Spotlight on Pet Health: Understanding, Preventing, and Managing Common Issues

We know having a pet means eventually dealing with health issues. As a pet parent, understanding, preventing, and managing common issues will help keep your fur baby safe and healthy. With proper knowledge, you can prevent them or stop them from getting worse. Keep reading to learn how to avoid these health issues that can affect your pet.

1. Arthritis

This condition affects the joints and is more common in dogs than cats, but cats can be affected, too. You may not be able to stop your pet from getting arthritis completely, but there are ways to prevent it from getting worse or happening prematurely. You want to support the joints by managing weight and feeding healthy foods. You can also add a glucosamine supplement that often aids in joint mobility.<>

2. Bladder issues

Cats tend to get bladder and urinary tract problems more than dogs. It’s a common issue for felines. You’ll want to increase your cat’s water consumption by keeping it clean and changing it frequently. A great way to increase water intake is to feed them canned food. Most kitties love it, and it contains water to help flush out toxins. That can help with finicky felines that don’t drink enough.

3. Ear infections

Ear infections are common for many dogs. You’ll especially see this with dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors. Dirt, dust, and grass seeds can get lodged inside your pet’s ears. That can lead to irritation and infection. You can keep some ear medication on hand to prevent infections from worsening. Regular grooming appointments can also help keep their ears clean and hair trimmed, preventing infections.

4. Kennel cough

Kennel cough is a problem lots of pet parents face. It’s highly contagious and spreads between animals by air or contact with a contaminated surface. Kennel cough can be compared to what it feels like when you have a terrible cold. The easiest way to prevent your dog from getting kennel cough is to keep your home free from excessive dust and speak to your vet about getting the Bordetella vaccine. A vaccine is especially crucial if you plan to board your pet.

5. Fleas and Ticks

Dogs and cats alike can be affected by fleas and ticks. You may notice severe itching and your pet licking and scratching often. Ticks can be serious, so you want to prevent your pet from getting them if possible. A bite from a tick can cause Lyme disease, tapeworms, and other dangerous conditions. Talk to your vet about the best product for your pet’s weight and species for flea and tick prevention.

An Ounce of Prevention

You’ve heard the adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When it comes to the health of your dog or cat, it can mean the difference between a long, healthy life and a short, unhappy one. Your pets are family, so you want to provide them with the best life possible. It’s often easy to prevent common health issues from happening. Now that you have the tips needed, you can take action and avoid some of these problems from affecting your pet.