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Southlake Animal Hospital
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Call us today! 219-942-0909

3570 E. Lincoln Hwy
Merrillville, IN 46410

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5 Tips for a Happy, Healthy Pet

March 15 2015

Pets brighten and enrich our lives in many ways. Our furred and feathered friends provide us with complete loyalty and unconditional love, and melt our hearts with their adorable faces and cute antics. It’s only natural that, as a loving pet owner, you want your little friend to be happy and healthy. A local Merrillville veterinarian offers some tips for how to do just that in this article.

Exercise

Make sure your little friend is getting enough exercise. Dogs should be walked daily. You can increase Fido’s exercise through playing active games, such as ‘Fetch’, with him. Kitties may need to be tempted into playing. Use a laser pointer or a wand toy to get your furball moving.

Proper Diet

A nutritious diet is crucial to your pet’s overall health. Feed your little pal the highest quality food you can afford. We recommend doing some research on reading pet food labels, so you’ll know what to look for and what to avoid when shopping. Offer suitable, healthy snacks, and avoid giving your little friend fatty treats.

Regular Veterinary Care

Make sure to bring your little pal for regular veterinary checkups. Your vet could spot a problem early on, which can make treatment both easier and more effective. Staying up to date on routine vaccinations and preventative care, such as flea control or heartworm prevention, is also very important.

Stimulation

Just like people, animals can get bored when they have nothing to do. Provide plenty of toys to keep your little buddy entertained. Playing also provides your pet with mental stimulation, which is very important to an animal’s well-being.

Security

Always keep Fido leashed whenever you take him off your property, even if he’s well-behaved. Dog owners will want to be sure that their fences and yards are secure. Kitties are much safer indoors, so we highly recommend keeping your cat inside. Make sure to microchip your pet, and put ID tags on your furball. If your pet lives in a cage, make sure the cage is secure!

Love

Pets are very emotional beings, and can definitely sense and know when they are loved. Make sure to spend time playing with and talking to your little pal. Your pet will reward you with unwavering devotion and cuddles!

Do you have questions about your pet’s health, care, or behavior? Contact us, your Merrillville vet clinic!