Tips to Take Care of Your Pets so They Are at Their Healthiest and Happiest

Taking good care of our pets is important. They provide important companionship and are worth of our love. They also need our attention to make sure they stay their healthiest. Since they cannot take their own shower, or brush their own hair, there are some important things you should do for your pet to make sure he or she is happy and healthy!

Brush your pet. This is one of the easiest things you can do, and is the most necessary. Brushing removes dead hair and skin, and helps spread natural oils throughout the coat for a clean, healthy shine. Even cats, which are known for being clean and constant grooming, need a good brushing to prevent hairballs, which can get inside and cause digestive problems.

Check ears! Ears are the perfect place for an infection to form, because of the moisture they provide. Check them regularly; they should have a healthy pink color. Clean the outer flap with a cotton ball, and be extremely careful not to touch deep inside the ear.

Take care of teeth. Routine dental care is as important to your pets as it is to you. Check with your veterinarian for the proper way to clean teeth and gums. Schedule yearly check ups to keep your pets pearly-whites white!

Trim nails. Dogs and cats need to have their nails trimmed on a regular basis to prevent overgrowth, which can lead to problems walking or moving around and can be quite painful. You can have your veterinarian trim, or do it yourself, but be very careful not to trim too far back. There are veins inside your pets' nails and claws, which will bleed and can lead to infection and severe pain.

Eyes. Check your pet's eyes on a regular basis to make sure they look good and report anything unusual. Clean with a damp cloth, and wipe gently to remove any build up.

Bathe. A regular bath is important to keep your pets' skin healthy and to keep a clean coat. First, brush your pets' hair to remove loose hairs and any tangles. Make sure your shampoo is made for your dog or cat, do not use a human shampoo! It can dry out skin and destroy your animals' natural oils. Get your pet thoroughly wet, and lather shampoo just as you would your own hair. Be careful to avoid getting shampoo into eyes or ears. You might want to wash separately with a wet cloth to avoid doing that. Make sure you rinse completely, leaving no soap residue. Towel off your pet well so he or she doesn't get a chill, and if your pet allows it, you could try a blow dryer. Don't blow dry to close to the skin, it can burn and your pet won't be able to tell you!

Following these simple steps on a regular basis will take the "P.U." out of your pet and make him or her happy and healthy. It's up to us to take great care of our pets!