3 Simple Ways to Keep Your Pets Healthy

As humans, there are plenty of ways for us to stay healthy. There are medical tools, like cardiac catheterization, that helps diagnose heart disease, and there are diets and vitamins we can utilize. Overall, it’s pretty easy for humans to stay healthy. But when it comes to pets, it’s the owner’s responsibility to make sure they’re nice and healthy. So if you have a pet, here are a few important tips to help keep them in good health.

Take Them to the Vet

While this may seem like an obvious tip, many pet owners fail to understand the importance of regular wellness check-ups. Preventative health care is the best thing you can give your pet to keep them healthy. Going to the vet can catch signs of injuries or illnesses early on, giving you ample time to treat your pet. This is especially important because it’s not always easy to tell if something is wrong with your pet. Animals age much quicker than people, meaning they’ll see health deterioration at younger ages. Seeing as how 80% of dogs and 70% cats have dental disease by the time they’re three years old (compared to 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older ), visiting the vet at least once a year is essential. Veterinarians can recommend changes in diet or lifestyle to keep your pet feeling their best.

Avoid Harmful Substances

There are a lot of foods, treats, and toys your pet can safely enjoy. But there are also numerous substances and objects that your pet should never get their paws on. As a pet owner, you should learn which “people” foods are not good for your pets — food items like chocolate, grapes, and salt can be really harmful to your animal. Additionally, other objects like certain plants, medications, pesticides, and household tools can be dangerous to your pet. So if you have yet to pet-proof your home, now is the time to do so. Making sure your pet can’t access dangerous items will keep them safe.

Keep Them Active

In today’s society, pets are often pampered, as they should be. However, it’s important to not coddle them too much and ensure they’re not laying around the house being lazy all day. While it’s true that about 45% of dogs in the U.S. sleep in their owner’s bed, you need to make sure they get up and moving throughout the day. Just like humans, animals need plenty of exercise, too. If you have a dog, make sure they go on walks and have plenty of time to run outside. If you’re one of the over 90% of state park visitors who hang out during the day, make time to take your pup with you! And don’t think cats get off easy — they need exercise as well. Consider getting toys that encourage your kitty to run around and play. Overall, keeping your pet active will help keep them healthy.

If you’ve been slacking on keeping your pet healthy, now is the time to make some changes. Following these few simple tips will help keep your pet healthy, happy, and extend their life.