I came across this article today about rising vet care costs. It begins with a startling opening: “Every six seconds, a pet owner is faced with a veterinary bill of more than $1,000.” $1,000! That’s pretty steep, even for a beloved member of the family. Pet insurance is on the rise now as well to combat the steadily increasing cost of veterinary services.
While a healthy diet, supplementation and exercise are no substitute for veterinary care, shouldn’t you be doing everything you can to keep your pets healthy and maybe avoid a $1,000 vet bill?
Here are a few simple steps you can take to keep your pets in tiptop shape:
- A good diet. Your pet is part of your family, and you wouldn’t feed your children half of the stuff that’s in commercial dog and cat foods. Instead of picking up a bag of economy pet food, opt for a premium bag with human grade ingredients – fortified with a good protein source, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. (Check out Wellness® at petfooddirect.com on the Portal).
- Supplementation. PetHealth Multivitamins for Dogs (code: 5606) and Cats (code: 5608) supply your pets with key vitamins and minerals to work, grow and develop properly. Some of the key vitamins include:
- Vitamin A for healthy vision and healthy skin
- Vitamin D for strong bones and teeth
- Vitamin E for the normal growth and repair of body tissues
- B-vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid and pantothenic acid) for healthy red blood cell formation, promoting normal energy levels, supporting a healthy nervous system and promoting digestive health
PetHealth OPC Formula with Glucosamine (code: 5602) provides an antioxidant defense against free radicals, promotes healthy joints and supports the normal regeneration of cartilage.
- Exercise. Make sure your pets get plenty of exercise. Take your dog for a walk after work or in the morning before you get ready for work. Set some time aside to let your cat chase a laser pen (this is actually pretty funny).
These are just a few simple ways to keep your pets healthy. Take control of your pet’s health and show them that you care. If you have any additional suggestions, please feel free to post them here.