October is Pet Wellness month and since our goal at Healthybud is to help our pets thrive through natural ingredients, pet wellness is a huge focus for us! We’ve compiled our top 5 ways to incorporate wellness in your pet’s life. Check them out below!
1. You Are What You Eat!
Nutrition is the core of your dog’s health! It’s the building block for wellness, and that’s one of the reasons we focus so much on including superfoods & unique ingredients in all our products. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants all contribute to a healthy immune system, which is what helps fight off illness. A healthy digestive tract is also necessary for proper absorption of vitamins and minerals, so gut health is key!
2. Weight Matters
When our pets are overweight, it puts unnecessary stress on their joints. It can be hard not to overfeed your pup, but keeping them lean is really the kindest thing for them! Not only can pet obesity lead to joint problems, it can also contribute to diabetes, Cushing’s disease, heart failure, decreased energy, cancers, and more. Treats should not equal more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet, and remember - not all treats are created equal! Look carefully at the ingredients included, and whether they provide health benefits to your pup.
3. Regular Checkups Are Necessary
We’re advised to see our doctor once a year for an annual checkup, and the same applies to our pets! It is, in fact, even more important for our animals since they age much faster than us. It’s actually recommended that dogs & cats see a vet twice a year because of this. Regular exams allow for a good baseline of what is normal for your dog when they are feeling well and in good health, so issues can be spotted quicker should they develop. Your vet can also recommend preventative treatments to help keep your pup healthy for many years!
4. Dental Health Affects Overall Health
Poor dental health can lead to much more than just bad breath! The AVDC (American Veterinary Dental Clinic) has said that gum disease is the most common condition occurring in dogs and cats, but the good news is that it’s entirely preventable! Having a dental procedure done by your vet may be required if there are more advanced issues. It’s important to practice regular dental hygiene at home - just like you brush your teeth regularly, your dog needs their teeth brushed too! Look for products that have been approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council for the prevention of tartar and/or plaque. This means these products have been tested and proven to work. You can also check out our previous blogs on dental health for more tips.
5. Quality Time Together Is Important
Our dog’s needs go beyond just food & physical exercise! They need emotional and mental fulfillment, too. Spending quality time together to meet all of their needs is crucial to a healthy pet! This includes regular exercise, mental stimulation through enrichment activities like puzzles or toys, trick training, cuddling or giving scratches, and grooming (including cleaning their ears, trimming their nails, and brushing their coat). It’s also key to your dog’s overall wellbeing that they are well-trained as this can avoid issues with other people or dogs, the need to re-home a pet, or even behavioural euthanasia.
Making sure our dogs have their needs met in all aspects of wellness can lead to a much longer and more fulfilling life - something we all want for our pets!
Stay healthy, stay happy, stay curious #healthygang!
Lots of love,
- The healthybud team
