Make Smarter Choices for Your Pet's Health

Many of us have resolutions to live better and healthier lives in 2023 for our family, which includes our pets. Any pet-friendly animal, whether a dog, cat, or another animal, is a vital member of the family and needs to be treated as such. Your pet is a part of your family; therefore, you care deeply about its health because you want it to live as long as you do.

Our pets depend on us to make the best decisions for their well-being. We are aware of the actions required to maintain the health and strength of our bodies. They are not much different. Pet health comprises much more than just routine examinations by the veterinarian; it also considers the animal's mental, social, and other demands.

Pets experience some health problems before they reach their older years, just like people do. Make smarter and healthier decisions for your pet to ensure it lives a long and healthy life. Here is a detailed guideline for starting if you want to understand how to care for your pet properly. You can always combine these tips to deliver your pet the best care possible.

1.   Healthy Diet and Nutrition

Giving your pet a balanced diet rich in all nutrients is one of the most crucial measures because diet directly impacts your pet's health and lifespan.

You can always try different food combinations to provide your pet with as many essential nutrients as possible. The meal should meet both your pet's nutritional demands and preferences. Your pet will become habituated to various diets with various nutrients if you start early. Always start early to prevent your pets from refusing the meal.

Grain-free pet food is more beneficial and nutritious, according to several studies¹. To enhance the meals' nutritional value, you can add additional prebiotics and dietary oils. Your pet's diet should include a proper balance of meat and vegetables because too much of any of those mentioned above can result in major health issues².

It would be best if you thought about asking the vet why while choosing a good diet for your pet. Considering your pet's size, weight, and age, they will recommend the appropriate diet. The veterinarian can also tell you whether your pet is allergic to anything.

2.   Add Magnesium to Your Pet's Diet

Your pet's body needs a balance of minerals to function properly. Just like humans, magnesium is also crucial for your pet's health. Magnesium-related pet health benefits may include soothing achy joints and muscles, minimizing discomfort brought on by a functional magnesium deficit, calming the body's systemic stress and reducing anxiety, encouraging sound sleep, and boosting the aromas of pets³.

For instance, cardiac illness has been linked to magnesium deficiency⁴. Many diets are deficient in magnesium, resulting in discomfort and severe symptoms like muscle pain, seizures, anxiety, cardiac arrhythmia, exhaustion, and cat urinary disorders.

If your pet's bloodwork reveals low magnesium levels, supplement their diet with Magnesium Chloride Flakes - For Pets, a natural mineral source to help prevent a deficiency. Magnesium chloride salt flakes are made naturally from salt water that has evaporated.   Lead, mercury, and other heavy metals are absent in magnesium chloride flakes. In addition to other magnesium-related pet health benefits, magnesium chloride flakes can aid in internal bodily relaxation, promoting healthy digestion and urination.

To use, add a few flakes to your pet's water bowl. Stir until the substance has dissolved and mixed in.

3.   Pet Exercise and Mental Stimulation

Your pet needs regular exercise to stay healthy both physically and mentally. Training your pet is a terrific way to engage their minds and provide them with exercise. Through training, pets are free to explore, enjoy, adjust to their surroundings, and be pleasant to people, among other things.

Your pet type will primarily determine how long you should exercise it. There may be variations based on the breed and your dog's age, but the recommended duration for dogs is often between 30 minutes to 2 hours⁵. It is advised that you learn about your pet's breed to determine the type of exercise they need before beginning exercise sessions.

You can always try to get toys you can use for your pet's exercise. You can also use healthy natural dog training treats when working with your dog since they respond well to reward-based training. If you see your dog engaging in destructive behavior, it may be due to a lack of mental and physical stimulation.

During the exercise sessions, try to teach your pet some fundamental commands like sit, stand, come, and stay since this will enhance their social behavior. Avoid having your pet on the same routine every day since it gets boring for them. Discover novel ways to communicate with your pet.

4.   Frequently Visit the Vet

Your pet is best known to you! Your dog or cat will only benefit when you’re understanding and your veterinarian's medical knowledge are combined. Visit the vet frequently for an examination of your pet. A skilled veterinarian can guide you in choosing the proper diet, level of physical activity, and vaccinations for your pet. There's a chance that your pet has undiscovered diseases or lacks evident signs. By taking your pet to the veterinarian, you can reduce the likelihood that they may contract any diseases⁶.

A vaccination can shield your pet from catching new diseases. Additionally, vaccinations give young ones the immunity needed to fend against infections. Therefore, keeping your pet on a regular and appropriate schedule is crucial.

Young pets should visit the vet every three to four weeks to have their initial set of vaccinations, boosters, and deworming and to be monitored for growth and development. When an adult reaches their senior years, twice-yearly examinations are essential so that problems related to aging can be discovered and treated as quickly as possible. Adults in the prime of their life typically need annual health appointments.

5.   Keep The Mouth of Your Pet Clean

Another crucial element in maintaining your pet's health is dental hygiene. We all are aware that dental disorders commonly affect dogs and cats. In the first seven years of a cat's life, dental problems would arise, whereas dental troubles would arise in the first three years of a dog's life. Therefore, it's crucial to practice good dental hygiene from an early age and keep their mouths clean.

If a pet's mouth is not kept clean, it could develop plaque and tartar, leading to tooth extraction—a painful and expensive process. Early dental hygiene maintenance will lessen the severity of any developing dental diseases.

Every day, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste formulated for pets to brush your pet's teeth. If this isn't possible, consider adopting alternative dental care solutions recommended by the Veterinary Oral Health Council⁷.

Dental health is also supported by the food you feed your pet. Consider selecting pet food that also contains nutrients for oral health. The severity of tooth disease and other dental-related conditions can greatly diminish by eating the correct foods.

6.   Grooming

One of the essential things you can do to keep your pet healthy is to groom them. It entails trimming your pet's nails, brushing, and bathing them frequently. In this manner, you might monitor changes in your pet's fur or coat, such as dandruff, lumps, or even dry skin. Though different breeds have varied grooming requirements, but the following fundamental advice is still valid:

• To get rid of shed fur, brush your pet's coat at least once every week. Pets with long hair may require more frequent combing to avoid tangles and matting. Most animals enjoy being gently brushed, so this is a great chance to strengthen your bond with your pet and check for ticks, fleas, skin issues, and any new lumps or bumps.
• Healthy pets may only require bathing when they become filthy or begin to smell, but more frequent bathing may be necessary to address allergies or skin conditions.
• Check your pet's ears weekly for excess wax and dirt, and clean them if necessary. If you see infection-related symptoms like redness or discharge, seek medical attention.
• Check your pet's nails every month and cut them if they become too long.
• Visiting a professional groomer every 6 to 8 weeks is often beneficial for pets with long hair or other grooming requirements.

7.   Use Harmony's Plantain Salves to Treat Your Pet's Skin-Related Issues

Treat ticks, flea bites, and all other skin-related issues with Harmony's Plantain Salves. Fiber, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, sodium, copper, and vitamins A, C, and K are all abundant in plantain leaves. The leaves also have a significant amount of phytochemicals, which may prevent and treat disease. Studies have shown that plantain leaves contain anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, and immune-boosting properties⁸.

Plantain is a "drawing herb" in herbal medicine because it can remove toxins, pathogens, and foreign objects from the body. Plantain salve is an excellent remedy for scrapes, burns, wounds, toothaches, as well as ticks and flea bites⁹. The salve can also be used as a natural remedy for dogs to soothe their achy paws.

8.   Socialization

Socialization is the greatest strategy to prevent the behavioral issues that frequently cause owners to surrender their pets to animal shelters¹⁰. Give your pet as many fresh, positive experiences as possible, especially when they're young.  

Positive social contacts with other pets, kids, adults, vets, and other animals are part of socialization. It doesn't end there; you may also help your pet through storms, traffic, odd locations, and hoovering; these things will make life more enjoyable for you.

Even though we advise socializing and training your pet when they're young, an older friend is still a viable option. We recommend consulting a trainer, studying articles and books, and asking your neighborhood pet store staff for suggestions. Training your pet and focusing on their socialization can build a strong connection with you and result in a much happier pet.

9.   Try to Understand Your Pet

It's essential to understand your pets and take note of their likes and dislikes. A shift in your pet's behavior could be a symptom of an impending sickness. You must understand what they are trying to convey.

Prepare for situations that stress or worry your animal, such as festive fireworks or veterinary visits. Start working with them in advance to get your pet ready for these situations. When they are under stress, think about using Harmony's Mullein Oil to assist them in staying calm.

Harmony's Mullein Oil is something that can be used for pet care naturally. It has soothing, calming, and relaxing effects and is well-known as a natural ear discomfort cure¹¹. Mullein has been used for centuries in herbal therapy. In addition to mullein oil, the product contains grapeseed, vitamin E, calendula, and lemon oil.

Use sparingly by massaging the ear canal with 2-4 drops of oil. Never put oil in the ear directly. For optimal results, use this up to twice daily. Itching and soreness in the ears should go away in 3 days, giving you a calm pet.

10.        Spay and Neuter

Your pet's overall health can be maintained by spaying and neutering them. There are several health benefits of spaying and neutering. Breast cancer and uterine infections can be prevented with spaying. Testicular cancer and some prostate problems are avoided by neutering. It not only aids in managing unintentional litter but also reduces pet overpopulation. Additionally, there are some behavioral advantages. Your female pets' heat cycle won't recur every six months if you spay them¹². 

The Bottom Line

Pets bring us so much happiness, love, and friendship. They are valued family members who make our lives better every day. Numerous variables may impact your pet's health and life span. As a result, maintaining your pet's health requires appropriate health care and wise decision-making. You can always combine the above-mentioned smarter choices to deliver your pet the best care possible.

If you have any concerns or your pet has any specific needs, always seek the advice of a professional to find out exactly what you can do to keep it happy and healthy. Always choose wisely for your pet so that you can benefit from their company for as long as possible.