Total Wellness for Your Pets
Hello, Pet Parents!
When thinking of your pets’ health, it’s important to think of it from a total wellness perspective, ensuring youre meeting both the physical and emotional/mental needs of your pet(s). We will explore each section of wellness that you may want to explore to achieve total wellness for your little ones.
Veterinary Wellness Check
Similar to humans, pets need to see a veterinarian at least once a year. At these appointments, your veterinarian will conduct a physical exam and may collect specimens or bloodwork. Your vet will also provide you with any necessary vaccines and discuss changes you may need to consider for your pet. This can include dietary changes, exercise habits, and any additional medical care as indicated upon exam. Some pets will require supplements and alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and red light therapy for seniors, or dogs with underlying conditions. It's always best to discuss these options with your veterinarian.
Diet and Exercise
Recent surveys indicate around 59.5% of cats and 55.8% of dogs in America are overweight, as reported by the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention. It’s very important to abide by feeding guidelines for your specific pet. Some pet parents have switched to a homemade food diet, or a “raw diet”, under the guidance of their vet, while many pet parents feed dry kibble or canned pet foods. Be mindful of feeding guidelines for your specific pet, their age, and level of activity (sedentary, moderative, or very active.)
Exercise is also very important for your pets’ health- both physical and mental. A general rule of thumb for dogs is two 20-30 minute walks per day. As with diet, this may be different for different breeds; i.e. Sporting Breeds and Working Breeds will require more exercise and higher intensity than a Scent Hound Breed. For more information on breeds and exercise, visit American Kennel Club's website. Lastly, exercise guidelines will vary based on age and underlying condition- puppies will require more exercise with higher levels of intensity (not including brachycephalic breeds), while seniors or dogs with health conditions may require less intensity and shorter durations. Consult a professional when you're uncertain of how much exercise your dog should have each day.
In a future blog, we will thoroughly discuss alternatives to traditional exercise for dogs who need other options. Some pups may not be leash trained, for example, while others may be physically impaired; but do not fret, there are benefits to alternate activities. These activities may include indoor or outdoor games, agility, sniff walks, hide-and-seek, and some dogs even swim! All options are good for a dog's overall health, including weight, mood, and mobility.
Get your cats moving, too! Activities such as chasing toys, a string, or a laser light are fun for most cats. Some cats will naturally play by themselves, while others may require their humans' presence. Stimulation from toys, scratchers, cat trees, and games contribute to feline body and the mind wellness.
Mental Stimulation
Aside from a healthy diet and regular exercise, pets also need mental stimulation. Cats receive mental stimulation from the aforementioned activities, and may enjoy extended times of physical touch, depending on the feline. Cats are very tactile creatures, and most will let you know exactly when and how long to pet them.
Playing games with cats and dogs alike will help with mental stimulation, and simply being there to love them and give them attention also boosts their moods. Most dogs enjoy sniff walks, car rides, play dates, and indoor games. These provide enrichment to benefit your dog’s emotional and mental health. It’s also important to note that most recent studies conducted by Psychology Today note that dogs do in fact feed off humans emotions; so if you find your dog to be anxious, examine your mood and adjust as needed.
If you’re unsure of any of the above techniques to help your pup physically and emotionally, please reach out to a pet professional. They’re here to help you and your pets live your best life.
I hope these tips have been helpful to you. If your pet needs a new friend to help with total wellness goals, we are available to assist at here at Tallahassee Lassie. From dog walking to pet sitting and pup field trips and more, we have you covered!
