Work Toward Giving Your Pet a Healthy Life

Most pet owners strive to give their loving companion the best life possible. As a cat or dog owner, you may have begun to realize how similar raising a pet is to raising a young child. Just like with a young child, you are responsible for his or her health and welfare. Pets are not able to communicate when something is wrong with them; therefore, it is up to us as owners to keep our pets health and be able to realize when something isn't right. Two ways that pet owners can begin to give their pet a wonderful life is to take note of certain health issues and keep a pet health record. Also, take note of the type of food and treats you feed your pet if you are a dog owner.

Health Issues

There are a few common problems a cat might suffer from: hair balls, plant poisoning, fleas, and infections. If you take precautionary methods, you can prevent these ordeals from occurring. Hair balls can cause your cat to become ill; therefore, it is a great preventative if you brush your cat every day to remove any excess hair from the coat. Cats love to chew on green plants; so, be sure that any plants you have inside or outside your home is non-toxic to your cat. Fleas are a problem among many cats, especially those who go outdoors. If you keep the living environment of your cat clean, your cat is less likely to get fleas.

There are several vaccinations that are important for your cat to get: FeLV (feline leukemia virus), FIP (feline infectious peritonitis), FIE (feline infectious enteritis), FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), flu, and rabies.

A dog owner should be knowledgeable about contracted and genetic disorders that affect dogs. A great precaution against contracted diseases is to have your dog vaccinated for them. Two serious and well-known fungal diseases are canine parvovirus and rabies. Your dog could contract Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever if he or she becomes infected with ticks or fleas. Another problem that can affect your dog is ringworm and hookworm. In regards to genetic disorders, it is wise to visit your dog's veterinarian and let him or her tell you whether your dog is prone to have a genetic disorder based on its breed. If your dog is one that will most likely suffer, ask your vet for advice on how to care for your dog. He or she can answer any additional questions you might have.

Food and Treats

Did you know that the type of food you feed your dog can affect its coat and energy level? Conventional dog food is made of ingredients that are labeled "unhealthy for human consumption" which can be hurtful to your pet's health. Conventional food doesn't give your pet the nutrients it needs which can cause your dog to gain weight because he or she is overeating to compensate. While natural food is comprised of "human safe" ingredients, it supplies your dog with its nutritional needs allowing your pet's body to work to its highest potential for the extent of its life.

Don't stop at feeding your dog healthy food, be sure to feed him or her healthy treats as well. When looking for a healthy snack for your dog, be sure to check out the back of the labels. You want to look for foods that are high in protein and avoid ones that are high in saturated fats/trans-fats/sodium/sugar/carbs and artificial colors/flavors. Also, avoid the preservative propyl gallate that is thought to cause cancer.

Pet Health Record

So you are keeping your pet's vaccinations up-to-date and feeding your dog healthy food and treats, now what should you do to ensure the continuation of your pet's health? A great next step is to document your pet's health by keeping a pet health record. You can make your own, get one off the internet, or ask your pet's doctor. A health record should include the following information: your pet's and your basic info, vaccinations given to your pet, reasons and results of doctor visits, and other valuable facts.

Be sure to vaccinate your pet against possible diseases and manage a current health record form to ensure he or she is able to live the greatest life possible. If you are a dog owner, be sure the food and treats you are feeding your dog are healthy ones.

Russ Fleederman writes about pets and their health issues. For more great information on pet health, visit the website http://thepethealthreview.com/