Educating pet owners

Helping pet owners keep their pets healthy

Because pet owners may not realize how much simple daily habits can influence the health of their animals, it's essential to talk with them about the specific things they can do to help keep their pets healthy and happy.

Healthy habits for cats and dogs

• Schedule regular vet visits — While it may seem self-interested for a vet to discuss the importance of regular visits to a clinic, you know that preventative care (including vaccinations) is much less expensive than treatment.
• Keep the pet on a healthy diet — There is a wide variety of pet foods on the market. Guide pet owners to a suitable balanced diet for their pet from a manufacturer you trust.
• Keep an eye on the pet's weight — While you may have an eye for the correct weight for a particular breed, many pet owners do not. Pet owners may feel they are being kind by giving their pets a treat when often the extra calories are actually causing harm.
• Always make fresh, clean water available — As you know, the amount a pet is drinking can be a valuable aid in the diagnosis of disease. Ask your pet owners to get to know what their pets normal drinking habits are so they will be able to report any changes.
• Keep pets active — Especially important for pets that spend much of their time indoors, daily playtime and exercise offer tremendous health benefits for them and a terrific stress-reliever for their owner.
• Use grooming time to examine the pet — As you are assessing a cat or dog during a routine check-up, show the owner how to check for anything out of the ordinary (wax build-up in ears, discharge from eyes, signs of injury or fleas, etc.) that could indicate a potential health problem. Encourage them to look for these signs as part of their regular grooming routine.
• Don't neglect tooth care — Show dog and cat owners how to use a finger brush or dental treats to help keep their pet's teeth clean.
• Be aware of common household dangers — "Pet proofing" a home is more than removing valuables form low shelves or keeping hot drinks off the coffee table. Talk to new pet owners about the ordinary dangers in their home, such as chocolate, certain plants, even string, rubber bands, or dental floss — anything that could be easy to swallow and could cause intestinal blockages or strangulation.
• Never give a pet medications without being directed to by a veterinarian — Some pet owners may not realize that many human medications like pain medications, cold medicine and even some vitamins can be toxic and even fatal to cats and dogs.

For easy-to-follow tips for pet owners, see Maintaining your cat's health and Maintaining your dog's health.