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10 World Health Day Commitments Every Pet Parent Needs To Make

December 22, 2023

By pawTree Home Office

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As we celebrate World Health Day, it's a timely reminder to prioritize not just our health but the well-being of our beloved pets. Being a responsible pet parent is an integral part of our lives. This World Health Day, let's commit to enhancing our pets' health with a focus on preventive care and wellness.

Here are 10 vital health commitments for your pets that underscore the importance of proactive health measures and regular care.

1. Schedule Your Annual Vet Appointment

Life gets busy. It’s easy to put off your pet’s vet appointment (or forget to schedule it), but your fur baby should see the vet every single year. In fact, senior dogs and cats should really see their vet once every six months.

An annual vet visit will keep your fur baby up to date on their vaccines, catch any current health issues, and help prevent future medical problems. So, pull out your calendar and schedule that 2024 vet appointment now!

2. Establish A Healthy Daily Routine

Fur babies absolutely thrive on consistency. A recurring, regular routine gives your pet the security and stability they need to feel good, behave well and enjoy their life with you.

Your routine should …

  • work well with your schedule,
  • include basic needs like exercise, meals and bonding time, and
  • reflect your pet’s unique needs.
  • work well with your schedule,
  • include basic needs like exercise, meals and bonding time, and
  • reflect your pet’s unique needs.

3. Clip Those Nails

Many pet parents get nervous about trimming their cat’s or dog’s nails, but a finely manicured paw is crucial for your pet’s overall health. Nails that are too long can cause long-term tendon and paw problems. (Plus, shorter nails are better for your belongings too).

Your fur baby’s nails need to be clipped at least once a month. If you need a how-to guide for successful paw manicures, read more here. And if it’s too scary to do yourself, schedule appointments with a professional groomer.

4. Upgrade Their Diet

“Hooman” health resolutions often revolve around a better diet … What should we eat, so that we live long and healthy lives? The same question goes for your fur baby! When it comes to our wet-nosed companions, food is the foundation of good health.

Elevate your fur baby’s food to a formula that looks out for their future self. Find food that is developed by pet nutritionists, contains no fillers and is made with real ingredients. Ideally, look for nutritionally-dense and highly digestible food.

With everything you want for your pet (and none of the things you don’t), pawTree’s food is a great option to elevate your fur baby’s health.

5. Finally Solve Those Allergies

If your fur baby has a habit of biting or itching their paws, it’s highly possible this occurs because of a sensitivity or allergy.

No one likes to be itchy! Schedule a vet appointment and help soothe your fur baby’s sensitivity with allergy solution sets like this one .

6. Commit To A Regular Walking Routine

There’s nothing as heartwarming as a jaunt down the sidewalk with your favorite four-legged family member. Not only are walks excellent pet-parent bonding time, they’re an incredibly easy way to get your pet’s exercise and enrichment in for the day. You and your beloved companion will be healthier for it. When it gets too cold, find an indoor game to play to keep those steps up.

7. Start Purposeful Supplementation

What you do today impacts your fur baby’s life tomorrow and for years to come! Proactive pet parenting is all about acting now to prevent future issues, help ease the aging process and create a more vibrant day-to-day for our fur babies.

Add just one or two supplements to your four-legged family member’s health routine. Got gut health covered already? Add on joint support! Already doing that? What about skin and coat care? If you’re completely new to purposeful supplementation, start here.

8. Get A Dental Check Up & Cleaning

Alongside your vet appointment, your pet should really get their teeth looked at and cleaned by a professional at least once a year. Studies show that up to 90% of dogs over the age of 3 have some component of periodontal disease. It’s worse in smaller breeds, and the incidence increases with age. Early detection and prevention are critical because this disease can cause other health problems for your pet.

Once you have your yearly dental exam scheduled, implement an at-home cleaning routine utilizing toothbrushes, high-quality dental chews and a low-carb diet. Your fur baby’s breath will thank you — and you’ll save money down the line by taking care of their teeth now.

9. Clean Their Beds Regularly

Just like our bed sheets, our fur baby’s beds really need to be cleaned about once a week. It’s not just about bad smells; dirty bedding can foster infectious organisms, dirt, pollen and more. Laundry will always slip through the cracks, but try extra hard this year to throw in your pet’s bedding with your weekly wash!

10. Deal With Fleas & Ticks Ahead Of Time

The easiest way to avoid dealing with flea and tick problems is to keep your fur baby on a regular preventative treatment. Effective and safe flea & tick sprays that you can spray on your pet regularly are vital to their overall health! Look for a natural formula (ideally made with peppermint and clove oil) that can kill fleas on contact and prevent future infestations naturally. With this goal, you’ll avoid issues for years to come.

Understanding the importance of your fur baby’s health to you, this World Health Day is the ideal occasion to elevate your commitment to their well-being. Whether you adopt one of these health pledges or embrace them all, your loyal companion will enjoy a happier and healthier life. And their joy is our joy, too, on this day dedicated to health for all.


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