With more and more people focused on health and wellness, it’s no surprise that pet owners are paying closer attention to their animals’ lifestyles, too.
Many people don’t realize ingredients found in a lot of commercial pet foods are packed with dangerous preservatives, says Dan Mechley, owner of Plymouth holistic pet center It’s a Pet’s Life: “They’re not getting the nutrients they need,” he says. Some natural alternatives include brands such as Nature’s Variety and Acana. It’s important to feed your pet a diet based on lifestyle and age. Many pet foods say that they’re ‘formulated’ for all life stages’: I never recommend those foods,” says Sara Williams, a Northwest Animal Hospital veterinarian.
One of the most common health concerns facing pets today is obesity, Williams says. “The recommendation on the back of the bag is usually higher than necessary,” she warns. Getting an accurate calorie count from your vet is a good way to make sure your pet is getting the nutrition they need without overindulging.
“When looking at your pet from the top, there should be a slight dip in the waist, and when you rub your hand over their ribs, you should be able to feel the ribcage. It should feel like you’re rubbing your hands over your own knuckles,” Williams says.
Exercise is another way to prevent extra trips to the doctor. “Always get your dog out for a walk, at least once a day. Run them around the park; get them outside. Socialization is really good for them,” Mechley says. Many pet stores have socialization times; It’s A Pet’s Life offers Saturday morning socialization and puppy training classes.
Just like humans take vitamins, pets can benefit from a boost of healthy supplements. “Some natural supplements help the digestive enzymes of dogs and cats. There’s also all-natural pain relief, in case your animal has joint pain,” Mechley says. (Always consult your vet first.)
If your companion happens to be dealing with some of these uncomfortable issues, consider looking into physical therapy treatments. “There’s lots of really exciting opportunities for natural pet care right now,” Williams says. “I’ve seen patients with arthritis respond really well to acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments. I’ve also seen improvements in a lot of diseases using laser therapy.”
A good time to ask your vet about such treatments would be when you take your pet in for a regular checkup. “For younger pets, checkups should be at least once a year, for older pets, every six months,” Williams says. During these preventative visits, your vet usually discusses lifestyle and nutritional habits, in addition to the physical exam. Every once in a while, vaccinations are necessary.
“There’s two different categories [of vaccinations],” Williams says. “One is core vaccines; everybody needs them. The other, noncore, is based on lifestyle and not every pet needs them ... It’s a balance to keep them healthy but not over-vaccinated, which can result in immune system problems.”
During these summer months, pets often receive unwelcome visitors in the form of fleas or ticks. A flea collar is a great way to ward off pests without applying potentially harmful medications. “Some flea and tick control products will burn the skin off the pet,” Mechley warns. He regularly uses the Shoo! tag on his own dogs, a flea and tick repellent that hooks around the collar and works with the animal’s magnetic field. “You may pay a bit more, but you’ll end up paying a lot less” in medical bills due to illness, Mechley says.
It’s a Pet’s Life
1115 Vicksburg Lane N.
763.476.7372
Northwest Animal Hospital
2045 Merrimac Lane N.
763.475.2448
