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6 Tips To Keep Your Pets Happy and Healthy in 2022

According to the 2021-2022 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, about 70 percent of U.S. households have pets (90.5 million families). As the numbers demonstrate, pets are an important part of the family and American culture. While this holds true, health issues can unfortunately go unrecognized because pets are adept at hiding signs of illness or pain. However, a few simple changes can be enough to make a huge difference in your pet’s overall health and wellbeing.

Here are six tips to keep your animal companions healthy, happy and living longer:

Make Regular Vet Appointments.

Pets need an annual check-up, just like their human companions, and as they age, twice-yearly veterinarian appointments are suggested. Regular check-ups allow veterinarians to examine your pet, identify any emerging health concerns and suggest treatment as needed. Additionally, regular vet visits are key to preventative care that helps avoid issues down the road.

Keep Your Pets Up to Date on Vaccinations.

Whether the animal in question is a dog, cat, or horse, they likely need to receive regular shots. Many common diseases among animals, such as rabies and parvovirus, are easily preventable with scheduled vaccinations. Since some of these diseases can be transmitted to humans and many states even have ordinances in place regarding vaccinations for pets. For example, Arizona mandates that dogs over the age of three months are licensed, which includes proof of a rabies vaccination. If you’re unsure of your pet’s vaccination status, be sure to consult your veterinarian.

Provide Regular Exercise.

Exercise is vital for a pet’s health and since most pets won’t really exercise on their own, it’s essential for pet owners to provide this outlet. Whether it’s taking your dog on a daily walk, throwing a ball or setting up a cat tower, there are a multitude of ways to personalize exercise for your pet. Exercise not only aids in the maintenance of a healthy weight, but it can also reduce anxiety and other behavioral-related problems such as excessive licking, barking, chewing, digging, etc.

Maintain a Healthy Diet.

A nutritious, balanced diet is just as essential for your pet as it is for you. But your pet’s dietary needs can fluctuate over the course of their lifetime. When selecting food for your pet, make sure to read the label. For most household pets, food must be high in easily digestible protein, as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Enzymes also play an important role in your pet’s digestive health. Most foods don’t provide enough enzyme support, so it’s important to add an enzyme supplement to their diet. Also, make sure to follow portion size guidelines in order to help maintain a healthy weight. Before making any changes, it’s best to discuss it with their veterinarian.

Add Supplements to Their Daily Routine.

Another important element to maintaining a healthy and active pet are supplements. Just like humans, as pets age, they may begin to move slower, sleep more or tire more easily. By adding supplements to your pet’s diet, you can aid in managing a variety of ailments including joint stiffness or pain, shedding, bad breath, yeast infections and more. Probiotics can provide digestive support to pets and a systemic enzyme blend can assist in facilitating pain-free movement for aging pets or those that suffer from pain after activity.

Socialize your pets.

Pets are also social creatures. If they spend time interacting and playing with others, they tend to be healthier and happier. If they aren’t socialized early on, it can lead to anxiety and even aggression. Pets that are socialized develop good behaviors and confidence, making interactions or situations less stressful for both you and your pet.

Your pets deserve a long and healthy life– and surprisingly, their health needs aren’t so different from your own. Invest in your pet’s health with small lifestyle changes. You’ll be happy you did when you have them around for more years to come.