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101 ways to avoid the vet |
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101 Ways to Avoid the Vet
Every year, pets and their owners visit the
veterinary office to not only seek preventive pet
health care but also to deal with injuries and
illnesses. Proper at-home care often prevents minor
problems from turning into more serious ones. Proper
first aid procedures such as keeping minor wounds
clean is such example.
Regular bathing and grooming helps prevent many skin
irritations and reduces the chance of infection.
Upset stomachs can be prevented by not feeding table
scraps to dogs. Regular brushing can prevent hair
balls in cats. Proper weight control and a balanced
diet can lower the incidence of diabetes and
inflammation of the colon.
No matter how careful pet owners are, there will be
times when pets have to visit the vet. More and more
pet owners consider their pets part of the family.
As responsible pet owners, they readily turn to
veterinary care for their ill or injured family
members. However, with a few tips and basic
knowledge of pet care, you can prevent many visits
to the vet, so we put together a few of those tips
for you:
General Tips:
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1.
Give your pet the best nutrition. Read the labels!
Cheap food usually equals cheap quality.
2. Always have fresh water available. Change daily!
Keep bowls clean.
3. Keep your pet groomed.
4. Give your pet enough exercise every day.
5. Keep the cage or housing area clean.
6. Prevent parasite infestation by treating your pet
as well as the playing and sleeping areas.
7. Clean your pet's ears weekly.
8. Never leave your pet alone for a long period of
time.
9. Do not leave children and pets unsupervised.
10. Keep your house pet safe by making electric
cable and outlets unreachable.
11. Keep your pet warm in the winter and cool and
hydrated in the summer.
12. Spent lots of quality time with your pet.
13. Never let your pet roam free unsupervised.
14. Make sure your pet gets all the vitamin and
mineral supplements needed for healthy coats and a
strong immune system.
15. Most pets need extra calcium for strong bones.
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16.
Prevent boredom by offering the appropriate toys and
exercise to your pet.
17. Establish rules for the pet and the family
members.
18. Always have first aid supplies handy, just in
case.
19. Lock away household chemicals and other harmful
substances.
20. Keep your doors and windows closed.
21. Keep other pets away or introduce them slowly.
22. Keep your pet safe from predators.
23. Chocolate is poisonous to every animal!
24. Never give an animal cow's milk, that includes
canned evaporated milk!
25. Introduce a new diet or change the existing diet
slowly.
26. Keep your pet's teeth clean.
27. Your pet needs a safe place to hide and sleep
and get away from it all too.
28. Have a plan ready for disasters and emergencies;
if you need to evacuate, where does the pet go?
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29.
Travel safety is important. Have a crate ready for
each pet you own.
30. Clean the water and food bowls at least once a
week.
31. De-worm your pet.
32. Once a month feel your pet's joints, see if you
find any stiffness or swelling.
33. If you live alone, who takes care of your pet if
something happens to you? Give your neighbour a key
and a carry card with an explanation about your pets
and their needs.
34. Animals are NOT little humans. The best gift you
can give to your pet is to let it be a pet. Learn
how your pet or his wild relatives live in their
natural habitat so you can learn to understand their
behavior better.
35. Vaccinate your pets. In some countries, the
proper vaccines are available over the counter and
you or an experienced friend can vaccinate your
pets.
36. Make sure toys are big enough so the pet can't
choke on them. Check all toys for any parts that may
come off and pose a choking hazard.
37. Always do your research before deciding for the
right pet for you and your family.
38. Insure your pet by purchasing a good pet
insurance.
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39.
Pine Needles are toxic to your pet!
40. Keep in mind that your pet can suffer a
heatstroke if left alone in the car for only 2
minutes!
41. Fireworks scare most animals and they can panic
and run off and get hurt. If you know a firework is
going to happen, lock your pet away safely.
42. Remove any ticks immediately! Ticks can cause
Lyme Disease in animals and humans. Never put nail
polish on the tick, but rather pull it out carefully
with a pair of tweezers and flush it down the sink
or toilet immediately. Disinfect your hands!
43. Do not shout, scream, or even hit your pet. All
animals respond to calm, assertive leadership not
emotional arguments or negotiations.
44. Disinfect and treat small cuts and scrapes
immediately to prevent infections.
45. Keep your pet's nails short
46. Take a second look before you close any door,
your pet might be right behind you!
47. Watch where you step if you have pets that are
not caged.
48. If you move to a new place, introduce your pet
slowly and give him or her some time to adjust to
the new environment.
49. If your pet is on medication, follow the
directions to the T!
50. Should you decide to get an exotic pet, please
do your research before you bring him home.
51. The most important things for your pets are:
Food and Water, Shelter, Discipline and Love.
Dogs:
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1.
Your dog is an animal, NOT a human. The most
precious gift you can give your dog is to let him be
one by setting rules, boundaries and limitations, as
every pack leader would in the wild. Dogs are born
followers. If they do not have a leader to follow
they will easily become neurotic, fearful,
aggressive, and can get hurt easily.
2. Different sizes of dogs need different nutrition.
Do your research! Read the labels! Cheap dog food
usually equals cheap quality.
3. Walking exercises your dog's body and stimulates
his mind, so daily 45 minute walks are very strongly
suggested. In their natural habitat, dogs earn food
and water by walking and they get to experience the
world. If a dog does not walk he does not eat. You
can see how this activity exists deep within a dogs
DNA, but too few dog owners recognize its
importance. Feed after walking, never before!
4. Do not shout, scream, or even hit your dog. Dogs
are animals, and they respond to calm, assertive
leadership not emotional arguments or negotiations.
Dogs that obey out of fear will most likely develop
unwanted characteristics such as aggressiveness.
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5.
It is important that you have a 100% control over
your dog at all times to prevent attacks, fights
with other dogs, or running into the middle of the
road, for example!
6. Teach your dog how to walk on the leash to have
him under control. Walking in front of a dog allows
you to be seen as the pack leader because position
matters to a dog. Conversely, if your dog controls
you on the walk, he’s the pack leader. Master the
walk and your dog will relate to you as the pack
leader, and accept his submissive role within the
pack.
7. Insecure dogs can easily turn into fearful
biters. It's up to you to make him feel secure. Do
your research!
8. Do not let your dog bark and chase cars, people,
cats, joggers, children on bicycles, etc..
9. Go to a dog training class to learn basic
obedience.
10. Your dog does not like to be alone. Doggy day
care and/or a dog walker will help him stay balanced
if you have to work long hours.
11. Dogs like to be amongst their own kind. I
suggest you have at least least 2 dogs that get
along to keep each other company.
12. Check your dog for hotspots. They are easily
treatable with over the counter medications.
13. In most countries dog owners can purchase the
yearly dog vaccines (except rabies) over the
counter. Make sure your dog stays up to date with
the vaccines for: Distemper Adenovirus Type 2
Hepatitis Parainfluenza Parvovirus Leptospira can.
Leptospira inct. and Coronavirus.
14. In many countries additional monthly Heartworm
prevention is necessary.
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15.
Flea and tick prevention should be used year around.
16. Your dog's ears should be cleaned at least every
2 weeks. Be very careful with a q-tip, only clean
the outer areas!
17. Your dog's teeth need special attention too.
Offer him special treats and bones he can chew on.
Avoid soft canned food!
18. Always secure your dog when traveling with him.
Special dog safety harnesses for each dog is
strongly advised.
19. Table scraps are a big NO NO. Many spices and
human foods are poisonous to your canine companion.
Chocolate is number 1 on the list!
20. Learn about the plants that can harm your dog.
21. Your dog needs rules, boundaries, and
limitations. If you do not set them, the dog
certainly will and eventually will hurt somebody or
get hurt himself.
22. Your dog needs more than just physical exercise,
he needs mental and psychotically exercise as well
to become a balanced and healthy dog.
23. Give him rawhide bones, so he can keep his teeth
strong.
24. Please have your dog spayed or neutered.
25. Project calm, assertive energy. This is the key
to connecting with your dog, understanding him and
keeping him out of harm's, and therefore the vet's
way.
Cats:
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1.
Please spay or neuter your cat! There is absolutely
no medical or behavioral reason for a cat to have a
litter of kittens before she is spayed. It offers no
benefits of any kind, and increases her risk of
developing mammary cancer.
2. Pay special attention to your kitty's nutrition.
Different ages need different nutrition. Read the
labels!
3. Keep fresh water available at all times!
4. Train your cat to refrain from undesirable
behaviors such as scratching furniture and jumping
on counter tops.
5. Groom your cat often to keep her coat healthy,
soft, and shiny, and prevent hair balls. When cats
groom themselves, they ingest a great deal of hair,
which often leads to hair balls. Hairball remedies
are available in most pet stores.
6. Cat-proof your house, especially if you have a
young kitten.
7. Give your cat dental treats and at-home dental
care and cleaning regularly.
8. Ensure your cat avoids people foods as much as
possible. Many of the human foods can be fatal to
your cat.
9. Give your cat kitty treats only occasionally.
They should compromise no more than 10% of his or
her total daily diet.
10. Have a variety of feline-friendly toys available
and encourage your cat to play for at least 15
minutes per day.
11. Travel with your cat in a protective cat
carrier.
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12.
Make sure your cat has a proportional figure, with
slightly padded ribs and a distinct waist.
13. Keep your cat safe and secure inside your home
at all times.
14. It's not necessarily the water itself that seems
to scare cats off, but rather the noise. If you
introduce a cat to water slowly and make it a
positive experience, monthly baths should be on the
kitty care plan.
15. Cats like to be amongst their own kind. I
strongly suggest to always have at least 2 cats to
keep each other company if you have to work long
hours.
16. When your cat gets older she needs nutritional
supplements to prevent kidney and urinary tract
problems, which are common in older cats.
17. In most countries cat owners can purchase the
yearly cat vaccines (except rabies) over the
counter. Make sure your cat stays up to date with
the vaccines, you can give the vaccines yourself or
let the vet do it.
18. Learn about the plants that are toxic to your
cat.
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19.
Keep your cat's mind and body active.
20. Have an emergency and disaster plan ready. In
case you have to evacuate, where does the cat go?
21. Outfit your cat with a collar and ID tag that
includes your name, address, and telephone number.
22. Treat your cat for fleas. Many flea control
products are not formulated specifically for cats or
kittens. Read the label carefully, because products
that are safe for dogs may be toxic to cats.
23.
Place a sheet of aluminum foil on the kitchen
counter or any place you don't want your cat to go.
Cats hate walking on foil, and your cat will soon
learn what places are off limits.
24. If your cat gets something toxic on her fur,
such as a gardening or cleaning product, it will end
up in her system as she grooms. Wash all poisons
immediately and thoroughly from your cat's coat.
25. Putting a bell on a cat does not protect
neighborhood birds, and can drive a cat crazy.
Studies show that belled cats simply learn how to
hunt more quietly and efficiently. But meanwhile,
the tinkling sound of the bell is annoying and
disorienting to the cat, who relies heavily on her
sense of hearing to get around.
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| Source: www.animalpetsandfriends.com |
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