Preventative Care

Friday, April 16th, 2010 at 3:15 pm

One day, I’ll do a blog about my life with my animals.

One day…

Until then, I’ll tell you little by little, some of the great lessons I learned having them under my care.

1 – DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ECONOMIZE ON RATION. The cheapest brand of food may possibly have harmful preservatives such as BHT and ingredients such as corn, which often cause allergies and skin problems, which could cause you to end up going to the vet and having to put your pet on a diet prescription. In the long run this will be MUCH more expensive

The first two ingredients on food packages should always be animal protein, no grains or vegetables. Sub products could be chicken feathers, fur, animal hide, cartilage and all types of animal waste. If it says ‘meal’ that usually means ground bones, tendons or cartilage which makes the ration more expensive but far less nutritious.

Do not fall for the ‘story’ of meat, fish, lamb.

2 – PAY ATTENTION TO THE CHANGE OF ROUTINE. Pets are creatures of habit, if you see any change, take it seriously.

Drinking too much water can be kidney disease. If they’re panting excessively it could be heart problems.

The soonest change you will likely have to make is a change in diet or later it may cause a problem may require hospitalization and a big vet bill to pay.

3 – CONSIDER HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOUR PET. We used it for 10 years with our beagle and it was always worth it. It’s not expensive. From $15 (cats) to $22 (dogs), and this covers annual checkups, vaccinations, accidents and many illnesses.

At the time we used www.petinsurance.com.

Our beagle had several surgeries and the insurance reimbursed us more or less about 80% of the expenditure. He had several health problems and lived with us 12 years protected by health insurance. This means: save lots of money.

The www.ASPCApetinsurance.com and other insurers give you the quote online and and it’s free. It doesn’t cost anything to try.

Deciding on health insurance or not, never neglect regular checkups. Health problems detected early are easier to heal and I repeat, it costs much less money.

4 – ADOPT, IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING A PET. The animal shelters are overcrowded! And it is cheaper for you. Find a shelter near you by the visiting www.animalshelter.org

5 – FOOD THAT YOU CAN GIVE TO YOUR PETS:

YOGURT – they do not always make the right decision and have digestive problems like we do. I give a tablespoon.

SARDINES – are full of Omega 3 and 6

Filtered water – chlorine disturbs the intestinal flora.

OLIVE OIL – a few drops at each meal is good for their fur.

Mine are very fond of raw carrots, celery and apples, which helps to clean their teeth. Toby is famous for loving lettuce! Especially the stalk. He runs out jumping, trotting and happily prancing, when he gets a whole carrot or a beautiful piece of celery (very well washed, and because it’s vegetables that absorb more pesticides and insecticides).

He is my veggie dog, he LOVES crispy vegetables. Look how he goes for the stalk.

Toby alface