Let's face it. Our pets are our babies! We would do anything for them, including keeping them healthy and happy.
Here are 10 ways to keep your pet healthy and happy:
- Spay/Neuter
- Good Diet
- Exercise
- Clean/Proper Habitat
- Vet Visits
- Regular Dentals
- Vaccinations
- Parasites Preventative
- Avoid Harmful Foods
- Give Attention and Love
Spay/Neuter
Despite keeping down the pet population, spaying and neutering your pet can provide health and behavior benefits. In female dogs, spaying decreases the risk of pyometra and some forms of cancer, a diseases which can be deadly. Males are usually less aggressive and spraying is minimal after being neutered.
Diet
Keeping your pet on a proper diet can help prevent health problems and maintain a good weight. We see multiple overweight animals that have major health problems, some of which can be remedied by a healthy diet. Birds especially need to be on a healthy diet, as a majority of the diseases they get are a result of eating poorly.
Exercise
Just like a healthy diet, exercise can help control weight gain and lessen the chance of getting illnesses, such as heart disease. Just 20 minutes of walking each day can keep your pet in good shape. Some breeds, such as border collies, require much more exercise to stay healthy.
Clean/Proper Habitat
Pets need to have a clean and safe place to live. It is important for cats to have clean litter boxes. Reptiles require cages large enough to be safe and comfortable. Before obtaining a pet, find out what is needed for proper housing.
Vet Visit
Seeing the vet on a regular basis keeps your pet healthy. Birds that regularly see a vet and have blood work done can help detect illness before it gets too bad. Dogs and cats require routine vaccines that protect against harmful diseases.
Regular Dentals
Cats and dogs that have routine professional teeth cleanings are less likely to get periodontal disease, which can affect more than just the teeth and mouth. It can harm the liver, heart and kidneys.
Vaccinations
By keeping your pets up to date on their vaccines, you are helping to eliminate them getting harmful diseases. It may seem like a hassle to get them vaccinated, but in the long run you are keeping them healthy and safe.
Parasites Preventative
You've probably heard us talk about heartworm preventative and how it can prevent a deadly disease. It is important for your dog to receive a heartworm preventative injection every six months. By doing this, you are lessening the chance of him/her getting heartworm disease. It is also important to prevent internal and external parasites, which can be done along with heartworm prevention.
Avoid Harmful Foods
Admit it. You want to feed your pet table scraps. It seems so innocent, feeding them what you are putting in your mouth. However, animals require a strict diet to keep them healthy. Birds can get sick if they have too much fat in their diet. Dogs can be harmed if they ingest harmful foods such as grapes and chocolate. Be sure to speak to the vet about what is good to feed your pet.
Give Attention and Love
This is self-explanatory. Your pet loves you and deserves your love and attention. Give them plenty TLC every single day!
