Little Extras = Happy Pets Giveaway #GetHealthyHappy

Regular vet visits and good nutrition is a great first step -- and a strong foundation --  to keeping your pet healthy. But it's those little extras that can make all the difference in enriching the life of your pet and making them an extra special member of your family for a long, long time.

We've put together a list of five LITTLE ways to make a BIG impact in your pet's life so you can enjoy the bond you have for year's to come.

Then read all the way down for some special offers from the folks at Hill's Science Diet AND a very special Little Extras Giveaway!

1. Play with your pets to enrich their lives both mentally AND physically

Play is a great way to encourage your pets to get up and get moving, but it also provides much-needed mental stimulation and the perfect way to interact WITH your pets.

I love to play interactive games with Rocco like find it games or box games. Dog and cats also enjoy a good game with a flirt pole or any type of toy at the end of a string or a pole that they can chase.

The key is to mix it up to keep things interesting! Rotate the toys you play with to keep things fresh and stimulating for your pets.

Rocco has fun hiding in a box!

2. Provide positive reinforcement to good behavior

Rocco loves to be told how smart he is, but I think he loves it even more if that can be reinforced with a tasty treat!

We like to keep a variety of healthy treats on hand to use in short, frequent training sessions and to reward good behaviors.

Hill's offers a variety of tasty treats to help keep training time fun!

3. Give your pet a special place to call their own

Pet beds come in all sorts of styles and fabrics to complement your home's decor, and they also provide a comfy resting spot and a safe haven for your pet.

For cats, consider one that offers seclusion or fits into a favorite resting place. A cat tower can provide the high vantage point your feline enjoys.

For dogs, make sure to choose a durable bed - especially if your dog is a chewer - and one that can easily be washed.  Rocco has his beds and special places all over the house, and he loves to cozy up in his crate too!

This bed does double duty as an end table!

4. Start a grooming routine soon as you get your pet

I started brushing and combing Rocco when he was a little pup, and also got him using to having his feet touched and his toenails clipped. If you plan to use a blow dryer on your dog, first make sure it's not too hot, and you'll want to get your pup accustomed to the sound and feel of it.

Using treats and praise when you groom can help your pet associate the time with a pleasurable experience.

Rocco gets groomed as a young pup

5. Accessorize for style and safety

A collar and a good leash are essential and there also are lots of styles to choose from. You can even personalize a collar or a tag to help identify your dog in case he ever gets lost.

If you have questions or need advice about any little extra that you’d like to give your pet, a perfect opportunity is at your pet’s annual checkup with your veterinarian. Don’t forget about the chance to win $100 towards your next vet checkup from Hill’s Science Diet!

Hill's is also offering a $10 off promotion on select Hill's Science Diet products for both dogs and cats.

Win a Little Extras prize pack from Hill's for your cat or dog

To celebrate these little extras, Hill’s is providing a special giveaway for our readers. Two readers will win a dog OR cat "Little Extras Bundle". Here is what's included in the prize packages:

For dogs:

• Stainless steel dog bowl
• A bag of Hill's Science Diet Dental Chews
• A bag of Hill's Science Diet dog treats
• Healthier Pets, Happier Lives tote bag

For cats:

• Stainless steel cat bowl

• Laser pointer toy
• Eight micro cans of Hill's Science Diet Grain Free entrees
• Healthier Pets, Happier Lives tote bag

Enter via the giveaway widget below. Get started by simply adding your name and email address to the widget, and then press the blue arrows to reveal the various entry options.

Good luck!

Entry-Form

This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® Healthier Pets. Happier Lives.™, but To Dog With Love only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.