Any pet owner will know that they can often feel like a member of the family. That’s why folks often seek essential tips for taking proper care of them. Perhaps you have an animal in your house and are keen to look after it. In this article, we’ll provide 8 simple tips to make sure your pet stays healthy.
1. Feed Your Pet Properly
It’s essential that you regularly supply your pet/s with the food and water that they require. In turn, this will supply it with the energy and nutrients it needs to live a long and healthy life. If you own a cat, make sure the food has a good balance of protein, fats, and carbs. The same thing applies to dog food – plus, they need plenty of fibre for their digestive systems.
Your pet may need different food, depending on its age, activity level, and health condition. In some cases, you may also need to supply supplements. Your veterinarian should be able to advise you in this regard. If you go online to research glucosamine for dogs, you can discover at what age you should start providing this to your canines. You can also learn how to give this to your pet, and how joint supplements help canines in general.
2. Make Regular Vet Visits
For some pets (eg. cats and dogs), these should occur once or twice a year – or more if your pet has a medical condition. Your vet can check its general health and weight, and provide helpful advice (e.g. in terms of diet and exercise). If you own a puppy, you may need to see your vet every few weeks for the first few months. If you own a senior dog, you may need to visit them twice a year.
Both cats and dogs need regular treatment to help prevent worms, fleas, and ticks. If you acquire one, you’ll need to schedule an immunization appointment quickly. You’ll then have to keep your pet up to date on these injections. If you’re a puppy owner, they can prevent Rabies, Lyme Disease, and Distemper. Cat vaccinations can help prevent Feline Herpes Virus, Rabies, and Feline Leukemia.
3. Provide Proper Identification
This is essential if you own a cat or a dog, especially if it’s liable to wander off. First of all, buy a collar and tag that contains all your contact information. It’s also worth having your pet microchipped. This will be especially beneficial should the collar come off.
Microchips are as small as a grain of rice, and they’re placed under the pet’s skin so they can be read by a scanner. Should your pet get lost, it may be taken to a vet, who could quickly be able to contact you.
4. Consider Spaying Or Neutering
No cat or dog owner wants their pet to become unhealthy or homeless. Cats are more likely to wander off when they go into ‘heat’. If you sterilize your pet, it can actually prevent a wide range of different health problems. If you have your cat spayed, it’ll reduce the risk of it developing cervical cancer. This is because the uterus and ovaries will have been removed.
If your puppy is sterilized it’ll be less likely to roam around the neighbourhood. It’ll also be less aggressive, and safe from developing testicular cancer. These medical procedures require pets to be put under a general anaesthetic. As a result, your vet will need to keep the animal overnight. This is to keep an eye on it and to make sure it fully recuperates.
5. Give Them A Comfortable Home
If you have an active animal (e.g. a dog), make sure it’ll have enough room to move around – both indoors and outdoors. If it has a designated living area, make sure this is kept clean, cosy, safe, and hygienic. Your cat or dog bed may become flat over time, in which case you should replace it. If your cat uses a litter tray, attend to it on a daily basis.
Keep a keen eye on potential risks, such as trailing wires that a pet could chew on. If someone gives you flowers or plants, go online to make sure they won’t be poisonous to your pet. Animals such as cats and dogs benefit from having toys. Having said that, make sure they aren’t choking hazards or made with sharp edges.
6. Train And Socialize Your Pet
If you acquire a cat or dog, you’ll need to make sure that it’s well-trained and able to socialize with others. This can occur at any age, but it’s always easier if an animal is trained when it’s young. Two areas you’ll have to get on top of are obedience and toilet training.
If you’re going to take your dog on a walk with you, wait until they’re at least four months old and fully vaccinated. Make sure they are safe to be around other people and animals. There’ll no doubt be dog trainers in your area who can help you with this process.
7. Keep Them Well-Maintained
In some cases, you may need to brush your pet’s teeth or comb its coat, as part of the grooming process. There may also be nails that you need to trim.
Keep a daily eye out for any potential signs of illness or disease. Your veterinarian can advise you on what sort of things you should look for. For instance, certain species of dogs can be particularly vulnerable to specific medical conditions.
8. Provide Plenty Of Exercises
If you’re a dog owner, you’ll need to do this daily. Different breeds require different amounts of exercise in order to remain healthy and happy. If you avoid this responsibility, they could have surplus energy and even manifest destructive behaviour (e.g.damaging your furniture, doorways, carpets, or books).
These 8 tips can stand you in good stead in terms of looking after your beloved pet. In return for your time and attention, they can live a long and healthy life. As a member of your household, they’ll also provide you with many hours of joy.
