5 Tips to Boost Pet Wellness

October is National Pet Wellness Month and a great time to reflect on what you’re doing to support your dog or cat’s well-being. There are a variety of ways you can make sure your pet’s needs are being met and they are living a healthier, happier life.

1. Get regular check-ups. Make sure your pet gets their annual check-up with a veterinarian. This can help catch potential problems early on as well as assess their overall health and wellness. Let your vet know about any changes you have noticed in your dog or cat’s appearance or behavior so they can determine the cause and recommend necessary treatment. Discuss essential vaccinations as well as medications to prevent heartworm, fleas, and ticks.

2. Feed them a healthy diet. Pay attention to what and how much your pet eats. Rather than buying processed treats, make your own at home, or switch to fresh fruits and vegetables instead. They are full of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations on appropriate types of food for your dog or cat breed and their health needs.

3. Keep them active. Just like humans, pets need physical activity. Schedule time to go for a long walk, stop at the dog park, hike local trails, or play catch in the yard. Buy toys that keep your pet’s attention and get them running, jumping, rolling, and playing. Cats love things that light up, are shiny, or have feathers or other objects they can pounce on. Dogs like balls, bones, toys with squeakers, ropes for tug-of-war, or other things they can chew on.

4. Stimulate their mind. In addition to keeping your pet’s body active, keep their mind active too. Work on teaching your dog new tricks or commands. Get puzzle toys where they have to figure out how to get the food or treat out. Spend time talking to and cuddling with them to build a stronger connection.

5. Pet-proof your home. Protect your pet’s health by making sure there is nothing hazardous in your home that they can get into. Pay attention to where you store chemicals, cleaning products, food, and medicine. Tuck cords away so they aren’t a tempting chew toy. Know what plants and foods are toxic to animals and pick up small objects from the floor so they don’t accidentally eat them.

Board your dog or cat at Lake Wylie Pet Resort if you are going out of town so you can have peace of mind that they won’t get into trouble and will have plenty of other animals and humans to interact with. The change of scenery can also be a great way to pique their curiosity and stimulate their mind as they explore new scents and environments. You can even have your dog groomed while you’re away to keep them looking and feeling their best! Contact us today to schedule your pet’s next stay.