Staying On Top Of Routine Pet Care And Maintenance

If you have a strong love for the pets in your household, you also understand that there’s a lot of responsibility that goes along with raising them and caring for them properly. Busy lifestyles and unforeseen emergencies can put basic pet needs on the back burner. It’s important to stay on top of pet care and daily maintenance to promote a healthy lifestyle and a clean living environment. Here are just a few suggestions to make sure that your pet is cared for properly as the years move forward.

Fish

One way to provide an attractive focal point inside your home is with a colorful fish tank. Fish can be freshwater or saltwater and you can add numerous corals, faux reef systems and lights to make your fish tank a stellar piece of art. But you must keep in mind that fish are pets too.

Many fish only need minimal care and be fed routinely as well as have their tanks cleaned out once or twice a week. But, depending on the type of fish that you have, along with other living organisms in your tank, daily care is essential. Neglecting to care for fish can occur easily, especially if they have an underlying disease that may be making them and other fish sick. There are many tropical fish diseases that can adversely affect fish.

One of the most common is Ick. Ick appears as small white specks or dots on the surface of the fish. Over time, it can take over the fish’s entire body and begin to eat away at the skin. Specific treatment for Ick is recommended, including treating the entire tank and regulating proper pH levels in the water.

Canines

Dogs are considered man’s best friend in many opinions, but they require a great deal of work and care to help them thrive throughout their short lives. While basic food, water and shelter are the bare essentials, the first priority after adopting a dog or puppy is to seek adequate medical care. Your veterinarian will be able to:

• Provide a complete physical exam to check for abnormalities
• Perform a routine blood panel
• Collect a fecal occult blood test and stool sample
• Groom your dog as needed, including a nail trim and ear cleaning
• Check vital signs
• Request further testing or diagnostic imaging if necessary
• Give proper vaccinations

In addition to keeping your dog’s living area clean, proper dog care starts with a healthy visit from your vet’s office. From there, you can build his dietary needs any other accommodations to prevent future cases of neglect and allow your dog to thrive.

Felines

If you own a cat, they can be a faithful companion that ultimately requires minimal care and supervision. The most important thing to consider is routine veterinarian checkups, feeding and keeping their living area clean and fresh. Neglect can quickly occur when a feline suffers from:

• Cat-related diseases such as feline leukemia or toxoplasmosis that remains untreated
• Fleas or mange infestation
• A mobility issue
• Severe urinary tract infection

While most of these conditions are treatable, consistent care is required. Keeping the litter box clean at all times, administering proper medication and following a sufficient diet is the only way to prevent neglect and help your cat thrive.

Farm Animals

Sometimes pets that live outdoors are highly susceptible to routine neglect. This is because it can be challenging to find someone to care for farm animals if you have to be away for more than a day or two. It’s important to network with your neighbors and fellow animal lovers to have a caregiver in place in the event you are unable to care for them on a daily basis. In addition, choose a veterinarian who works specifically with farm animals and can offer the medical support you need should a health issue arise.

Caring for animals the right way takes more than just providing food and shelter. Keep your pets safe and thriving in a clean and nurturing environment with the help from a vet professional and other animal care specialists.