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Cheers to Their Health!
Are There New Year’s Resolutions for Your Pets?
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While many people commit to losing weight and exercising more, many resolutions surrounding improving our health can apply to our pets! Below are our top picks for setting and keeping healthy resolutions for our furry friends.
Safety First
Safe-proofing your home after the holidays may seem a bit daunting. You may have new equipment, clothing, and supplies in your house that are easily accessible to your pets. Not only do you not want your new things to become “chew toys”, but you also don’t want small objects to be swallowed by your pet. Swallowed clothing, plastic objects, and even jewelry can become a health risk by causing an intestinal blockage.
To address this problem, set up a designated space where your new belongings are kept and place a baby gate in the entry way to help deter curious pets. As the curiosity subsides, you will be able to bring the objects out without much fuss.
Scan your entire house and make sure there are no dangers for your pets, like loose ribbon or confetti left behind from a holiday party. All year-round safety checks should be done in and outside your home. Make sure that outside is just as tidy as the inside, and always check for issues in the grass or your driveway like oil spills, nails or tacks, glass in the yard, or other animals’ feces. Not only does this ensure a healthy living environment for your pet, but for you as well.
A “Weight” We Go
A recent study has shown that 50% of pets in America are overweight. Just like a human, a pet needs to be healthy for optimum quality of life and to lessen the risk of more serious health problems in the future.
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The best way to deal with an overweight pet is to change their diet. This of course is easier said than done; pets like to eat, and changing their food sometimes leads to digestion upset. Take some time and talk to your vet about a new diet for your pet before you alter their eating habits.
Cutting out treats and table scraps is a helpful way to help your pet reach his or her weight goal. If you feel as if the diet change isn’t working, be persistent and know that just like humans, you may not see immediate results!
Keep in mind that your pet will need an exercise schedule. Get suggestions from your vet about possible exercise routines. For obese pets, it’s best to start with something simple like playing fetch in the backyard with your dog, or moving a small object around on the floor for cats.
Social Butterflies
During the past holiday season, you may have realized that your sweet pet actually wasn’t so friendly to your guests or their pets. Animals are very territorial, and when “their area” is disturbed, they can become aggressive. In a perfect world, we would be able to protect our pet from negative, anxious and frightening situations, however, that is not always the case nor realistic. Sometimes aggressive behavior stems from a lack of socialization as a puppy or kitten.
Your next step may be to ensure proper play dates with other animals, and take your pet to other people’s homes. For dogs, take them to a dog park to be around other dogs. The best time to socialize any animals is at a young age, but don’t be discouraged because you can socialize a pet at any age.
Stick with the socialization process and be firm with your pet. Also, you may want to invest in obedience training. Research training schools in your area and read consumer reviews for finding the school best suited for your pet’s needs.
Brush Up
If your pet doesn't look good, he or she probably doesn't feel good, either. Grooming your pet is important for maintaining health. When your pet has matted hair, a lackluster coat, or smelly breath, it may mean that there is a larger underlying health issue. Un-groomed pets are twice as likely to have internal and external parasites.
Finding the time for grooming your pet can be trying, and after the holidays, finances may not allow the option of regular visits with a professional groomer. However, there are some things you can do at home for pet maintenance.
Giving your pet an occasional bath will combat skin oils and odors. Brushing your pet’s coat will help with shedding on furniture, bedding and clothing. Brushing your pet’s teeth will not only help with bad breath, but fight off bacteria in the mouth and avoid costly dental bills. For more thorough care, a professional groomer and even some vets offer services such as bathing, clipping nails, cutting hair, and expressing anal glands (for dogs).
Product Questions? Ask Our Pet Experts
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"We have a medium long hair cat that is extremely lazy. We’re not sure if this contributes to it, but as time passes on, the next thing we know, her fur is all matted. She then has to go into the vet and get a lion cut. She hates to be brushed, and this is the 4th time [she’ll need this cut]. What can I do?" – Brenda |
Answer:. If the matted hair is very bad, a trip to the groomer is your best option. Otherwise, you can attempt to de-tangle yourself by rubbing talc powder into the knots, and working it into the hair using a comb. It seems that your cat requires daily grooming and it's best to get her into the habit. Some breeds are more prone to matted hair, and it can become quite a problem if they are not brushed everyday. You might also want to try our Clean-Cat Shampoo with Chamomile as well as our Skin and Coat Tonic as preventative measures. Please note that cat shampoo is not recommended once matted tufts have developed, as this may make them worse. The PetAlive Team |
Do you have a question you’d like answered? ASK OUR EXPERTS
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