Vet Nicola Armstrong Shares 10 Tips for a Healthy and Happy Pet
October 14, 2024
At Avenues Vets, we’re passionate about helping pets live their best lives. While diseases like arthritis, kidney disease, periodontal disease, and ‘the Big C’ can be a concern, proactive measures can significantly reduce the risk in many cases. In this article, Vet Nicola Armstrong shares their 10 top tips for a healthy and happy pet.
10 tips for healthy and happy dogs, cats & rabbits
1. Regular Check-ups: Schedule bi-annual vet check-ups to monitor your pet’s health and catch any potential problems early. Nicola recommends monitoring your pet at home too – look for changes in behaviour, limping, reduced mobility, lumps, bad breath, red gums, and anything else unusual.
Call Avenues Vets on 0141 643 0404 with any concerns.
2. Preventive Vaccinations: Stay up to date with recommended pet vaccinations for optimum protection against contagious, life-threatening diseases such as canine parvovirus, feline leukaemia, and myxomatosis in rabbits.
3. Flea, Worm and Tick Prevention: Use vet-prescribed flea, worm and tick products to protect your pet from parasites that can cause irritation as well as transmit diseases.
4. Dental Care: Brush your dog or cat’s teeth regularly with a pet-specific tooth gel and schedule professional dental cleanings as recommended by your vet. Talk to us about dental products and chew toys that can also help. Rabbits need a constant supply of fresh hay for healthy teeth and ideally 6 – 12 month dental check-ups.
5. Healthy Diet & Weight: Provide your pet with a high-quality, complete diet that meets their nutritional needs. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important for reducing the risk of obesity, early-onset arthritis, heart disease and other conditions. The Avenues Vets’ nurses can help you with pet nutrition and weight – book a nurse appointment.
6. Fresh Water: Ensure your pet has access to fresh, clean water at all times, and is drinking it. Water is vital for transporting nutrients to cells, eliminating waste, cushioning joints and organs, regulating body temperature and more. Some cats and dogs aren’t big drinkers, so Nicola suggests mixing in high-quality wet food or adding water to dry kibble.
7. Regular Exercise & Enrichment: Ensure your pet has plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation to support their wellbeing. Here are some examples:
- Dogs: Walking, hiking, training, fetch games, interactive games & toys, agility courses (DIY or professional), swimming.
- Cats: Furry toys on string to chase, interactive games & toys, scratching posts, a catio (outdoor enclosed ‘cat patio’), a cat gym – check this one out on YouTube!
- Rabbits: An outdoor pen, digging box, foraging tray, chew toys.
Reducing excessive running and jumping can often help to delay the onset of osteoarthritis by 1) reducing stress on joints which leads to wear & tear on cartilage, and 2) reducing the risk of injuries which can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.
8. Reduce Stress: Create a calm and comfortable environment. Stress can negatively impact your pet’s health and contribute to a range of health conditions.
9. Regular Grooming: Brush your pet’s coat regularly to keep them tangle and dirt-free, helping to prevent skin irritation and parasites. Keep nails trimmed to reduce discomfort and injuries. Avoid bathing dogs too often as this can strip their natural oils, unless there’s a specific need.
10. Avoid Toxins: Last but by no means least, Nicola stresses the importance of keeping toxic substances, including foods and plants away from your pets. Common offenders are grapes, raisins, antifreeze, fertiliser, xylitol, chocolate, and especially for cats – lilies and paracetamol. These can cause a whole host of health problems, some of which can be life-threatening.
By following Nicola’s tips, you can help your pet live a healthier, happier, and hopefully longer life. Remember, early prevention is key to maintaining your pet’s wellbeing. Book a check-up with our vets soon to find out if your pet is in tip top shape.
