5 Smart Ways to Prevent Illness in Pets

If you're looking for a way to prevent illness in pets, then you're smart and proactive. Many of the disease that pets suffer from that ultimately shorten their lives can be prevented by taking some simple steps, all of which will be explained in this article. So if you're a caring pet owner, read on.

Although it makes sense that one of the best ways to prevent illness in pets is to feed your pet proper food, many dog and cat lovers are unwittingly feeding their beloved pets a junk food diet. Next time, you feed your dog or cat, take a moment to read the ingredients on the label. What you don't want to see are names of chemicals that you can't pronounce, dyes, preservatives, fillers and cheap grains. These ingredients are as toxic to pets as they are to humans. Just to give you an example of how important good ingredients are, did you know that cheap grains in junk pet food can alter the pH of the bladder, setting the stage for urinary tract infections and bladder stones. Of course a junk food diet over the lifetime of a pet can lead to any number of diseases, including cancer.

This is why it's important to feed your pet organic kibble that is made with real meat, vegetables, whole grains and healthy oils. You can also make your pet a stew from meat or fish, broth and vegetables, but kibble is more convenient and pets really like it. Since even good food has been compromised by mineral-deficient soil and pollution, it is crucial to give your pet a daily supplement. Problem is not all supplements are created equal.

Look for a supplement that contains essential vitamins like C, A and E, along with important minerals like Selenium. This remedy should also contain herbs like Mistletoe and which are powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants fight free radicals which cause disease and premature aging and also clean out the liver, helping it to function properly. Detoxifying the liver is important because the liver breaks down fat (keeping your pet lean and healthy) and also filters out toxins. In addition to good food, adding a good quality supplement is the smartest and most effective way to prevent illness in pets.

The next step you need to take is to make sure your pet always has a big, clean bowl of water. Although this seems like common sense, a lot of pet owners neglect this step. There is an entire theory that many diseases are the result of chronic dehydration. Certainly dehydration plays a part in diseases of the bladder. Since tap water can be full of chemicals, make sure to use a tap filter.

The fourth step is to make sure that your pet gets regular exercise. So many pets spend their entires lives chained up in the backyard and this is where many health problems start. Like us, pets need regular exercise to clean out their lymph systems and relieve pent up physical stress.

The fifth step is to make sure your pet gets plenty of love and attention. Touch your pet, give massages once in a while and make sure your pet knows that he or she is loved. There have been plenty of studies that have linked strong immunity, health and longevity to touching, love and care.

Following these 5 simple, but practical steps will prevent illness in pets and ensure that your pet stays healthy and lives a long, happy life. Preventative pet care is one of the best ways to show your cat or dog how much you care.

Laura Ramirez is an avid researcher of products that help restore health and vitality to pets and people and keep their immune system strong and functioning properly. To learn more about her findings, go to http://www.pet-health-supplements.com.