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3 Daily habits to improve your pet's health
This article is written by Pet Circle veterinarian,
For many of us, life is beginning to get back to normal after lockdown as we return to our workplace. Our busy schedules can make it difficult to find the time to look after our pets like we did during isolation, when they were often our closest companions.
Here are 3 easy ways to tweak our daily routines so we can support our furry friends' health and wellbeing, just as they supported ours. The biggest improvements often come from making small changes and sticking with them consistently, which is why even adding one of these habits into your daily routine could make a big impact on your pet's long-term health.
1 - Stick to a tailored nutritional plan
Feeding your pet the right amount of a high quality, complete and balanced food is one of the biggest ways you can make a daily investment in their health and wellbeing. As we like to say, don't just feed them, nourish them!
Help your pet get the most out of their food by choosing a formula based on their breed size, age and existing health needs, such as weight control or skin support. It's important to also review your pet's nutritional needs regularly as they are likely to change over time. If you're not sure, check with your veterinarian or ask a Pet Circle vet for advice.
TIP: To prevent overfeeding your pet, weigh out the amount of dry food recommended by your vet or the feeding guide on the bag. Once you have the right amount, place it into a plastic cup and mark the level with a permanent marker, or even better, cut the cup down to size for fool proof measuring! Alternatively you could use a smart bowl or automated feeder to ensure perfect portion control every time.
Want to know more? Read Health through nutrition and Premium pet food: is it worth it?.
2 - Brush your pet's coat daily
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Daily grooming isn't just about making your pet look fabulous, it's important for their health and wellbeing too! Brushing your pet's fur daily helps to prevent matts and remove loose hair, plus it also gives you an opportunity to check their body over for any health related changes, such as new lumps and bumps, parasites or injuries. Once you've gotten into a routine, you may find that both you and your pet look forward to your grooming sessions, it can be a great way to reduce stress and strengthen the special bond that you share.
TIP: When brushing long haired pets, focus particularly on areas where matts are likely to occur such as under the collar, behind the ears or under the front legs.
Want to know more? Read Choosing the best brush for your dog and Grooming your cat.
3 - Keep on top of their dental care
Dental disease is very common among our pets, in fact it's estimated that up to around 80% of adult dogs and cats will have some form of it by their third birthday. The most common sign of early dental disease noticed by dog owners is foul-smelling or 'fishy' breath. Other common indicators of dental disease are discoloured or stained teeth and red, inflamed gums. Over time, dental disease results in chronic inflammation that can have serious health consequences for your pet including damage to the heart, kidneys and liver.
Veterinary dentists recommend brushing your dog or cat's teeth with a toothbrush and pet friendly toothpaste daily to prevent dental disease. It can take a while to get your pet used to having their teeth brushed, so start out slowly with short sessions to get them used to the taste of the toothpaste and sensation of the brushing. Although it may seem daunting at first, with a little patience and encouragement most dogs can be trained to accept toothbrushing as part of their daily routine.
TIP: Feeding a dental diet or dental treat every day can also help to reduce plaque and tartar build up on your pet's teeth.
Want to know more? Read How to make pet dental care easier.
Whenever it comes to achieving a goal, success is found by making small, achievable changes and sticking to them daily. By working each of these three habits into your daily pet care routine, you'll be helping to support your fur family's long term health and wellbeing, so that you can have many more happy years together.
Further Reading
Want to read more? Check out our other articles:
Games to play with your cat in isolation
Premium pet food: is it worth it?
What is the best flea and tick treatment?
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy.