Remember These Helpful Tips From Veterinarians That All Pet Owners Should Know About

Any man who has ever owned a pet can testify to the degree of unconditional love they always give. There’s also an unexplainable bond between man and animals that is mutually beneficial.

Have you ever experienced coming home to a pet that is excited to see you? Because we do, and it’s one of the most satisfying things in the world! A lick or a gentle nudge of a wet nose comforts us whenever we’re feeling down.

True enough, our pets can provide emotional and psychological support, enriching our day-to-day lives. The best thing we can do for them is also to keep them healthy and happy. That said, there are bits of information the experts wish we, pet owners, know.

Scroll down to read about a few health tips for our beloved furry friends:

Chubby is not healthy

A chubby pet may look cute, but like humans, obesity can compromise health. A veterinarian named Ruth MacPete shared that obesity in animals can lead to arthritis, heart problems, and diabetes. If you suspect your pets are overweight, it’s best to bring them to the veterinarian before making a significant lifestyle change. Why? The vets will check if the animal’s obesity is caused by either a medical condition or excess calories. This way, you can better treat your pet’s condition without doing more harm and wasting your investment money.

More hairballs, more problems

In case your cats cough up hairballs, it’s time to call for help. Vomiting hairballs is a warning sign of a health problem, according to a veterinarian. The cat may have a gastrointestinal problem, or it consumes too much hair by over-grooming. If ever you spot this problem, bring them to the nearest animal hospital. The vets will likely assess your cat’s gastrointestinal and dermatological health with diagnostic tests. Don’t forget to have your pet insurance ready.

Choose a quality pet carrier

Veterinarians suggest that every pet owner must have investments in a quality pet carrier as it can make a big difference for your pet’s comfort during veterinary visits. Travis Arndt, a renowned veterinarian, said that a hard plastic that opens from the top and from the side that is large enough could help your pets lay down comfortably. He added that a two-door carrier could help anxious pets feel more at ease during the physical exam.

Dog watch

When our dogs aren’t feeling well, we suspect that it’s due to food allergies. However, that is not always the case. Veterinary consultant Sara Ochoa said that the problem is highly unlikely to be a dog’s food. She explained that dogs could be allergic to their environment, so before switching your dogs’ diet, consult an expert first. Abruptly changing your dogs’ food can easily upset their stomach or cause gas problems.

Serving sizes

Ochoa also emphasized that when it comes to pet food, less is actually more. She said that the suggested amount on the pet food packaging is always too much. Unless instructed by your pet’s vet, it’s actually acceptable to feed your pets slightly less than the suggested serving size since it can help ward off obesity, diabetes, and other health problems.

Crunchy, dry kibble

As much as it is highly advertised, dry kibble won’t help keep your pet cat’s teeth clean. While some believe that it aids a cat’s dental health, in reality, dry food isn’t actually doing much for your cat’s pearly whites. To veterinarian Geoff DeWire’s credit, we learned that the cats’ carnivore dentition allows them to chew less and swallow more because they have fewer molars and premolars than dogs. In short, dry kibble does not give many benefits to our pet cats.

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