping from home. Dogs benefit most from daily outings and walks, while cats can be enticed by cat toys and training.

The needs for exercise each day of your pet may differ dependent on their age, breed, and health. The general rule is that dogs should be spending between 30 minutes and two hours per day on an activity. This could be playing fetch, going to the dog park, playing with a pet ball, interactive toy or exercising at home.

Petting your pet not only makes them feel loved, but it also helps to create an emotional bond with you as well as reduces stress and anxiety. In fact, a study published in the journal Science found that petting your cat or dog can cause the release of oxytocin in humans. This is a hormone that occurs naturally and promotes trust and bonding. It also reduces the heart rate and blood pressure of humans.

Alongside exercise It is essential that your pet is provided with fresh water at all times. This will help to prevent constipation, diarrhea, urinary tract infections and dehydration. If your pet has access to bowls that can be easily cleaned, be sure it's always filled up. You can also buy a water filter that filters and cleans the water as it flows. To ensure that your pet is getting enough fluids, we recommend giving them a drink each time you do.

3. Dental Care

Like people, pets also need to take care of their gums and teeth. Plaque can build on the teeth of your pet as it does on ours. If left untreated it can cause dental decay, gum diseases, or even serious illness. Dental care for your pet is crucial for maintaining your pet's health, and routine veterinary checkups are important to identify any issues before they turn into serious issues.

Bad breath or halitosis is among the most obvious indicators that your pet should visit a vet for oral hygiene. It is not only the smell of bad breath that is a concern. When bacteria resulting from dental issues enter the bloodstream, they can spread and affect organs like the kidneys and the liver.

By brushing your pet's teeth regularly, giving them chews that are safe and play with them, and having regular dental checks with an experienced vet and you can allow them to live a long and healthy life. A healthy mouth is key to maintaining proper digestion so that your pet can take in food and get the nutrients they need.

Oral health is important for your pet's general health since it can affect other organs of the body, such as the kidneys and heart. If your pet suffers from serious dental issues they could be in discomfort and may not eat as normally. This can cause the loss of weight and malnutrition, which can be detrimental to your pet's health.

Regular veterinary visits include a complete dental examination and a professional cleaning. This procedure will require your pet is placed under general anesthesia. However a professional cleaning can eliminate tartar and plaque. It can also stop future dental issues from developing.

It is recommended to start early with oral hygiene for your pet, as they have baby teeth that need to be removed before their adult teeth start growing in. If they're not taken care of, they can cause friction with the adult teeth and cause gum irritation, or other dental issues. Your vet can provide you with the best way to take care of your pet's oral health and can give you an array of products to assist you in this.

4. Preventative Medications

As the old adage goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Preventative care consists of regular wellness checks, vaccinations, parasite control and other medicines your veterinarian might recommend for your pet. This preventative care helps maximize your pet's health, wellbeing, and quality of living.

Veterinarians are increasingly focusing on prevention of disease instead of treating illnesses after they have occurred. The aim is to determine risk factors and intervene early to limit the effects of illnesses and problems, reduce treatment costs, and increase success rates.

As pet care products age their vulnerability to illness and disorders increases, making regular visits to the vet and preventative care even more crucial. The veterinary team will help owners understand the unique risks their pet is exposed to and develop plans that are tailored to the pet's lifestyle and needs.

The vet team can influence the knowledge, attitude and habits of pet owners. However, it's essential that the public takes an active role in the health of their pets. For instance, if you're not brushing your dog's teeth frequently then your pet is more likely to have tartar and plaque buildup that could cause other health issues, such as tooth loss or infection.

Additionally, if you do not use the tick and flea treatment on your pet, it's more likely that parasites will bite him or her. These parasites carry and transmit a number disease pathogens which affect not only pets as well as human relatives, particularly infants, the elderly and pregnant women.

Heartworm, also known as Dirofilaria immitis, is another disease that can severely affect the heart and lungs of your dog if left untreated. This can be prevented using a monthly tablet or yearly heartworm injection.

As pet parents as pet parents, our aim is to ensure that our companions live a long life. A well-planned preventative health program can increase the odds that your pet will live a long, happy life. Speak to your vet about the best preventative medicine that is right for your pet. AHS partners with Boehringer Ingelheim - the makers of Frontline, NexGard, and HeartGard to offer these important vaccines and medications for our animals.