Most Common Pet Health Problems

Making sure that your pet is healthy can be as challenging as making sure that a kid in your home is healthy. The possible causes of illnesses and problems that your pets can go through are varied. And as responsible pet owners, it is your responsibility to know what these problems may be.

Probably one of the most common of all the health problems that your pet can have is a gastrointestinal problem. The illnesses associated with the gastrointestinal system can range from simple aches and pains which are usually manifested as irritability or restlessness in your pet to vomiting or passage of loose stools. Some severe cases may be characterized by presence of tender abdomen or protrusions.

To be able to assess whether your pet is suffering from any gastrointestinal problem, you can begin by observing its behavior. As mentioned above, those that are suffering from stomach aches may be restless and irritable. You may also do more aggressive assessment such as inspecting your pet's abdomen. Palpation should be done with caution especially if you are untrained. This action might only cause more problems.

Monitoring the nutrition that your pet takes in is vital. However, many owners tend to overlook this aspect. They just feed their pets and no longer take into consideration what nutrients they provide or don't provide.

As long as the pet is fed regularly, malnutrition will rarely be a problem. There can be vitamin and mineral deficiencies but they will not be too serious. One condition that owners need to look for is obesity. Providing more than what the pet needs can easily lead to this.

Young pets generally need a lot of nourishment. But as they age, their requirements decrease. Therefore, it is the owner's responsibility to determine the right time to change the components of what you feed them.

Your pets might also develop cancers. The causes can be unknown for some cases but there are those that are believed to be caused by carcinogens that are either ingested, inhaled or anything that the pet was exposed to in its lifetime.

A lot of deaths among pets are also attributed to cancers so early detection for early treatment is necessary. A regular checkup with the vet is beneficial. Also, in between these checkups, you can assess your pet on your own. If you notice something different about its behavior, eating pattern, or level of activity, it might be the right time to intervene.

Another health problem that is quite common is rabies. However, this can be easily prevented with proper and regular vaccination. But to be more careful, it is also helpful to know about the possible signs and symptoms that will be observed in a pet that has been infected. A change in behavior is very common. Sensitivity to light and irritability may also be noticed.

For serious conditions, the expertise of a veterinarian will be necessary. This is one of the best ways by which you can ensure the safety and health of your pet.

Jerri Torres enjoys writing for Petflow which sells solid gold and Royal Canin pet food as well as a host of additional products.