Fun & Healthy Ways to Celebrate National Pet Week 2022

No matter how the stars may have aligned to bring a pet into your life, your cat or dog holds a very special place in your heart. Whether a pet is a family companion, a working dog, or service animal… our pets bring us joy, comfort, and unconditional love by their very presence in the home.

We don’t have to tell you that there are many more reasons to celebrate our pets. What we do want to help you do is celebrate your pet in a very special way. National Pet Week, May 1-7, 2022, is the perfect time to celebrate the special bond you share with your pet.

Paws on the Move for Pet Health

One of the best ways to celebrate your pet is to keep them healthy. Keeping your pet physically active is good for their heart, lungs, and muscles (and yours too!). Exercise also fosters the animal-human bond and it supports your psychological well-being.

It’s a pet owner’s duty to help a pet maintain a healthy weight. Pets with weight problems are at risk for the same chronic health problems that people experience: heart and lung disease, bone and joint disorders, and diabetes to name a few. With more than 50% of dogs or nearly 60% of cats in the U.S being overweight or obese, sadly, it’s far too easy to let our pets become couch sitters.

Consider these options for keeping your pets paws on the move:

• Walking/ Jogging/Hiking

• Swimming

• Scratch boards, puzzles, climbing surfaces

• Training classes such as obedience or agility (cats can, too!)

• Rotating your pets toys and introduce new ones to maintain interest and activity indoors

The human-animal bond is special so why not strengthen it while exercising with your pet!

Treat Your Pet to Healthy Foods

If you’re already exercising with your pet–that’s great for their weight management. Now, take a look at their diet. Your pets health, quality of life, and even the condition of their coat is affected by the quality of food they eat. Feeding table scraps, the type and amount of treats, hydration, and other factors can impact your pet’s risk for medical problems. The best food treat you can give your pet is quality food. If you aren’t sure how much is enough (or too much) or if you see that your pet is moving more slowly, have your vet check their weight and discuss their eating habits with you. For many more years together, treat your pet to healthy foods that support their quality of life.

Take a Road Trip with Your Pet

National Pet Week is the perfect time to go on an adventure with your pet. Most hotels have reasonable pet-friendly policies so you don’t necessarily have to limit yourself to camping. Consider planning a trip that places you in the vicinity of an outdoor adventure, a pet-friendly “walkable” town, and where there are fun and safe pet play areas.

Remember, traveling safely with your pet is of the utmost importance. Remember to pack the basics that your pet will need on the road (bowls, leashes, harness, crates, snacks, water bottle, medications if applicable), and to store your veterinarians’ contact information in your phone. Make sufficient space in your vehicle for your pet to travel comfortably and to prevent your pet from distracting you while driving. If your pet does not travel well, see the vet well in advance of your travel dates so you have time to test any medications or instructions they may give. Also, in the weeks before your departure, take your pet out for incrementally longer car rides so they can adjust to the space and sensation of a long ride…and to ensure they enjoy the trip just a much as you!

Groomed to be Gorgeous (Your Pet, That Is!)

Grooming not only makes your pet look and smell wonderful, it provides many health benefits.

• Regular bathing improves your pet’s physical comfort by removing dirt, excess oil, dead skin, shedding hair, and parasites. Proper coat care prevents matting and other secondary conditions that could compromise your pet’s health.

• Nail trims prevent a painful condition where the nerve and blood supply extends into long, overgrown nails. Cleaning your pet’s paw pads removes hair where mats, burrs, salt and other foreign objects can become lodged.

• Ear cleaning discourages growth of ear mites and bacteria that can lead to painful infections.

Don’t wait till your dog or cat starts to smell… groom on a regular schedule to prevent skin and coat health problems and to keep your pet looking good!

Give Your Pet the Gift of a Trusted Pet Sitter in Delaware

When you need to be away from home for an extended period of time, treat your pet to the reliability and expertise of a professional pet sitter. Weather or Not and Kitten Sittin’ of Delaware provide first-in-class pet sitting services for dogs and cats of all breeds. Our team of sitters are direct employees, not contractors. Your pet will have consistent, reliable, and trustworthy care on call, when you need it and where your pet prefers to be--at home. Contact us, today.