Our pets are part of our family and we do everything in our power to make sure that they are healthy and enjoying their life the best way they know how. At All Pets Animal Hospital, we want to offer you some tips to assure your pet’s health and a longer and more enjoyable life for them.
There are many things you can do to ensure your pet is as healthy as they can be and here are some that are easy to follow or work on:
Provide a Good Diet
Just like humans, our pets thrive on a healthy, balanced, and nutritious diet. Giving your pet the right amount of food and the right nutrition values every meal can be the difference between a healthy metabolism and a pet with health problems — small or big. You can research online for foods that are clean and offer the best proteins, vitamins, and other nutrients to your pet or you can consult with your veterinarian to learn more about the best food that your pet can eat and one that would benefit them the most.
Help Them Maintain a Healthy Weight
We understand that sometimes it’s difficult to say no to our pets when they beg for food — puppy eyes work wonders with virtually everyone, it’s almost impossible to say no to that. However, you have to consider the difference between a treat and a food extra meal for your pet.
Over-feeding your pet can mean complications down the road. Some of them may be problems with joints and forcing your pet to have a more sedentary lifestyle than they should have which can cause other problems and, believe it or not, our furry friends can suffer from a lot of the conditions that we suffer from over-eating; high cholesterol, joint pain, arthritis, diabetes, and more.
The same could be said about being too strict with the food and underfeeding your pet. There’s some information about how much is enough food or how many times a day you feed your pet that is just not as easy to find because it depends on the breed, size, age, and other factors. Your safest bet is to ask your veterinarian about what times of the day and how much food should you be feeding your pet and with that information, you can assure your pet’s healthy weight.
Keep Your Pet Exercised
This point ties well with the previous point about healthy weight and it’s one of the factors to consider when trying to figure out your pet’s food intake. When you exercise your pet regularly, you can assure their overall health and, most likely, their happiness.
Of course, not every pet will be exercised the same way. Cats are not as fond of being dragged around with a leash — although, you can still train them to do so — but you can have different toys and structures for them to stay in shape. For dogs, you can engage with them in more outdoor activities like hiking and running as much as playing fetch in the backyard.
Be aware of any odd movements or limping. If you notice something out of the ordinary for your pet when they are playing or going out for a walk, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can take a look and make sure that your friend is in good physical shape!
Vet Checks
Make sure you take your pet to the veterinarian, regularly. Going on regular visits to the veterinarian can be a great way to know that your pet is healthy and it can help you determine if there are any emerging problems, early.
With regular veterinarian checks, you can keep track of any conditions your pet may have or if they have developed any new problems since their last visit.
Vaccinate Your Pet
Vaccinations can help your pet stay away from diseases that otherwise would be very detrimental to their health — not to mention that there are some vaccines that are mandatory by law. Some of the diseases that you can prevent with a vaccine are:
- Parvo
- Panleukopenia
- Distemper
- Rabies
- And Others
All Pets Animal Hospital is always here to help you and your pets with anything you may need. We offer exams and vaccinations, medical and surgical care, daycare and boarding, and more. Allow us to provide you and your pet the care you deserve with the best and most compassionate service that you’ll find in Northwest Arkansas!