In a world full of stress and frustration, there is always one
thing that you can count on, one thing that will always bring a
smile, and one being who will always be excited to see you
… your pet. That is why we all care so deeply about our furry
little friends, why we make them a part of our family, and why we
worry so much about their health and happiness.
In a world full of stress and frustration, there is always one thing that you can count on, one thing that will always bring a smile, and one being who will always be excited to see you … your pet. That is why we all care so deeply about our furry little friends, why we make them a part of our family, and why we worry so much about their health and happiness.
We want to take the absolute best care of our pets to ensure they’re around for as long as possible. Unfortunately, though, we speak a different language. And though though some believe whole-heartedly that they can understand what their pets are thinking, they can’t exactly tell you where it hurts. So, here’s a quick guide to keeping your pet safe and healthy.
The Basics
The first precautions that probably come to mind are vaccinations. Puppies and kittens usually receive combination vaccinations at 8, 12 and 16 weeks old, with the rabies shot included in the last visit. It is recommended to repeat the rabies vaccination every three years and the combination vaccination every year.
Canine Parvo Virus (PV) and Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) are two of the most common diseases in dogs. Vaccinations for these are included in the combination shot.
“Many areas of the country have problems with distemper, but I have only seen one case of distemper in 20 years,” says Lori Kayashima, a veterinarian in Gilroy. “Parvo is much more common in this area, but I still recommend getting both vaccinations.”
There’s some confusion over whether dogs should receive the parvo and distemper vaccination every year or every three years, but the medical community has yet to come to a solid conclusion, so consult your vet to decide which is best for your pet.
Also, there have been concerns about a possible new strain of distemper, but Kayashima said it’s not something to worry about.
“There was a recent distemper outbreak in a shelter in Southern California that got people worried,” she said. “But this is not unusual with animals that are already under so much stress. I don’t believe it was new strain.”
Kayashima also recommends that all pets should be on a heartworm prevention and flea and tick prevention programs. There are many options for these, from a once-a-month pill to a topical medicine. Depending on where you live and what your animal is exposed to, certain options may be more beneficial than others.
Proper Diet
Another issue that many pet owners deal with is picking the right food. There are so many to choose from that it is often very difficult to decide. Plus, pets have different needs, depending on their age, condition and individual situation.
“I recommend consulting a vet when choosing the best food for your pet,” said Mel White a veterinarian with the House Call Vet in Hollister and Monterey County. “Unfortunately, we’re just now realizing that the high rates of diabetes in cats may be due to the high percentage of carbohydrates in cat food.”
White explained that cats in the wild catch animal prey and eat a lot more protein than what is in normal cat food. So, in searching for food for your kitty companion, look for foods higher in protein.
Much related to proper diet, a concern that many vets have is pet obesity.
“Dogs and cats in the wild go through times of scarcity and then gorge themselves when food is available. Due to these programmed behaviors, pets will not be able to limit themselves when food is always there,” said Kayashima. “Pets can suffer in the same way humans do from being overweight.”
A pet’s risk for diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and cancer escalate when it is overweight or obese. And once a pet is overweight, it is much harder to stir up the motivation to jump up and play with a favorite toy.
“Diet and exercise is very important for your pet too,” said White. “Stick with dog food, avoid table scraps, limit treats and get out for some exercise. If you’re doing everything right and your pet continues to be overweight, you might consider getting your pet checked for hypothyroidism.”
Some successful pet owners recommend using veggies as treats, which are low-calorie and usually very yummy to pets, who they have fewer taste buds than humans. You may also want to try rationing out some of your pet’s daily food to use as treats. That way your pet still gets rewarded, but it comes out of its daily food allowance.
To Spay or Not to Spay
As pet owners, people have heard the desperate cry from vets and shelters to spay or neuter right away. We know that there are too many animals without homes as it is, but sometimes we’re just not convinced.
“Some people are very hesitant to spay or neuter their pets,” said White. “But doing so greatly reduces an animal’s chance of getting cancer.”
Studies have shown that risk for nearly every type of cancer is reduced when an animal is spayed or neutered.
“There is a lot of breast cancer in older females,” said Kayashima. “Spaying before the first heat virtually eliminates the risk. Prostate cancer is also a big concern in male animals, neutering greatly reduces this risk as well.”
“It also reduces behavior problems, ” she added. “You’ll have fewer issues of dominance, fights with other animals and spraying.”
Pet Safety
Keeping your pet free from danger is a big concern for many pet owners. It is important to not live in fear of the unexpected, but to always keep an eye on your pet. The faster you can respond to a situation, the better chances Fido has of escaping safely.
There are two very important ways to keep your pet safe, a leash and proper obedience training. You may have difficulty with these two things if you own a cat, but dog owners listen up.
“Obedience training is very important in keeping your dog safe,” said Kayashima. “If your dog is running toward the road, and he immediately turns the other way when you yell ‘Come’ you’ve saved his life.”
“Unfortunately, I’ve seen even the best trained dogs completely ignore commands when they spot a cat or squirrel,” she added. “So unless you are in a completely controlled environment, you’ll want to keep your dog on a leash.”
Another important safety tip is knowing what foods and plants are harmful to your pet. Make sure to ask a nursery employee about pet safety when you’re purchasing plants.
“Oleander is the most toxic to animals,” said Kayashima. “But like most ornamental plants it’s very bitter and most animals won’t chew on it.”
Many veterinary schools and organizations have lists of poisonous plants and foods online. Most of these items would not cause more than a just a stomachache and diarrhea, unless eaten in mass quantities.
Extra Precautions
• Brushing teeth and daily grooming
“Proper hygiene is very important to animals as well as humans,” said Kayashima. “Make sure to bathe, groom and brush your animals teeth on a regular basis. My dog had a hard time when I brushed his teeth once a week, so now we do it everyday as part of our morning routine and it works.”
• Regular Vet Appointments
“Get your animal examined by a vet twice a year, even if you don’t notice anything wrong,” said White. “If you catch things early enough, such as kidney problems, diabetes or problems with the thyroid, you can greatly prolong your pet’s life.”
• Socialization
Bring your pet into as many situations as possible, as young as possible. “There are many ways to socialize your animal,” said Kayashima. “Have play dates, take obedience classes and expose your animal to many different things.”
• Pet Insurance
Health insurance for your pet is something to consider if you have a breed of animal that is particularly prone to health problems.
“Pet insurance wouldn’t be necessary if you just put a little money away on regular basis in case of an emergency,” said Kayashima. “But you should analyze your own personal situation when deciding. A reputable insurance carrier is Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI).” That Web site is www.petinsurance.com.
• Get More Info
Read books, look at Web sites and talk to other pet owners. A good place to start is www.healthypet.com. Just keep learning and your pet will thank you for it.
