Your pet is an important member of your family. Keeping him or her healthy will give them a longer life, and you and your family more time to enjoy their loyal companionship. Pets have health care needs that are in many ways much like that of humans. They are also vulnerable to diseases that only animals can be stricken with and preventative care is essential for helping them avoid these.
Most likely, you already know from taking your pets to the vet that they need yearly inoculations to protect them from rabies, distemper, and other common animal diseases They also need to be tested for heartworm once a year and to be placed on heartworm prevention medicine such as that made by Heartguard® and Interceptor®, for example. There are other tests your veterinarian may choose to give your pet to identify any potential health problems that exist. When health problems are found, your veterinarian can recommend certain pet medicines for raising your pet and restoring their health. Flea and tick medicines are commonly used by pet owners to help keep their pets and homes free from these disease-carrying pests. These are available in prescription and nonprescription formulas. For tested effectiveness and for the safety of your pet, however, it might be wise to choose prescription flea and tick medines to treat your pet with.
Many pet medicines can be used as preventatives to ward off the development of health problems in your pets. Boosting your pet's immune system and helping body organs to function correctly will strengthen your pet's health and prolong their life. Pets can fall prey to many human aliments like bladder infections, gastro-intestinal disturbances, kidney stones, liver deficiencies, allergies, lung and breathing disorders, muscle and joint weakness, osteoarthritis, and much more. Antibiotics, anti-fungals, and other prescription medications are given to lessen symptoms for pets suffering from these health issues, and also as a way of preventing pets from getting sick in the first place.
Some pets have the nasty and seriously harmful habitat of eating their own waste or the waste of other animals. Animal waste can harbor bacteria and diseases that are very harmful to your pets. Using a pet medicine such as Forbid® and similar products to discourage pets from eating waste will help keep them from engaging in this unhealthy activity. Other pets have a habit of licking themselves incessantly. Stress, anxiety, boredom, and learned behavior are some of the reasons pets do this. This can lead to loss of fur and skin irritations. A pet medicine that has an unpleasant taste or odor is often successful in teaching pets not to lick themselves excessively.
Nutrition is just as important for pets as it is for humans. Like humans, pets need to get proper neutrino for strong health. You might find it surprising to learn that the commercial food you are feeding your pet may not be giving them all the nutrition they need. The package says it provides complete nutrition for your pet; however, manufactured pet foods do not contain all of the nutrients your pet would get from a "wild" diet derived from plant and animal sources. The solution to helping your pet stay strong and healthy as a domestic member of your family is to supplement their diet of pet foods with nutritional pet medicines. These are often called health or nutritional supplements. Vitamin and mineral supplements such as fatty acids, omega3, vitamin E, and other nutritional supplements can bolster your pet's diet, giving them the nutrients they need to maintain strong health.
Did you know that regularly bathing and grooming your pet is an important part of helping them to stay strong and healthy? Shampoos made especially for dogs and cats help wash bacteria, debris, and insects from your pet's body. Regular washing of your pet may also reveal skin irritations that might otherwise remain hidden under a thick coat of fur. Pet medicated shampoos that also contain lotions, can help alleviate dry skin conditions on your pet and restore skin health for your pet. Brushing your pet's fur keeps it from matting, which can trap dirt and pests in the fur and make your pet uncomfortable. There are brushes and combs made especially for use on dogs or cats. De-shedders keep both you and your pets happy. They like the pleasurable sensations caused by the brushing and you will like not having stray fur all over the place. Trimming your pet's nails is also important for their health and not just for saving your floors and furniture from scratches. Untrimmed pet nails can grow inwards and penetrate your pet's paws. This can be very painful, encouragements the growth of bacteria, and can even limit your pet's mobility. There are some popular pet nail trimmers that make trimming your pet's nails easy on you and them.
The best way to keep your pet strong and healthy is vigilance on your part to make sure that you have provided them with all the veterinary, nutritional, and preventative health care possible. You love your pet; help them stay strong and healthy for a long, happy life as a member of your family.