Winter is here and we all consider ourselves lucky if we get through the cold season without a case of the sniffles. Occasionally however, our pets also get the dreaded lurgy with similar unpleasant symptoms.

A pet flu or cold will show up as a runny nose, watery, red eyes, coughing and sniffling as the main signs. While you cannot give your pet a human cold or flu, your pets can easily give them to each other.

So how do you keep that pet flu away?

While we can’t wrap them in bubble wrap and keep them from coming into contact with other infected pets, you can actually give your furry friend another sort of protection by boosting their health, immunity and general wellness.

STEP 1 – WATER
Making sure that bowl is topped up with clean, fresh and, if possible, filtered water is a must all year round. Like us, our pets need to keep up their hydration because water flushes toxins out of the body and aids other bodily processes to keep their systems running optimally.

STEP 2 – DIET
A proper, balanced diet is another key factor to your pet’s general wellness. While discount food from the supermarket may be tempting it may actually be costing your pet’s health. Always check labels and ingredients before buying and remember that quality foods with quality ingredients (not by-products and fillers) will give your pet a good quality of life. Check for Omega Fatty Acids, which are great for boosting immunity levels. You can also introduce 10 fresh fruits and vegetables with added benefits to your pet’s diet.

STEP 3 – VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS
Always check with your Vet first If you are considered adding a supplement to your pet’s diet. Some foods lack certain vitamins and minerals and a supplement may be all that’s needed to bridge the gap and increase energy and immunity levels.

STEP 4 – EXERCISE
Moderate and consistent exercise temporarily increases the production of cells that fight infections and increased circulation spreads these cells throughout the body, giving an instant health kick! So lastly, get your pet moving and enjoying some play or walk time!

Following the four steps above will give your pet the best possible chance of keeping the dreaded lurgy at bay, and, if they do become sick, a strong immune system to get over the symptoms of a pet flu quickly.