New Year Health Resolutions To Boost Your Pet’s Health

New Year is the perfect time to start setting goals and introducing some healthy habits. We’re used to setting goals for ourselves but have you considered that your pet could do with some too?  The health of our canine and kitty friends is important, so why not introduce some new healthy habits into their lives!

The Buy4Pets Team have come up with some easy pet resolutions you can make!

•  Make an effort to be active every day!

Diet is important but so are activity levels, they help to keep your pet’s weight in check and keep them stimulated. To optimise your pet’s health, daily exercise is a must! You could take your normal walk to a new location, introduce some play fetch, run around indoors on a rainy day or if you have your own treadmill, train your dog to walk on it! Get outdoors as the weather starts to brighten on a dog-friendly hike. Cats prefer games that brings out their inner predator, such as pouncing on their toys, chasing laser pointers and climbing up their towers.

• Watch That Waistline!

It’s hard not to resist those puppy dog eyes, but rethinking your pet’s portion sizes will benefit their health long term. Obesity in pets increases their risk of heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and more. Pick up a measuring cup in one of our brick and mortar shops, and follow the feeding instructions on their usual dry food, this is usually measured by the adult weight of the animal.  Be mindful that the more treats they get during the day can add to this allowance too, portion out one of their favourite healthy snacks and stick to it! If you’re struggling to cut down on the snacks, why not get them a toy that stimulates them and keeps their mind off the goodies!

• Make Grooming & Dental Hygiene A Priority

Grooming not only keeps your pet fresh and feeling good, but it helps to distribute natural oils from their skin. This helps to keep their coat shiny and healthy! It’s also a great way to sit down and bond with your pet. Brushing your dog or cat’s teeth regularly is the best way to maintain dental health, pick up one of our pet-friendly toothpaste and brushes, if your pet isn’t fond of having a toothbrush in their mouth you could try a water additive or some dental chews.

• Add In Some Healthy Supplements

Like us, sometimes our pets need an extra boost. Opt to increase your pet’s health with natural remedies against sore joints, digestive issues or skin problems. We have solutions for all problems in our New Year Health section, where you’ll find a range of herbal and homoeopathic remedies suitable. Here are some of our top picks!

• Beaphar Bone Builder
• Biofunction 8 
• Vetiq Urine Care
• Calcium & Vitamin D Tablets
• Remedy Health CBD
• Pharmaquin Joint Complete
• Vetiq Senior Care

 

•  Make Everyday Fun

If the last year has taught us anything, it’s shown us we don’t like being bored! Boredom is one of the main causes of problem behaviour in pets, and there are many ways to solve it! Why not try out some training? A well-trained dog is an obedient, happy and relaxed pet, it can increase their safety in a dangerous situation and prevent them from getting lost.  Training also increases the bond between you and your dog, meaning the two of you can be happier in the long run! Mental stimulation is important too and is a great way of tiring your pet out on a rainy day. Try hiding treats around the house for them to sniff out, introduce a puzzle feeder or stimulation toys.

•  Spruce Up Their Environment

Our pets are home most of the time, so it’s important to create a healthy and safe environment for them. Firstly you should ensure that any harmful substances like cleaning products and medications are hidden away where they can’t find them. You could spring clean their kennel, get a cushy new bed or add a new exciting piece of furniture for them like a scratching post or cat tree. If you find your pet gets anxious you could look into a stress-relieving diffuser or spray to create a calming environment.

• Get Checkups & A First Aid Kit!

Vets are here to help us and our animals and shouldn’t just be contacted when our pets are sick. Book your furry friends in for some wellness visits regularly and stay up to date with vaccinations. This will help to prevent and identify health problems earlier on, which means they’ll be easier to treat. Keeping a handy first aid kit in stock at home will help you if your pet runs into any trouble, especially out of hours!