Market America | SHOP.COM's Four Steps For A Safe and Pet-Friendly Summer
One health benefit to adopting a dog that you may not realize comes from studies that show how dog ownership has been associated with reduced risk to cardiovascular disease! Of course, pet ownership comes with a lot of responsibilities, and if you're not sure it's the right time for you to adopt, check out the pros and cons first.
GREENSBORO, N.C., June 25, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Summer is here! While this typically means the kids are finally out of school and are ready to head to camp or play outside with the neighbors, unfortunately this summer is a little different. With most kids having already been home for the past couple of months and typical summer entertainment being temporarily unavailable, parents are looking for the next new and exciting thing their family can look forward to. Look no further!
Summertime, in our opinion, is one of the best times of the year to adopt a pet. With kids at home, playing with pets gives them plenty to do, and when the weather is nice and sunny, there's more time for the outdoors. If that isn't convincing enough, a lot of shelters actually reach their peak of animal intake during the summer for reasons such as it's kitten breeding season. Luckily, and due to current events, pet adoption and fostering has also increased this year, making this surge season a little easier on the local shelters.
One health benefit to adopting a dog that you may not realize comes from studies that show how dog ownership has been associated with reduced risk to cardiovascular disease! Of course, pet ownership comes with a lot of responsibilities, and if you're not sure it's the right time for you to adopt, check out the pros and cons first. Most importantly, remember to consider if you can commit both the time and finances it takes to be a responsible pet owner.
Now, if you've decided that the pet parent life is for you, or if you already have furry ones running around the house, check out these four steps to make sure your pet has a safe and happy summer.
1. Keep them active
Whether you're a cat lover, dog lover, or both, it's important to keep your pets active. Would you like to be cooped up in a crate all day? From laser pointers to going on a walk, there are plenty of options to keep all types of furry friends going. A big hurdle for keeping your pets active, especially dogs, is that the weather can often interfere. From sizzling hot summer pavement to freezing cold icy sidewalks, your dog's feet can suffer throughout the year. Luckily for us, we can wear shoes to protect our feet from these harsh conditions, but our pets don't get that luxury! If you ever notice your pet constantly licking, biting or chewing at their paws, it may be a sign that their paws hurt. Constantly licking and chewing their paws can also lead to an infection. One solution is PetHealth™ Pad & Paw Balm. Free of sulfates, phosphate, alcohol, preservatives and paraben, this paw balm cleans and moisturizes, promotes natural healing, heals minor skin irritations and helps maintain skin elasticity. This will help protect their paws from those weather conditions, as well as give them a little TLC after a long day of playing.
2. Keep them clean
Now, cats are usually very self-sufficient and bathe themselves — though if you do run into instances in which they need a bath you can always leave it to the professionals and groomers because we all know how much most cats dislike water! But if you're a dog owner, you may want to invest in some shampoo. Bathing your dog is a good way to not only help maintain their healthy coats but also double check for any bumps or scratches you might have missed. It's good to be informed on how to bathe your dog so you can make it as comfortable and safe as possible. For example, while bathing them outside may seem like the easiest option, it's best to only bathe them outside in warm weather so that they don't get too cold. It's also important to learn about your dog's coat type as this will determine how often they need to be groomed and bathed. While you're deciding what shampoo is best for your "fur kid," consider a product that is hypoallergenic and free of phosphates, alcohol, preservatives and paraben like PetHealth Hypoallergenic Shampoo so you can make sure your pup is getting a moisturizing and conditioning bath that won't irritate their skin.
3. Keep them nourished
There are many factors that can contribute to our pets' health. From age to breed, some of our pets have a higher chance of developing certain diseases that affect health parameters such as cholesterol and glucose levels. Factors such as activity level, age, diet and more can determine how likely it is for our pets to run into glucose-related issues down the road. On top of you or your vet's preferred food brand for your cat or dog, you can add a supplement like PetHealth OPC Formula with Glucosamine for Dogs & Cats to make sure your furry friends are getting all of the nutrients they need. The ingredients in PetHealth OPC Formula provide a range of benefits, from helping promote healthy cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health to supporting healthy blood glucose levels. It even combats free radicals that can have a negative effect on your pet's joints and other tissues. If you're not sure on what supplements are beneficial for your pup, make sure to read about when supplements should be used before checking out ones such as the PetHealth Multivitamin Formula for Dogs. While this multivitamin helps support your dog's immune system, promotes digestive health and promotes normal energy levels among many other benefits, it's always important to check with your vet before adding anything to your pet's diet!
4. Keep them healthy
While having a furry friend can bring an endless supply of love and joy, it's also a huge responsibility. Don't worry, though, because we're here to help! It's important to remember that most pets, including dogs and cats, need regular check-ups just like their owners. The good news is things have changed over the years and now there are pet health programs that allow you to get advice from a vet 24/7 without ever leaving your home, and there are some that even provide you with discounts on pet medicines, which can be quite costly. One such program that offers these benefits and more is the Pet Advantage program, created in partnership with Rapid Reward Fulfillment, a company that provides multi-layered health discount solutions throughout the U.S. with individualized enrollment capabilities. This plan includes access to 24/7 TelePet Health through which pet parents can receive advice on behavior, what to do in case of an emergency, wellness care, training, and symptom-related questions, as well as access to a discount veterinarian network, lost-pet recovery service and a discount drug card.
With these tips, we wish you a fun and relaxing summer with your pets!
Market America | SHOP.COM is a global product brokerage and internet marketing company that specializes in one-to-one marketing and is the creator of The Shopping Annuity.
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