Top 10 Pet Needs For Healthy Living

Give your furry friend the TLC they deserve!

17 February 2015

You are probably wondering why we are telling you the following because I’m certain most of you know it, but with our busy lives we easily forget that our pets’ needs are as important as our own.

1 Water Ensure that your pet has fresh drinking water at all times. Check that the water bowl is cleaned regularly – and is not left in the sun.
2 Food Dogs should eat dog food; cats need cat food. Give your pets food that’s made especially for them. Adding leftovers to your pets food is fine, but do not feed bones.
3 Shelter Ensure that your pet has appropriate shelter to protect them from rain, cold and heat. Some animals need protection from noise, wind and other conditions.
4 Exercise Exercise improves the physical and mental health of dogs – and their owners. Playing is also a form of exercise and a great stress reliever.
5 Love Pets need attention. Give your pets the love they need.
6 Sterilisation Dogs and cats should be sterilised when they’re six months old – before they have a chance to have one litter.
7 Vaccinations and veterinary care Just as children are immunised against life- threatening illnesses, pets also need vaccinations to protect them from disease. Veterinary care is important to your pet’s health – and life.
8 Ticks, fleas and worms These are harmful and can cause illness. Use proper pet care products to control ticks and fleas. NEVER use dog products on cats and make sure the product is suitable for the age of the animal being treated.
9 Identification Make sure that your dog wears a collar and identity disc. You should be able to fit two fingers between your dog’s collar and his neck. Cats should only wear special cat collars with a quick release clip, to ensure that they do not strangle themselves. You can also have your pet microchipped by a vet. A microchip is an identification device; it can’t be used to track an animal.
10 Freedom from harm Mistreating animals is cruel – and it’s against the law. If you know of an animal being neglected or abused in any way, report it to your local SPCA.