Imagup General Magazine 2024
You love your pet. Whether you have a dog, a cat or a turtle, they just bring so much happiness and joy to your days, and everything seems better with them around. You may even be wondering how you lived before they came about. But being a pet parent, you’re probably also wondering what you can do to help your pet live a more comfortable life. Of course, you’re always looking after them, but every now and then, it’s essential to give them some extra pampering to show them how important they are to you. Here are some ideas for what you could do.
Get them new toys
Your furry friend loves to play, that’s a given. But it’s important to also provide them with stimulation and entertainment for them to spend their energy accordingly. And what better way to do this than to get them some new toys? If your pet’s toys are all chewed and scratched out, it’s time to get them new ones. Bonus points if you pick toys you can play with together, both around the house or during your next visit to the park.
While some may think that toys are a luxury for pets, they are actually a necessity. Necessary in order to alleviate boredom, they also serve an additional function of helping your fuzzy friend overcome anxiety and stress. These negative emotions are especially concerning in relation to separation anxiety, which arises in household animals when they’re left alone, or there’s a major change in their routine. During these trying moments, toys provide a much needed respite and give your pet a sense of grounding and familiarity that helps them overcome their stress.
Spend time with them
You’ve probably heard that you’re the most important in the world in your pet’s eyes. And while you might find that difficult to believe, you should know it’s true. Not only in the sense that you’re their food and shelter provider but also because they love with their whole hearts. This is why it’s crucial to spend time with your four-legged buddy. Although it can be difficult sometimes due to your schedule, which is probably packed with a lot of things you have to do, you must still find some spare time to spend with them. Remember that you’re responsible for their health and well-being, and ignoring them can have genuinely detrimental effects on their welfare.
Spending time with them is also beneficial for your own health. Research shows that spending time with a pet increases happiness levels and reduces stress levels. So if you’ve been feeling particularly tense lately, it can be a sign that you’ve missed quality time with your furry baby.
Go for a swim
This is one of the ultimate treats for a dog. Most breeds are drawn to water like a magnet and love to play around in it and get soaked. The biggest challenge you’ll face with this plan is getting the dog to come out of the water when it’s time to go home. Before going however you should make sure the body of water you’ll visit is clean, as debris may cause skin, nasal or eye irritation in your dog. It’s also a good idea to choose a spot that’s not subject to very strong currents for your dog to jump in. Although you may be confident in your furry baby’s ability to brave any type of water, and even if your dog belongs to a large, athletic breed, it’s better to err on the side of caution.
And going swimming doesn’t have to be only about your dog moving through the water. You should also play with them. Water fetch is a great option that can keep you both entertained. However, if your dog has never been swimming before, don’t think it’s too late to start now just because they’re not a puppy anymore. Fasten a life jacket on your pooch and you’ll notice they’ll start doggy paddling in no time. To be fair, you’ll probably be more apprehensive than they are.
Build a kitty garden
If you’re the proud owner of a cat, you can spoil them by assembling a kitty garden. While most house plants are already perfectly safe for cats, including orchids, gloxinias and Boston ferns, building a special garden for your fur ball, ensures they’re getting nutrients from munching on greens as well. Choose a healthy mix of wheat, oats, barley and rye for the cat grass your furry baby will munch on. Not only does this treat help your cat’s digestion, it also provides essential nutrients, such as folic acid, important for proper blood circulation.
Pamper them
What better way to give your pet a truly royal treatment than to get them a spa day. Humans love to indulge in some extra care, and so do dogs and cats. Apart from the regular grooming, including fur shampooing, trimming and styling, dogs can also get facials and paw balm application, along with other treatments such as conditioning and shed controls which are very helpful if your pet is dealing with allergies.
And because you’re constantly worried about their welfare, you should think about getting pet insurance. Consider the services of Bivvy if you’re looking for something that may cover new and unexpected illnesses, accidents, chronic conditions, surgery and emergency care. When choosing their services, you pick an insurance team whose concern for your pet’s well-being is second only to yours. And that is an ideal situation, since you don’t want to compromise on anything when it comes to your pet’s health. If their health is in good condition, they’ll be able to enjoy a happy, fulfilling life, while you’ll be free of the added stress of healthcare costs, which can put a damper on the happy moments you spend with your cat or dog.
Your pet is an integral part of your life. You may have even brought them into your life to help you overcome a difficult time. And while it’s great to have fun with them, you should keep in mind that you are responsible for providing them with the best care there.
