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Pet Healthcare Tips and Other Responsibilities
Your local veterinarian is your best source for your pet's health and general care. One of the most important reasons for establishing a close relationship with a veterinarian is that he or she is the best source of information and can provide the most up-to-date advice and treatment for your pet's healthcare needs.
Spaying or neutering is usually recommended prior to adulthood. Discuss this procedure with your veterinarian to determine a time that's best for your pet. Follow regular vaccination guidelines for your puppy or kitten as recommended by your veterinarian.
Practice preventive health care for your pet including:
- Heartworm disease prevention
- Intestinal parasite control
- Flea and tick control
- Dental care and hygiene
A complete and balanced diet is absolutely necessary for optimum growth and bone formation. Prepared pet foods, which have been formulated for the different stages of your pet's life, provide excellent nutrition for your pet.
Daily grooming is an important part of caring for your pet. As part of your grooming routine, wipe away any discharge from around your pet's eyes with a soft cloth. Every couple of months, you should check your pet's teeth for tartar build-up. If you are not sure how to do this or what to look for, just ask your veterinarian. Weekly ear checks and regular cleaning are also necessary to prevent infections and unpleasant odors.
Start your pet on the right track home with the GetMeHome.com program from Merial. Register your dog or cat on the GetMeHome.com website by filling out the online registration form. Once you have done this, securely fasten the GetMeHome.com tag on your pet's collar and you are ready to go. Whoever finds your pet will be directed to this site by the web address on the tag. Once they have entered your pet's tag number, they will receive your contact information so they can let you know your pet is safe.
Pet health insurance is certainly worth considering as it covers those unexpected events that may occur from time to time.
Looking for another pet or know of someone who would like to adopt a new friend? Visit Petfinder.com. Petfinder.com is the oldest and largest searchable directory of adoptable pets on the web.
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Dogs must have access to water at all time.
And puppies are no different. Access to water 24 hours a day is a must, but a light metal bowl is easily knocked over and a plastic bowl can be chewed apart, both leaving a wet mess. With a puppy, a ceramic bowl is a good option.
Give your puppy a bed to sleep in every night.
The bed should be a warm rug or a piece of synthetic fur that can be easily moved should the need arise. This way, if you ever have to move your puppy, it will have the security of sleeping in the same bed. It is also best to choose something that is easily washed.
Keep a large supply of old newspapers on hand.
You will need to keep the floor of your puppy's living area covered until your dog is fully housebroken. When your puppy does have an accident in the house, be sure to clean up the mess immediately and thoroughly. If a puppy can smell a spot where it has messed previously, it is likely to use that spot again.
Stay with your puppy when you take it outside.
You want to catch your puppy doing something right, so you can praise it immediately. A small food treat, such as a puppy biscuit, can help to reinforce good behavior. That way, your puppy will quickly learn that when it goes outside, it gets rewarded. Remember to keep your dog on a leash in public places and to dispose of it's waste in an appropriate manner.
HEARTGARD is well tolerated. All dogs should be tested for heartworm infection before starting a preventive program. Following the use of HEARTGARD, digestive and neurological side effects have rarely been reported. For more information, contact your veterinarian or click on Product Information below. |
