You love your pets, and no other retailer loves your pets more than Rural King. We’ve partnered with Nutrena®, makers of Loyall Life® Super Premium pet foods, to bring you seven important tips to keep your pet happy and healthy. As your pet grows, new challenges will arise. Be prepared with our seven steps to a longer life for your pet.
How do you help your pet live a long, good-quality life? Here are seven things you can do to support their longevity:
1. Feed a Good Quality Diet
There is no substitute for good nutrition. A healthy diet helps your pet grow to his full potential, maintain healthy skin to protect him from the outside elements, maintain intestinal health for nutrient absorption and maintain healthy muscles and joints. Proper nutrition can also boost the immune system to fight and prevent disease.
There are many great products out there, such as Nutrena® Loyall Life ® Super Premium pet food. The product line offers a variety of options for your pet and all are made using a patented Opti-Cook® process to support healthy digestion.
2. Stay Lean
Obesity can put our pets at risk for many diseases such as joint disease, heart disease, and diabetes, and can shorten their lifespan by as much as 2 years. Additionally, fat produces mediators of inflammation that lead to chronic disease.
To maintain proper weight, feed an appropriate amount of food based on body weight. If your pet is overweight, start by reducing this amount by 10% over a period of 5 days. If there has been no weight loss after 4-6 weeks, consider reducing by another 5%.
A reduction in calorie intake will account for only 70% of weight loss. The other 30% is exercise. If you are not walking your dog, then start. If you are walking with your dog, go an extra mile and pick up the pace so that he is panting and you are breaking a sweat. For cats, one or two 15-minute play sessions a day, mimicking hunting behavior, will help with weight loss.
3. Routine Veterinary Care
Beyond regular vaccinations, a yearly exam can uncover hidden health issues. Do not ignore symptoms hoping they will go away. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to increased survival rates and lower treatment costs.
Some of our Rural King stores their own veterinary clinics called Country Critters. They are full-service clinics, which means they provide the same quality service as all local clinics.
You can find more details, including services offered, hours, and locations by visiting the Country Critters Home Page.
4. Dental Care
Tartar, gingivitis, periodontal disease and infection are not only painful but can lead to heart and kidney disease. Routine dental cleanings and brushing are the best way to keep dental-related health issues at bay and prevent tooth loss.
If you cannot brush, dental diets, dental treats, and chew toys can help.
For more pet dental health tips, take a look at our article, How to Get Rid of Nasty Pet Breath. We include tips to keeping your pet’s teeth healthy, and there is even a recipe for homemade pet toothpaste!
5. No Roaming
Do not let your pet roam unattended. They are at risk of injury, car accidents, predation, and contagious disease. Poisonings from plants, mulch piles, and rat baits can be fatal.
While you’re out and about, be sure to keep your pet on a leash or lead of some kind. Rural King has a variety of harnesses and leashes available online and in store. And, for traveling in the car, keep your pet safe in a carrier.
6. Spay and Neuter
This routine and recommended procedure has come under fire due to false information on the internet. Spaying and neutering helps prevent roaming and unwanted pregnancies.
For female dogs, spaying before the first heat cycle can reduce the incidence of mammary cancer by 80%. Every heat cycle a female cat goes through increases the odds of medical problems later in life by a multiple of 10.
For males, neutering prevents testicular cancer, prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate infections.
By spaying or neutering your pet, you’re helping to control the homeless pet problem. Millions of healthy animals are locked up in shelters. Learn more about how you can make a difference by visiting The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Website.
7. Pet Insurance
If the cost of a major illness may cause you to make a life and death decision for your pet, consider pet insurance. This can be a great resource and source of comfort and peace of mind should your pet become ill or injured.
Thanks to insurance, many pet owners have been able to provide a level of care for their pet they could not otherwise afford, rather than making the heart-wrenching decision to pet them to sleep for financial reasons.
Loyall Life: Complete, Balanced Nutrition for Your Pet
Nutrena’s newest line of pet foods is great for any age or activity level. Each formula is made to improve longevity in pets and is packed with nutrition and flavor.
Loyall Life comes in a wide variety of formulas, including Lamb and Rice for pets with digestive issues and several grain-free options.
Check out the Loyall Life Page for more information on the newest member of the Nutrena family.
For more information about Nutrena or their products, visit NutrenaWorld.com. Also, like and follow Nutrena on Facebook!