Rain showers have created massive puddles in the backyard. The tulips have popped up with their riot of colour. The days are stretching out longer and longer, and you can here the kids playing in the park down the street long after dinner is over. Finally, yes finally, spring has truly arrived. It’s time to get outside, assess the work that needs to be done to the yard, and spend some time with the family enjoying those gloriously warm evenings. I’m thrilled to say good bye to the snow, the kids are happy to be back on their bikes, and my pup is over the moon to once again be guaranteed more time outside with his people! Spring brings the promise of more time with those we love the most, our entire families, including our four-legged friends!
This is the perfect time of year to indulge in some much needed fresh air for us, a game of catch for fido, and long leisurely walks in the suburbs. It’s also the perfect time of year to make sure you are being the best pet parent you can be.
I’m the owner of a high maintenance cat and a diva of a Great Dane dog. Both of these “babies” are truly members of the family and we do everything we can to keep them healthy and happy. We want the best for them, and to give them as much as they give us. Here are my tips for a happy and healthy pet:
1 Feed them a nourishing and balanced diet– food fuels all of us, pets included, so we should be sure to feed them the best!
2 Schedule regular vet appointments – our four-legged friends can’t tell us about pain or complications, and we may not always notice a change in behaviour. Staying on top of their health is key to a happy pet.
3 Provide opportunities for play –our pets need the opportunity to exercise, and play provides a great bonding opportunity not just between you and your pet, but for the whole family.
4 Allow for socialization with other pets – this is important for dogs especially!
5 Do all you can to ensure their safety: a collar with ID tags and microchip is an invaluable asset in my opinion, should your pet get lost.
6 Prepare for the unexpected. We don’t want to think about something happening to our furry loved one, but have you considered pet insurance? It may seem daunting, but having insurance helps to protect your pet in the event of accident or illness and in turn, helps protect you from unexpected high vet bills.
It may sound complicated, but it doesn’t have to be; it’s been great to discover that PC® pet insurance is so affordable, allows you to stay with your preferred vet, and offers four different plans to choose from. For me, pet insurance is peace of mind, knowing we’ve planned for the unexpected!
Having pets in our lives has helped to make our house a home, so even in the spring when our giant Great Dane is tracking mud through onto my hardwood floors and he’s trying to clamber up on the couch with us, I try and laugh it off and remember all the joy these “little” stinkers bring to our lives. True confession: our home just wouldn’t be the same without these pets, and yes, I will do whatever I can to make sure they live long and happy lives.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of PC® insurance. The opinions on this blog are my own.
We have had great experience with PC for other products, I would certainly check out the pet insurance first!
You’ve got great tips but I have to say from your pictures your dog seems like mine in the way I think they think they’re human especially the way yours is curled up with your husband. My dog does similar things
Our dog is a rescue dog from Sudbury transfer to Hamilton. She is very much a part of our family
Thank you for sharing these great tips. Your dog is way way way way beyond adorable! Our pets are totally part of the family and live in the house with us as it should be and we spoil them every single day.
What a great article Stephanie, so important to keep the pets happy and healthy. You got one of the cutest looking dogs, talk about puppy eyes 🙂 he looks so happy and healthy
Those qre all wonderful tips, it’s so important to keep pets happy and healthy. I love the cute photos of your dog!
Great tips. Having insurance is great piece of mind, especially when the unexpected happens. Our dog is so spoiled by everything, especially when it comes to food, toys and lots of walks (her favourite because of all the adventures)
Pet insurance is a must I feel. Something happens and you need to go to the vet, it would cost a small fortune. I know as my son’s dog ran onto the road, got hit by a car and had to have a leg amputated – very expensive and no insurance!
Great tips for sure! I grew up wth the best dog. She was a boxer named Tammy and she would drag me around the house by my diaper and show me off to her dog friends lol She would actually bring other dogs in for a tour and then she had them leave!
All wonderful tips, and so true. I learned the hard way about Pet Insurance. Those vet bills really add up! And unfortunately, insurance won’t cover any issues they hard previously, even if they haven’t had that same issue again (in our case UTI’s in one of our cats). Get insurance early, and avoid the BIG vet bills.
Great tips. We’ve considered it before, but we haven’t actually done much research. Something to consider, for sure.
Pet insurance is a good idea. It can get pricey after a few vet visits.
Great tips! We have 2 poodles & 2 cats so lots of paws running around. Our one poodle has to go in for dental surgery on Monday 🙁 Not going to be cheap but it has to be done, got to look after them!
Love all the tips! It’s very important to make sure our fur-babies are healthy.