Covering Both Physical & Mental Pet Wellness And The Holiday That Raises Awareness About It
You can’t put a price on health. This applies to your pets as well. Pets age much faster than people and typically have shorter life spans. Because of this, managing and paying attention to their health is exceptionally important as they age. That’s why the month of October is recognized as National Pet Wellness Month! This article will discuss this holiday, why pet wellness is so important, and how you can improve your pet’s well-being.
The First Pet Wellness Program
The very first pet wellness program was called PetFit and it was created in 2002. It was founded by Purdue University and sponsored by the National Research Council of the National Academies. The PetFit program was created to help improve pet health by offering dog weight management services. Overall, the program was a huge success!
A Purdue University study conducted in 2005 (3 years after PetFit was created) found that overweight dogs who participated in PetFit lost 14% of their body weight in 12 weeks. The following year, a follow-up survey found that 74% of the dogs who participated in PetFit had maintained their new weight. This was a real wake-up call about the importance of pet health & wellness and how we can improve it.
The Founding Of The Holiday
National Pet Wellness Month was founded by the A.V.M.A. (American Veterinary Medical Association). It is a clinic-centered program that aims to promote pet wellness year-round. This program takes place in October and lasts throughout the entire month. Thousands of veterinary clinics across the U.S. have signed up for the program and are handing out free in-clinic education kits. These kits contain educational literature and other materials to help educate clients about pet aging and the importance of routine veterinary exams.
The Importance Of Pet Wellness
The most common nutritional problem in dogs and cats today is obesity, according to the A.V.M.A. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reports that more than 50% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight. This is very alarming as obesity can lead to serious health complications such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, kidney disease, high blood pressure, respiratory disease, and various forms of cancer. Additionally, obesity has been known to shorten a dog’s life expectancy compared to their leaner counterparts. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your pet will lead to a longer and happier life.
How To Improve Your Pet’s Well-Being
One of the best ways to improve your pet’s well-being and quality of life is to monitor their overall weight. Keeping your pets at a healthy weight will decrease their chance of getting a disease or other health complications. Additionally, a good way to keep your dog at a healthy weight is to take them on frequent walks. For cats, you can spend more time playing with them and encouraging them to run around the house.
Besides weight management, you can also improve your pet’s wellness by having them see the veterinarian regularly. The average pet should get a routine checkup at least once a year, if not every 6 months. Routine checkups are a great way to closely monitor your pets’ health and potentially catch a health problem early on. Most health conditions are easier to treat during the early stages.
Lastly, you can improve your pet’s wellness by paying close attention to what they eat. Diet and nutrition are essential factors when it comes to overall health. The healthier food your pets are eating, the healthier and happier they will be. Be sure to double check the ingredients list of your pet’s food and avoid products with unhealthy ingredients. For more information on what to look for on pet food nutrition labels, click here.
Hire A Pet Sitter Today!
If you or someone you know is looking for a pet sitter or dog walker, then look no further than My Dog Walker & Pet Sitting. We are fully insured & bonded and have over 10 years of experience working with animals. Click here to check out our wide variety of pet sitting services including in-home pet sitting and routine dog walking. We currently service the Medford, Medford Lakes, Shamong, and Tabernacle, NJ areas. To become a client, click here or give us a call at 856-217-2781. We hope to hear from you soon and happy National Pet Wellness Month!