A holistic approach to caring for your pet is exactly the same as it is for us humans caring for ourselves: we take a whole or complete and comprehensive look at our lifestyle (including environment) and balance each of the components in order to produce a happier and healthier outcome. For a pet that means a healthy diet, optimum exercise, mental engagement, and emotional stability. Let’s break down some of the components to increase awareness for the overall wellness of our pets.
Nutrition and Diet
Every animal has a different dietary requirement for optimal health. Quite often food that is sold in pet stores does not provide the complete and balanced nutritional package that we expect and your pet needs. Dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and reptiles require much more nutritionally than what many packaged foods have to offer. Remember to consult your veterinarian if you have questions regarding your pet’s diet, especially if they are known to have medical issues.
Raw versus cooked: both options have their pros and cons. The Pampered Pet provides vital information regarding going raw for your dog and The Spruce Pets offers thoughts on going raw for cats.
Have you considered preparing cooked food for your pets? Check out the Sit & Stay Pet Care blog on home pet food preparation!
Have an exotic pet? Join clubs or social media pages where seasoned pet owners and wildlife rehabbers share vital information regarding your exotic pet’s dietary needs.
Only give your pets high-quality treats. Keep in mind that many treats are high in calories, so replace some treat time with quality together time if your pet is overweight.
Exercise & Environment
Exercising your pet serves the same purpose as it does for us humans. It keeps vital organs healthy, burns excess calories, and releases “feel-good” hormones. Over 50% of household cats are obese due to overfeeding and lack of exercise. Obese animals are more likely to have a shorter lifespan, higher medical bills, and also run a higher risk of cancer, making exercise a vital portion of your pet’s wellness plan.
How do you exercise an indoor cat anyway? PetMD offers a variety of exercise tips for your cat for both independent and interactive play time.
Need some tips for indoor dog training? Cesarsway provides tips for exercising your dog indoors.
Keep in mind that specific breeds have specific needs. Do you have a high-energy dog? Learn how to manage your dog's energy.
Taking your dog somewhere new is a fun way to get you both out and moving, but not all places are healthy places. There are health risks lurking at dog parks and the beach, which can present harmful challenges of health risks like paw injuries and oter transmittable illnesses. Research your locations for environmental risks before you plan your trip.
Being a single pet in a household can also cause an animal to be less active. Adopting a companion pet can help increase exercise time for them and give you a break from the task of being their only exercise outlet.
Mental & Emotional Health
Responsible pet guardianship leads to an emotionally and mentally healthy pet. However, many pets come from shelters or not-so-balanced environments and it is the guardian’s responsibility to help their pet feel safe and secure. How you interact with your pet will largely determine their state of being. Continuous aggressive play or unwanted touching can inadvertently lead to you training them to be aggressive toward you. Teasing a dog with too many “fake out” throws may cause your dog to mistrust you. Overactive affection and attention when you leave for work can train your dog to have separation anxiety. Be mindful of how your actions train your pet to react toward you.
Learning how to recognize when your dog or cat exhibits stress or anxiety is the first step in helping them toward a greater state of wellbeing.
Training time with your dog can aid in your dog's mental and emotional wellbeing. Fifteen minutes every day of focused quality time can do wonders for the stability of your pet’s mind.
Allowing your dog to sniff around outside allows him to relax and thus adds to his emotional well-being.
Catnip can be used to relieve anxiety in many cats, according to PetMD.
Utilizing a holistic approach to pet care allows you to be an integral part of the life of your pet, with the possibility of avoiding expensive curative vet bills down the road. Even if you have a busy schedule, adding two or three of these suggestions to your daily or weekly routine might add years to your pet’s life, and may just shift you toward a more holistic approach to your own healthcare.