When you first bring home your new furry friend, it’s hard to imagine that any health issue could ever come between you. But we’re here to tell you that it can and does happen. Whether your pet is in pain or struggling with an illness, it’s important to take the steps necessary to ensure that your pet gets the treatment they need early on.
If you ignore a problem, it can become worse and more expensive. A survey by Pettable revealed that an emergency visit to a vet clinic costs between $500 and $5,000. Most people don’t have this kind of money lying around, which means they either delay treatment or end up paying out of pocket for something that could have been prevented had they taken action sooner.
The good news is that there are ways to manage many common pet health issues before they escalate into emergencies. And the great news is that if you do choose to treat them early on or before things get too far out of hand, you’ll usually be able to save yourself a lot of money in the long run.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a joint disease that is commonly prevalent among senior pets. In the United States, 45% of all cats and 14 million adult dogs suffer from osteoarthritis.
Arthritis is a condition that many pet owners are familiar with. But if you’re not sure how to help your pet with it, you may find the disease challenging to tackle. We’ve put together this list of tips for dealing with arthritis in pets.
- Keep your pet’s weight under control. Being overweight can exacerbate the effects of arthritis and make it harder for your dog to move around comfortably.
- Ensure that your pet gets adequate exercise each day. If your pet is having trouble walking or running, try swimming instead or a short walk around the block instead of a 5-mile hike up a mountain. You want to keep their joints moving as much as possible, but you don’t want to cause any unnecessary pain or stress on their body.
- If your pet has trouble climbing stairs or jumping on furniture, try using ramps or steps, so they don’t have to jump off furniture onto hardwood floors. This will also help prevent injury from falls and slips when getting into bed at night.
- Try giving them glucosamine supplements, as this can help rebuild cartilage in their knees and hips and reduces pain and stiffness caused by arthritis over time.
Skin Infections and Itching
Itching and skin infections are pretty common in pets. A lot of the time, they’re caused by allergies or fleas, but they can also be caused by bacterial or fungal infections. Whether your pet is itching because they have an allergy or because they have a bacterial or fungal infection, there are some things you can do to help them feel better.
First, check your pet’s skin for any signs of infection. It’s most likely to be infected if it appears red, swollen, or hot to the touch. You should also check for discharge from the ears or eyes. If there is any, then this could be a sign of an ear/eye infection as well.
The next thing to do is cleanse the area with water and apply Triple Antibiotic Ointment for cats and dogs. This will help keep bacteria from spreading while it heals. You should clean the area twice per day until it stops itching and heals completely.
Triple antibiotic ointment is great for treating minor cuts, scrapes, and open wounds in dogs and cats. The ointment has three different types of antibiotics: penicillin G benzathine, neomycin sulfate, and polymyxin B sulfate that kill bacteria on contact. This helps prevent infection from developing on the wound site and keeps it from spreading to other areas of your animal’s body.
Obesity
Obesity is a serious problem for pets, which can also lead to other chronic health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, cancer, etc.
A 2021 survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) found that Roughly 39% of dog owners and 45% of cat owners believe their animal is obese or overweight. This is an alarming statistic because obesity can result in other serious health conditions in pets.
If you’re concerned about your pet’s weight, you can help your pet stay healthy and fit by following these tips:
- Watch your pet’s weight. Obesity has been linked to several diseases in humans, and so is the case with pets. If you suspect your pet is overweight, don’t hesitate to talk to your veterinarian about how to manage the issue.
- Consider feeding smaller portions more frequently than one large meal per day. This will help keep your dog or cat from becoming overweight because there will be less food available for them to consume over time.
- Make sure that all treats are healthy. If you have trouble finding healthy treats for your animal companion, consider making them yourself using fresh ingredients like fruits and vegetables instead of processed treats like cookies or cakes.
- Give your dog or cat plenty of opportunities to exercise. Regular exercise is important because it helps burn off excess calories while also providing mental stimulation, which can improve overall health by reducing stress levels.
Pet Anxiety
When you think about it, it’s no surprise that dogs are getting anxious. With the fast-paced, often chaotic nature of modern life, it can be hard to find time for your pet.
And then there are all the other stresses: pet parents are working more hours than ever before, they’re dealing with more responsibilities at home, and they’re spending less time with their furry family members.
Pet anxiety is a growing problem in the US, and it’s not just because of your average separation anxiety. It’s because of something called dog separation anxiety. According to Green Element Research, this type of anxiety has increased by over 700% in just two years.
This means that there are more pets out there suffering from this condition than ever before, and while they may look like they’re just being dramatic when you leave them at home alone, they’re really experiencing severe stress and panic attacks.
How do you help your pet cope? The first step is to try something called “counterconditioning.” This means changing your pet’s behavior by giving them positive reinforcement whenever they feel anxious. A good way to do this is by using a clicker or other marker when they do something right, for example, if they go into their crate willingly when asked.
Another thing you can try is flooding. This involves exposing your cat or dog to whatever they’re afraid of over and over again until they get used to it. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, try leaving them alone in the house for a few minutes at a time at first. After this, you can slowly increase the amount of time until they are comfortable being left alone for longer periods.
Final Thoughts
If you’re worried about your pet, don’t be. It’s important to remember that all of these issues can be dealt with in a way that leaves you and your pet feeling great. Whether it’s obesity or skin infections, there are some things you can do to help your pet feel better quickly and keep them healthy for years to come.
