Top 5 Preventable Pet Illnesses

Dogs and cats are both very curious and adventurous by nature, so it’s not uncommon for them to get into things that they shouldn’t. Unfortunately, these midday explorations may be putting them at risk for serious health concerns. The good news is that many of these pet illnesses are preventable. Read on to learn about five of the most common pet illnesses that can be avoided.

1. Food Poisoning

Feeding your pet table scraps should always be a no-no. We know that they look super cute at your feet as they show off their little begging eyes, but you must resist the urge to feed them people food. Your pet’s stomach does not have the same digestive enzymes as we do, therefore, a simple snack can turn into a toxic substance in your pet’s body. Avoid feeding your pet the following foods:

• Avocados
• Alcohol
• Onions & garlic
• Coffee, teas, or caffeine
• Grapes & raisins
• Macadamia nuts
• Milk
• Candy, gum, or chocolate
• Fat trimmings & bones
• Peaches & plums
• Raw meat, fish, or eggs
• Salt
• Sugary foods
• Raw yeast dough

2. Obesity/Diabetes

On top of feeding your pets the wrong foods, you also want to make sure to feed your dog the correct amount of food. “Approximately 25% of overweight dogs develop serious joint complications,” according to Pet Education. In addition to joint pain, your pet’s vital organs could be at risk. Being overweight could lead to decreased liver function, digestive upsets, decreased immune functioning, and an increased risk of cancer, just to name a few scary conditions. Obesity in pets links directly to diabetes, just like in humans. As veterinarian Dr. Katy J. Nelson says on The Daily Cat, “Diabetes is not only a severely debilitating, life-threatening disease, but also very expensive, very difficult and very time-consuming to manage.” If your pets always seems to be hungry, you may be feeding them food that is not nutritionally balanced. Speak with your vet and consider switching brands immediately.

3. Heartworm

We know that buying heartworm medicine can seem like an added expense, but prevention is essential since an internal infection can spread quickly without you even knowing it’s there. By the time the infection spreads, it could be too late.

4. Parvovirus

Similar to heartworm, a Parvovirus infection can develop quickly and spreads even faster. It’s also highly contagious, so it’s important to protect your pet by keeping up to date on their vaccines, especially if you guys like to visit dog parks.

5. Dental infections

Although it’s common to assume your dog or cat just has bad breath, his halitosis could actually be a sign of something more serious like a dental infection. The good news is that prevention is easier than you may think. Using fully-digestible dental bones, brushing your pet’s teeth, and daily mouth inspections are your best bet for preventing dental infections. You can also purchase drops that can be added to your pet’s water for even more convenience. Don’t let these common pet illnesses escalate into something more serious. Keep your pet protected at all times so they can live a long, healthy life with you.