Although your pet may often be the smallest member of your family, that doesn't mean that they're the least important. Keeping your pet both happy and healthy can mean a lot for many pet owners. Because of this, taking some extra steps to make sure that they're living their best lives can be a good idea. Here are a few ways you can try to do just that. 

Keep Them Clean

Even though fido may not enjoy baths, and your cat may like them even less, giving your pet a regular bath and keeping them properly groomed can help contribute to their overall health and happiness. Not only can being dirty be uncomfortable for them, but it could increase their likelihood of having issues with ticks and fleas. Additionally, it can help to make sure you are getting the right kind of dog shampoo since certain ingredients in shampoos can be irritants for some pets.

Give Them Healthy Snacks

Although your pet may be more interested in what's on your plate than what's in their food dish, feeding your pet table scraps is often not in their best interest. Some human foods can be toxic and dangerous to dogs and cats. Also, even though there are many foods that aren't necessarily toxic, they may still not be healthy for your pet to eat and could lead to health issues over time. That doesn't mean, though, that there aren't any foods that can be safe for your pet. Apples, carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, plain chicken and plain popcorn are all examples of foods that can be both safe and tasty for your pet. 

Get Exercise Together

Many know that dogs love walks, and cats enjoy some quality play time, but they may not realize just how important these kinds of activities can be to their pet. Not only do these activities provide much needed exercise for your pet that can help keep them healthy and in shape, but they can also be good opportunities for you to bond with your pet and let them know just how much you care about spending time with them. 

Have a Healthy Social Life

While you and your family may be the most important people in your pet's life, that doesn't mean that they won't enjoy getting more opportunities to socialize. Although cats may not be as interested in making new friends as dogs might, socializing can still be beneficial. Taking your dog to a dog park and letting them make new friends could make their day. Additionally, getting in touch with others you know who have pets and letting your pets get together for play dates could be another way to let them socialize. 

Regular Vet Checkups

Most pets don't enjoy a trip to the vet, however, it is often important when it comes to keeping them healthy in the long term. This may not only be because they can stay updated on necessary vaccines, but also because it may help prevent dangerous health issues from developing unchecked. Because pets are not able to communicate how they feel in detail, sometimes a pet could be experiencing a health concern that it may be difficult or nearly impossible to detect on your own. By taking them to see a vet regularly, you can help to ensure that they are being inspected throughly and you can help to catch small issues before they become big ones. 

The Bottom Line

Pets can play important roles within their family, and keeping them both happy and healthy for as long as possible can feel important to many pet owners. Because of this, taking some extra steps to help ensure that your pet is properly cared for can be a good idea.

Even if your pet may not always enjoy all the things you do to help keep them feeling their best, like baths or trips to the vet, doing what you need to to keep them healthy may be the best way to ensure that they are a happy member of the family for years to come.