Keeping Your Pet Healthy: Natural Pet Health Care Advice

Once you choose a pet it becomes your responsibility to see that the animal gets proper health care. Granted, that can entail time and money, but it is an essential part of keeping a pet. Generally, proper health care for your pet will involve the following:

Choosing a good veterinarian

Some people find veterinarians in the Yellow pages. Others choose a vet by his/her proximity to their homes. While location is an important factor, it doesn't guarantee that a vet will provide your pet with the best treatment.

The best way to find a vet is through word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied customers. Ask your friends, neighbors, relatives and co-workers for referrals. You also can get referrals through veterinary associations. For example, the American Veterinary Medical Association can refer you to state associations which can in turn help you find a qualified vet.

Having your pet vaccinated

Making sure a dog or cat gets the vaccinations it needs is one of a pet owner's most important responsibilities. Even animals that seldom go outside need to be vaccinated.

For example, dogs need to be vaccinated for canine distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis (kennel cough), parainfluenza, and parvovirus. These immunizations are usually given as one vaccine called DHLP-P. Vaccines given separately include rabies, heartworms, and Lyme Disease. Ask your vet about the required vaccinations for your dog or cat. It's important that you are familiar with your pet's immunization history and needs.

Giving your pet regular home exams

You can, on a weekly basis, examine your pet for any signs of illness or disease. This will enable you to detect problems early enough to begin effective treatment.

The best time to conduct such an examination is when you are grooming your pet. Check your pet's eyes, ears, mouth, nose, abdominal area, legs and paws, and tail end. Also observe its eating, drinking, and elimination habits. Note anything that could indicate a potential health problem. Consult your vet for proper treatment.

Being on guard against allergies and pests

Like humans, dogs and cats can suffer from various allergies. Add to that, the discomfort of pests, such as fleas, and an animal's life can be pretty uncomfortable.

Pay attention to your pet's skin. If its red or scaly, or if your pet displays extreme itchiness, it could be the result of an allergic reaction. Depending on the cause, you should remove the source of the allergy from the pet's diet or environment. Allergy shots or therapy with drugs also may be required.

Fleas can be a particularly nasty problem. These minute, bloodsucking insects are the cause of the most common skin disease in dogs and cats. And they can be difficult to get rid of. The key is to detect signs of infestation early enough to begin a safe and effective control program.

When grooming your pet, run your hands through the animal's coat from head to tail. Look for fleas and "flea dirt" - a combination of flea feces and dried blood. Using a special flea comb (found at most pet stores) can help you in your flea detection.

If you discover a flea infestation on your pet, you can try one of several possible treatments. Flea shampoos are usually effective in killing the pests that are on your pet, but they don't prevent a new infestation. Flea collars and tags can be effective at repelling fleas but may not kill them. Flea powders effectively kill fleas and prevent new infestations. However, such powders are messy to use and don't adhere well to animals with short coats. Ask you vet about the best treatment for your pet.

You also can use a commercial fogger to eliminate adult fleas in your house. Be sure to follow the product's instructions carefully. Regular vacuuming can help get rid of fleas that are in the egg stage. And washing your pet's bedding in hot water on a weekly basis also can reduce the risk of flea infestation.

Treating your pet for worms

If your cat is outside a lot, you should probably have it treated for worms twice a year. Symptoms of worms include runny nose and eyes, enlarged belly, unusual appetite, diarrhea, loss of weight, and a dull coat. If you notice any of these signs, consult your veterinarian.

A puppy should be taken to a veterinarian for a check-up when it is about six weeks old. The vet will examine your pet and treat it for worms. Worming can be repeated at eight and twelve weeks, but should be done under the supervision of your vet.

Base your pet's diet on a good commercial pet food

Such foods have all the proteins and nutrients your pet will require, and may be used safely. You can, however, supplement your pet's meals with a few table scraps - chicken, meat, eggs, vegetables. The main thing is to avoid overfeeding. An overweight animal is more susceptible to heart, lung, and other ailments than a pet with normal weight.

Puppies and kittens require more calories per pound of body weight than normal adult animals. Give these pets small, frequent feedings that amount to more than an adult gets. As an animal gets older, you should reduce the number of meals and increase the amount of food it gets at each meal.

Provide your pet with a little variety

While many dogs are happy and healthy eating the same food day after day, cats can be finicky. You can add variety to your cat's diet easily, simply by varying the food's dominant flavor - poultry, liver, fish, etc., on a regular basis.

Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water

Fresh water is essential with any pet food, but it is especially so with dry food. Keep your pet's water bowl clean and change the water at least twice each day.

Don't feed your pet raw or undercooked meat

While your pet may love such a treat, it can introduce parasites into the animal's system.

Exercise your pet

One way to ensure that your pet is trim, alert, active and good natured is to make sure it gets enough exercise. As a pet owner, you'll need to spend time exercising your pet on a daily basis. A dog that is inside most of the time should be taken on long walks in the morning, after it's main meal, and before bedtime. You should try to keep to a regular schedule for these walks. Avoid over exercising your pet after a large meal or on weekends in an attempt to make up for an inactive week.

Playtime also can be exercise time for your dog. Most dogs enjoy retrieving thrown objects, such as tennis balls and frisbees. This type of activity is good exercise and helps keep your pet mentally alert.

You can ensure that your cat gets ample stretching exercises by providing a scratching post. Cats also enjoy simple toys they can run after and bat around. A ball suspended in a doorway, a rubber mouse, and balled-up aluminum foil, all make get toys for your pet. You should provide such toys and establish regular playtime with your pet. This will help prevent your cat from becoming bored as well as provide it the exercise it needs.

The main thing to remember is that ample exercise is vital to your pet's health and well being. Also remember that whenever your pet is getting exercise, make sure it also has several opportunities to drink small amounts of water.