Owning a pet carries a lot of responsibility. Pet owners need to realize that pets need preventive care almost in the same way that a child would need. Your furry loved ones depend on you so educate yourself on proper care
Pet Obesity:
Some pets are prone to obesity. Wrong diet and genetics are two major reasons for obesity. Often it is hard for us to perceive when our pets are clinically or morbidly obese. It is just as much of a problem to animals as it is to human beings. In the wild, obesity in animals is less prevalent but it still exists. Pets however, have a track record of high rates of obesity and it is estimated that over 25% of pets are clinically obese or overweight. Studies have proven that as pet owners we are more likely to give too much to our pets and let them reach obesity. Obesity can be recognised by a series of observations, starting with the ribs. In a healthy dog, the ribs are not visible, but they can be felt easily without pressing on the ribcage. The stomach should feel tight and tucked in. If your animal passes these two quick tests, then chances are they are not obese. However, if they have huge amounts of fat at their ribs, and their stomach hangs out like a beer gut, then you have an obese animal.
Speak to your vet immediately about dietary options, an obese animal is not a happy animal and their lifespan will be seriously reduced
Poisonous Foods:
Ok sometimes we cheat and we feed our pets off our dinner plate not knowing that a lot of human food is not only harmful but poisonous to them
- Grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, mushrooms, green tomatoes
- Coffee, tea, soft drinks, sodas, chocolate, hot chocolate
- Macadamia nuts, rhubarb leaves, persimmons, nutmeg
- Sugar and Chemical based sweetners
- Yeast, Beer and other alcoholic drinks
- Human vitamins and joint supplements
- Human medication especially Paracetamol and Ibuprofen
- Cooked bones of any sort as they splinter and damage your pets gastro intestinal system, bowels, intestines, stomach, esophagus and rectal tissue
Pet Nutrition:
Pet foods must have some type of nutritional supplements, such as vitamins and minerals. If pets have too much, then it may cause a problem with the minerals absorbing. In contrast, too little minerals may cause the interruption of vitamin and/or mineral usage. There are different types of pet foods in which pet owners can choose from: kibble and semi-moist foods.
Kibble: This is basically the dry food that many of our pets love. For those owners that are curious what is in kibble foods, it contains liquid fat carbohydrate, and/or milk product. This adds the calories. This type of food must be packaged with a barrier that contains grease, which is made from plastic-coated paper.
Semi-moist foods: This is the food that is wrapped up in individual bags, which resembles stringy spaghetti. The preparation consists of combination’s of sugar, soybean meal, fresh meat, animal fat, preservatives and the wetting materials that keeps this food moist and not be rancid.
Pet Health:
No matter what kind of pet you have, there are three essentials to good health for your pet. Here is an overview of those three essentials:
Food and Water: Every pet, no matter how independent, needs a steady supply of food and water to keep it healthy. Pets often can tell you when they are hungry or thirsty and they will often even look through your kitchen for food to eat in the event that you neglect their regular feeding habits for too long. However, many pets rely on you to ensure that they maintain a regular meal regimen
Shelter: No matter the type of pet you have, they all require proper shelter, this means warmth, protection from the elements and harm from other animals. Ensure you have a warm, dry and safe area for your pets that they can access at all times. Never discipline your pets in this area it is their safe zone and must be respected at all times.
Medical Care:
Your pet will require medical care sooner or later. Seeing that your pet obtains the proper medical attention can not only keep him or her in good health, but it can also ensure that they do not fall terribly ill in the case that their health deteriorates.
Veterinary Care: is an ongoing expense for people who have pets. Young animals and old need vaccinations, preventative care against parasitic infections, as well as care for accidental injury, poisoning, or illness. As veterinary care has become more specialized and technology has advanced treatment options, the costs of pet ownership can at times seem well out of hand. Veterinary insurance can help to offset those major expenses and help our pets to live long healthy lives.
Please click here to visit the MediPet website
