Tag: How Pets Improve Your Health

How A Pet Can Improve Your Overall Health

Ask any pet owner and they will tell you how grateful he or she is to their pet. Animals make people feel good! But we’re talking about more than feeling glad they’re around…

Also read: 10 Tips To Make Your House Pet Friendly

Your pet can make you happy as well as healthy and help you stay that way! How, you ask? Here’s how your pet can improve your health…

Pets can improve your overall health considerbly

Pets are natural mood enhancers: It takes hardly a few minutes with a pet dog or cat or parrot to feel less anxious and less stressed. When you spend time with your favorite animal, cuddling or playing or petting them, your body lowers the level of cortisol (the stress hormone) and you feel a sense of well-being immediately.

Pets keep your blood pressure in check: …by keeping you on your toes! In a study of 240 married couples, pet owners had lower blood pressure and lower heart rates during rest than people who did not own a pet. Well, that itself tells a lot!

Also read: Things to remember while involving your kids and pets

Pets can lower your cholesterol: To manage cholesterol, doctors recommend that you follow guidelines regarding diet, exercise, and medication; but we say, just get a pet! The lifestyle of pet owners is much different than that of those who are pet-less. Okay, I just made up that word (sorry!), but you get the point 😉

Pets are really good for the heart

Owning a pet is good for your heart: The long-term benefits of owning a pet cat or dog is that the owners have a significantly better survival rate even a year after a heart attack. This means, overall, pet owners have a lower risk of dying from cardiac failure.

Pets are your answer to depression: No one loves you more unconditionally than your pet. And a pet will listen to you for as long as you want to talk. Petting a cat or dog has a calming effect. Therapists have been known to prescribe getting a pet to deal with anxiety or depression!

Playing with pets can be like therapy for children and adults

Pets can save you from isolation: The human mind is made in a way that, in order to remain healthy, it should interact with others. Pet owners get a chance of (and feel the need to) talk to other pet owners and socialize more often than the pet-less 😉

So there you go, these are just a few of the many ways how your faithful furry, fluffy friend can improve your health and keep you that way for good!

Also read: Caging birds: Is it wrong?

So, when are you bringing home a furry friend? J

Monsoon Season Pet Care Dos And Don’ts

When the first shower of rains hit the earth, we earthlings rejoice as the scorching summer has finally ended. However, the happiness we feel when it rains isn’t shared by our animal friends. This season is a stressful time for your pets. Monsoon season pet care involves special care and attention from you.

Immunisation And Vaccination

Our furry friends are likely to be victims of rabies, aggravated flea infections, fungal infections, gastro enteritis, feline flu, etc during the monsoons. These, however, can be easily treated by the vet. Regular immunity shots and vaccines are essential to maintain good health.

There are no vaccinations for birds, the best thing you can do for them is ensure they are kept indoors at all times, not even the balcony will do. Keep them in a dry place and don’t forget to change their water regularly. Stagnant water breeds germs.

Also read: Care For Your Dog: 6 Common Mistakes To Avoid

Breathing Problems

As a result of the high moisture content in the air it is likely that your pet will suffer from respiratory diseases. They mostly suffer from respiratory tract infections which may also be related to an allergy. Cats are especially prone to this condition. To keep your pets comfortable, make sure their surroundings are dry and warm. Avoid air-conditioners and coolers.

High Humidity

The high levels of humidity in this season make their wet fur smell. Damp fur is a breeding ground for fleas and worms. Medicated talc and deodorants will help you tackle the smell and avoid fungal infections, while a constant check for worms and fleas is essential.

The high humidity has harmful effects on the health of your feathered friends as well. They can undergo skin infections and feather loss. Use topical anti-bacterial lotions to avoid this and keep them healthy.

Also read: Keep Your Beloved Pet Stress Free!

Bed And Bath

Don’t let your pets sleep on the floor during the rains. The cold floor may cause them to catch a cold. Prepare warm bedding for them, and make sure it is clean and dry at all times.

Bathing your pets may be required more often than usual, as going outdoors will result in them returning home covered in muck. Since a regular water bath isn’t advisable either, try investing in a dry shampoo for your pet.

As for birds, try and avoid baths for them as they are most likely to catch a cold because of it.

Diet

Give your pets ample food and fresh clean water, but don’t overdo it. Give them their prescribed dietary recommendation only, and don’t overfeed them. Vomiting and diarrhoea is common during the monsoon. Maintain a healthy diet for them, to keep their tummies functioning smoothly.

Exercise And Indoor Activities

Our pets, especially dogs, love the outdoors, but because of the downpour outside one must limit their outings. This may result in them becoming lazy and lethargic which isn’t very healthy for them. Get creative and come up with fun activities to do with your pets indoors. Your aim is to keep them busy, moving and active.

Also read: 5 Things That Cats Dislike Like Hell

Fashionable Monsoon Wear

When your pets do go out, cover them in some trendy pet wear. There are so many colourful options available in the market, that not only make your pets look adorable, but also serve as great protection against the downpour.

Things you should remember:

The sound of thunder is extremely unpleasing to your pets. Turn on the television to keep them distracted and mask the thunder’s noise.

Keep them dry at all times.

Don’t let them eat stale food and water. Give them a fresh meal in a clean dish.

Keep birds far from moisture and water.

Baby pets need extra attention and care.

At the slightest sign of an infection or itch, take them to a vet immediately; don’t medicate them yourself. Remember you aren’t a vet (unless you actually are one).

Lastly, keep in mind prevention is better than cure. Monsoon season pet care requires efforts from your side. Your pets are your responsibility; don’t be lazy in caring for them.