We all love our pets and would like to keep them as happy and healthy as possible, but do we really know what’s best for them?
Read on to find out how you could unintentionally be causing your pets harm, and avoid an emergency trip to the veterinary hospital.
Here are 5 mistakes you may not know you’re making.
1. Harmful Feeding Practices
Many pet owners are ‘killing’ their pets with kindness. The following treats can have serious effects on your pets’ health:
Chocolate in large doses can lead to heart damage, seizure, and death due to the methylxanthines (caffeine and theobromine) present in this sweet treat.
Feeding your pet table scraps or overfeeding your pets causes obesity, poor health, and nutritional imbalances. Leftover foods may contain harmful salmonella.
Even in small amounts, grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs and nobody knows why. Get your dog to the veterinary hospital immediately if it eats any of these.
Sugarless Gum contains Xylitol which leads to low blood sugar, causing weakness, coma, and death in dogs.
The Sulphur in onions and garlic can destroy red blood cells in dogs, and cause anemia over time.
Raw diets may be all the rage but, unless they are carried out under veterinary supervision, they can instigate serious health effects like rickets and food poisoning.
Most cats are lactose intolerant and should not drink milk.
Bones are not a good choice for dogs as they can cause lacerations along the digestive tract.
Stick with a reputable brand of pet food and follow the feeding instructions to the letter for optimum animal health.
2. Ignoring Parasites
Check your animals regularly for parasites or skin infections.
Ticks may transmit serious illnesses such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and biliary which can all kill your dog.
Bare patches on your pet’s skin could be ringworm, which is also transmittable to humans and causes major discomfort and distress.
Fleas are guilty of spreading disease such as bubonic plague and can easily get out of control if they are not eliminated timeously.
Worms can be fatal to dogs and cats.
3. Being a Lazy Pet Owner
Pets need mental and physical stimulation in the form of exercise and attention. Bored animals develop habits such as chewing or roaming – both of which can lead to injury.
Don’t expect your cats to share a litter box and keep their litter boxes clean.
Without exercise, pets become obese and prone to respiratory and joint problems.
4. Avoiding the Veterinary Hospital With Annual Check-Ups
Skipping out on regular veterinary care will cost you more in the long run. Speak to your local vet about ongoing treatment for your pets. Annual check-ups, vaccinations and a continuous program against internal and external parasites will keep your pets at their best.
Spaying or neutering your animals is a wise choice to prevent unwanted litters as well as breast and testicular cancer.
Brush your dog’s teeth. Gum disease is easily preventable with good dental hygiene.
5. Being Aware
Lethargy, refusing food and vomiting are all signs of illness. Get your dog to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible if you suspect anything is amiss. This could save you thousands in the long run, and might just save their life.
Get in touch with Sykesville Veterinary Clinic in MD to see how our services can make caring for your pet easier and more cost effective.