How to help pet live a healthy and happy life

Pets, mostly cats, tend to hide health problems. At the same time, a cat can live with chronic pain for a long time, and their owner will not even know about it. There is also a risk of misinterpreting a change in the animal's behavior. For example, if the cat suddenly begins to go to the toilet instead of the tray, this may be a signal of problems with the urinary system. Often noticeable symptoms appear in the late stages of the disease, when treatment is already difficult. The first signs of chronic kidney disease in cats - refusal to eat, weight loss, vomiting - appear when the organ is already 75% damaged. The World Association of Small Animal Veterinary Doctors strongly recommends periodic preventive examinations at least once a year, and in the first year of a cat's and dog's life - 2-4 times a year. Older animals need annual blood and urine tests, in particular to check the condition of the kidneys, as well as ultrasound and other tests prescribed by a veterinarian.

A visit to the veterinary clinic should take place shortly after the appearance of a new four-legged resident in the house, and for newborn cats and dogs - no later than 2 months of age. A veterinarian is a pediatrician for kittens and puppies. During the examination, he will assess the pet's general condition, help choose the right diet, make a schedule of vaccinations, select means to fight against internal and external parasites, tell about the necessary regime and care for the pet.

Vaccination is the best way to protect your pet and your family from infectious diseases. The recommended age to start vaccinations is 8 weeks for kittens and 6-8 weeks for puppies.

Even domestic cats and dogs need protection against internal parasites. Puppies and kittens are especially sensitive to helminths. In addition to discomfort and irritation, external parasites can cause dangerous infections. This especially applies to ticks, so you should carefully examine the animal after a walk.

Dental problems are very common in cats and dogs. In addition, bacteria in the oral cavity can cause various infections in other organs. It is advisable to brush the animal's teeth daily. Special chewing sticks can also get rid of bacteria that cause plaque and slow down the formation of tartar. To maintain a healthy skin and coat, get your pets used to bathing and grooming at a young age. The frequency of bathing depends on the lifestyle of the animal. As a rule, it is not recommended to do this too often. Never use human shampoo as it has too high a pH which is not suitable for pets' skin.

Sterilization of cats and dogs is usually carried out after 6 months of age. This common procedure allows you to increase the life expectancy of the animal, as the risks of a number of diseases are reduced. In particular, early sterilization of females minimizes the development of mammary gland tumors and also helps prevent uterine diseases. After the operation, there are changes in sexual behavior and the probability of escaping from the host during the period of sexual activity is much lower. In addition, this procedure helps to avoid unwanted offspring, which is the cause of uncontrolled reproduction and the increase in the number of homeless animals. Be sure to consult a veterinarian before sterilization.