October is National Pet Wellness Month, so this is the perfect time to provide our top five guidelines to keep your dog or cat in tip-top shape since dogs and cats age six to ten times faster than humans. Supplements are beneficial to keeping your pet healthy. Liquid glucosamine and salmon oil are two of the most needed by our pet's body. Want to know more? Here are the tips on keeping your pet healthy.Â
6 Ways to Promote Health and Wellness of Your Pets
1. Quality vs. Quantity
Happiness is a critical component in your dog's overall wellness, so don't underestimate the benefit of spending time with your best furry friends. Because many of us work, we can't spend every hour with our furry friends, so when you do have the time, make sure you are giving them quality time. Without companionship or mental stimulation, animals can become bored, depressed, act out in destructive ways, or become lethargic.
Your pet is a family member. Interact with them -- talking, walking, playing together, stroking, and giving the affection and attention they so deserve. Your dog will benefit and reward you with unconditional love.
2. Grooming
It is essential to keep their fur clean, but there are other things you need to keep an eye on as well. Such as their ears, teeth, and nails.
Bath Time
Your pet should get a bath every two to four months. If you overdo the bathing, their skin will dry out. And you also want to make sure that you are using a safe shampoo. Have you checked out Vital Pet Life's shampoo?
Our Oatmeal Aloe shampoo is all-natural and does not contain any Sulfates, Parabens, or Isothiazolinones, which are common in so many other pet care and human hygiene products. Our shampoo contains Oatmeal, Aloe Vera, and Jojoba Oil, which helps moisturize and soften their coats. Not to mention, Oatmeal, Aloe Vera, Yucca, Chamomile, and Jojoba Oil all have anti-inflammatory properties and helps soothe sensitive skin.
Brushing Your Pet's Teeth
Proper dental care can extend your dog's life. Check your pet's mouth -- gums should be a healthy, pink color and teeth should look clean without signs of brown tartar.
Take the breath test! Sniff your dog's breath. While doggy breath isn't typically fresh and minty, there may be a problem if it's awful. You can use a dog toothbrush or a piece of soft gauze and massage their teeth and gums. It may take a while for your dog to get used to this, but once they do, you should brush their teeth two or three times a week as part of a routine.
If you see signs of oral disease, like inflamed gums, or notice loose teeth, it's time for help from your veterinarian.
Keep Nails Trimmed
If you can hear the "click" as your dog crosses the floor, the nails are probably too long. It would be best to trim their nails regularly because the overgrowth is very uncomfortable for your furry friend. Dogs' nails grow in a curve, so the excessive length can cause the toes to splay as the animal walks. Regular clipping prevents this and reduces the risk of torn nails.
Choose a pet nail clipper that feels comfortable in your hands and gives a clean line of sight to exactly where the blade is cutting and be sure not to clip too closely. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, ask your veterinarian, or you can call a local groomer, and they can do it for you for a small fee.
Brushing Their Fur
Regardless of the length of a dog's fur, regular brushing is excellent because it removes dirt, grime, and dead hair. And it helps distribute natural oils for a clean, healthy coat while stimulating the surface of the skin.
3. Is Your Pet Obese?
Many of us don't realize how important it is to keep an eye on our pet's weight. Just like us, they should be at a decent weight so that their organs and joints can keep working to support them. An overweight pet has a decreased quality of life.
Obesity in dogs can lead to problems from skin irritations, heart failure, cancer, and ligament and disc issues. This can often mean that their pets will die at an earlier age.
Be sure your dog gets the proper nutrition, is getting enough exercise. If you're worried that your dog is overweight, please talk to your vet.
4. Keep Your Pet Active
Exercise helps to burn calories, but there's another benefit; it also provides a boost to the metabolic rate that lasts for hours after the dog has stopped to rest.
Regular exercise keeps the animal's muscles, tendons, and bones healthy. It also provides a measure of mental stimulation.
Spend some time exercising with your dog -- walking, playing, and enjoying the outdoors. It will do you both a world of good!
5. Nutrition is Essential
The old saying "you are what you eat" applies to dogs as well as to humans. Adequate nutrition keeps a dog fit and healthy and helps prevent diseases.
It's all about the ingredients in the food they get: high protein sources like chicken and eggs build muscle, and fruits and vegetables are natural sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants necessary for a well-functioning immune system. It is vital to know that some fruits and vegetables can be harmful to our dogs. Here's some list that will be helpful when choosing what fruits can dogs eat for a start.Â
Be sure to choose a high-quality food for your dog's optimum health.
Vital Pet Life's Salmon Oil for dogs is the perfect supplement for your pet's nutrition. The omega 3 & 6 fatty acids in our salmon oil help your pet's overall health by providing nutrients and vitamins to their body. Salmon oil supplements for dogs helps their skin and coat, helps itching and scratching, allergies, and even helps with inflammation.
If you have concerns about what you feed your dog, talk to your vet, and make sure your pup has the best diet for them and ask if Vital Pet Life's Salmon Oil would be okay to add to their food.
6. Supplements
We want to make sure our furry friends are with us for as long as possible but are you overloading them with supplements? Most reputable pet food manufacturers go to great lengths to ensure that their products contain the right proportion of vitamins and minerals.
It's always best to ask your vet if you're concerned that your dog isn't getting enough nutrients from their regular diet. If your dog is healthy and eats well, supplements should not be necessary. However, when your dog gets older, your vet may suggest glucosamine to help with their joints.
If your pet is entering his or her sunset years, Vital Pet Life's Glucosamine helps to support healthy hips, joints, and cartilage as they age so they can continue living their lives to the fullest. It will support their natural movement, range of motion, and flexibility so they can move freely with less pain and inflammation.
