Pet Care

Pet Care Overview

Pets provide many benefits to humans. They comfort us and they give us companionship. Although animals can carry germs, it is important to know that you are more likely to get some of these germs from contaminated food or water than from your pet or another animal you encounter.

Feeding

There are endless choices in pet foods. It is important to choose specially formulated diets for growth, reproduction, or maintenance, depending on the species and/or pet’s stage of life. Purchasing pet foods labeled as “complete and balanced” can help ensure that your pet’s diet is nutritionally adequate. It is important to maintain a regular feeding schedule, and always provide fresh food and water with each feeding. How do you know which pet food is best for your pet?

Obesity is a major problem with some pets in our society, since owners tend to feed table scraps in excess. Serious health problems may result from obesity. Extra weight puts a strain on the animal’s heart, lungs, skeleton, and muscles, and lowers its resistance to disease. An occasional treat is fine, but many human foods can upset the pet’s metabolism, and it is best to avoid bad feeding habits. Regular exercise and proper nutrition are both essential to maintain optimal weight and health.

Health Care

Veterinary examinations are critical to a pet’s health. It is important to keep a detailed medical history and establish a veterinary-client-patient relationship to ensure a long, healthy life for your pet. During the initial exam, your veterinarian will be able to establish a preventive health care program for your pet. For some species, particularly dogs and cats, vaccination for rabies is basic to preventive health care, and required in most areas.

Rabies is a deadly disease, transmitted by saliva, and frequently found in wild animals, such as skunks, foxes, and raccoons. For the health of yourself, your family and neighbors, and your pet, it is essential to keep the rabies vaccination up-to-date. Your veterinarian may recommend other vaccines, depending on the species of pet you keep, their activities and expected travel. Parasite control is another area to discuss with your veterinarian. A stool sample can be tested for the presence of harmful parasites. Your veterinarian will prescribe treatment if necessary. Flea control may also be discussed, as there are new products which may be prescribed by veterinarians to control or prevent flea infestation. Veterinarians may prescribe specific diets determined by your pet’s needs.

Your Veterinarian

How do you know if your pet is in pain or sick? What do you do if your pet is in need of help? There are pet software products you can buy that will help you recognize and prevent problems as well as provide excellent pet care. I’d recommend them to every pet owner. In a medical crisis situation, I’d recommend you call your veterinarian immediately if you detect any of the following symptoms:

• abnormal breathing
• active bleeding
• bone exposure
• puncture to abdomen, chest, or neck
• watery or bloody discharge
• partial or complete paralysis
• difficulty urinating
• profuse vomiting or diarrhea
• poison ingestion
• bloated or tender abdomen
• dehydration
• abnormal color
• disorientation
• collapse

NEVER GIVE ASPIRIN OR ANY MEDICATION WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR VETERINARIAN.

Grooming

With some species of pets it is important to establish a grooming regimen, especially if your pet has a longer type coat such as some breeds of dogs, cats and rabbits. Whether a short- or long-haired variety, your pet will benefit from frequent brushing, which stimulates the coat and skin, and your house will be cleaner, since less shedding will occur. If you elect to clip your pet in the summer, keep in mind that there is a risk of sunburn, if he spends much time in the sun.

Bathing is only suggested on rare occasions, since frequent baths remove natural protective oils from the skin. If he is dirty, or shows evidence of fleas, a pet may be bathed in lukewarm water using mild shampoo. Rinse the soap thoroughly and towel dry.
During grooming sessions, look for parasites which cause your pet discomfort. Fleas are common on larger animals, while some smaller and exotic species are more prone to mites. Both can be controlled by commercial powders, sprays, collars, or dips. Contact your veterinarian for recommended treatment or prevention with long-lasting topical or oral products. Ticks may be removed by saturating with alcohol, and carefully pulling off with tweezers. Mites are too small to detect, but symptoms include frantic scratching, biting, and chewing. Your veterinarian can help diagnose mites.

Eyes should be cleaned of any discharge with a soft cloth moistened with water or saline solution. Ear discomfort is indicated by scratching or head shaking. Infections can settle deep in the ear canal and should be treated by your veterinarian immediately.
Since pets depend on their teeth for survival, the mouth should be examined periodically for signs of gum disease, and tartar accumulation. This should be a major part of the annual veterinary examination, and any problems should be addressed immediately. Some species such as lagomorphs (rabbits), cavies (guinea pigs) and rodents in general will require a constant source of chewing material as their teeth never stop growing and can become so long the animal will no longer be able to eat properly.

Large dogs that go for frequent walks on hard surfaces may keep their nails trimmed down on their own, but if your pet’s nails appear to be growing too long, it is your job to see that they are clipped back to keep them comfortable. Neglected nails may cripple a pet. If you are uncomfortable with clipping the nails yourself, due to the risk of clipping the “quick” (the blood filled vein that reaches halfway down through most animal nails), the vet can clip them for you.

Prevention

Accidents can be prevented by thinking ahead and avoiding dangerous situations. Automobiles are the number one killer of pets, so keep him leashed, fenced or in the house. Please read our page on proper pet fencing.

Keep poisons out of reach. Many household plants are toxic to pets, including poinsettias, ferns, philodendrons, dieffenbachia, and other varieties. Cleaning solutions such as detergents, bleaches, oven cleaners, etc. may pose hazards as well. Make sure bottle caps are tight and the rags used to apply these chemicals are stored safely out of reach. Treat animals like children and keep medicines locked up, and never leave candy, especially chocolate, where pets may have access to it.

Outdoor hazards include windshield cleaners, antifreeze, weed killers, used motor oil and insecticides. Antifreeze has a sweet taste, and just a few drops can be fatal to your pet. Other hazards include rodenticides used to kill rats and mice. If any poisoning occurs, call your veterinarian immediately, and provide a sample of the poison with the labeling to aid in proper treatment. In an emergency, call the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center at 800-548-2423

Keep sharp objects, i.e., knives and forks, carpet tacks, paper clips, etc., out of reach, in addition to children’s toys or small objects which may become lodged in a pet’s throat. Never leave a pet unattended on a balcony. A precocious pet may squeeze through the bars and fall, which could fatally injure him.

Avoid extremes in temperature. Of course, never leave a pet in a parked car in hot weather, even with the windows open, and never leave him outside without water and shade. Similarly, in frigid temperatures, bring him indoors, and be sure he always has shelter from wind, rain, and sun, even in mild temperatures.

Emergency Situations
 
 Because pets rely on you for their well-being, you should be sure to including provisions for them in your household disaster plan. Because emergencies are unpredictable, you should be prepared for any one of a number of scenarios which may arise.  If you are at home, officials may ask you to remain indoors (known as sheltering in place), or an evacuation order may be issued requiring you to leave the area or to take refuge in a city shelter. If you are away from home, conditions may prevent you from immediately returning home. In any of these cases, pets will present special consideration, and advanced planning will help you and your pet better cope with an emergency.

Old Age

Dogs and cats are considered “old” around eight or nine years, but many live into their mid-teens, with proper care and nutrition. Smaller pets may only live for a few years or more depending on the species. Senior citizens have more needs, and require more attention. Their sight and hearing may diminish, and they will sleep more and move more slowly. Steps may become a hardship, so sleeping arrangements may need adjusting. They need to go out more often, as bladder control is usually weakened. They still need moderate exercise, frequent grooming, and appropriate nutrition. Since they may have fewer teeth, a soft diet may be necessary. It is especially important to avoid obesity, since it will affect your pet’s quality of life. More frequent veterinary visits may be required to deal with tumors, arthritis, or heart disease. Some pets require daily medications to treat the infirmities of old age. Together you and your veterinarian can have a positive influence on your pet’s happiness and comfort for many years to come. The rewards of pet ownership will last a lifetime.