10 Ways to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy (According to a Pet Nutritionist)

Food, water, treats, and cuddles, that's all there is to it, right? Not exactly. In order to provide for your pets, you'll want to make sure you're giving your pets proper nutrition, plenty of exercise, and the best possible preventative pet care. Here are some tips you can use to keep your pet healthy and happy and out of any animal hospital.

Beautiful Smiles

To keep your pet healthy and happy, you want to make sure they have a beautiful smile. That starts with great oral care.

It's never too late to start brushing your pet's teeth. Seriously! Poor dental hygiene creates a trap door for disease. While we like to think that pets have ultra-clean mouths, their teeth weren't ready for the modern diets, treats, and even table scraps we feed them. This is one of the most important ways to improve your dog's health, but it often goes overlooked

Starting is simple. Just introduce your pet to toothpaste on your finger first. There are plenty of yummy flavors including peanut butter to make them feel like it's a treat and not a chore. Slowly, introduce the brush and let them control it before actively brushing.

While brushing is the most effective method, don't worry if your pet fears the toothbrush. There are a number of brush-free options now available that can make both of your lives easier while keeping your pet healthy and happy.

This is a large umbrella topic for cats and dogs, so we will keep things at a high level. In order to keep your pet healthy and happy, you need to make sure your dog or cat is getting the right food.

First of all, the pet food industry is full of competition fighting for your pet's stomach. That being said, not every company is looking out for the best interest of your pet.

Millions are spent on marketing dollars for cute 30-second spots of kittens and puppies. Avoid the influence of those big budget campaigns and take that time to read the ingredients on your pet's food label.

More often than not, you'll notice a lack of protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals replaced with filler from corn or byproducts. Plus, reading this back label will help you identify potential sources of allergies.

Every pet is different from breed requirements to food sensitivities. So to maximize their health, you need to be an advocate for proper nutrition for your dog or cat. Additionally, make sure your pet is drinking enough water.

Proper Weight Management

There's nothing like giving your dog or cat a treat for being a good boy or good girl. But doing so shouldn't be mindless, not unlike our own snacking. Treats should make up only ten percent of your pet's diet, the rest should be through a balanced, nutrient-rich diet.

If your pet is packing on the pounds, try cutting back the treats. If that doesn't work, you may be overfeeding. Your cat or dog has an ideal weight, and you can check that without a scale.

For both dogs and cats, you'll want to make sure you can feel their ribs easily by rubbing them gently at their sides. When you look from above, you should see an indentation at their waist above their hips. Lastly, look from the side and you should see a minimal layer of fat protecting their bellies. Looking good is a part of feeling good, and it will keep your pet healthy and happy.

Cleaning Food and Water Bowls

Most pets are thrilled to eat and typically leave their food bowls licked clean. That said, your pet is experiencing most of the world through and around their mouth. They are tasting, smelling, and eating their way through the environments. Therefore, you'll need to sanitize their food and water bowls regularly, at least once a day. Leaving their bowl dirty is an opportunity for funky things to grow between meals.

Checking Those Number 2's

If you're picking it up, you should probably look at it. Monitoring your cat's and dog's poop can let you know what's going on inside. By taking a close look, you might be able to pinpoint early signs for diseases and infections.

It's a great barometer for overall health because the size, shape, and smell can tell you a lot about your pet.

It's quick and easy to buy store bought goodies, but they aren't necessarily great for keeping your pet healthy and happy. Much like your pet's food, you'll want to read the nutritional label to see exactly what's inside.

Another great, healthy, and affordable option is to serve your cats vegetables (they don't like fruit) and your dogs both fruit and vegetables. For cats, try steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans without adding any flavors or spices. Results can be mixed, but it's best to introduce any healthy snack as bland first to easily identify adverse reactions.

For dogs, try carrots, blueberries, and cucumbers. Also, consider first trying fruits and vegetables that may already be included in the ingredient list of your pet's food. Check out the ten healthiest human foods for dogs if you want to experiment with other healthy alternatives.

As always, be sure to wash and clean your fruits and vegetables prior to serving to keep your pet healthy and happy.

Regular Visits to the Vet

For most pet owners, we have a negative reaction to the vet that's similar to our pet's. We're usually there when something has gone wrong and it ends up costing us a lot of time and sometimes a lot of money.

To borrow an analogy, can you blame the mechanic because you forgot to change the oil?

As a pet owner, it might be as painful for you to go to the vet as your pet. However, you're much better off going to the vet before something goes wrong. Your pet will remain up-to-date on tests and vaccinations that can prevent costly infections or diseases.

Lastly, it's always great to get a professional's set of eyes on your pet. You have to remember your pet is aging more quickly than you, so dramatic changes can happen between six-month and annual visits.

Following Grooming Guidelines

Just like diet, every dog or cat has different needs for their coat. You'll want to research how and when to cut your pet's hair and what's the ideal brush for their coat. Plus, this grooming time is a great way to check for fleas and ticks as well as cuts or abrasions.

Beyond brushing, our pets need baths. It's an essential ritual for having a healthy and happy pet. That being said, bath time can still be intense for everyone. Therefore, proper setup can alleviate a lot of stress for you and your pet.

First, have an action plan about how you're going to get your pet to the bath. Then, set up your bath with all the necessary items like the proper shampoo for your cat or dog, a set of towels, and treats/rewards. Lastly, remain calm and invite (a.k.a bribe) your furry friend to the bath. Hopefully, your pet will learn to not fear (and maybe even like) bath time.

Monitoring Activity Levels

As our pets get older, we tend to neglect their physical activity. It's always fun playing with a new puppy or kitten. In fact, their energy levels can be exhausting. But as our pets get older, they tend to get a bit calmer. However, don't mistake this for laziness. Cats and dogs still need stimulation and exercise.

For dogs, regular walks and play sessions are great for their health and happiness. It's a great time to bond with our animals. For cats, they're likely not as willing to play with you. So encourage your cats to exercise with cat towers, wheels, lasers, and other toys to get them moving.

Much like exercise, our time with our pets seems to dwindle as they get older. Our watchful eye for puppies and kittens looking to get into trouble fades as they tend to find ways to occupy themselves without us worrying. However, that doesn't mean we should let them go unsupervised.

When you're not watching your dog or cat, that's a time when they are likely to get into something they shouldn't. Beyond finding something detrimental to their health, they might roam into traffic or some other dangerous situation.

To keep your pet healthy and happy, make sure you spend time with them and watch over them.