How to Maintain Your Pets Physical & Mental Health

Mind and body go hand in hand. Or paw in paw, in the case of our pets. We know that pets are our cherished companions, loving us unconditionally. We also know that pets are a part of the modern family unit, as much a member of the family as any of their owners. However, while they are bundles of joy, our pets are also complex beings with mental and physical needs of their own. Since they cannot verbalize their needs, it is up to us as owners to look out for our pets and help maintain their mental and physical health. Here are a few ways you can do this .

Proper Food

Anyone who spends any amount of time in the gym will testify to the importance of a proper diet with high-quality foods. The same goes for your pet – to maintain your pet's physical health, it is important to provide them with a balanced diet comprised of high-quality ingredients. The key term to note here is 'balanced diet' since overfeeding will lead to obesity and only pose further problems. High-quality foods will contain proteins, fats, fibre, calcium, and carbohydrates in the right amounts to encourage a healthy growth rate, while low-quality foods will use fillers instead of quality ingredients. A planned diet will benefit your pet's respiratory, skeletal, cardiovascular, and digestive systems, while unplanned free feeding will be detrimental to them. If you’re unsure about how to draw up a new diet plan, consult your vet for a few tips on the same.

Recognize Distress 

To conclude, provided you feed your pet good quality foods, follow a balanced diet, stimulate them physically & mentally, and socialize them at the right time, you should have no issues maintaining your pet’s health. Do remember to visit your vet regularly, as they can help you spot problems in advance, but other than that, you should be good to go.

Provide Emotional and Mental Stimulation 

A pet will be truly healthy when it is in a good state, both physically and mentally. While we pay attention to a pet’s physical needs, we often forget the mental enrichment. Keeping your pet engaged mentally will prevent boredom, restlessness, and the eventually destructive behaviour a pet may exhibit in the absence of such stimulation. Play dates, puzzle toys, and enrichment toys can all help, especially when supplemented by your daily walks outdoors. Remember, when a pet is bored, that energy will manifest itself as destructive behaviour like chewing, whining, or biting, so try to help them release their energy at such a time instead of scolding them. Affection is a far more powerful motivator than anger, so make sure you show your pet you adore them. shower them with hugs, kisses, cuddles, brushings, and belly rubs (for dogs). Training your pet has numerous benefits, one of which is reduced stress and anxiety levels, which can be beneficial if you embark on pet travel frequently.

Routine & Regular Exercise 

Mind and body go hand in hand, so your pet’s enriched mind requires an equally capable body to truly flourish. Hiking, walking, running, and swimming are all brilliant ways to exercise your dog, while cats will benefit from cat toys that stimulate them indoors like puzzles. Alternatively, you could set up an obstacle course, teach your pet tricks, or hide treats instead of handing them out to make things more interesting for your pet. A quick ten-to-fifteen-minute game of fetch can work wonders for your pet’s physical and mental health. Since different species and breeds of pets require different levels of daily exercise, consult your vet before making any changes in routine.

Socialization 

Much like a human child, the early years of a pet play a crucial role in their socialization and their understanding of what’s right & wrong.  Pets should be socialized from a young age around humans and other animals to prevent any behavioural issues down the road. You can do so by visiting family with your pet or organizing playdates. Most behavioural issues pose a problem for your pet’s health and well-being, and since they stem from a lack of socialization, you should do so while they're young. Exploring the world is a great way to socialize your pet, so if your pet is old enough, you could consider pet travel to do so. Doing so will require you to crate train your pet, which will teach them to be relaxed in your absence and when travelling.

Vet Visits

As pet parents, our pets are the world to us. However, while nobody could ever love them more than us, some are better equipped to identify, diagnose, and treat potential issues our pets may have. You and I know these people as veterinarians. A vet specializes in pet healthcare and can spot issues that even the most loving pet parents would miss due to a lack of medical experience. Not just for times of crisis, a vet can help you with diet plans, routine check-ups, and further health exams to ensure your pet is fit and fine all the time.

To conclude, provided you feed your pet good quality foods, follow a balanced diet, stimulate them physically & mentally, and socialize them at the right time, you should have no issues maintaining your pet’s health. Do remember tovisit your vet regularly, as they can help you spot problems in advance, but other than that, you should be good to go.

 

Basic Vaccinations a Pet Needs Before International Travel

Arranging for the relevant documentation and paperwork is one of the most labor-intensive aspects of international pet travel. While you may not require much in the way of paperwork when travelling with your pet domestically, each country has its own set of laws and restrictions which you must comply with to complete an international relocation successfully. Since nobody wants to transport or grant entry to a sick or ill animal internationally, travelers are required to carry proof of vaccination, which is also known as a pet passport or vaccination record. To help ease your journey, we’ve compiled a list of basic vaccinations every pet should have before an international journey.

Pet Vaccinations Required for International Travel

While different countries impose different rules regarding pet travel, there are a few basics which will remain consistent. For example, a rabies vaccination is a basic requirement which will be mandatory regardless of your destination. The vaccination must be at least 30 days old but no more than a year old as a rule of thumb; While you may have gotten your pet rabies shot may be valid for 3 years, some countries enforce this rule to minimize the risks associated with such a move.

A rabies vaccine will be a basic requirement for dogs, cats, and other household pets. However, depending on your destination. Your cat/dog may require additional immunizations to comply with import laws. It is recommended you check these requirements and laws and get your pet vaccinated in a timely manner. Here are a few extra vaccinations which can be included in the import requirements. Even if they aren’t needed, a bit of extra protection against infectious diseases is hardly something to object to.

For Dogs:

• Rabies
• DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
• Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
• Leptospirosis
• CIV (Canine Influenza Virus) 

For Cats:

• FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)
• FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) 

Additional Requirements for International Pet Travel

Different countries have different laws regarding vaccination, but regardless of the rules, it is wise to be prepared before embarking on a long-distance pet relocation. Alongside the basic and mandatory vaccines, here are a few pet travel essentials you will need on your journey, be it for safety or convenience reasons.

1. Chip - A pet microchip is permanent proof of ID and is a mandatory requirement when travelling overseas. Both the airline and your destination country will list a pet microchip as a mandatory import requirement, and it is an excellent safety device which helps identify your pet if they get lost, wander off, or is mixed up with a similar-looking pet. Pet microchips are standardized across the world; just make sure you have an ISO 11784/11785 chip and you’re good to go.
   
   
2. Rabies Titer Test  - Some countries require more than proof of vaccination against rabies. Depending on whether you're travelling from a country which is classified as a "high rabies" country, you may need to produce the results of a rabies titer test. This test checks for the level of antibodies in a given blood sample through titration and ensures your pet is adequately immune to rabies before travelling. You may/may not require this test depending on your country of origin & destination.
   
   
3. Import Permit & Documentation - Along with a pet passport, you will require an import permit and an export permit before flying with your pet overseas. Depending on your destination country, you may be required to get such a certificate endorsed by the appropriate (or approved) veterinarian. Along with this, you will require a health certificate/fit-to-fly certificate. Such a certificate is completed by a vet after a checkup, to ensure your pet is healthy and fit to fly before an airplane journey.  
   
   
4. Parasite treatment - While not prescribed by all countries, some countries require you to treat your pet against internal and external parasites before an international move. This is done to prevent the introduction of parasitic infections into a country. Such treatment is supposed to be administered to a pet shortly before travel (roughly 24-72 hours before departure), so make sure to check if your destination country requires this treatment as an import requirement.