It’s out of the question to even think that health comes secondary. Because it does not. It’s the primary concern that we put on hold due to diverted attention.

5 Life-lengthening health tips every pet owner should follow

It’s easy to joke about weight and health problems as long as you don’t suffer from it right? But it is a whole bunch of worry and tension when you feel that your dog is not healthy. In addition to the right companionship, it is important to remember that your pet is your partner in crime (figuratively speaking) which means you need to take a lot of care regarding their health too.

Your pet needs the love and care for leading a healthy life too.

So anyone who has a cat or dog, who wants to increase their pet’s life expectancy as much as possible then do follow the tips mentioned below.

1. Begin with the calorie calculator

Ask the right questions.

How many calories does a dog need? Okay, so you may have your pet for some time now but he isn’t eating or drinking properly. Why is that? The problem is you are feeding him the wrong way. Being an amateur dog parent means you can make silly mistakes but these can cause you big health troubles too. Feeding too much or too less will affect the pet’s weight tremendously.

The smartest thing I did as a dog owner was to use a calorie calculator for pets to ensure my furry friend got the right nutrition and did not overdose on the calorie count. Any sensible dog owner would use a calorie calculator for dogs to ensure they get the required calories for the day. You need to know the calorie count in the dog food for the sole purpose of not overfeeding your pet.

The right calorie intake will enrich your dog’s life!

2. Plan visits to vet

Yeah, no one likes going to the doctor. Not even pets. Even Max (from Secret Life of Pet) got all nervous telling us animals do face anxiety too. But alas! A visit to the vet is compulsory for regular checkups. So sorry bud you ought to make it to your old age then you better start cooperating with your owner.

The responsibility as a pet parent begins with the regularly scheduled visits to the vet. Given that pets usually have a shorter than human lifespan it means that you need to schedule a checkup at least twice a year or every six months. Of course, it also depends on your pet’s health condition too.

Trips to the vet can be quite challenging especially if you have a cat. However, dogs tend to be easier to deal with. Dogs love the car ride, so it shouldn’t be a problem for you to take your pet to the vet.

3. Take care of the vaccinations

I bet this one is going to hurt but for responsible pet care, it’s a must to have them vaccinated.

Be smart here. Plan an immunization appointment right away, once your pet arrives at your home. This way you have better chances of getting rid of illness and diseases that otherwise might make your pet sick.

So if you have gotten yourself a puppy (congratulations by the way) then the first appointment must be scheduled within the same week. Help prevent diseases such as rabies, lyme disease and so on by getting your pet vaccinated on time, even if you have adopted an adult pet then you need to get them vaccinated too.

4. Oral hygiene for pet

The most neglected part of the pet’s hygiene is an unclean mouth. A common problem found in dogs and cats is dental disease and other oral health issues.

I clearly remember once a piece of meat got stuck between the molars of my dog. What a nightmare it was for two days straight when my poor fellow stopped eating anything altogether! Turns out it was partial meat stuck between the teeth being the troublemaker. So yes, you do need the regular dental checkups for your dogs. You’d be surprised how quickly the oral infection can catch on!

Dogs usually aren’t a big fan of cleaning and showering but you need to get a hand gloved toothbrush to make sure that those teeth remain white and not yellow.

Also you can try using the reliable chew toys for dogs that promote oral health.

5. Exercise a day keeps the vet away

Fit and healthy pet is not a myth but an easy to follow routine reality. It’s so easy to frog the calorie count right? If you are skeptical about the calorie intake for your dog then the best thing to do is to keep them engaged in the physical activities.

Dogs love to play. As compared to other pets, they thrive on socialism and playing. You can plan a training regime or an exercise routine that must be tempered according to your dog’s age, health, activity level. Small breed dog’s activities will vary than the large breed dogs so do keep the exercise or play time in mind. The healthier and more loved a dog is the more chances are they will live a pain free life.

Keep trying more cool ideas!

There’s a plethora of ideas or tricks you can try besides the one discussed above. No one can be sure about the permanent way to increase your dog’s life expectancy. But if you do follow proper routine, chances are that your furry fellow will be with you for a long time.