Hello everyone, and welcome to our 11th edition of Pet Talk! In our last column before Winter Break, I am going to talk about how to keep your pet(s) happy, healthy, and safe! In these tough times, it’s important to keep your doctor visits up to date, the same goes for your pet! Please enjoy!

The first thing you can do is keep up on your pet’s doctor visits. Regular checkups with the vet will help you know if your pet is healthy, and how you can help increase their health. Serious illnesses can be caught early also, and you can learn more in general from a yearly visit!

Another thing you can do is feed your pet a healthy and appropriate diet. This topic was explained more in my previous article “Worst Things to Give Your Pets”, but I’ll elaborate more. Just like humans, feeding your pet a nutritious diet will help them be more energetic, feel better, and stay healthy. Either way, make sure to do proper research on what your pet should be eating based on their breed, size, and age. Furthermore, talk things over with your veterinarian before making any hasty changes.

The next option is to groom your pet regularly. Unless you have a snake or hairless cat, it is more likely that grooming is going to be one of your weekly rituals with your furry friend. One reason why grooming is so important is it helps your pet stay clean, and lets you notice if they have unnecessary bumps or lumps. Don’t forget though, this includes clipping nails, brushing, and possibly bathing, which all help your pet feel and look amazing.

Probably the easiest on our list is to give your pet love and affection. When you establish a strong relationship with your pet and make them feel safe, it’s more likely they won’t develop bad habits and get illnesses like depression or anxiety. Not only does this strengthen the relationship between the pet and owner, but helps keep your pet’s relationship with other humans and dogs in check.

Last on our list to know your pet. This goes without saying, but when you know what is normal and not normal for your pet, this helps you identify future problems. For example, if your pet is usually loving and affectionate towards strangers and they suddenly become hostile out of nowhere, it’s most likely something has gone wrong.