It can be difficult to stay on top of what's best for your
own health and well-being, so knowing what's good for your pet may seem a
little confusing.
Keep your feline friends and canine companions healthy and
happy by following these 10 pet care tips the pros want you to know:
Regular Exams are Vital
Just like you, your pet can get heart problems, develop
arthritis, or have a toothache. The best way to prevent such problems or catch
them early is to see your veterinarian every year.
Regular exams are "the single most important way to
keep pets healthy," says Kara M. Burns, MS, Med, LVT, president of the
Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians.
Annual vet visits should touch on nutrition and weight
control, says Oregon veterinarian Marla J. McGeorge, DVM, as well as cover
recommended vaccinations, parasite control, dental exam, and health screenings.
Spay and Neuter Your Pets
Eight million to 10 million pets end up in U.S. shelters
every year. Some are lost, some have been abandoned, and some are homeless.
Here's an easy way to avoid adding to that number -- spay
and neuter your cats and dogs. It's a procedure that can be performed as early
as six to eight weeks of age.
Spaying and neutering doesn't just cut down on the number of
unwanted pets; it has other substantial benefits for your pet. Studies show it
also lowers the risk of certain cancers, Burns tells WebMD, and reduces a pet's
risk of getting lost by decreasing the tendency to roam.
Prevent Parasites
Fleas are the most common external parasite that can plague
pets, and they can lead to irritated skin, hair loss, hot spots, and infection.
Fleas can also introduce other parasites into your cat or dog. All it takes is
for your pet to swallow one flea, and it can to end up with tapeworms, the most
common internal parasite affecting dogs and cats.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Many dogs and cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese. And
just like people, obesity in pets comes with health risks that include
diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.
Overfeeding is the leading cause of obesity, says Douglas,
who adds that keeping our pets trim can add years to their lives.
Because pets need far fewer calories than most of us think
-- as little as 185-370 a day for a small, inactive dog; just 240-350 calories
daily for a 10-pound cat -- talk to your vet, who can make feeding suggestions
based on your pet's age, weight, and lifestyle.