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To a pet lover, few things are as devastating as dealing with a sudden illness in your animal friend. In addition to impacting your daily schedule and pulling at your heartstrings, health problems in animals can be difficult to diagnose and treat, which is why everyone should keep in close contact with their pet’s veterinarian.

Here are three steps to keeping your pet healthy:

Focus on Preventive Care 

veterinarianInstead of simply watching for strange symptoms and responding only when your pet has a health problem, focus on preventive care. Bring your animal in for routine checkups with their veterinarian, and make sure they’re up to date on their vaccinations. Keep your pet on parasite prevention year-round to protect against heartworms, intestinal worms, fleas, and ticks. If your breed tends to come down with specific illnesses, ask about how to prevent problems early.

Spay or Neuter

Although it might seem counterintuitive, spaying or neutering is incredibly healthy for your pet. Pets who are sterilized tend to wander less, which can prevent them from becoming lost or getting hit by cars. Additionally, spayed females have less risk of developing uterine and mammary gland cancer, and neutered males are less likely to develop testicular cancer. Both male and female cats experience longer life spans if they’re spayed or neutered.      

Encourage Exercise & a Healthy Diet

Look after your pet’s diet and exercise regimen just as you would look after your own. Make sure your animal is getting the recommended amount of daily exercise for their breed, and offer them healthy foods and fresh water. The best dog and cat foods are tested by feeding trials, not just computerized formulations. Look for the tiny AAFCO statement on the side of the bag or can and look for the words "feeding trial" instead of "formulated to meet the needs". Science Diet and Purina ProPlan are the two brands most likely to meet this extra hurdle. Try not to offer table scraps or excessive treats, which can cause your animal to pack on the pounds.

 

Do you want to help your pet to live a better life? Start off on the right foot by scheduling an appointment with a veterinarian at Montgomery Animal Hospital in Cincinnati, OH. In addition to offering a wide range of preventive care services including immunizations and wellness checks, this state-of-the-art veterinary practice can help with laser therapy, pain control, and exotic pet care. For more information about their services, check out their website or call (513) 791-7912.

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