If you have a pet then the one thing you will have in common with other pet owners is that you want them to live the happiest and healthiest life possible. Today our Eastham vets talk about what you can do to ensure that you provide a healthy lifestyle for your pet.
Providing a Healthy Lifestyle for Your Pet
Our vets at Eastham Veterinary Hospital want your pets to live the best life possible. Here are some things you can do to help care for your pet and keep them happy and healthy:
Provide a Relaxing Location For Your Pet
Everyone needs a safe place in order to relax and get away, the same goes for your pet. Our Eastham Veterinary Hospital vets suggest providing an area that has been created especially for your animal can be fun for you and give your pet a feeling of calm security. Most pets appreciate a space of their own, away from the hustle and bustle of busy children and/or other pets.
Most cats prefer to have a tucked away hiding place for when they relax, whether it is a cat tree, an enclosed bed or a box, they need somewhere to slip away when it gets too hectic for them. Just be sure that your cat can get to their safe space whenever they want to get away.
Creating a special spot for your dog will largely depend upon the size of your pet. Some dogs may enjoy the solitude of a bed tucked into the corner of a small room such as a laundry room, while others like to relax in their own crate. Your dog is sure to provide you with clues on rooms they particularly like to relax in and what their favorite piece of furniture is.
Ensure That Your Pet Has a Complete Diet
Meeting all of your pet's nutritional needs is essential for building a strong body and immune system. Our Eastham vets recommend feeding your cat or dog a diet that provides all the right nutrients based on their age, breed, and stature. Each meal should also be measured so that your pet receives just the right number of calories to support a healthy lifestyle.
Deciding what to feed your pet, as well as how much and how often can be overwhelming. No one understands your four-legged friend's nutritional requirements better than your vet. Speak to your veterinarian about the best food for your animal companion, and ask them to calculate the perfect portion size to suit your pet's needs.
Give Your Pet Adequate Daily Exercise
A tired dog is a happy dog. Taking long walks with your dog every day (rain or shine) helps to promote physical fitness for both you and your pet, and helps to keep your dog's brain active. From a young age, regularly encountering new people, pets, noises and smells while safely by your side can help to give your dog a sense of contentment. Long walks together will also help to build a strong and loving bond between the two of you, and may even help to improve your fitness level too. For most breeds, a good way to begin is by taking a half-hour walk, twice daily, but be sure to check with your vet at Eastham Veterinary Hospital to find out what the correct level of exercise is for your pet - and of course - check with your doctor before starting any new exercise plan.
Cats need exercise too, especially indoor cats. Take the time to play with your feline friend every day to ensure that their body and mind stay active. Chasing a pretend mouse that is moved around by you, or even the dot of a laser pointer aimed at the floor (never aim a laser pointer at your cat), can be great fun for your kitty. If you spend most days out of the house, providing your cat with a cat tower or a treat-filled cat puzzle toy can help to keep your kitty amused and happy throughout the day.
Monitor Your Pet's Weight
The best way that you can help your cat or dog stay healthy is by ensuring that they are at a consistent weight. Obesity in pets leads to an increased risk of some very serious conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and painful joint issues. By closely following steps 2 and 3 throughout your pet's lifetime you should easily be able to keep your pet at a healthy weight. Not sure if your pet is at a healthy weight? Speak to your Eastham vet, or breeder, to find out how much your pet should weigh, and how to help your dog or cat achieve their ideal weight.
Keep Up With Routine Dental Care
Your pet's oral health strongly affects their overall health. If your dog or cat has gum disease or decayed or broken teeth they will likely be feeling a great deal of discomfort, but these conditions could also negatively impact their overall health resulting in conditions such as heart disease. Help your animal companion to maintain good oral health by taking them to your vet at Eastham Veterinary Hospital for regular dental cleanings and exams. Routine dental care can help to prevent more severe conditions that could be costly to treat.
Do Not Allow Your Pet to Ingest Toxins
A number of foods and medications that are fine for humans can be extremely toxic to pets. A few common foods, medications and household items that are poisonous to dogs are; chocolate, raisins, any foods or drinks containing the artificial sweetener xylitol, NSAIDs including Ibuprofen and Naproxen, fabric softener sheets, some essential oils, bleach and toilet cleaning pucks. It's important to note that there are many many more foods, and household items that can be toxic for your dog. Be sure to pet-proof your home every time you put away your groceries in order to avoid tragic accidents.
Although cats are typically less likely to eat things they shouldn't there are some foods you should keep well out of your cat's reach including chocolate, raisins, onions, garlic and alcohol. Do not feed your cat dog food and never ever give your cat human medications without consulting your veterinarian. It is also important to note that many common household and garden plants are toxic to cats. Although older cats tend to be wise enough to avoid plants that could make them ill, kittens may be attracted to fluttering leaves and stems. Be sure to do your research before adding a new plant to your home or garden.
Provide Ongoing Preventive Care
Maintaining up-to-date vaccinations for your pet, and administering appropriate parasite prevention medications when needed, can help to protect your dog or cat against a range of highly contagious and serious conditions that can negatively impact your animal's long-term health and longevity. Your pet's vaccination and parasite prevention requirements will be based on their lifestyle. For example, a hunting dog that spends a great deal of time in tall grass and water will have very different requirements to an indoor cat who calls a New York apartment their home. Ask your vet which vaccines and parasite medications are right for your pet.
It's important to note that in many states it is mandatory for all dogs and cats over 6 months of age to have up-to-date rabies vaccines. Do not skip your cat's annual vaccines just because they stay indoors. Speak to your vet for details on which vaccines and parasite prevention products are right for your feline homebody.
Annual Wellness Visits Will Help Protect Your Pet's Health
Your vet is dedicated to keeping your pet healthy. By bringing your dog or cat in for physical checkups (wellness exams) your Eastham vet is able to take care of those essential vaccines, provide advice on nutrition, monitor your pet's weight, and watch for any developing health concerns.
Most healthy middle-aged pets should be seen about once a year, but if your animal has an underlying health problem, is very young or elderly, your vet may recommend checkups every 6 months or more. Spotting the earliest signs of developing conditions allows for treatment to begin when it is most effective, these checkups also allow your vet to provide elderly pets with proactive treatments that can help your pet feel more comfortable as they continue to age.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.