Pet Healthcare

It can be difficult to stay on top of what's best for your own health and well-being, so knowing what's good for your pet may seem a little confusing.

Keep your feline friends and canine companions healthy and happy by following these 10 pet care tips the pros want you to know:

Regular Exams are Vital

Just like you, your pet can get heart problems, develop arthritis, or have a toothache. The best way to prevent such problems or catch them early is to see your veterinarian every year.

Regular exams are "the single most important way to keep pets healthy," says Kara M. Burns, MS, Med, LVT, president of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians.

Annual vet visits should touch on nutrition and weight control, says Oregon veterinarian Marla J. McGeorge, DVM, as well as cover recommended vaccinations, parasite control, dental exam, and health screenings.

Spay and Neuter Your Pets

Eight million to 10 million pets end up in U.S. shelters every year. Some are lost, some have been abandoned, and some are homeless.

Here's an easy way to avoid adding to that number -- spay and neuter your cats and dogs. It's a procedure that can be performed as early as six to eight weeks of age.

Spaying and neutering doesn't just cut down on the number of unwanted pets; it has other substantial benefits for your pet. Studies show it also lowers the risk of certain cancers, Burns tells WebMD, and reduces a pet's risk of getting lost by decreasing the tendency to roam.

Prevent Parasites

Fleas are the most common external parasite that can plague pets, and they can lead to irritated skin, hair loss, hot spots, and infection. Fleas can also introduce other parasites into your cat or dog. All it takes is for your pet to swallow one flea, and it can to end up with tapeworms, the most common internal parasite affecting dogs and cats.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Many dogs and cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese. And just like people, obesity in pets comes with health risks that include diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.

Overfeeding is the leading cause of obesity, says Douglas, who adds that keeping our pets trim can add years to their lives.

Because pets need far fewer calories than most of us think -- as little as 185-370 a day for a small, inactive dog; just 240-350 calories daily for a 10-pound cat -- talk to your vet, who can make feeding suggestions based on your pet's age, weight, and lifestyle.

Halloween Infographic

10 Interesting Dog Facts

1. Is it a duck…or a dog? The Newfoundland breed has a water resistant coat and webbed feet. This dog was bred to help haul nets for fishermen and rescuing people at risk of drowning.

2. It pays to be a lap dog. Three dogs (from First Class cabins!) survived the sinking of the Titanic – two Pomeranians and one Pekingese.

3. A Beatles hit. It’s rumored that, at the end of the Beatles song, “A Day in the Life,” Paul McCartney recorded an ultrasonic whistle, audible only to dogs, just for his Shetland sheepdog.

4. Wow, check out those choppers! Puppies have 28 teeth and normal adult dogs have 42.

5. Chase that tail! Dogs chase their tails for a variety of reasons: curiosity, exercise, anxiety, predatory instinct or, they might have fleas! If your dog is chasing his tail excessively, talk with your vet.

6. Seeing spots? Or not… Dalmatian puppies are pure white when they are born and develop their spots as they grow older.

7. Dogs do dream! Dogs and humans have the same type of slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) and during this REM stage dogs can dream. The twitching and paw movements that occur during their sleep are signs that your pet is dreaming

8. No night vision goggles needed! Dogs’ eyes contain a special membrane, called the tapetum lucidum, which allows them to see in the dark.

9. Pitter patter. A large breed dog’s resting heart beats between 60 and 100 times per minute, and a small dog breed’s heart beats between 100-140. Comparatively, a resting human heart beats 60-100 times per minute.

10. If your dog’s acting funny, get out the umbrella! According to a Petside.com/Associated Press poll, 72% of dog owners believe their dog can detect when stormy weather is on the way.

A solution for dog odors around the house

Even though you love your animals, pet ownership comes with unique challenges such as keeping your home smelling fresh and clean. If your house is starting to smell like dog, use these tips to get rid of the odor.

Grooming your dog- Grooming your pet regularly is one of the best ways to get the smell out. Brush your dog with a brush that works well for his breed—ask your vet for a recommendation. Brushing will remove excess hair and spread your dog’s skin oils throughout the coat, cutting down on shedding. Bathing your dog can also help tremendously, but don’t overdo it—too frequent bathing can actually dry out your pet’s skin and cause health problems.

Vacuuming- Vacuum your floors and furniture regularly to get the hair, pet dander, and other detritus that brushing misses. There are vacuums available today that are made specifically to pick up pet hair. You can also try sprinkling your carpets and furniture with a bit of baking soda, letting it sit on the surfaces for a few minutes, before vacuuming it up. This can help neutralize odors as well.

Thoroughly cleaning your carpets and furniture- Every once in a while, shampoo your carpets and wash your couch cushions for a nice deep clean. Research deep-cleaning machines that let you shampoo only a small portion of carpet at a time. Some are even designed to remove pet odors. Also toss your dog’s bedding in the wash every once in a while. It will remove the dirt that naturally collects on it and keep it smelling fresh.

Odor Neutralizing Products- You can try air freshening products to spray around your home—these might freshen things up, but remember that they only mask the odor instead of eliminating it. Try odor-neutralizing products made specifically to get rid of pet odors.

Keep your home smelling fresh and clean with these tips!

Dogs help humans reduce stress

Dogs help humans reduce stress

Studies show that interactions with therapy animals can decrease stress in humans.

Playing with or petting an animal can increase levels of the stress-reducing hormone oxytocin and decrease production of the stress hormone cortisol. These hormonal changes can help a nervous child feel more relaxed about reading aloud. Reduced stress can also benefit physical health. In a 2001 study, researchers found that pet-owning patients with high blood pressure could keep their blood pressure lower during times of mental stress than patients without pets.

Another study shows that pet owners may also have increased odds of surviving for at least a year after having a heart attack.

“Both pet ownership and social support are significant predictors of survival, independent of the effects of the other psychosocial factors and physiologic status,” wrote the heart-disease researchers.

And in 2008, a group of Italian researchers documented the successful introduction of a shelter dog to Alzheimer’s patients. Patients were given questionaires, and many responded that animal-assisted activities (the dog as a therapy animal) was beneficial.

Health in Dog Fur

A happy dog is a healthy dog, and a healthy dog has strong, shiny fur. Your dog’s coat is one of the best ways to gain insights into your dog’s condition, be it physical or emotional. It’s very important to get to know the ideal qualities of your furry friend’s breed and to set aside time to maintain his or her coat with regular brushing and washing.

The right food

A balanced diet with plenty of protein and amino acid content will help strengthen and replenish your dog’s coat by giving it the building blocks of the hair’s natural structure. Dog fur is made mostly of protein, so a coat that is dull or fragile can be an indication that your pooch isn’t getting the best nutrition. Do your research about the best kind of food and the right portions of it for your dog. If the diet needs an extra boost, you can talk to your vet about pet supplements.

Unwanted guests

The fur can be an inviting shelter for ticks, fleas, and other parasites that are very bad for your dog’s health. This is especially true in dirty, matted hair. Parasites can lead to infections and discomfort in your dog. Keeping the coat clean and brushed gets you up close and personal with your dog’s skin and hair, ensuring that parasites stay away or don’t get to set up shop for very long.

Bad news with balding

Excessive hair loss or patches of baldness on your dog’s coat can be a sign of any number of problems. This can result from such things as hormonal problems and tumors, though it can also be a symptom of emotional problems, like stress or impulse control issues. Different breeds have different rates of shedding, especially as the seasons change, but extreme or unusual hair loss can be an indication of more serious concerns for your dog’s overall health.

That “new dog” smell

The look and feel of the fur aren’t the only ways to monitor your dog’s health through his or her coat. The fur should also smell fresh in between baths. A strong, musky, or foul odor on dry fur is often an indication of bacterial infection, fungus, fleas, or even dry skin. A coat that stays stinky even after a scrub is a sign that a visit to the vet may be in order.

Keeping your dog’s coat strong and shiny will teach you a lot about how to care for his or her health in general. It’s a great way to monitor nutrition, win the fight against parasites, and stay informed about your dog’s feelings. It’s also a wonderful way to bond. Regular brushing, baths, and petting are all part of the process, so show your dog love and attention for the good of his or her health as well as the good of your relationship with one another.