All pet owners are concerned about the holistic quality of the life of their pets. How is it doing?
Is it living satisfactorily?
How is its well-being?
We act as the front liners for our pets’ health.
We must know how to recognize if they are well or sick. Several criteria determine the wellness of a pet.
Check the tips below to check up on your pet’s well-being
Was your pet active these past few days?
Do they move regularly? Can they run, swim, walk, or jump?
The mobility of a pet plays a vital role in its wellness as compared to humans. When a pet is old or injured, it has a huge problem with being well.
This will affect its general health.
Eats a lot or eats a little?
Can the pets eat well?
Do they get enough food?
How are their appetites?
The nourishment of a pet is essential since it sustains its nutrition and growth. It provides a more robust immune system and better health conditions.
But, there is something to worry about if the pet does not eat well.
Look at them, are they showing any sign of pain or discomfort?
Are they in pain?
Do they feel good?
Are they acting unusual?
Check their overall condition, especially their breathing, and if they are in pain.
This is a bit difficult since animals used to hide discomfort avoid appearing vulnerable to the other more dominant animals. It is their defense mechanism.
Try looking for usual signs like a change in the usual posture and expression.
Also, when you notice that they always stay in their safe place more than normal, there might be something wrong with them.
Loner or party animal?
Are you always engaged with your pet?
Do you spend time with them?
Do you play with them most of the time?
Do you let them be alone?
Loving relationships with your pets contribute to their overall mood and disposition. Almost all of the pets are sociable.
Whenever they lack company from their owners or with other animals, they tend to be missing a portion of their life.
They may be active, they may eat enough, and they may not feel in pain, yet, it seems that they are not well as a whole when they are kept alone. Always take note of their behavior.
There might be something bothering them if you notice a change in their behavior.
The vital elements that determine the welfare of a pet are mobility, nutrition, discomfort, and relationship.
These factors complement each other to indicate the holistic wellness of a pet. They are utilized by veterinarians to diagnose the outcome of an elderly and injured pet.
The lack of one element would affect the general wellbeing of the animal.
Pet owners should be fully aware of these elements since they are the first contact to notice if there is something wrong with their pets.
They should ensure to satisfy these four elements to enable their pet to be WELL.
Giving Your Pets the Right Kind of Care
Taking care of your pet is a commitment. It takes a lot of time and work and should not be taken lightly.
Each pet requires a different type of care. Before adopting a new pet, it is beneficial to do complete research to make sure the kind of care needed would suit the particular pet.
Pet Identification
Your new pet must have a microchip inserted, which has your up-to-date contact information.
Whenever your pet is lost or missing, this will give you the best chance of finding it and being reunited.
Check out the Central Animal Records website for more information about microchipping.
Your dog or puppy also needs to wear a collar with identification tags attached to it. The information included should be your full contact details and its council registration tag.
For your feline companion, choose an elastic collar that you can fasten by fitting two fingers between the neck and collar. Preferably, a bell is attached under the neck to prevent your cat from catching small wildlife, like an innocent chipmunk.
For Dogs and Puppies
For your canine friends, big or small, they need a well-balanced diet to lead a happy and healthy life.
Your pet dog’s diet should include the following nutrients:
· Carbohydrates for energy
· Proteins for growth and tissue repair
· Fats for a healthy fur
· Roughage for a good bowel movement
The best way to provide this is by feeding it a mixture of dry food and canned, cooked, or raw meat.
The meat gives your dog fats and protein. A premium dry food provides vitamins, minerals, and roughage.
Your dog cannot eat the same food that you eat, like onions, chocolates, mushrooms, and alcoholic beverages. Some are harmful, and some, even lethal.
You can feed your dog its favorite treat, which is bones.
Bones are great for your dog’s health, fortunately.
Bones massage its gums and clean its teeth. It keeps them happy and busy for hours.
You can ask your veterinarian which kinds of bones are best for your dog since each breed of dog has varying nutritional requirements.
Raw bones are the appropriate ones to give since cooked bones can break and might cause harm to your dog.
*Exercising Your Pooch
Whatever breed it is, your dog still needs exercise.
Walkies are great, but it will likely get boring with the same route every day.
Try to change it up and walk in a different direction, like a dog-friendly park or beach.
You can go to a safe and enclosed area and unleash your dog. It can run off and play, just as long as you know where it is at all times.
Always be a responsible pet owner and never unleash your dog in a busy area, like a street or road.
Exercise and playtime are great for your dog, but it also loves spending time with you and your family.
Four hours a day is the right amount of time to spend with your furry friend.
Within that time, you can walk it, pick up your kids from school, and let it accompany you when you’re doing housework.
If you have your dog around in your everyday life, it will be happier and healthier.
Caring for Your Dog’s Health
*Desexing Your Dog
It’s up to you if you want to go this route with your pet dog.
Desexing means making your dog infertile.
It has positive benefits for its behavior and health. It can improve its temperament and can also risk developing certain kinds of cancer.
Having your dog desexed means that it won’t bear unwanted puppies that may contribute to the homeless stray population in dog shelters.
*Vaccinating Your Dog
Veterinarians recommend that all dogs are vaccinated against Canine Infectious Parvovirus, Hepatitis, and Canine Distemper.
These are potentially lethal to your dog and should be taken seriously.
You can ask your veterinarian what are the other vaccines that your dog needs.
*Canine Worms
Make sure to deworm your dog regularly starting from the first year of life since roundworms can infect humans.
Another way to stop the spread of disease is to be hygienic after playing with your dog.
Other worms like whipworms, tapeworms, and hookworms can also infect your dog. You can go to your veterinarian for further advice about this.
The more serious concern is heartworm, which can be lethal to your dog. Ask your veterinarian what is the proper procedure for this.
*Fleas
These are common to your pet dog.
Fleas are parasites that cause skin inflammation and severe itching to your dog.
If your dog has fleas, all the other animals in your home should also be treated.
Humans cannot be infected. Ask your veterinarian about what is the best treatment for your dog.
*Grooming Your Dog
You will need to set a grooming routine for your dog. You will need a grooming brush and dog shampoo and have dog grooming sessions.
For Cats and Kittens
*Food for Your Feline Friend
Give some food variety for your cat. Feed it high-quality commercial food, fresh raw meat, some meaty bones, or a raw egg.
An adult cat will like to eat smaller meals throughout the day, so feed them 3-4 times a day.
*Exercise
Provide cat toys to keep your cat active.
It will also need a scratching post to get rid of dead skin cells, and also exercise in the process.
*Health Care
You have the option of desexing your cat. It has positive benefits for its health and behavior.
It can reduce the risk of cancer and improve its temperament.
For your cat’s deworming and vaccination, consult your veterinarian for the best booster injections and deworming tablets.
Grooming your cat is also beneficial. Short-haired cats don’t need grooming, except during the shedding season.
If you have a long-haired cat, you need to brush it regularly.
You would need a stiff brush for your short-haired cat.
For your long-haired cat, comb the hair first, then brush with a stiff brush.
Always brush in the direction of the fur.
