Pets and people have a reciprocal relationship. They hate to see us unhappy, and no pet owners want to see their animals in any kind of misery. Your pet isn’t a happy and loving companion if they’re sick or injured. Here are 4 tips for protecting your pet’s health that anyone can follow.
Take Pests Seriously
Dogs and cats scratch themselves regularly, but no animal can be happy continually scratching at fleas. Both fleas and ticks can foster skin infections. Ticks are even worse, because they carry diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Mites and fungal infections can cause skin and coat problems, including itchiness, inflammation, and sores.
This is why you need to take pests seriously. Check your dog for fleas and ticks every time they come inside, especially if you live in an area where ticks and tick-borne diseases are common. Wash their bedding regularly to control pests. Use flea prevention. If ticks or fleas make their way inside your home, take immediate action to get rid of them.
Thankfully, there are many options for flea and tick preventatives. For example, pills and supplements are available to help eliminate fleas and ticks. One of the best things about these oral treatments is that they have various flavors and are easier and quicker to administer.
Aside from oral preventatives, you may also protect your pet from fleas and ticks by applying topical treatments. These are liquid solutions applied to the pet’s skin or coat to eliminate pests. They can also come in powders, sprays or shampoos, which are used based on a dosing schedule recommended by your veterinarian.
Lastly, if you don’t like administering oral or topical treatments to your pet, you could consider using a collar that releases a small dose of pesticide through your pet’s skin. Unlike many other options, collars don’t require a prescription from the veterinarian.
Take Out Pet Insurance
One of the best methods of protecting your pet’s health is having pet insurance. Pet insurance incentivizes preventative healthcare for your pet, care like annual vet exams and vaccinations. It may give you a financial incentive to do so, whether that incentive is a break on the insurance premiums or is a requirement for insurance coverage in case of an illness.
Pet insurance can give you a good reason to take your pet in earlier instead of later. For example, you might bring your pet in when they’ve just become ill instead of after they’re so sick that they require more serious treatment.
This benefits your pet, as they receive care when they start to feel unwell instead of when they face a life-threatening condition. And this benefits you, as you could pay less overall if the pet’s care isn’t delayed. Paying less for veterinary care, examinations and medications is always a win.
If you decide to take out pet insurance, there can be some considerations to keep in mind when finding the right coverage. Shopping around and comparing insurance providers is essential in order to know which policy will work best for your pet’s needs.
Make sure to closely examine the estimate and what the provider is offering to better understand the plans and associated costs. This way, you can get enough insurance coverage without paying for features you and your pet will never really need.
Use Pet Bed and Furniture Covers
Put blankets or covers on your pet’s bed so you can wash their sleeping surfaces regularly. Dirt easily builds up on an animal’s bed, not to mention bacteria, viruses and parasites. To keep their skin healthy and lower the risk of disease, clean their beds every one to two weeks.
You don’t have to cover all the furniture in plastic to avoid having to vacuum up dirt and pet hair. You can use cloth furniture covers instead. To remove the pet hair, just lift up the cover, take it outside, and shake it off. If necessary, you can wash it in the washing machine. This has the side benefit of minimizing how much vomit or pee may seep into the couch cushions, too.
Don’t Overindulge Your Pet
Your dog may love the taste of table scraps, but this is a dangerous indulgence. They’ll sit at the table and beg for human food instead of eating food that’s formulated for them. They’re more likely to eat too much because they are eating everything they’re given. They may become ill eating cookies and other snacks your children choose to share with them. Indulge them less and ensure your pet gets the optimal nutrition.
A different mistake many pet owners make is letting their pets get lazy. Take your dog on two long walks a day every day – it’s a great way for you to get exercise, too. Set up climbing towers for your cats and give them toys to play with. Encourage them to chase things so they get enough exercise.
Use these easy tips for your pet’s health and you’ll have a happier pet.
Feature image: FOX; Image 1: Adrianna Calvo
