In many households, the pet is as much a part of the family as the kids and parents are! And with that position as a loved member of a unit, there comes the responsibility of the owners to take care of the pet’s health. And you don’t necessarily have to be an expert when it comes to cats or dogs, but you should at least know some of the health basics.
And included in the list is going to be matters of pet health insurance, knowing where to find pet-related recalls, knowing that food is a big deal, keeping your pet exercising a minimal amount at least, and having plans for your animals when you go away on vacations.
#1. Insurance Matters
When you sign up for pet insurance, it’s not exactly the same as typical insurance, per se. Chances are more likely that the policy that you sign up for is going to allow you to get certain discounts on treatments in case your pet gets certain illnesses or conditions, rather than anything resembling full coverage like might be.
#2. Look Up Recalls
There aren’t quite as many rules about pet products as there are about human products, but there are still pet food recalls every once in awhile that may not be as widely publicized, that you should still know about. There have been a few companies that have put out pet products that turned out to have been unsafe for pets as well (think toys or houses). So just be sure that you don’t keep any recalled items around your home.
#3. Food Is a Big Deal
And outside of the idea of recalls, getting the right pet food is still a huge health issue. There are lots of different theories about what pets of different types and ages need, and the one thing you want to keep in mind as an owner is that you should buy your pet food that you think is good for them, but rather what is known to be nutritionally sound. There can often be a discrepancy between the two.
#4. Exercise Regimens
Every animal is different in terms of how much exercise they need. Talk to your vet about your particular pet, and avoid the common traps of overfeeding for the amount of activity they regularly get.
#5. Have a Plan In Advance For Vacations Or Away Time
It can be stressful on a family and on a pet’s health if there isn’t a good process in order for when the family is out of town on vacation. Many animals are set for a day at a time or so, but especially some dogs will stress out if their patterns are broken too strongly when they’re used to their owners being around all the time.
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