Adding years to the life of your pet is something that practically all owners want to do. We want our animals to be around for as long as we are. Unfortunately, unless you keep a tortoise or a lobster, that’s unlikely. Dogs and cats just don’t last as long.
However, despite this bad news, there are ways to help your pet live longer. Here’s what you need to do:
Feed A Good Diet
Humans tend to do better when they eat a good diet, and the same is true of animals. They will live longer if they avoid obesity and remain slim their entire life. Furthermore, if you avoid nutrient deficiencies, their body’s natural detoxifying enzymes will become more active, allowing them to fight off disease.
Maintaining a healthy diet for your pet is easier today than it ever was in the past. Pet food manufacturers have become much better at creating foods that meet all their nutrient needs while also fighting off disease. Just follow the instructions and then supplement with a variety of foods suitable for the animal.
Keep Your Pet Slim
Overweight and obesity can seriously affect the health of your pet, particularly in the long-run. Carrying too much fat shortens the life of dogs and cats by around two years. Keeping your pet slim is, therefore, essential.
The best way to do this is to avoid feeding them any human food. Stick with regular pet chow and only provide vet-approved treats. If you feed your animal desserts, sweets or anything else from the supermarket, they are liable to put on weight.
Keep Your Pet From Roaming Freely
Allowing your pet to roam free seems like a great idea. After all, you want them to have the best life possible. Unfortunately, unbridled freedom comes with downsides. It leaves your pet open to car accidents, predation, toxic substances and infectious disease.
We’re not saying that you should never let your animal off the leash. However, you should only do so in controlled environments, such as parks. Allowing your pet to roam the streets is generally a bad idea. And it can also make neighbours angry.
Take Them To The Vet When They Need It
It’s a good idea to take your pet to the vets every couple of years for a checkup. That’s because two years in pet time is about 15 years in human time.
Bringing your cat to a cat hotel, for instance, allows veterinary professionals to supervise them and check for problems. If they begin treatment early, they can usually resolve most issues before they become more serious.
For instance, many pets will not complain, even if they have a serious disease. Often, it takes a routine visit to the vet to identify problems and correct them.
Clean Your Pet’s Mouth
Just as in people, what happens in your pet’s mouth affects the rest of their health. So make sure that you regularly provide them with dental sticks and chews, keeping their teeth and gums in prime condition.