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Pampering our pets is a great way to show them we love them! With all the love and companionship our pets give us, it’s the least we can do to show them we appreciate them and value them as members of our family. For pet appreciation week, which falls on 04 to 10 June, let us give our beloved pets a much-needed, extra special “S-paw” day!
Regular exercise
For our pet pampering day, let’s start with physical exercise. Regardless of what species your pet may be, all of them need physical exercise. For our more common pets, like our cats and dogs, you can do the following simple exercises to give your furry friends some quality active time:
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DOGS
- Out of all the domesticated animals, dogs are the easiest to take out for physical activities. In fact, even when we are unable to go out and take our dogs to a nearby park for a walk, we can still keep our dog active by playing with them at home.
- However, if you are able to, it would be better to take your dog out for a run or a walk in the great outdoors. Giving your dog ample time outside can help lower their blood pressure, build their muscle and fortify their bones. When outside, you can also help them relieve their bowels regularly, so they are less likely to be constipated or develop urinary infections. [1]
CATS
- Unlike dogs, cats don’t necessarily need to go outside for their own version of exercise. However, you should still give your cats enough enrichment inside the home. You can invest in new toys and multi-layer cat towers. This will satisfy your cat’s consistent curiosity and provide them with new and interesting toys to keep them active and stimulated. [2]
If you are interested in getting either your dog or cat some outdoor time, consider spraying them down with NOW Pets Flea and Tick Spray before they go out so they stay safe even while exposed in the outdoors.
A Fur-sonal Spa!
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Consider giving your little friends a refreshing “S-paw-Day”. For starters, you can drop by your local groomer and give your furry friend the whole grooming package if you’re quite busy and can’t do it by yourself. But if you would like, you can set up a nice and simple S-paw Day special in the comfort of your home.
For your at home S-paw Day, you can give your pet a bath with pet products bought for this very special occasion, brush their fur, and trim their nails. For some extra moisture, you can even use NOW Solutions Coconut Oil. Most coconut oils in the market have been found to be safe for use on pets and can be used to treat allergies, dry skin, itchiness and even improve overall coat health! [3]
If you want to set the mood for your furry friend’s special day at the spa, you can even diffuse some pet-safe essential oils to help your pet relax.
However, take note that not all essential oils are safe for your pet to inhale so do your research before diffusing them. For a pet-safe essential oil, you can try diffusing NOW Foods Cedarwood Essential Oil. Cedarwood has a calming effect on both cats and dogs and can sometimes even help to create a soft-smelling environment that encourages a sense of calm and tranquillity, perfect for your furry friends’ spaw day! [4]
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Similar to humans, pets can also have certain vitamin deficiencies throughout their lives and may need assistance from supplements. With the help of supplements, our pets can get a boost in their immune system and reduce their risks of developing serious illnesses.
Our NOW Pets Omega 3 Supplements are made for both cats and dogs. This omega 3 supplement helps support joint health and fosters a healthy immune response to seasonal challenges. Recommended by renowned veterinarian Dr Barbara Royal, DVM, CVA and founder of The Royal Treatment Veterinarian Center, these supplements are a must-have for the health of your pet!
NOW Foods also offers NOW Pets L-Lysine Supplements, which promotes good respiratory health. L-lysine is especially beneficial for cats. Cats are prone to respiratory infections and cats without enough L-lysine in the body can suffer more respiratory problems than most.
L-lysine can help protect cats against these “kitty colds” and prevent them from experiencing nasal congestion, fevers, sore throats, and even conjunctivitis. [5]
Time for the Vet
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Finally, it goes without saying that we should regularly take our pets to the vet. Regular physical exams and blood tests help us know the status of our pets’ health and lets us know early if they are experiencing any serious illnesses.
Routine tests like blood tests, heartworm tests or urinalysis helps us further see if our furry friends are experiencing any hidden illnesses. [6] And while these tests can fetch hefty costs, it is at least better to spend a bit more now to ensure that we won’t have to spend more later when we find out that our pets have any serious illnesses.
For many of us, our pets are practically members of the family already. They grow with us, they spend time with us, they make memories with us and we love them unconditionally for the joy they bring in our lives. Every once in a while, it’s nice to give back the love they give by celebrating them and making them feel like a valued member of the family. For pet appreciation week, give your pets some extra cuddles and kisses and make them feel as loved as they make you feel!
References:
[1] https://fitzroyvet.com.au/pet-library/the-benefits-of-exercise-for-your-pet
[2] https://pets.webmd.com/cats/cat-exercise
[3] https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/coconut-oil-cats-it-good-idea
[4] https://www.vinevida.com/blogs/our-blog/is-cedarwood-oil-safe-for-cats
[5] https://www.nomnomnow.com/learn/article/what-is-l-lysine-and-how-can-it-help-your-cat