These days, all pet owners are very keen on researching how to maintain their pet’s health. However, you get different suggestions from different people. Also, it is very confusing even as to how to look after your own health. Hence, your pet’s health will be a lot more confusing. Anyway, by following these few simple tips, you could keep your pet healthy.
Proper, healthy diet
All pets need to be taken good care of. The most important thing you need to keep in mind is their diet. Dogs need to be fed thrice a day while birds and rabbits should be served with a bowl of water and food at all times. If you’ve got kittens or puppies, you will have to feed them about four times a day. But, the quantity should not be much. You should not over feed your pets as it might lead to health problems. You can give them treats at some times but not regularly.
Prevent parasites
If pets are plagued by fleas, it leads to irritation of the skin, loss of hair and other infections. In fact, fleas are the most common among other parasites which attack dogs and cats. Hence, year-round prevention should be the key. You should take your pet for regular flea and intestinal parasite control. As some parasitic medications prepared for dogs can be lethal to cats, it would be better if you would consult your vet on how to keep your pet flea free and secure.
Maintain a healthy weight
You might have noticed many cats and dogs in countries like the U.S.A are obese. Just like humans, even in pets, obesity leads to diabetes and cancer. The main cause for obesity is overfeeding. Keeping your pet’s weight under control can extend their life span. Pets need very less calories. For a small dog, about 185 to 370 calories would be enough. In case of a cat, you need to provide it 240-350 calories daily. Consult your vet for suggestions about feeding your pet based on its age and lifestyle.
Ensure that your pet’s food contains all the required nutrients
Your pet’s diet should compulsorily contain Vitamin E. it consists of properties like anti-aging and providing immunity to fight against diseases. Provide your pet with green leafy vegetables. Example: peas, cabbage, spinach and cauliflower. Also, you can include blueberries and raw onions.
Get regular vaccinations and prevent diseases
For good health, pets need to get regular vaccinations against popular diseases like rabies, canine hepatitis, feline leukemia and distemper. It depends on your pet’s age, health and lifestyle as to how often it has to be vaccinated.
Even pets need dental care
Even pets suffer form tooth loss and tooth pain. Hence, regular brushing and cleaning should be undertaken to keep your pet’s teeth strong and healthy. Also, dental diseases in pets are very preventable and it is your duty to check your pet’s mouth regularly. About 80% of cats and dogs suffer from dental diseases at the age of three, like chronic pain and loose teeth. Pets should be given proper dental cleaning by your vet. Apart from this, even you should involve in your pet’s dental care. You should take up brushing and oral rinses for your pet.
Home environment and surroundings should be pet-safe
If you have a pet, then you should see to it that your home environment is safe for your pet. Make sure that you keep all pesticides out of reach of your pets. In quite a few homes, there are some plants which might affect the pet’s health. You should either take them out or you should keep them somewhere your pet doesn’t walk. Usually, dogs and cats chew up electrical wires. This can be very fatal to their health. Hence, if you would take a little care to make your home environment pet-safe, you can prevent many accidents.
Schedule regular checkups and exercises
As mentioned earlier, obesity leads to many problems. Hence, you should provide your pet regular exercise. But, you should decide the amount of exercise to be given only after consulting your vet. Your vet will plan the diet and exercise for your pet. Also, your pet needs regular check-ups. Don’t take your pet to the vet only when it is sick. As they say, prevention is better than cure. If your pet is taken to regular checkups, then it is less likely to develop diseases. Your pet should get undergo lab analysis, dental exam and heart check.
Featured Image Credit – Photo credit: OakleyOriginals / Foter / CC BY
2 Comments
I loved this post, there is no way around it. The fact that you addressed such necessary tips and tricks is so great. My family and I have an almost 9-year-old yellow lab and we love her like she is one of our own species. (She sure acts like it too!) I love seeing/hearing people become more aware and consciously active on the dog-care circuit. Plus, killer title…it seriously drew me in!
I used to feed my dog with just the regular processed dog food, but after a while he was getting too big for his size. I opted to feed him my own mixture instead. Rice,some meat, and veggies.but of course moderate eating goes for animals too. Thanks for the healthy tips!