Horsham Veterinary Hospital

Ten Ways to Keep Your Dog Healthy

1. Have your pet spayed or neutered -- Doing this will decrease pet overpopulation while helping your pet stay healthy. It can also help make your dog more well behaved.
2. Vaccinate -- Take your pet to the vet once a year to have an examination and vaccinations. Vaccines guard against the most common dog diseases and rabies vaccination is required by law.  Many illnesses come on very gradually and are hard to detect without the help of your veterinarian.
3. Always keep your dog on a leash -- This is the only way to ensure that your animal doesn't get lost or hit by a car. Even the well-trained dog will occasionally decide he needs to chase a rabbit or visit the dog across the street!
4. Feed your pet dog food -- Feeding dogs people food can lead to obesity nutritional deficiencies and disease. Dogs that eat a complete and balanced dog food are eating better than most people!
5. Keep your dog slim -- Animals that are overweight are prone to many health problems.
6. Brush your dog's teeth regularly -- Dogs get dental disease, too and brushing their teeth can help you avoid large dentistry bills, not to mention bad breath. Even once    a week is enough to make a difference. Avoid using human toothpaste.
7. Practice preventive medicine -- Give your pet monthly heartworm medication and flea preventive.  Fleas and ticks spread many diseases.
8. Train your dog -- Having control over your dog is important to keep him out of dog fights, away from moving vehicles, and to avoid annoying people.
9. Keep your dog well groomed -- Long-haired pets need regular grooming to keep them from getting painfully matted fur. If feces remain in the fur around your dog's anus, it can attract flies that will lay their eggs on your pet. This can lead to serious illness. Overgrown toenails can actually grow into foot pads.
10. Give your dog lots of love and attention -- A pet that feels loved and wanted will be your life-long friend.

Ten Ways to Keep Your Cat Healthy

1. Have your cat spayed or neutered -- doing this will decrease pet overpopulation while helping your pet stay healthy. It can also help make your cat better behaved and much less likely to mark its territory by spraying.
2. Vaccinate -- Take your cat to the vet once a year to have an examination and vaccinations. Vaccines guard against the most common cat diseases and rabies vaccination is required by law. Many illnesses come on very gradually and are hard to detect without the help of your veterinarian.
3. Keep your cat indoors -- This is the only way to protect. your cat from other animals, cars, and many other dangers.
4. Feed your pet cat food -- Feeding cats people food can lead to obesity, nutritional deficiencies and disease. While your cat may think differently, tuna and milk are not a complete diet!
5. Keep your cat slim -- Animals that are obese are prone to many health problems
6. Brush your pet's teeth regularly -- Cats get dental disease, too, and brushing their teeth can help you avoid large dentistry bills, not to mention bad breath. Even once a week is enough to make a difference. Avoid using human toothpaste.
7. Practice preventive medicine - Give your pet monthly flea preventive and hairball medicine twice a week, if needed.  Cats that are prone to urinary tract problems may need to be on a special diet.
8. Provide a scratching post and trim your cat's nails -- Many indoor cats can be trained to use a scratching post. Trimming nails helps protect furniture, if the cat makes a mistake. This is often a good alternative to declawing.
9. Keep your pet well groomed -- Long-haired pets, especially, need regular grooming to keep them from getting painfully matted fur. Overgrown toenails can actually grow into food pads. Fleas and ticks can transmit diseases and make animals anemic.
10. Give your cat lots of love and attention -- A pet that feels loved and wanted will be your life-long friend.