Your pet may appear happy and healthy, so you may wonder why they need regular wellness examinations and essential at-home care. You never know when disease and certain conditions might be lurking below the radar. Our Santa Monica Veterinary Group team promotes pets’ health and well-being and we offer seven effective pet care tips that you should follow to maintain your furry pal’s health and vitality.

Each pet’s health care and lifestyle needs are unique, including diet, exercise, and other well-being aspects. To promote your cat’s or dog’s optimal health, you need to consider several key factors. 

Pet health tip #1: High-quality diet

A well-balanced diet is fundamental to your pet’s energy level and health. Consider your pet’s breed, size, and age to determine their best diet. Proper nutrition can help your pet stay active and live a long life, helping prevent your furry pal from developing certain conditions and diseases. 

Maintaining your fur pal’s healthy weight is important for decreasing their risk of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Keep track of your pet’s weight loss or gain and work with your Santa Monica Veterinary Group veterinarian to manage these changes. Pet obesity is a problem for many cats and dogs. To manage your furry pal’s weight, avoid giving them people food or an overabundance of treats. In addition, follow feeding guidelines on your pet’s food package label and your veterinarian’s recommendations. 

Pet health tip #2: Regular exercise

Opportunities for exercise and play keep your cat or dog physically healthy, and mentally alert and engaged. Each pet’s unique daily exercise requirements depend on their species, breed, and health status. Help your pet meet their daily exercise requirements through walks, interactive toys, games, and obstacle courses.

Pet health tip #3: Wellness examinations

Routine veterinary examinations establish your pet’s healthy baseline, beginning at an early age. During your pet’s wellness exams, our Santa Monica Veterinary Group team can detect changes to your pet’s health status and recommend lifestyle adjustments or treatments that help ensure your furry pal’s health for years to come. We also ensure your pet receives vaccinations, dental care, and a nose-to-tail physical exam. In addition, we prescribe essential parasite prevention to protect your pet from fleas, ticks, worms, and other parasites that can harm your four-legged friend’s health. 

Pet health tips #4: Mental enrichment

Pets can get bored, and their behavior may be affected when they are not interested or engaged in activities and mental stimulation. To help your furry pal break out of their doldrums, offer them mental enrichment such as food puzzles and interactive toys. Dogs especially love to smell and investigate the world around them, so your pooch’s daily walks help them fully engage in their instinctual behaviors. Providing mental enrichment for your dog or cat alleviates their  boredom but also helps reduce their stress, anxiety, and problem behaviors such as barking and inappropriate chewing.

Pet health tip #5: Grooming 

Regular grooming is more than just keeping your pet looking good; it’s essential to their health routine. Bathe and brush your pet’s fur to reduce shedding and matting. Regular nail trims are a must for your pet and for your furniture. 

Pet health tip #6: Hydration

Adequate hydration is essential for all pets, supporting organ function, regulating body temperature, and promoting healthy skin and coat. Encourage your pet to drink water by providing them with a pet water fountain, which cats love, and refilling their water bowls frequently with fresh water. During the warm months, you may want to add ice cubes to their water bowl to entice them to drink cool water. 

Pet health tip #7: Safety and comfort

Keep your pet safe and comfortable by removing toxins, hazards, and other harmful items from your home and yard. If you are unsure which products are dangerous to your pet, check out the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) comprehensive guide to household pet dangers, including poisonous plants. In addition, for your pet’s comfort, provide them with a supportive bed that accommodates their size. An orthopedic bed supports achy joints for seniors or arthritic pets.

To promote your pet’s health, follow the tips we have presented here. Our team at Santa Monica Veterinary Group knows the value of proper pet care for optimal health and happiness. To schedule your pet’s wellness exam or if you would like additional pet health care tips, contact us.