As pet owners there are many things that you can do to ensure your pet stays in top condition and hopefully reduce the number of visits you need to the vet!
Nutrition – It is amazing what difference you can make to your pet’s health by feeding a good quality food suitable for their life-stage. All pets, like us need a good balanced diet with vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy. Guinea pigs need Vitamin C, our feline friends need a certain protein only found in meat, and rabbits need a good amount of hay to keep their teeth trim and guts moving.
Clean Water Bowls – always ensure your pets water bowl is clean and water is refreshed daily. Otherwise, bacteria can build up and cause them to become unwell.
Teeth cleaning – The best way to keep your pet’s teeth clean is to use a toothbrush and pet toothpaste, nothing beats physically brushing them. If this is a struggle there are alternatives that can help your pet’s teeth stay clean, including dental sticks, food and pet mouth washes.
Lump checks – regularly check your pet over for any new lumps that might appear and get them checked quickly.
Immunisations – Keep your pet’s vaccines up to date, this will protect them from many lethal diseases.
Parasite treatments – Again prevention is much easier than trying to treat some conditions, such as lungworm and flea/mite infestations. If your cat is a hunter then it will need de-worming regularly. All pets have individual needs, so it is always best to speak with your Vet and determine the risks. Prompt treatment – Pets cannot tell us that they are ill, and will not show pronounced signs until they are very poorly, so if your pet is not quite right, drinking a little more, perhaps a little off food, breathing a little faster, coughing or being sick then it’s always best to ask for some advice.
Lucy Travers BVSc CertAVP MRCVS Highfields Vets