Healthy Pets at Home: A Guide for Cat and Dog Owners
INTRO
Keeping a pet at home is a huge responsibility. Some say it is akin to taking care of a small child,
given the animal’s constant dependency. There are several factors regarding pet health care that
should be taken into account including daily exercise, regular check-ups at the vet and precautionary
measures. Proper and constant care everyday will ensure that your pet is happy, safe and comfortable in
the home and the surrounding area. And remember that a happy and healthy pet will in turn offer much peace
of mind to their owners.
PREVENTIVE CARE
Dogs
- Dog Dental Care: Ever accused your dog
of having foul fishy breath? It may actually be a symptom of dental issues. Daily teeth cleaning, an
adequate supply of fresh water and chewy toys (such as rawhide bones) will help to eliminate rotting
teeth, bad breath and gum diseases.
- Dog Ear Cleaning: Excessive ear
scratching or strange smells from either of the dog’s ears can indicate a yeast infection.
Although a dog’s ears don’t have to be cleaned everyday, making it a somewhat regular habit
will reduce the risk of infection and help to make your canine buddy more used to it and more
cooperative!
- Preventing Flea and Tick
Infestations: Avoid spending hours of picking out and killing nasty little parasites by simply
performing regular skin checks on the dog, maintaining a clean home and practicing a few other
preventative measures.
- Regular
Grooming: Bathing (despite the dog’s best efforts to wiggle out of it) and brushing will keep
a dog’s fur clean and help to prevent parasites.
- Dog Vaccinations: Never underestimate the
importance of vaccinating dogs. They can easily contract a number of illnesses without correct and
up-to-date vaccinations.
- Dog Feeding
Tips: The food and treats a dog receives plays an important role in their health, energy levels and
weight.
Cats
- Dental Care for Cats: As with
dogs, cats can also experience plaque, gum disease and other problems without good dental care. Regular
brushing can help prevent this and make the owner aware of any emerging issues.
- Cleaning Cats’ Ears: Cats
can develop various fungal or yeast infections in their ears or also have ear mites. Undoubtedly,
dealing with infected ears is quite troublesome, so prevent it with regular checks and cleaning.
- Preventing
Fleas on Cats: Flea infestations in cats can lead to many serious diseases. They can easily be
prevented through skin checks, a flea collar and injections.
- Cat Grooming: Don’t be fooled by people who
say that cats clean themselves. Cats still require bathing, brushing and the removal of matted fur no
matter how much they might lick themselves. This will also help to eliminate parasite infestations and
alert the owner to any abnormalities on the body.
- Cat
Vaccinations: According to pet laws in most cities, cats also need to be vaccinated to prevent
diseases and to ensure that no diseases are passed on in the event of bites or scratches to other
animals or humans.
- Cat Feeding Tips: It is important
to properly research the types of foods that are suitable for a cat, based on its age and weight since
each life stage has different nutrition requirements.
EXERCISE
Dogs
- General Exercise Tips for Dogs:
Like humans, dogs also require a bit of a warm-up before launching into intensive exercise. This article
offers more tips on how to safely exercise a dog.
- Appropriate Amounts of Exercise for Dogs:
Exercise requirements for dogs vary immensely with factors such as size, age, weight and health issues
such as hip dysplasia or leg injuries.
- Winter Exercise
for Dogs: Walking and playing outdoors in winter requires special care to ensure the dog does not
become too cold or suffer from frostbite in the paws.
- Exercising Dogs with
Arthritis: Dogs with arthritis should not be pushed beyond their limits as it could lead to further
damage in their bodies.
- Exercise for
Small Dogs: Many small dogs are veritable balls of energy just waiting to run around at top speed.
Left to their own devices at home all day, they might start to become destructive. A good amount of
daily exercise will keep them content and ready to settle down at home.
- Exercise versus Play:
Learn what forms of exercise are suitable for dogs, why it is important and how it differs from playing
outdoors.
- Dog Obesity and Prevention: Obesity in dogs is
more common that many people think. It is a dangerous condition and can be fatal in severe cases. Proper
exercise can aid in reducing an obese dog’s weight and maintaining it at a healthy level.
Cats
- Why do Cats
Need Exercise?: This article explains the various health issues that can be reduced in cats through
daily exercise.
- General Exercise Suggestions
for Cats: Exercising a cat is not as intensive as with dogs, but it is still very important.
Climbing trees or scratching posts and a variety of toys will keep them occupied.
- Exercise for Diabetic Cats:
Intense exercise is not recommended for diabetic cats since it can harm them. Keep it light but
constant.
- Fat Cats Need
Exercise Too: Obese cats tend to prefer plenty of sleep when they’re not eating, but their
owner should make sure that they also fit in a decent amount of exercise each day.
- Exercise Affects Cat
Behavior: Lack of exercise leads to a bored cat that can be destructive and even aggressive. This
article explains how to keep cats mentally stimulated through regular exercise.
- The Cat’s
Guide to Exercise: A helpful list of suggestions for popular cat toys as well as ideas for toys that
can be made at home to help with exercising the cat.
SPAYING AND NEUTERING
Dogs
- All About Spaying Dogs:
This article explains the process of spaying from a science perspective and also outlines the
disadvantages of not spaying.
- Spaying and Cancer in Dogs: Spaying
female dogs can eliminate the risk of mammary and ovarian cancer.
- Spaying and Neutering Dog
Myths: This guide helps to clear up several commonly heard myths about spaying and neutering
procedures and also offers statistics on the problem of dog overpopulation in the U.S.
- Effects of Neutering Dogs: Learn about
why dogs should be neutered and the effect it has on dominant and aggressive behavior in males.
- Long-Term Risks
and Benefits of Spaying and Neutering: This scientific study examines the benefits of spaying and
neutering dogs and also puts forward several risks that are not normally mentioned in mainstream
literature.
Cats
- Neutering Cats: Cats are neutered by removing the
testes to prevent aggressive behavior and aid in cat population control.
- Pros
& Cons of Neutering and Spaying Cats: This article helps to show both sides of spaying and
neutering procedures and how they affect cats.
- All About Spaying
Cats: Spaying cats usually involves removal of the ovaries and uterus to ensure the cat does not
become pregnant in future or develop hormonal-based problems. This intensive guide includes the pros and
cons of spaying and features some graphic images.
- Why Spay a Cat?: This
article will help guide cat owners in making an informed decision about whether or not to spay their cat
and when to do so.
Additional Resources
- Where
to Spay or Neuter: A helpful guide from the Humane Society with several options on where to spay or
neuter a pet, including financial information.
- Free or Low-Priced Spaying Programs: There
are many clinics in the U.S. that offer spaying services at low prices or for free. This directory is
searchable by state and offers several options with contact details for each state.
- Spay USA:
This quick checklist provides a brief look at the benefits of spaying or neutering dogs as well as cats.
- Common
Spay and Neuter Questions: The Spay-Neuter Assistance Program answers several questions that pet
owners commonly ask about spaying or neutering cats and dogs.
TOXIC SUBSTANCES TO YOUR PET FOUND IN THE HOME
Dogs
- Poisonous Substances for
Dogs: Many common items from cleaning products to certain foods and plants can be toxic for dogs.
Always keep such items on high shelves or in pet-proofed cabinets.
- Toxic Foods and
Plants for Dogs: This list provides a large amount of information about common foods that are
dangerous for dogs (with explanations of how they can harm) as well as a second list of toxic plants and
flowers.
- Toxic Substances and Effects on Dogs: Learn
about some of the most common items that harm dogs and how long before symptoms become apparent.
- Dogs and
Chocolate: Dogs may beg for human treats but it is always safest not to give in. This article
explains how much chocolate will affect a dog and what the symptoms are.
- Dog Poisoning Treatment: A guide on what
to do if your dog ingests some form of toxic substance.
- Dangerous Items for Dogs:
Reduce the risks of dog poisoning by chasing your pet out of the kitchen and discouraging it from
licking floors or grabbing human food from tables. Onion and garlic scraps or chicken bones can cause
plenty of damage!
- Alcohol
and Marijuana: It might sound like a no-brainer, but a shocking number of people find it amusing to
intoxicate their pets with alcohol or drugs. Learn about how these substances affect dogs and why
second-hand smoke is also dangerous.
Cats
- Toxic Substances for Cats: Common toxic items
and symptoms of toxic poisoning are covered in this guide about cats.
- Foods
Poisonous to Cats: Allowing a cat to share the dog’s kibble or indulge in raw fish or canned
tuna can be more dangerous than it seems!
- Safe and Toxic Plants for Cats: When planning a
garden, don’t forget to consult this list to ensure that the cat does not accidentally get
poisoned.
- Potpourri: Fragrances and essential oils used
in potpourri are often concentrated and can cause irritation and toxic symptoms in cats. To prevent
this, place the bowl of potpourri in an area that the cat cannot reach, or attach a secure mesh covering
to the top so that the smell emanates without the contents spilling out.
- Medicines and Chemicals:
Batteries, aspirin, herbicides and insecticides are just a few of the substances in the house that can
be incredibly dangerous for cats.
Additional Resources
- Anti-freeze: Who would seriously ever drink
antifreeze? Pets, that’s who. This is perhaps one of the only cases in which it is suitable to
give alcohol to cats or dogs, since the alcohol negates the side effects of the antifreeze. Of course,
such a treatment should be carried out by a professional, so consult a vet as soon as the pet has
consumed any amount of antifreeze.
- Pet Holiday Hazards: Keep pets safe in holiday
seasons by adhering to a few simple guidelines about common pet hazards.
OUTDOOR DANGERS
- Cold Weather Hazards: Cold
weather doesn’t only affect pets while walking outdoors, but cars, salt on roads and ice pellets
pose other dangers.
- Hot Weather
Hazards: Dehydration, sunburn, parasites and hot asphalt can hurt cats and dogs alike. The
preventative suggestions offered in this article can help keep them safe.
- Outdoor Risks for Cats: While many dogs are
leashed outdoors, cats are often left to roam free. Keep them safe by watching out for traffic, fighting
with other cats (especially feral cats), loose garbage and other dangers.
PICKING A VETERINARIAN
- Choosing a Vet for
Dogs: One of the best ways to find a trusted vet is by asking around! Friends or family might be
able to offer suggestions, or an online search can provide background info on a vet’s credentials
and reputation. Never hesitate to ask the vet about any suspected problems regarding the animal’s
health.
- The Pet Fund: Veterinary care for pets is certainly quite
expensive, but The Pet Fund is one of several organizations that aim to help pet owners finance the
medical fees.
- Emergency Pet
Clinics: In case of unexpected and possibly fatal emergencies, an emergency clinic is usually a
better solution than the regular vet’s office, especially with respect to opening hours. This list
offers a comprehensive set of listings across the country.
INSURANCE
- Petplan:
Petplan is a large worldwide organization that provides insurance services for pets. They offer separate
insurance plans for dogs and cats and can customize it to the animal’s breed and genetic
disorders.
- Pet Insurance
Comparisons: This helpful guide offers a quick comparison of different pet insurance plans offered
by various companies. An excellent way to start shopping for pet insurance.
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