Last Updated:
World Pet Day: Pets always have unique nutritional needs depending on their breed, age, weight and activity level.
Every pet parent wishes a long and happy life for his or her pets. While love and affection are two very important aspects of quality life for pets, all pets require more for living a long and healthy life. It is no secret that nutrition, lifestyle and preventive care are the three interconnected pillars of pet health and longevity, but one needs to understand how the triads complement each other to enhance a pet’s health and wellbeing. Dr. Abhishek Choudhary, Consultant Veterinarian, Vetic Pet Clinic shares all you need to know:
Nutrition as a Key Player in Pet Health
Good health begins with good nutrition. Puppies and kittens who receive a complete balanced diet require fewer supplements and health support aides in their adulthood.
Nutrition isn’t just about the quantity of food or quality of kibbles. It plays a key role in the development of their immune system, bones, organ function and growth.
Pets always have unique nutritional needs depending on their breed, age, weight and activity level. For example, large-breed puppies require a different calcium-to-phosphorus ratio as compared to small and toy breeds. A senior dog or cat may benefit from a diet rich in omega-3-fatty acids and easy-to-digest proteins with fewer calories. A generic diet may not be enough for all breeds and ages. In fact they can cause nutritional deficiencies.
Prescription diets, especially those formulated for kidney disease, gastrointestinal distress, struvites and allergies are crucial examples of how nutrition is an integral part of pet healthcare. These are not just pet food, these are part of the therapy or treatment. It’s easier to understand if you think of such diets as part of the medicine regime rather than reducing them to just sources of calories. They are complete food designed to enhance the wellbeing and quality of life (QoL) of pets – dogs and cats.
Lifestyle: Daily Activities Determine QoL
Lifestyle includes everything your pet does in one day – playing, walking, sleeping, social interactions, exercise (swimming) and even training. Active and enriched lifestyle helps in weight management, joint health maintenance and improves cognition. Pets who are more active throughout life are less likely to suffer from cognitive decline in their senior years! An active lifestyle can reduce the chances of anxiety and depression in both cats and dogs.
Dogs as well as cats require both physical activity and mental stimulation. While dogs of all breeds benefit from walking, agility training and interactive games suitable for their breeds, cats thrive with toys that mimic prey, puzzle toys and an interactive environment that encourages movement. Most importantly, a stable and loving home environment is crucial to reduce stress and anxiety in pets. Pets with higher levels of stress may experience weakened immunity and chronic diseases.
What do most pet parents miss? The key factor is the personalisation of lifestyle as per their pet’s breed, age and unique health requirements. For example, a young golden retriever will require a lot more physical and mental stimulation as compared to an 8-year old chihuahua. An Indie kitten will require more playtime and social interactions as compared to an adult
Persian cat.
Lifestyle is closely to preventive pet care. Active pets suffer from fewer chronic conditions including obesity and osteoarthritis. Mental enrichment can reduce destructive behaviour in pets which often leads to emotional stress or injury. A well-planned daily routine and consistency can fortify your pet’s defence against preventable health issues.
Preventive Care in Pets is the Safety Net All Pets Deserve
Preventive care includes annual vaccinations, but it is so much more than that! It is an ongoing and proactive approach that keeps pets healthy. Preventive care is indispensable in recognizing the potential issues before they become pertinent.
Routine health checkups
Routine physical examinations along with blood and urine tests can recognise early signs of liver disease, CKD and even cancer. Biannual checkups are recommended for all pets and more frequent checkups for senior pets.
Parasite prevention
Pets require regular deworming, and tick/flea preventatives. Adding heartworm preventive medication to their preventive care routine is also a good idea for all pet parents living in a hot tropical climate. While many of these preventives can save their lives, some will also prevent skin issues, allergies and chronic infections.
Dental care
Oral disease affects more than 80% of pets older than 3-years. Studies link dental diseases to stomach and heart issues in older pets. Investing in the dental care of your puppy or kitten can save them from suffering and maintain their QoL in the long-run.
Spaying and neutering
Although these are mostly considered elective surgeries, we believe that spaying and neutering are integral parts of preventive care. Early neutering/spaying can reduce the risk of reproductive organ cancers to almost zero irrespective of a pet’s species and breed.
Yes, some breeds of dogs do need to wait a certain period before neutering. So always speak with your veterinarian to determine what’s the right age for your pet’s surgery.
Vaccinations
It goes without saying that vaccination is not a one-time event. Your pup/dog requires annual boosters of core vaccines including distemper, parvo, rabies, hepatitis and parainfluenza. And cats require their annual boosters of vaccines against panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus, calicivirus and rabies. Since many of these diseases aren’t curable or treatable, timely vaccination is the only way to protect your pet.
Personalised Care: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
It is imperative to pursue proactive and personalised preventive care options along with diet and lifestyle advice based on evidence. No two pets are the same and it’s important for everyone to understand that.
Senior dogs may need softer food, lower-impact exercise, and more frequent vet visits. Flat-faced breeds like pugs or Persian cats may require special respiratory care and heat protection. Pets with chronic conditions might need lifelong dietary management paired with regular diagnostic check-ups. Personalization is the key to effective care – and ultimately, a longer, healthier life.
As pet parents, we have the privilege and responsibility to make choices that matter. With expert guidance and a little daily effort, we can add more happy, tail-wagging years to our pets’ lives – and fill those years with comfort, activity, and love.
