Keep Your Pets Healthy With These Tips

As a long-time pet owner, I have had years of experience in keeping my pets healthy, and I have found some things to be more beneficial than others in keeping them in tip-top shape. If you are a new pet owner or you want to make sure that the pets you have now stay as healthy as they can, there are things that you can do.

Whether you have a cat or a dog, or any other kind of pet, I know that you want to keep your fur baby happy.  They are members of our family, after all.

Take your Pets to Annual Veterinary Visits

Just as you should visit your doctor every year to check on your health, your pets need that too!

Take your furry family member in for an annual examination instead of waiting for them to be sick. These visits can help detect any underlying health issues and protect them from diseases.

Keep them Up on Their Vaccinations

Vaccinations are incredibly important.  Simple vaccinations can often prevent diseases that can cause death to animals.

Do you vaccinate your children?  Why wouldn’t you also vaccinate your pets? The diseases you can vaccinate against are entirely preventable by this fundamental and inexpensive practice.

Take Care of Your Pet’s Teeth

It is vital to remember to take care of your pet’s teeth. Just like with humans, dental care is more than just cosmetic. Taking proper dental care of your pet can prevent painful and expensive tooth problems later in your pet’s life.

Pet dental care may seem complicated, but it’s easy! During their annual vet checkup, be sure to have their teeth cleaned and then regularly brush them at home.

Dental chews are another great way to keep their teeth in good shape.

Microchip Your Pet

Okay, so microchipping may not affect your pet’s actual health, but it is crucial to microchip your pet.

If ever they end up missing, a microchip makes it far more likely that they will find their way home to you.

Spay or Neuter Your Pet

Bob Barker had it right all along (any Price is Right Fans here?).  To help take the best care of your pet, be sure to spay or neuter them. Yes, it helps to prevent pet overpopulation, but it also has quite a few health benefits.

Spaying or neutering your pet reduces the risk of several kinds of cancers in dogs (breast and testicular, mainly). For female dogs, it also helps to prevent uterine infections.

There are too many benefits to count when it comes to spaying and neutering your pets.

Brush Your Pet's Fur

Brushing your pet regularly will not only help keep your house clean, but it also helps prevent mats. Mats are painful and can hide more serious problems like wounds or infections.

If you have a dog, invest in a nice de-shedding tool. They even can remove hair from furniture, carpets, and more.

Plus, the more you brush your pet, the less odor they will emit. It helps control the excess oils from going rancid and giving off that well-known pet odor.

Exercise Your Pets to Keep them Healthy

Animals need exercise too!  While a chubby pet might be cute, it is most healthy for them to stay trim and healthy. Obesity in pets can lead to arthritis, as well as diabetes and other conditions.

If you have a dog, make sure you feed them food packed with essential nutrients to help them keep a healthy weight, so exercise is easier.

Also, schedule walks with your dog together or consider a trip to the dog park. It’s good exercise for both of you!

If you have a cat, invest in a laser pointer and let them chase it around. These activities not only keep your pets healthy, but they also keep them happy.

Never Stop Training

It’s good for pets to learn continuously. It doesn’t matter how old they are.

You can teach them new tricks, they can play with new, interactive toys, or you can even sign them up for a new obedience course.  Brain stimulation keeps your animal sharp, which helps them stay healthy.

People often think pet toys are only for cats and dogs, but even pet fish can benefit from a few toys to help stimulate and entertain them.

Pet Proof

If you have ever had a pet, a dog specifically, you know they are curious creatures and like to get into stuff in your home. My dogs have gotten into the trash, into cupboards, and more. It happens.

Plus, our homes are full of toxic stuff that can harm animals, and it is important to keep these poisonous items locked up and away from your pets. Check out this page of the ASPCA website for household items and foods that are toxic to animals.

Did I miss anything on this list?  What do you do to keep your pets healthy at home?