The health and happiness of your pet depends on the care that you give them. Providing our pets with a proper diet, exercise, regular veterinary checkups and a loving enviornment all contribute to a healthy, happy longer life for our furry friends.

Love is the basic for owning a pet, but when it comes to their lifelong health and happiness, we need to provide more than just love. With the proper love, we will do everything in our power to maintain their health both physically and mentally. Without love, we'll not have the incentive to take care of their needs and nuture them properly.

So let's delve into how we can help our precious pets stay healthy and happy throughout our journey together. Read on.

Loving Our Pets

A pet parents love is unconditional, and we do our very best to provide for their every need. This way we can ensure that our pet lives a long, healthy, happy life. With this love we consider every aspect of our pet's health and provide wellness care, as well as petting, cuddling with them and talking to them, and showing our immense love.

Throughout the day we hug them, kiss them and spoil them with a delicious homemade treat to show them our love. We also play with them, and buy them fun new toys so they don't get bored and depressed.

Dogs love belly rubs, games of fetch, daily walks, nutritious meals… The ways you care for your pup convey a sense of love that dogs can comprehend. A gentle pat, ear scratch, or belly rub serves as a heartfelt “I love you.”

Exercise Your Dog

When you participate in activities like walking, swimming, or practicing agility with your dog, you’re showing your love and strengthening the bond with your canine companion.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), exercise, particularly outdoor exercise, is a critical opportunity to stimulate a dog’s brain with a variety of sights, smells, and sounds. Regular physical activity is vital for maintaining your dog’s muscle tone and joint mobility, as well as your own.

Exercise can be serious business for your pup, so before gearing up your dog for more strenuous activities, such as flyball or hikes, consult your veterinarian to make sure your pet is in good health. Your vet will also discuss any necessary precautions, ensuring that your dog’s love for movement aligns with their overall well-being.

Show Affection To Your Feline

Share a slow blink with your cat. A simple soft, slow prolonged blink, by narrowing your eyes and closing them for a slightly longer time than a normal blink, repeated several times, shows your cat you love them. This communication signifies trust and postitive emotions and makes your feline feel secure.

Your reward - they will return the sentiment the exact same way. Your cat will feel especially loved and comforted.

Pet your cat the way she/he likes to be petted, but don't over pet them. Talk to them. Sing to them. Play with them. Give them lots of attention. Feed them healthy food. Keep their litter box clean. If they want to lay on you, let them.

When your kitty rubs against you, let her. She’s paying you the ultimate compliment of leaving her scent behind and claiming you as part of her family. When she leans into your face, nuzzle your face into hers and don't move away.

They love to be near you where they know they are safe and warm. Kiss them on their head, talk to them slowly and gently, like you would a baby. Let them explore. Cats are so precious, so tiny and sweet. When they know you love them with all your heart, that love will be returned ten fold.

By taking care of your cat in so many ways, you are telling them that your love them and that they are a favored member of your family, and they respond in kind.

When we treat our kitty cats with love, gentlenesa and kindness, they show a side of themselves that is so innocent and almost perfect. I have never yelled at any of my cats and I have never seen them do any wrong. If you treat your kitty the way they should be treated, you'll have a whole new view of what cats are really all about.

Training Our Pets

Training your pet with positive reinforcement is a great way to show that you love them. Pets love to learn and be trained because it mentally stimulates them from the attention you give to them. Plus dogs love to please us, so when they do what we ask and we give them an at-a-boy with a treat, it gives them a sense of happiness and accomplishment and it encourages them to repeat the behavior.

The American Kennel Club offers 12 Very Useful Dog Training Tips to help you on your dog training journey.

Cats on the other hand, are more difficult to train and it takes more commitment and effort, but they CAN be trained. Training a cat helps them feel more comfortable, prevents boredom, and strengthens our bond with them.

Almost any cat can do well with training when we find something they enjoy enough to work a little bit for it. To train a cat you can use petting, tossing a favorite toy, brushing, and even verbal praise as a reward for your cat.

Cat training also provides positive mental and physical stimulation for cats, which can help reduce anxiety, aggression, or other destructive cat behaviors. Consistent cat training can also help you pick up on their body language and learn what they’re trying to communicate (including the many ways they show they love you!)

A few minutes of your time each day will not only keep your cat mentally and physically stimulated, but also forge a better relationship between you and your purring feline.

To help you learn how to train your cat the proper way, The Human Society gives this advise Training Cats with Positive Reinforcement.

Dental Care

Dental checkups should begin with the initial kitten or puppy's visit. It's a lifelong procedure that is a significant contributor to their quality of life. Periodontal disease is the most diagnosed condition in dogs and cats with more than 80% percent affected! If your dog or cat is more than 3-4 years-old, they likely have some sort of periodontal disease. And the disease rises steeply as they get older.

You can also assist with tooth care by feeding your dog or a cat dry, crunchy food, but this is not the only task needed to keep teeth healthy. To prevent periodontal disease in your pet, you should perform daily tooth-brushing on your cat or dog. Special pet toothpastes are available, often in flavors that will appeal to the pet.

Dental care is often-overlooked, especially since both cats and dogs aren’t fans of having their teeth brushed. However, if your pet has bad breath, there may be a more serious problem than just dislike for the toothbrush.

Your pet’s gums should be pink and their teeth should be white without any brownish tartar. Swelling, Inflamed gums or loose teeth are a red flag for oral disease and should be addressed with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Brushing their teeth daily is crucial, but it takes time and dedication. If you have a difficult time brushing your pet's teeth, try using soft gauze on your finger and gently massage their teeth and gums. Doing this on a regular basis will get them acclimated to the feeling and make them less likely to resist your oral health efforts.

Since it is difficult to get to Peaches back teeth because of her loose jawls, I use finger toothbrushs made of soft cotton and nylon with super elastic fiber, which can fit the fingers without falling off. They are very suitable for brushing the teeth of any dog, puppy, cat or kitten. Finger toothbrushes are great for removing residue and plaque on the gum line, and you can buy them on Amazon here.

Grooming

No matter how long your pet's fur is, be sure to brush them on a regular basis. This will help to remove dead hair while distributing their natural oils for a clean, healthy coat. Regular brushing also provides you with an opportunity to examine your pet’s body for any skin issues, unusual skin growths, lumps, or other skin conditions that might require a look by your veterinarian. Many pets love being brushed, so enjoy the bonding time together at least once or twice a week.

Safe Environment

Part of your pet’s health and happiness depends on their environment, especially, dangerous items that might be accessible to them around the home. This can include poisonous plants, medications, chemicals, household cleaners, and human foods such as grapes and raisins.

Pets are curious creatures, so be sure all household items that are potentially dangerous to their health are locked up or stored in rooms they cannot access. The ASPCA provides a handy list of plants that are poisonous to pets.

I do not allow household chemicals or poisonous substances in my home, or around my yard. Anything that could be harmful to my babies is a no-go. There are many natural ways to do what needs to be done, and that is what I opt for. Also, every chemical that is toxic to pets will be toxic to you too.

Bonding Time

Your pets health and happiness isn’t just about their physical care, it’s also about their mental health. Part of your pet’s wellness journey should include quality time with you. Your comanionship brings them immense joy and necessary mental stimulation. Without quality time with their owners, pets become depressed, lethargic, lose their ability to learn, and can even cause destruction.

Set aside time each day to interact, play, walk, snuggle, and give affection. They will return the attention with a happy demeanor and unconditional love.

Conclusion:

Pay extra attention to the daily steps that should be taken to ensure your pet is living the healthiest life possible. They are members of our family, and their care should include - regular checkups, healthy eating, exercise, dental care, companionship, and a safe living environment.

Our beloved pets live such lil short lives, why don't we treat them the very best and make their world a blessing, like they have done for us.