Your household is busy, but keeping yourself, your children, and your pets healthy is a top priority. Fortunately, wellness for people and pets can go hand in hand, allowing your entire family to feel their best and live life to the fullest.
People who take a proactive approach to their physical, mental, and social wellness are typically healthier and better prepared if any health issues arise. Same goes with pets, too, which is why family wellness should be a holistic effort.
Here are some top health recommendations.
Exercise
People: People should exercise for at least 150 minutes a week (30 minutes per day, five times a week) if doing moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week (25 minutes per day, three days a week) if performing vigorous aerobic activity. Additionally, people should strive to do strength-training exercises at least twice a week.
Pets: Check with your veterinarian for information regarding how much your pet should exercise; this often depends on your pet’s breed and age. Dogs and cats, for example, should typically exercise daily. Simple daily activities like playing fetch or grabbing the laser-pointer take little time and are lots of fun for pets.
Tip: Why not exercise together? Walk with your pup. Do yoga and your cat won’t resist joining in. You both will benefit by being active.
Annual checkups
People: Annual checkups for children and adults are important in order to proactively assess any health concerns. Be sure to ask about important tests like blood sugar, triglycerides, blood pressure, BMI, and cholesterol. For women, don’t skip your annual PAP or mammogram.
Pets: Pets also need to see a veterinarian for a checkup once a year. Things a vet should check include weight, breathing, ears, eyes, dental health, feet, legs, coat, and skin. They will ask about behavioral changes, nutrition, and exercise, so remember to discuss any concerns.
Tip: It’s difficult to remember when to schedule appointments for each family member. Instead of separating them, schedule all appointments at the same time so you don’t forget.
Vaccines
People: Ask your doctor if you’re up to date on all your vaccines at your annual checkup. Children have a recommended schedule to follow, but adults often overlook important vaccines like the annual flu shot or a tetanus shot every 10 years. Pets: Vaccines for pets vary by species and sometimes by age. Ask what your vet recommends at your pet’s annual checkup. For dogs, consider distemper, canine adenovirus-2 (hepatitis and respiratory disease), canine parvovirus-2 and rabies. For cats, ask about a distemper and rabies shot.
Tip: Vaccine recommendations change as new research emerges. Ask about any changes in the recommended schedule since your last visit.
Healthy eating
People: Consuming a variety of nutritious foods without added processing, preservatives, and chemicals is probably the single most important thing people can do to stay healthy and improve their health. You don’t need to completely overhaul your diet; start by adding more fruits and vegetables and cutting down on sugar.
Pets: What you feed your pet also has a direct impact on their health. Unfortunately, we are often feeding our pets inferior food with synthetic ingredients and then wonder why they have allergies, diabetes, and intestinal problems. The best thing to feed your dog is raw, then dehydrated or canned, then a whole food kibble with no added synthetic vitamins and minerals. If the ingredients are good and the processing is minimal, which keeps more nutrients intact, your pet will get the complete nutrition they need.
Tip: Take the time to read labels so you know what’s really in the food you or your pet is consuming. Labeling for pet food is very confusing and pet food is not regulated nearly as well as human food. So, do some research so you know that you are feeding your pet only the best.
For more information about keeping your pet in optimal health, visit Nilla’s Tub DIY Dog Wash and Health Food Store for Dogs and Cats, located at 211 Landmark Dr. in Normal. They have everything you need to bathe and groom your furry friend in a fun, relaxing environment. They also offer a large selection of dietary supplements, treats, and the highest quality dog and cat food, including raw. No appointment necessary, call 309-451-9274 or visit them online at www.NillasTub.com.