This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of IAMS Proactive Health Puppy Formula. The opinions and text are all mine.
By the time we had our first child, we already had two fur-babies at home. One of our dogs has been with me since my college years and is nearing 14 years of age and our yorkie is now 5 years old. These dogs are spoiled. They are used to getting a lot of attention, love, and lap-time since they are both little dogs.
Raising pets and raising children have many similarities. Puppies require a lot of attention and training. I think that by raising pets first, we learned a lot about responsibility and caring for another living thing. When the dogs were puppies, we would have to guess their needs, much like that of a child. It is cute now to watch the transition of how our daughter, now 3 years old, acts like a little mother to our dogs.
She helps us feed and give them water daily and even assists in letting them outside to use the bathroom. We allow her to give them their treats when they are good or perform tricks for her, such as sitting down or rolling over.
Another thing that she is learning about our pets is in regards to health. We don’t feed our animals from the table because it tends to make them sick. They live on a diet of dog food and what we feed to them is just as important to me as what we put into our bodies. I have drastically changed my eating habits this year to includes many more fruits and vegetables, along with quality proteins and carbohydrates. I have started using food as a means to fuel my body instead of simply “grabbing something to eat” because I am bored. Nutrition is very important to me and my actions don’t just stop at my human baby, they apply to my fur-babies as well.
Parallel to health, exercise is also just as important to pets as it is children. We go on walks with our pets and play with them a lot in our back yard. We like to get out the tennis balls and the
frisbees and our daughter and dogs have a really fun time playing together.
How do you keep your pet(s) happy and healthy?
Devon says
February 7, 2013 at 11:21 amOur dogs are pretty spoiled. One even thinks she is a person. They get tons of love which makes them very happy.
Lamar Bowen says
February 8, 2013 at 10:37 pm3 cats and 2 ferrets. So grooming, daily play time and petting.
Heather Hayes Panjon says
February 12, 2013 at 9:34 amLots Of Love, Proper Care, Treats And Walks !:)
Amy Orvin says
February 12, 2013 at 9:03 pmI have 2 dogs, 4 cats and 2 sugar gliders. They stay happy and healthy by me taking them to the vet annually, feeding them high quality foods, and they all also get plenty of exercise daily. Even the sugar gliders exercise. They have a wheel in their cage they run on every night.
Amy Orvin says
February 12, 2013 at 9:06 pmThey also stay happy with lots of individual attention, treats and toys. I forgot to say that in my previous comment. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway! 🙂
Deb K says
February 13, 2013 at 12:33 amLots of love an long walks.
April V. says
February 13, 2013 at 4:16 amLove, play, food. And I don’t give her a hard time for stealing the pillows…
ky2here says
February 13, 2013 at 4:59 amFood, shelter, treats and love
Chris says
February 13, 2013 at 5:30 amWe make sure to take time out each day to play with them.
Cynthia C says
February 13, 2013 at 5:40 amI give my cat nutritious food and spend time everyday playing and petting. She is a loved pet.
Margaret Smith says
February 13, 2013 at 5:56 amBy feeding them healthy foods, by playing with them and loving them.
Mary Casper says
February 13, 2013 at 12:08 pmgood food and lots of exercise
Amanda L. says
February 13, 2013 at 11:18 pmWe have 2 indoor cats and we just give them attention every day, and show them that we love them. They are very spoiled.
april j. says
February 13, 2013 at 11:33 pmI keep my three dogs happy by having them eat healthy, daily walks and yearly check ups.
Rebecca Graham says
February 14, 2013 at 1:27 amI have a calico cat and a lab dog. I keep them happy by giving them tons of attention.
Deb C says
February 14, 2013 at 7:55 amI choose a good food and read the recommended amount. I use a measuring cup to portion the food so I don’t overfeed.
diane Baum says
February 14, 2013 at 8:48 amI keep my 3 cats and 2 dogs happy with lots of activity
McKim says
February 14, 2013 at 12:52 pmI try to feed her quality food, and get her plent of exercise and attention.
Michelle W says
February 14, 2013 at 3:36 pmWe have 2 dogs and 7 cats and we give them a lot of attention, great food and plenty of toys
Katherine says
February 14, 2013 at 4:20 pmExercise and love and play
catherine copeland says
February 14, 2013 at 4:29 pmThey get plenty of exercise and eat iams dog food
Ellie W says
February 14, 2013 at 4:30 pmI keep my two dogs happy and healthy by feeding them quality food and giving them plenty of attention and exercise.
Sarah says
February 14, 2013 at 6:35 pmLots of love and healthy food!
Michelle C says
February 14, 2013 at 6:46 pmLeo our dog gets lots and lots of love 🙂
David Haug says
February 14, 2013 at 9:49 pmExercise, good food, vet visits, and lots of love
Lisa Garner says
February 14, 2013 at 10:07 pmI take my dogs on frequent walks and spend lots of time playing and talking with them.
Andrew L. says
February 14, 2013 at 11:43 pmWe keep our pet up to date on shots and make sure to give lots of TLC and attention.
joni says
February 15, 2013 at 2:25 amLots of love and companionship.
jen gersch says
February 15, 2013 at 3:53 amI walk my dogs 5 times a day and play with them
amy delong says
February 15, 2013 at 5:46 amwalks,play time
debbie says
February 15, 2013 at 6:23 amPlay fetch and lots of walks.
Thomas Gibson says
February 15, 2013 at 7:35 amI keep my dog happy by taking him thru drive-thru at Mickey Dees. Mcdouble with extra cheese is his favorite.
carol lewis says
February 15, 2013 at 8:03 amWe take him for a walk every day and play with him alot. He is one year old now and a big love bug!
Rachel Ellis says
February 15, 2013 at 8:20 amWe take our pug on daily walks and spend lots of time cuddling with him.
susan smoaks says
February 15, 2013 at 8:30 ami keep our dog and our cat happy and healthy with lots of love and affection!!!
Nadine L says
February 15, 2013 at 8:40 amWe have great trails in the woods near our house that we run with our dogs on, They look forward to it and it helps keep us all healthy
Susan Smith says
February 15, 2013 at 9:08 amI take my dog for walks, groom her and play with her.
Mary Casper says
February 15, 2013 at 10:22 amwith good food and lots of exercise
Paula Tavernie says
February 15, 2013 at 10:25 amRegular trips to the vet and lots of love!!!
Shannon says
February 15, 2013 at 10:25 ambesides the obvious, food and health care, my dog lives for belly rubs
Gaye M says
February 15, 2013 at 10:42 amWith cuddles and good food.
Aimee Fontenot says
February 15, 2013 at 11:12 amI keep my pets happy and healthy with regular checkups, attention (lots of it), new toys, and just playing a lot.
Tarah says
February 15, 2013 at 11:17 amOur cat has a lot of space to run, jump and hide! Lots of petting and snuggles from the entire family!
Monique Rizzo says
February 15, 2013 at 1:05 pmTake them to the doggie park and give em treats.
Dorothy says
February 15, 2013 at 1:58 pmwalks and good food along with lots of love
Jaque R. says
February 15, 2013 at 5:52 pmI keep him happy by giving him, and receiving from him, love; I keep him healthy with good nutrition and excerise. 🙂 Thank you.
Samantha says
February 15, 2013 at 7:06 pmPetting him all the time and giving him some attentions and walks!
linda h says
February 15, 2013 at 7:28 pmWe walk and play with her a lot and feed her Iams
savvy s says
February 15, 2013 at 7:37 pmOur rat terrier gets lots of love – and she has her own padded “perch” to watch the squirells from when we are not home, and lots of exercise.
Vikki Billings says
February 15, 2013 at 7:58 pmLots of love and activity, oh yeah and treats 🙂
KellyAnn O'Brien says
February 15, 2013 at 8:37 pmI always make sure I show love every chance I get, no excuses.
Kenny F says
February 15, 2013 at 9:16 pmwalk them daily
melissa Resnick says
February 15, 2013 at 9:57 pmtake him with me to the barn everyday and he loves it
chadror says
February 15, 2013 at 10:30 pmLots of love and playing with him with his toys, lots of pets and good food