How to keep your pet healthy and why you should do it

If you own a pet, you will want to keep him or her as healthy as possible – after all, you love them, and want them to be around for a long time to come. Pets quickly and easily become part of the family, and seeing them unwell or in pain is a terrible thing. So just how can you keep your pet healthy and in peak condition?

Keep their Weight in Check

Although it can be tempting to constantly give your pet lots of treats – it’s always nice to reward good behaviour or simply spoil someone you love – it can be bad for them if it leads to them becoming overweight. If you are unsure of what your pet’s ideal weight should be, it’s a good idea to speak to your vet who will be able to tell you exactly. They will also show you how to weigh your pet so that you can keep an eye on their weight at home too.  Keeping your pet’s weight at a good level means that you will lower their chances of developing diseases such as diabetes and heart problems. An overweight pet can have a much-reduced life expectancy too.

Exercise

No matter what kind of pet you have, exercise is important for them. It’s especially important if they are already overweight, as you can reduce the excess pounds and keep them healthy. However, even if they aren’t overweight, exercise is important. It is perhaps easiest to exercise a dog, since to do this you only need to take them out on regular walks at least once a day. This is good for them, and for you too, as you will also be getting more exercise. With other animals such as rodents or cats, for example, walking may not be the answer. For smaller creatures who live in a cage or hutch, make sure they have plenty of toys to play with – this keeps them healthy both physically and mentally. Cats should have scratching posts, and should ideally be allowed outside to explore.

A Nutritious Diet

Ensuring that your beloved pet eats well is all part of keeping them healthy. Not only will it keep their weight in check, but it will keep their teeth, coat, eyes, and internal organs working properly as well. Choosing a luxury dog food that is made with your pet’s best interests in mind is an excellent way of making sure that they are getting all the nutrients and vitamins that are required to keep them living longer.

An Annual Check Up And Vaccinations

Just like with a human, having an annual check up to make sure that everything is healthy and there are no issues arising is a great idea for your pet. You can easily make an appointment with your vet who will do a general examination and, if there is anything to look into further, it will be caught early on. At the same time, you can keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date, which is another way of keeping them as healthy as possible.