Wellness Wednesday – Tips For Your Pet And For You (at the bottom of page)

10 Pet Care Tips For Pets…

1. Regular Exams are Vital

Just like you, your pet can get heart problems, develop arthritis, or have a toothache. The best way to prevent such problems or catch them early is to see your veterinarian every year.

Regular exams are the single most important way to keep pets healthy. Annual vet visits should touch on nutrition and weight control, as well as cover recommended vaccinations, parasite control, dental exam, and health screenings.

2. Spay and Neuter Your Pets

Eight million to 10 million pets end up in U.S. shelters every year. Some are lost, some have been abandoned, and some are homeless.

Here’s an easy way to avoid adding to that number — spay and neuter your cats and dogs. It’s a procedure that can be performed as early as six to eight weeks of age.

Spaying and neutering doesn’t just cut down on the number of unwanted pets; it has other substantial benefits for your pet. Studies show it also lowers the risk of certain cancers and reduces a pet’s risk of getting lost by decreasing the tendency to roam.

3. Prevent Parasites

Fleas are the most common external parasite that can plague pets, and they can lead to irritated skin, hair loss, hot spots, and infection. Fleas can also introduce other parasites into your cat or dog. All it takes is for your pet to swallow one flea, and it can to end up with tapeworms, the most common internal parasite affecting dogs and cats.

Year-round prevention is key. Regular flea and intestinal parasite control, as well as heartworm prevention in endemic areas is important.

Because some parasite medications made for dogs can be fatal to cats, talk to your vet about keeping your precious pets worm-free, flea-free — and safe.

4. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Many dogs and cats are overweight or obese. And just like people, obesity in pets comes with health risks that include diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.

Overfeeding is the leading cause of obesity, says Douglas, who adds that keeping our pets trim can add years to their lives.

Because pets need far fewer calories than most of us think — as little as 185-370 a day for a small, inactive dog; just 240-350 calories daily for a 10-pound cat — talk to your vet, who can make feeding suggestions based on your pet’s age, weight, and lifestyle.

5. Get Regular Vaccinations

For optimal health, pets need regular vaccinations against diseases such as rabies, distemper, feline leukemia, and canine hepatitis.

How often your dog or cat needs to be immunized depends on their age, lifestyle, health, and risks so talk to your vet about the vaccinations that make sense for your pet.

6. Provide an Enriched Environment

An enriched environment is another key to the long-term health and welfare of your canine and feline friends.

Pets need mental stimulation which may mean daily walks for your pooch, and scratching posts, window perches, and toys for your cat. It means play time with you, which not only keeps your pet’s muscles toned and boredom at bay, it also strengthens your bond with your four-footed companions.

7. Microchip and Tattoo Your Pet

Lack of identification means as few as 14% of pets ever find their way home after getting lost. Fortunately, micro-chipping and/or tattooing can allow for the pet to be reunited with its.

About the size of a rice grain, a microchip is inserted under the skin in less than a second. It needs no battery and can be scanned by a vet or an animal control officer in seconds.

8. Pets Need Dental Care, Too

Just like you, your pet can suffer from gum disease, tooth loss, and tooth pain. And just like you, regular brushing and oral cleanings help keep your pet’s teeth strong and healthy.

Dental disease is one of the most common preventable illnesses in pets yet many people never even look in their pet’s mouths. It’s estimated 80% of dogs and 70% cats show signs of dental disease by age three, leading to abscesses, loose teeth, and chronic pain. In addition to regular dental cleanings by your vet, periodontal disease can be avoided by proper dental care by owners. Owner care includes brushing, oral rinses, and dental treats.

9. Never Give Pets People Medication without first checking

Medicines made for humans can kill your pet. As a matter of fact, in 2010 the ASPCA listed human drugs in the top 10 pet toxins.

NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen are the most common pet poisoning culprits, but antidepressants, decongestants, muscle relaxants, and acetaminophen are just a few of the human drugs that pose health risks to pets. Human drugs can cause kidney damage, seizures, and cardiac arrest in a dog or cat.

If you suspect your pet has consumed your medication — or anything toxic — call your veterinarian.

10. Proper Restraint in a Vehicle

You buckle up for safety when you’re in the car, shouldn’t your pet? Unrestrained pets in a car are a distraction to the driver, and can put driver and pet at risk for serious injury. To keep pets safe in transit:

• Never allow pets to travel in the front seat, where they’re at risk of severe injury or death if the airbag deploys.
• Don’t let dogs ride with their head out the window or untethered in the back of a truck bed. Both practices put them at risk of being thrown from the vehicle in the event of an accident.
• To keep pets safe, confine cats to carriers, then secure the carrier with a seat-belt. For dogs, there’s the option of a special harness attached to a seat belt, or a well-secured kennel.

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16 Wellness Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle For You… Bonus: 6 Simple Ways To Boost Your Energy

1. Start your day with a glass of water.

Your body goes quite a few hours without hydration as you sleep. Drinking a full glass of water in the morning can aid digestion, flush out toxins, enhance skin health and give you an energy boost.

2. Begin with something positive.

Wake up and do something that inspires you – like journaling, walking in nature, or other hobbies. Whether it’s productive or relaxing, beginning your morning on the right foot can cultivate a positive mindset and set the tone for the entire day.

3. Get plenty of sleep.

Sleep is just as important as eating healthy and exercising. From improving your productivity and concentration to helping support your overall health, getting the recommended hours of sleep per night can have a major impact on your wellbeing^.

4. Get some fresh air.

Whether you get outside for some exercise or to read a book in the sunshine, you should take at least 30 minutes a day to get some vitamin D.

5. Get moving throughout the day.

Try the stairs instead of the elevator, take short walks around your office or ride a bike instead of driving. Vigorous exercise is essential but moving throughout the day will keep you energized, as well as benefit your mind and body.

6. Track your steps.

Tracking your steps will help you see how much you’ve actually moved throughout the day and may even encourage you to challenge yourself to reach a certain amount of steps every day.

7. Give your eyes a rest.

Eyes become easily strained when you’re constantly focused on your computer screen. Reduce the risk of tired eyes by looking away from your computer for at least 20 seconds in 20-minute intervals.

8. Eat real food.

Real food is whole, single-ingredient foods that are unprocessed and free of additives. Incorporating these foods into your day can help improve your health, manage your weight and give you energy.

9. Snack smart.

It’s easy to mindlessly snack throughout the day, so make sure your snack choices aren’t weighing you down. Mixed nuts, veggies, Greek yogurt or even a piece of dark chocolate are all great options that will keep you feeling satisfied.

10. Take your vitamins.

Multivitamins contain vitamins and minerals that are essential to your health. No matter how healthy you eat or what diet you follow, it can be difficult for your body to get all of the nutrients it needs from food. Research your options and find a multivitamin that fits your needs and supports your health.

11. Get some alone time.

Spending time alone can be extremely beneficial for your mental health. Get to know yourself, figure out what you want and start living your most purposeful life.

12. Try something new.

Join a book club, sign up for a class, start cooking. Try something new at least once a month. Making a point to keep learning throughout your life can keep your mind lively and engaged.

13. Manage your money.

Money worries are oftentimes a big source of stress for some people. Saving for the future, home mortgages and paying off loans—it all adds up. Create a priority list for yourself and determine a realistic budget to provide yourself some relief.

14. Make time for your friends and family.

Spending time with your friends and family may not seem like a top wellness tip but it is vital. Humans are social beings and rely on other humans to maintain their mental, emotional and physical help. Setting time aside to spend with your loved ones can help relieve stress, increase self-esteem and lead you to make more positive choices.

15. Limit blue light before bed.

The blue light emitted by your tech devices may be the cause of those restless nights. Put your phone or laptop away at least an hour before bed to set yourself up for a good night of sleep.

16. Practice gratitude.

Oftentimes, we tend to focus on what we’re lacking in life instead of focusing on the things that we do have. Start measuring your worth by your successes rather than your deficits by keeping track of the things that go well in your life.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be a daunting task. These wellness tips are small steps you can take to make big changes in your life. For health tips, also be sure to visit the Centrum Learning Page.

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