For all intents and purposes, 2022 is here. Even if you resolved to do better in the past and have always slacked on your commitments, we’re here to help keep your resolution to improve your pet’s health. While this might seem like a tall order, there are some relatively easy ways that you can make sure your pet is in the best shape of their lives.
The first thing you may want to do is browse some of the Best pet insurance available, so that not only will you get reimbursed for any vet expenses or emergency medical needs that your pet may have, but you can also utilize the wellness checks and annual vet checkups that are frequently included for free. Once you’ve got that, check out this guide for 5 ways to improve your pet’s health.
1. Get Those Steps In Anywhere You Can
Making sure your pet gets enough exercise is one thing that many people neglect. It’s a common misconception that getting out for one or two walks a day is enough, it may not be true for your pet, and you may find that increasing their exercise yields big benefits.
This can be particularly true for dogs that seem “needy” or overactive, even destructive. By giving them an outlet for physical activity and energy, you make a much more obedient and relaxed pet. For some, this may mean walking at a faster pace, or going for longer walks, while for others it may mean spending several hours at the dog park a few times a week, with lots of play in between. For older dogs or those with movement issues, several short walks are a better option.
2. Do Your Best To Help Them Maintain A Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the biggest and most effective things that a pet owner can do. Not only is it important that pets maintain a healthy weight to avoid the problems that come with being overweight or obese, but also to avoid potential problems caused by insufficient diet, malnutrition, or vitamin & mineral deficiencies.
Being overweight and even obese can cause pets a host of problems, just as it can with their owners. They can develop diabetes, heart issues, movement problems, and more, which can all be painful and even deadly if left untreated. But being underweight can also be a problem, with pets experiencing malnutrition or deficiencies having other problems like kidney problems, tooth loss, and even liver failure.
3. Make Sure Your Pet Has Adequate Nutrition
Not only should your pet be eating nutritious food, but they should be eating the appropriate amounts. If your pets seem hungry all the time, they may be experiencing the lack of a crucial dietary component, and are eating out of instinct. They also should not be overeating.
More calorie-dense foods will require less quantity fed to the pet daily, whole foods with more filler or a higher water content will require more food to fill the same calorie needs. In general, be sure the food is not packed with fillers and by-products.
4. Play-Dates & Friends
One of the most important aspects to a pet’s mental health is their socialization and ability to “play nice with others”, and while many people think that pets of the same type will always play nice, it isn’t always the case if they weren’t properly socialized. They need to have opportunities to experience other animals to develop the ability.
This means socializing them from as young an age as is possible. This can help prevent aggression issues later in life, and it can begin to get them used to interacting with a variety of other pets and people.
5. Spay Or Neuter
Intact animals tend to have a much higher occurrence of many health conditions and undesirable behaviors. This can mean something as frustrating as inappropriate aggression or marking, or as heartbreaking as cancer.
In nearly all cases, it is far healthier for your domesticated animals to be spayed or neutered to avoid potential future complications. Additionally, it will prevent the further overpopulation of stray domestics, which can have devastating effects on local ecosystems.
Easy Ways To Improve Your Pet’s Health For 2022
Deciding to help your pet improve their health in 2022 is not a small one, but you can get it done with a little focus and this guide. Even though it seems a bit overwhelming, these 5 tips will help you make some simple but effective changes in their life that will improve their health and help make them happier.
