If you're a pet owner, you know that your furry friends are part of the family. But like all members of the family, they need a little care and attention to stay healthy and happy. For example, dogs can pick up ticks and fleas that could cause them health problems—and cats can get worms if they aren't regularly dewormed. So how do you keep your pets safe? Easy! Keep reading for tips on how to be sure your pet stays healthy:
VISIT THE VET
Regular vet visits are a good idea. Your furry friend's health and well-being are in your hands, and it's important to keep them happy and healthy. Your veterinarian can help you with any health issues, as well as advice on nutrition and behavior problems. The best food for your pet depends on their age and breed, so ask the veterinarian for suggestions about what would be best for them.
A NUTRITIOUS DIET
A nutritious diet is essential to your pet's health. The type of food you feed your cat or dog will depend on their age, weight and activity level. A healthy adult should be fed 1-2 times per day with a meal that consists of 20% protein (or less), 30% fat and 50% carbohydrates. Puppies need more calories than adult dogs because they are growing so fast--up to twice as many! Kittens tend to eat more frequently than adult cats because they're still growing too, although there's no hard-and-fast rule here: some cats prefer having two large meals per day rather than three smaller ones spread throughout the day.
DAILY EXERCISE
- Play with your pet.
- Walk your pet.
- Take your pet to the park, and let them run around there for a while.
- If you have a backyard, let them run around in it! If not, maybe find an open field or park where they can go play ball/chase other animals/whatever their heart desires.
REGULAR GROOMING & BATHS
Regular grooming and bathing are important for all pets. Brushing your pet's coat helps to remove loose hair, which can be a source of allergies and irritation for you, your pet and anyone who shares your home with you. Regular bathing also helps control fleas and ticks (and the diseases they carry).
If you have an older dog or cat with dental issues, it's critical that you brush their teeth at least twice per week--more often if needed--to reduce plaque build-up that could lead to gum disease or tooth loss later on.
VACCINATIONS
Vaccinations are one of the most important things you can do for your pet. They're also one of the easiest, because most veterinarians offer vaccinations as part of their standard services. Vaccinations help protect pets against infectious diseases like rabies and distemper by boosting their immune systems with antigens that mimic a disease-causing agent.
While it's true that not all animals need vaccinations, some vaccines are required by law in many states--and even if they aren't required where you live, there are still good reasons to get them done regularly:
- If you plan on taking your dog out of state or country (or even just across town), he may be required by law to have certain vaccines before boarding an airplane or entering another jurisdiction.* Certain illnesses spread easily among animals and humans; having your pet vaccinated against these could keep both him and his human family members healthy.* Some vets recommend annual booster shots after initial immunizations have taken effect; these boosters ensure continued protection against common threats such as rabies or kennel cough.
PROPER IDENTIFICATION
If you have a dog or cat, there are several important things you should do to make sure your pet remains safe. The first step is getting them microchipped. This device contains information about your pet's owner and can be used to identify them if they are lost or stolen. It also helps veterinarians identify the owner of a stray animal so that he or she can be reunited with their family.
Next, consider buying collar tags for both dogs and cats with information about their names, vaccinations and phone numbers for owners who may find them wandering around somewhere (like outside on a walk). Finally, if you live in an area where rabies is prevalent (like many parts of North America), make sure that all pets have at least one rabies tag attached securely enough so it won't fall off easily when brushed against something else like foliage while playing outdoors!
PET SOCIALIZING & TRAINING
Socialization is important for all pets, but especially for puppies and kittens. As they grow up, they need to learn how to interact with other animals in order to develop proper social skills. This can be done at home with the help of their owners or at doggie daycare centers where they will have more opportunities to play with other dogs and meet new people.
Socializing your pet can also help them behave better when it comes time for training classes or when you're out on walks together in public places like parks or beaches (especially if there are other dogs around).
SUPERVISING YOUR PET
- Supervise your pet when they are outside. This is especially important for young children and senior citizens, who may not be able to fully control their pets' behavior.
- Keep them inside at night, when there are fewer people around and animals can more easily sneak up on an unsuspecting cat or dog.
- Keep them away from other animals--especially aggressive ones--and dangerous situations like busy streets or ponds filled with toxic plants and water that might contain parasites like leeches (eww).
We hope these tips will help you keep your furry friends happy and healthy.