For many people, pets are an extended part of the family, enjoying meals at the same time as everyone else and joining in on family outings and holidays.
Indeed, the bond between a cat or a dog and its owner can be as strong as that with another human being, which certainly helps to explain why almost thirty million pounds was spent in the UK last Christmas on gifts for pets, from flashing antlers to collars with bells.
Furthermore, pet care is now big business in the UK as people realise that the diet and lifestyle of their animals is every bit as important as that of humans. What we feed them will have a lasting impact on their health and there are a few tips worth considering, helping to look after their long term wellbeing.
To begin with, avoid giving cats or dogs scraps of food from the dinner table. Their bodies process food differently to ours, so food that is high in calories and fat and with low nutritional value can cause digestive problems.
But that’s not to say they shouldn’t be given spontaneous treats in addition to their normal meals. Indeed, having a good assortment of treats on hand can add variety to an otherwise bland diet. Furthermore, treats can be used in animal behaviour training, helping them to learn to sit, stay or rollover with a command.
Peanut butter, for example, is a well known canine favourite and a great source of protein for a dog - but it’s also high in fat so it should only be used in moderation. Moreover, it’s best to go for ‘natural’ peanut butter, as it’s generally made from 100% peanuts, whereas conventional peanut butter from supermarkets is often comprised of additives such as sugar, salt and other fats.
There are a whole host of recipes designed especially for pets. There are microwaveable dog doughnuts made from flour, oatmeal, egg, garlic and chicken/beef broth; and whilst they perhaps
But summer in particular is a great time for pets – there are long periods of daylight and, with a bit of luck, good weather will also mean they’ll be happy to stay outside all day. But if it’s hot, ensuring they have access to plenty of cold liquids will go a long way towards keeping them well.
Of course, with all that time spent outdoors, there is an increased chance that they will get up to no good, so the best way of looking after their wellbeing is to arrange comprehensive UK pet insurance.
Not only will this help pet-owners to cope financially in a medical emergency, but pet insurance also removes any hesitation they otherwise may have in agreeing to costly treatment, ensuring the pet’s chances of survival are maximised.
