Upasana Kamineni Konidela
Wellbeing Curator10 min read
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Ensure Timely Vaccinations & Vet Visits
Immunizations are a basic necessity for humans and pets too. Timely vaccinations help avoid unwanted and harmful diseases from affecting UR pet’s health. Vaccines not only keep UR pets safe but also UR family and most importantly kids too. The best way to keep UR furry family member healthy in the long run is entirely dependent on how well you take care of them every day, which includes timely vaccinations as suggested by the veterinarian. It is highly recommended to get UR pet immunized as unvaccinated pets can pose a risk to UR health and UR kid’s health too. As much as you are dedicated to taking care of UR pet’s health, make sure you do the same for yours by opting for full body checks and annual health checks.
Avoid Ticks & Fleas
Avoid Ticks & Fleas
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Meet Their Nutritional Needs
Meet Their Nutritional Needs
Just like you, UR pets can only reach their prime when their diet has equal proportions of proteins, good fats, healthy oils, vitamins and minerals.
In simpler words, it’s best to choose fresh, seasonal and real foods to avoid buying processed food products. The same rules apply to UR pet’s food and treats.
Calorie Intake for Cats & Dogs
For example:
A 4.5kg cat needs only 200 calories a day
A 23 kg dog needs 700 to 900 calories.
Larger dogs may eat up to 1,350 calories
Proteins-rich foods are usually preferred by dogs. And cats are basically hunters, so they’re natural carnivores.But, some cats do prefer drinking milk or eating fish. Protein is important for cell growth, muscle repair, and general body maintenance.
Animal-based proteins pets need
- Arginine
- Methionine
- Histidine
- Phenylalanine
- Isoleucine
- Threonine
- Leucine
- Tryptophan
- Lysine
- Valine
- Taurine
Fat & Energy
Dietary fats are derived from animal fats or vegetable seed oils. They’re the main source of nutrients in UR pet’s diet. Fats contain more than twice the amount of calories/energy per gram, when compared to proteins or carbohydrates.
Fat and energy provide UR pet with essential fatty acids that are required by both dogs or cats.
Fatty acids, such as omega-3s, are required to:
Carbohydrates provide energy, help balance digestive health and also affect their reproduction. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that affects the bacteria in UR pet’s gut.
| Vitamins | Food Source |
| Vitamin A | Carrots, spinach, liver, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, fish oil and eggs |
| Vitamin D | Fish oil, fatty fish, egg yolks, dairy products, liver and cottage cheese |
| Vitamin E | Plant oils, leafy green vegetables, seeds, wheat germ, bran, whole grains and liver |
| Vitamin K | Liver, leafy green vegetables, milk, cabbage and fish |
| Vitamin C | Fruits, vegetables and organ meats |
| Vitamin B | Whole grains, nutritional or brewers yeast, liver, beans, green vegetables, spirulina, nuts and dairy products |
| Macrominerals | Food Source |
| Calcium | Milk, yogurt, tofu, sardines with bones, raw bones, bok choy, green beans, broccolii and cauliflower |
| Phosphorous | All animal tissues, eggs, fish and milk |
| Magnesium | Spinach, broccoli, green beans, tofu, tomato juice, beans, whole grains and seafood |
| Potassium, Sodium and Chloride | Fruits, vegetables, milk and grain |
| Microminerals | Food Source |
| Zinc | Spinach, broccoli, yogurt, beef, poultry, whole grains, and vegetables |
| Sulfur | All protein foods (meats, fish, poultry, eggs, legumes and milk) |
| Iron | Red meats, fish, poultry, shellfish, eggs and legumes |
| Iodine | Iodized salt, seafood and dairy products |
| Selenium | Seafood, meat, whole grains, brown rice and vegetables |
| Cooper | Seafood, nuts, whole grains, seeds and legumes |
| Manganese | Nuts, whole grains and leafy vegetables |
| Chromium | Lean meat, vegetable oils and brewers yeast |
| Cobalt | Liver, kidney, fruits and vegetables |
| Fluorine | Available in water |
| Molybdenum | Legumes, cereals and organ meats |
| Silicon | Cereals, vegetables, beans and peas |
Water
Even our pet needs access to fresh and clean water at all times to keep themselves hydrated. Cats and dogs have varying degrees of thirst. It is best to ask the vet how much water UR pet may require in a day.
Foods That Aren’t Safe For Ur Pets
- Sugar
- Onion and garlic
- Raw meat if UR pet isn’t eating a raw meat diet
- Xylitol found in candy and artificial sweeteners
- Alcohol
Pamper UR Pet
Taking UR pets out to visit the dog park, a small road trip or simply giving them a shower can make UR furry friend happy! Talking about pampering, just like how we need to take a shower every day, it is equally essential for our pets to take one too. Not regularly, but once a week during summer and once in two weeks during winter and monsoon should do the job! It also depends on how naughty UR pet is and if they like to have some fun outdoors. Bathing UR pet keeps their coat clean, skin healthy, free from any infections and ticks. Let’s not forget that bathing also makes UR pet smell great, refreshed and this also shows that you care about UR pet’s overall hygiene. Surprisingly bathing them also helps avoid any potential skin rashes which can affect you or UR family members. There are many states in India that have opened up exclusive pet spas, resorts, cafes and hotel services, only for pets. Many celebrities and pet parents treat their precious four-pawed friends to a day at the spa, hotel or design customised clothes just to make their fur friend feel special.
Brush Their Teeth
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Trimming your pet’s nails reduces any risks of them scratching themselves, you or any other animals too. Scratches from unclipped nails can cause various infections, which can start as small and eventually become serious if it is neglected over time. Whether you have a cat or dog, dirt and other particles can collect under their nails, and can pose as a threat due to the nails being dirty, filled with germs, dirt and debris. All of which, are breeding grounds for infections to and compromise not just UR pet’s health but yours too. To make this task easier, a viral trend on TikTok and other social media apps show how you can cut UR pet’s nails without a sweat. All you need to do is spread peanut butter on a cling wrap and wrap it around UR forehead, while UR pet is licking the unsweetened peanut butter, you can clean and clip their nails.
Keep Their Eyes & Ears Clean
Keep Their Eyes & Ears Clean
Cleaning UR pet’s eyes and ears avoids any crusty build-up in the corner of their eyes and inside their ears. Keeping their eyes and ears spick and span will avoid unnecessary infections from festering. Any mucus build-up around the eyes should be wiped with a clean, soft and damp cloth to prevent hurting their eyes. Ears can be gently cleaned with cotton swabs or tissue, but it is best to be extremely careful while doing so.
Bedding is an essential element for UR pet; they spend a reasonable amount of time in their bed, which makes it imperative for you to keep their bed and surroundings pristine. Keeping UR pet’s surroundings and bedding clean eliminates any bacteria, dirt, debris and other allergens that UR pet may unknowingly bring into UR house. Vacuuming the area clean and washing their bedding will avoid any allergy from harming not just UR pet but UR family members too. Keeping our bedding clean is also essential for our health, disposing of old rugs, pillows and bedsheets can avoid unwanted allergies, skin rashes and much more.
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 and lower UR blood pressure? Many studies have shown that animals can reduce isolation, improve social support feelings and uplift UR mood.){kind=link}