A new pet can be an exciting, fun choice that the entire family can take pleasure in with each other. There are many things to consider during this decision-making process, starting with choosing a name or collar and deciding who will feed and groom the pet. If you choose to bring a pet or cat to your house, it is a gesture of unconditional love and protection to your animal and committing to care for it. To do that, you must ensure your pet is healthy and safe. This usually involves more than offering water, food, shelter, and veterinary treatment. Also, it is essential to warrant that your pet doesn’t have access to the most dangerous or harmful objects in your house.
Pet Health for Dogs and Cats
A healthy pet includes ensuring it has current vaccines and recognizing when it is unwell and needs medical attention. All of these are the obligations that each pet owner must fulfill when they welcome a new pet. The most basic health care includes caring for a dog’s or cat’s food exercises and veterinary requirements. Pets are susceptible to developing health problems because of a range of reasons. Specific health problems could be typical ailments that affect pets or dogs; however, other issues may be unique or more severe to particular breeds or animals. Understanding the health issues your pet is at risk of developing and what steps you should take to stop them can ensure that your pet is well-behaved and happy for the years to come.
- Basic Pet Care
- First Aid Tips for Pet Owners
- Recognizing and Caring for a Sick Pet
- WebMD: The Old Dog Health Q&A Food and Health Concerns with Aging Dogs
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: The Special Needs of the Senior Cat
- MedicineNet.com: Skin Problems in Cats Slideshow
Pet Dangers in the Home
Keeping pets in a house is more beneficial for their well-being than letting them out in the open; however, this doesn’t mean pets are completely safe or protected from danger while within. There are numerous risks canines and cats are frequently exposed to, many of which can be poisonous or cause illness for your pet. Products and items used daily, including cleaning substances and food items, as well as plants and decorations, could be hazardous to the health of cats and dogs.
Identifying and removing toxic objects in the house can help solve or even explain unexpected health issues or illnesses. Some other dangers are not chemical-related. However, they can be as dangerous. Candles, for instance, can be hazardous to pets, and smaller objects and toys could create choking hazards.
- Oklahoma State University PDF: Is Your Home Safe for Your Pet? (PDF)
- Common Household Dangers
- Household Dangers
- Your Garage Can be a Dangerous Place
- FDA: Potentially Dangerous Items for Your Pet
- One Hundred and One Hazards to Your Puppy
Pet Exercise Needs
As with humans, a restless lifestyle can harm the well-being of animals and cats. If combined with a diet that is poor and a lack of physical activity, it could result in overweight as well as costly and health-related issues. If you’re a dog owner and you want to warrant that your pet gets suitable exercise by incorporating them into the activities you enjoy and exercises, especially if you take long walks or go for jogs. If you’re a cat owner and you’re a cat lover, it might be more challenging to “exercise” your cats. Nevertheless, you could have fun with them or purchase items that allow your cat to play in more of a natural manner. For instance, you can hang the feathers of a toy from sticks with a laser pointer in a dark space, or provide them with a fun or interactive toy that will test them. Cat exercise can be much easier when you own multiple cats because they can play together. Treat-holding or treats-dispensing toys can be great at making your cat work each food, which helps reduce over-feeding and eating habits and encourages playing with energy.
- Animal Planet: Exercise and Playtime
- Exercising With Your Pet
- Prevention Magazine The Pudgy Pet Problem: Ten ways to exercise with Your Pet
- Exercise for Dogs Based on the Specific Needs and Passions of Dogs to Avoid Obesity
- Exercise for Cats
Pet Grooming for Good Health
We all know that we groom our pets to maintain their appearance, cleanliness, and smell. Other benefits are outside of appearance, making grooming an essential element of caring for and keeping your pet or cat. Being a responsible pet owner, it is necessary to regularly check to see if any issues might cause harm to the health of your pet during your grooming regimen. Possible problems that grooming could expose include skin abrasions, inflammations, and connected matters. When you handle your pet’s fur or “de-clumping,” fur may show lumps, lesions, masses, or cysts that appear unnoticeable.
Insects, fleas, and other parasites affecting your pet’s health can be easily identified by brushing, bathing, or trimming the fur. The cleaning of your pet’s teeth is another way of grooming. It lets you examine your pet’s teeth for signs of problems, such as bleeding gums or an abscess, and it requires medical attention.
- American Kennel Club: Grooming
- Healthy Pet: Grooming Your Pet
- Animal Humane Society: Grooming Tips for Dogs and Reasons (PDF)
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital: Keeping Your Pet’s Teeth Clean is Important to Their Overall Health
- Pet Dental Health Facts
Pet Safety Prevention Tips
There are ways to prevent certain illnesses by taking proper measures to warrant your pet’s safety. Weather conditions, holidays and travel, stress, and the everyday activities around your household can impact your pet’s health. The perfect way to prevent this is by becoming aware of potential health issues and reducing the risk and adverse outcomes from exposure to risks. Making sure your pet is an essential aspect of responsibility in pet care and taking care of your pet