What type of pet do you have at home? Dogs and cats are very common in most households. Some people take care of birds, rabbits, and even mice or hamsters.
Every person has certain preferences when it comes to pets as well as unique ways to show their love and care for them. But are you sure you’re providing the things they need and enjoy the most? If you’re in doubt, check the best tips to keep your pets happy and healthy below.
1. Maintain Good Hygiene
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Like humans, animals also need to stay clean. While you probably observe dogs licking their bodies, that’s not always for grooming purposes, so you still need to take the necessary steps to ensure that they have good hygiene according to Bone And Yarn. You can bathe your dog once every three months at a minimum. Doing so every other week or when your dog doesn’t smell good is highly recommended. Because the frequency would depend on factors such as the dog’s breed and level of activity, check with the veterinarian about how often you need to bathe your canine buddy.
For cats, they need to get a bath every four to six weeks. In this way, you can prevent their coat from matting or pelting. If you shampoo them but can’t do so for their face and head area when using an anti-flea shampoo, you can let them wear a flea collar such as those from DEWELPRO instead.
2. Give Them Toys
If your pets are happy, you’ll certainly feel happy, too. They’re similar to children in that they also enjoy playing with toys. This is because it’s through playtime that they can unleash their energy and avoid boredom. What’s more, they learn how to socialize with you and other pets.
Playing with toys is a great bonding activity for pets and owners alike, but you have to give them options that are as safe as they are fun. So what types of toys should you get for them? Here are some suggestions based on the pet you have:
- Birds: Wooden spools (with the thread removed) make fun and safe playthings for birds of any size. Birds use wooden spools as foot toys. They can play with them for a while when they’re out of their cages. Rope toys are also good as long as they’re made of 100% natural fiber and their size is adequate for your pet.
- Dogs: Most dogs and puppies love to chase and fetch objects such as balls. They also enjoy tugging on rope toys. Because dogs tend to chew, the safest options for them include firm rubber toys that are hollow inside to hold treats. You just need to make sure that you choose the perfect size that matches your pet’s mouth.
- Cats: They love catnip toys, scratchers, and mouse toys. But because they get bored playing with the same objects, you need to see to it that they have a supply of toys to rotate. You can also hide items temporarily and reintroduce them to your cats.
- Rabbits: For these adorable creatures, ideal toys for them are wicker or straw baskets, toilet paper tubes, and straw placemats. They also love playing with rugs, cardboard boxes, shredded paper, brown paper bags, and digging materials.
3. Provide Delicious And Nutritious Food
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What’s your pet’s favorite food? Regardless of the answer, it’s fine to give them treats once in a while, but don’t forget to provide them with nutritious meals to keep their body healthy and strong. Try the following recommendations for your pets:
- Dogs: Some foods that humans can eat aren’t suitable for dogs because canines have a different digestive system. Human foods that dogs can eat include carrots (for healthier immune system and teeth), apples (rich in vitamins A and C), white rice, fish, and dairy products (if your dog isn’t lactose intolerant, of course).
- Cats: They can eat human foods such as fish, meat, bananas, cheese, carrots, melon, and rice. Since they’re meat eaters, they need meat protein for good vision, a healthy reproductive system, and a strong heart.
- Birds: Give them fresh foods such as raw nuts and vegetables. They also eat steamed vegetables, cooked whole grains, and soaked or cooked legumes, seeds, and nuts.
- Rabbits: They like fresh vegetables and pellets. Rabbits usually eat hay most of the time such as orchard and brome, which make up the bulk of their diet.
4. Have Them Vaccinated
Do you want your two- or four-legged buddies to live a happy, healthy, and long life? According to the American Animal Hospital Association, pets must receive medically necessary or core vaccines. The types of vaccines that your pets require would depend on their lifestyle.
Pets get sick because they lack the antibodies available only in vaccines to fight viruses such as parvovirus, rabies, and distemper. That’s why it’s crucial to have your dogs vaccinated following the veterinarian’s advice.
For instance, the core vaccines for cats include the panleukopenia vaccine (to prevent blood cell deficiency), calicivirus vaccine (to prevent respiratory disease), and feline herpesvirus-1 or feline viral rhinotracheitis vaccine (for respiratory health). Cats also need additional vaccines because of their lifestyle such as rabies, feline leukemia, and chlamydophila felis (feline respiratory infection), among others.
5. Spend Quality Time With Them
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How many minutes or hours a day do you spend time with your pets? Your pets need you to play with them and take good care of them like the way they show their love, kindness, and care for you. So if you want your pets to be as happy and healthy as possible, set a time to play and stay with them on a daily basis.
These are the things you can do when spending quality time with your pets:
- Teach them new tricks.
- Talk to them, and give them commands or requests.
- Hug or cuddle with them so they feel loved.
- Allow your children to play with them gently.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to make your furry friends and other pets happy and healthy, you’ll be more confident about taking care of them at home. When all of their needs are met and they enjoy your company, they become more loving and behaved, and they feel happy and safe as well.
