With the busy schedules in our daily life we tend to forget and lose track of things that matter the most. Between the work stress, an ever-growing to-do list, social obligations, cuddling with pets often falls aside.
Next time your dog is smashing something onto you or your cat won’t get off your workspace or laptop, don’t just brush them off. Instead stop and give them the love and attention they are wanting. Not only is cuddling your pet a nice thing to do, it’s beneficial for both of you.
Like you pay attention to your little puppy’s physical and mental needs, you must also fulfill their emotional needs regularly. Catering to all aspects of your furry companion’s health is necessary for their overall wellbeing. So, if you are generally a distant person, consider reading books on human-animal bonding and the benefits both of you can reap with a few cuddles.
Connect with your dog through loving snuggles often to accomplish emotional health goals. Know that your puppy needs touch like other mammals to feel comforted and reassured. For instance, hand feeding your pup, giving them a high five hand to paw, spooning while sleeping, and being by their side during a natural calamity sends positive vibes to your furry pal.
Remember helping acts have a better impact than comforting words, which is why you should consider purchasing pet insurance. We agree your dog needs moral support, but that isn’t enough to diagnose and cure your furry pet. Dog insurance helps provide superior medical care to your fur baby in pain and discomfort without having to focus too much on the finances involved during unanticipated puppy health situations.
Reflect on how best you can support your furry pup suffering from a distressing health condition. In the meantime, read this article to learn three ways to perform a quick health investigation during the brief cuddling sessions with your pup to detect any physical changes and potential medical issues early.
1. Physical body examination
Slowly run your hand over your furry canine’s body while you both watch TV or listen to songs and relax on the couch on a quiet evening. Check for any unusual bumps, sores, wounds, rashes, hot spots, inflammations, bald patches, etc., under the hair. For instance, most of the above signs point to skin conditions. A few belly scratches and back rubs are enough to identify these abnormalities quickly.
2. Cuddling with pets give them a sense of belonging
Cats are always known to be independent and fierce animals whereas dogs are pack animals that bond with others. Giving your pet a lot of affection empowers it and makes it feel secure and loved. Lack of affection can become a cause for dogs to be withdrawn, inactive, and change their eating patterns. It’s difficult to diagnose if dogs are feeling depressed or sad the same way humans do, but many vets have discovered that that’s the only reason for pets’ changed behavior. But if you notice your cat behaving strangely, a trip to the vet is definitely required.
3. Cuddling helps in relieving anxiety and stress
Cuddling stimulates the release of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which help relieve depression and may make you feel happier. The act of holding and stroking your pet is also an effective way to combat anxiety. It creates a calming effect and helps you focus on the present moment.
4. Make an eye contact
Encourage your furry pet to make eye contact by holding their favorite treat or toy in your hand at eye level. Without these items, your puppy may choose to observe other exciting things happening in the room, like activities of other fur babies, kids, prized possessions, toy collections, etc. So, gaze fondly into your fur companion’s eyes to check for fluid discharge, watery signs, eye redness, inflammation, red eye rims, and other not-so-common signs to identify eye problems.
5. Look into the ears
Give your furry pup some ear scratches, face rubs, mock a grooming session, etc. Do whatever it takes to get a clear view of your puppy’s ears. A formal ear inspection during bath time can be more evident for your pup, who is used to the routine and may resist the chore, so get a peek on other days using the simple techniques mentioned above.
Do you realize how easily you can perform a basic puppy health checkup in the guise of a cuddling session? Try these hacks with your furry baby when you get some private time with them. However, having a dog insurance policy surely helps. Consider buying pet insurance, at least, if you can’t afford the more expensive policies , because a medical financial backup potentially enables you to save hundreds to thousands of dollars during non-routine vet visits and puppy health emergencies.