An Apple A Day

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” or so our parents told us as we were growing up. The same can’t be said for our pet companions, though a healthy diet and healthy dental habits will help keep both the veterinarian and the dentist at bay.

Our pet companions are often closer to us than some of our family members or friends. They are always there to love us, nearly never get mad at us, and in general offer an unconditional love that we perhaps take for granted at times. They are such a constant presence in our lives that it would be no wonder that we would settle into a specific routine and not vary from it. However, our pet companions appreciate a little spontaneity sometimes as well. Like many things, when we’re settled into a routine, some things slip our mind, or there are other things that we simply do not recognize, perhaps because just because we live such busy lives ourselves these days that it is hard to sit down and take the time to breathe, let alone look for things out of the ordinary.

Some of the most important things that we can do for our pet companions is making sure that they are scheduled for regular check-ups with their veterinarian. Your vet is your partner in making sure that your pet lives a long, healthy, happy and fit life. In between check –ups there are many things that you can do to make sure that your visits to the vet are limited to the check-ups and not anything more serious.

By taking care of your pet’s dental health, you will be helping his or her overall health, believe it or not. Healthy teeth mean healthy gums, and healthy gums mean a healthy body as a general rule. Try to brush your pet’s teeth at least twice per week, and if your pet is of the canine variety, give them a rawhide to chew on daily to help clean off their teeth, massage the gums, and in general promote good dental health.

Exercise is equally important for your pet, especially if he or she is of the indoor variety and perhaps a bit lacking in the exercise initiative. If your pet is not one to go racing around, it will be up to you to make sure that you entice him or her to get out and play. Much like humans, it is all about the interaction and attention. If your pet feels that he or she will be able to spend more quality time with you, you’ll be amazed at what he or she will do to enjoy that time.