We do our best for ourselves and our loved ones, whether they be human or something else. If a family member is sick, we take them to the hospital. If a pet is sick, we take them to the veterinarian, pet hospitals or an animal hospital. That’s where they can receive the most proper care from learned individuals, whether they be nurses or doctors and whether you have a dog, cat or other pet you want to keep safe. They usually have a wide array of knowledge that can help your pet, from options in terms of medicines to the behaviors and habits of pests that you might not even be aware of. For example, fleas can lay thousands of eggs and can survive for weeks without food. It’s this sort of care and knowledge that pet hospitals and veterinary services bring to help your pet when there is any sort of emergency. But we can’t just rely on them. While it is incredibly important for people to take their pets to the vet, twice a year, if possible, for older pets, we ourselves have to take responsibility for making sure they are taken care of. Here are a few ways you can care for your pet’s well being without breaking the bank and stressing yourself out.
Exercise and play
Now this specific type of care is going to be different for every different sort of pet you have. You aren’t going to play with a dog like you would play with a cat or a lizard or a bird. To keep a dog healthy and in shape, you’ll want to make sure she stays active and is kept entertained. Most breeds of dogs are social creatures and they need people or other dogs around to keep them stimulated. Be sure to find out what it is they enjoy exactly and try to participate in the activity at least once a day. If your dog loves chasing a ball, throw a tennis ball for her! Other dogs may enjoy walks and smelling new smells or playing tug of war. If you’re lucky enough to live near water, some breeds of dog love swimming and will jump at the first opportunity to get their paws wet. This becomes especially important when your dog gets a little older and needs that activity to stave off any potential visits to pet hospitals. To avoid the pet hospitals, make sure he or she is kept bright and vibrant! Both of you will be glad you did.
Cats and Other Pets
Dogs are pretty famous for being active and outgoing but other types of pets are going to need other types of activity to keep them healthy. Cats might require less of a personal touch but they are no less active and energetic than dogs, in most respect. Cats love to climb and to explore so having a large toy or a play area can really help them get out their energy. Even a good box can keep a cat entertained for hours, whether it be from scratching it or exploring what’s inside. Going farther afield in the pet arena, birds can’t always be kept in their cages. A bird owner should let their bird out occasionally, speak with it and let it explore its surroundings. Birds are surprisingly affectionate and intelligent creatures, even if it doesn’t appear so at first glance. Birds are as social as dogs, cats and mammalian pets and they need to be loved so they can love in return. No pet hospitals for them, if they are kept in care. Lizards aren’t quite as social but even they require a few sticks, plants and small plastic caves to explore so they don’t get bored. A lot of us have a hard time taking care of our own health, let alone our pets. It can be difficult but pets have internal lives as complex as ours and they need to be nurtured in different ways to lead healthy outward lives. Both play and exercise can go a long way in maintaining this level of care for little furred friends.