Home Care
Dogs and cats will develop plaque and tartar on their teeth at some point in their lives, regardless of diet or chewing habits. You should regularly check your pet's teeth to benchmark change as an indicator of health. Have your pet’s teeth checked by a vet to prevent tooth loss.
Routine nail trimming can be a challenge for most pets, but a necessity nevertheless for most. Nails left uncut have a tendency to "curl" and this curling can occur back into the pads of the paws. Besides the discomfort, this can lead to infection. Cats and dogs need their nails trimmed back usually every 6-8 weeks. Look for new pet care implements that promise to make trimming easier on both pet and pet Parent.
Ensure your pet is eating a healthy amount and a food that is fortified with nutrients. Don’t kill your pet with kindness and overfed. You should not feed your pet many of the same things you eat. There are many foods we eat that are toxic to cats and dogs and should be kept away from them. These include honey, chocolate, peanut butter, different types of plants and herbs and even grapes.
Exercise is as important to your pet as it is to you. Take the time to play with and walk your pet every single day to ensure you are both getting a quality level of activity to stay healthy.
Spaying and Neutering
It’s important to get your dog or cat spayed or neutered. An unneutered male cat will mate and produce hundreds of kittens every year. There are outlets for low-cost spaying or neutering available to you. Contact your local Humane Society (aka dog pound) to get the contact information for local, county, and state agencies that offer low cost services, some especially for low income households.
The ASPCA has a database of no and low cost providers. There are also national agencies such as Friends of Animals or Spay USA (800) 248-SPAY to get listings of veterinarians that offer low-cost spay and neutering services. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) endorses early-age spay and neutering.
Immunizations
There are basic immunizations every pet needs to stay healthy. For dogs and cats alike, there are forms of rabies, leukemia, and even Lyme Disease. Immunizations help them stay healthy. If you have an exotic animal, make sure your veterinarian is familiar with the specialized preventative and health care that animal specialty needs. |
