According to Dr. Wuellner, nutrition plays a critical role in your pet’s wellness, so picking out the proper fuel is key. “The right food is complete and balanced, which means it avoids any deficiencies or excesses of key nutrients needed to help your pet thrive,” she says. So, high-quality and balanced are your two main goals here.
In addition to these top qualities, Dr. Wuellner suggests looking for a food that’s designed specifically for your pets’ life stage—i.e. whether they’re a puppy, kitten, adult, senior, etc. “We know that as a pet ages, their nutritional needs change and we at Hill’s provide the nutrients to support them every step of the way,” Wueller says.
That’s why Hill's relies on science-backed, top-notch ingredients for creating a solid meal plan your pet
will not only benefit from, but also devour (yes, the flavors are totally pet-approved).
We can all agree on one thing: Pets are family. And that means taking care of your fluffy, four-legged fam just as you would yourself—aka creating healthy routines to help them feel like their best selves, always.
“Pets are increasingly becoming more and more a part of our families,” says Kristin Wuellner, DVM, veterinarian and account manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “As a pet owner myself, I know that I want the assurance that I am doing the best thing possible for them.” (Retweet.)
To get even more in-the-know pet-parent intel, we asked Dr. Wuellner to break down everything you need to know about helping keeping your dog or cat happy and healthy. From nutrition-packed food (shoutout to Hill’s science-backed nutrition) to their physical fitness and more, we’re sharing the expert-approved ways to boost your pet’s overall well-being.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Indoor Cat Food
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Doing your research is so important when it comes to what is in your dog's food, especially to make sure it has good ingredients.
Sierra Yip-Bannicq + Jazmín de la Guardia,
pet parents to Uma and Bowie
You prioritize your weekly yoga or HIIT classes, but are you jotting time on your calendar for your furry sidekick to do the same? If not, no sweat—Dr. Wuellner’s biggest piece of advice for getting your pet moving is to not overthink it.
“Even a few short walks or play sessions throughout the day can make a big difference for your pet’s well-being (and your own, too!),” she says. It’s as easy as a walk around the neighborhood.
Another way Dr. Wuellner incorporates action into her pets’ day is by taking advantage of dinnertime. “I’m a big fan of making mealtime more active,” Dr. Wuellner says. “I love puzzle feeders for both cats and dogs because they help stimulate our pets mentally and physically while providing a tasty reward.” Food plus entertainment? Sign us (and our pets) up.
Alex Taylor, pet parent to Frankie and Fran
I always try to take advantage of small breaks throughout my day (even if it’s just 10 or 15 minutes) to play with my cats and all of their favorite toys—which are often just boxes I haven't broken down yet.
Just because your pets don’t have full-time jobs, live rent-free, and get to nap whenever they want (what a life!), that doesn’t mean they don’t experience stress. To help them soak up some mood-boosting vibes, dedicate some extra time each week to doing something you know they enjoy—whether that’s brushing their fur, learning some pet massage techniques, or spending a few extra minutes of playtime.
And if you aren’t sure what to do, you can always ask your vet. “Your veterinarian is your greatest ally in keeping your pet happy and healthy, but you know your pet better than anyone!” Dr. Wuellner says. “If something feels off or different, don’t ignore it. You’ll always be thankful to take a proactive stance in your pet’s health (and your vet will be happy, too).”
Grace Chang, pet parent to Suki
I truly believe our dogs’ love language is quality time, and it’s very apparent in their way of interacting with us humans.
Dr. Wuellner's parting bit of pet-parent advice? “Always make sure that your pet has access to a place where they feel safe.” Whether that means creating a full-on chill-out zone or giving them a designated couch cushion, it's all about setting up a soothing atmosphere that your pets will thank you for—even if they only show you by taking another nap.
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Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food
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Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Digestion
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You prioritize your weekly yoga or HIIT classes, but are you jotting time on your calendar for your furry sidekick to do the same? If not, no sweat—Dr. Wuellner’s biggest piece of advice for getting your pet moving is to not overthink it.
“Even a few short walks or play sessions throughout the day can make a big difference for your pet’s well-being (and your own, too!),” she says. It’s as easy as a walk around the neighborhood.
Another way Dr. Wuellner incorporates action into her pets’ day is by taking advantage of dinnertime. “I’m a big fan of making mealtime more active,” Dr. Wuellner says. “I love puzzle feeders for both cats and dogs because they help stimulate our pets mentally and physically while providing a tasty reward.” Food plus entertainment? Sign us (and our
pets) up.
Alex Taylor, pet parent to Frankie and Fran
I always try to take advantage of small breaks throughout my day (even if it’s just 10 or 15 minutes) to play with my cats and all of their favorite toys—which are often just boxes I haven't broken down yet.
Just because your pets don’t have full-time jobs, live rent-free, and get to nap whenever they want (what a life!), that doesn’t mean they don’t experience stress. To help them soak in some self-care Sunday vibes, dedicate some extra time each week to doing something you know they enjoy—whether that’s brushing their fur, learning some pet massage techniques, or spending a few extra minutes of playtime.
And if you aren’t sure what to do, you can always ask your vet. “Your veterinarian is your greatest ally in keeping your pet happy and healthy, but you know your pet better than anyone!” Dr. Wuellner says. “If something feels off or different,
don’t ignore it. You’ll always be thankful to take a proactive stance
in your pet’s health (and your vet
will be happy, too).”
Dr. Wuellner’s parting bit of pet-parent advice? “Always make sure that your pet has access to a place where they feel safe.” Whether that means creating a full-on chill-out zone or giving them a designated couch cushion, self care is all about setting up a soothing atmosphere that your pets will thank you for—even if they only show you by taking another nap.
Grace Chang, pet parent to Suki
I truly believe our dogs’ love language is quality time, and it’s very apparent in their way of interacting with us humans.
According to Dr. Wuellner, nutrition plays a critical role in your pet’s wellness, so picking out the proper fuel is key. “The right food is complete and balanced, which means it avoids any deficiencies or excesses of key nutrients needed to help your pet thrive,” she says. So, high-quality and balanced are your two main goals here.
In addition to these top qualities, Dr. Wuellner suggests looking for a food that’s designed specifically for your pets’ life stage—i.e. whether they’re
a puppy, kitten, adult, senior, etc.
“We know that as a pet ages, their nutritional needs change and we at Hill’s provide the nutrients to
support them every step of the way,” Wueller says.
That’s why Hill's relies on science-backed, top-notch ingredients for creating a solid meal plan your pet
will not only benefit from, but also devour (yes, the flavors are totally
pet-approved).
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