5 Ways to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy in 2016

Happy New Year! As we hang fresh new calendars for the new year, many of us are revisiting our personal goals, and setting new resolutions. Why not incorporate your pet into your resolutions for 2016? Read on for some great advice from a Niagara Falls, ON vet on how to keep your furred, feathered, or scaled pal safe, happy, and healthy in the coming year.

Proper nutrition is very important to your pet’s health and well-being. If you can afford it, consider upgrading to a better brand of pet food. Also, keep in mind that your pet’s nutritional needs will change over time. Ask your vet for specific recommendations, including portion sizes.

Make sure your pet is getting enough exercise! Most dogs require, at the very least, daily walks, though some of our canine pals need quite a bit of playtime as well. Our sleepy feline friends will benefit both physically and mentally from regular play sessions, while birds and many pocket pets require daily time out of their cages. Even reptiles can benefit from climbing branches or, in some cases, little swimming pools.

Just like people, animals can get bored with nothing to do. Make sure your pet has suitable toys, and change them out frequently to keep things fun and interesting for your little buddy.

Regular veterinary care is crucial to your pet’s health. Most animals should see the vet at least once a year for examinations and wellness care. Microchipping, parasite control, and spay/neuter surgery are also very important. Last but not least, if your pet shows any signs of illness, contact your vet immediately. The sooner an issue is diagnosed and treated, the better!

Each year, many of our beloved animal companions get lost. To reduce the chances of this happening to your little buddy, take a look at your pet’s habitat. If you have a yard for Fido to play in, inspect your fencing and gates, and make sure they’re sturdy. Kitties are much safer indoors, so if Fluffy goes outside, consider making her an indoor kitty. If your pet lives in a cage, inspect it regularly to make sure it’s escape-proof.

Happy New Year! As your Niagara Falls, ON vet clinic, we are looking forward to providing your pet with excellent veterinary care in and beyond 2016.