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Pet Care Tips

Pet owners need to take their pets to a veterinarian once a year for a physical exam, just to make sure that their shots are current and there are no diseases of any kind. In the meantime though, if any minor health problems do arise, take your pet to see a vet as soon as possible so that the problem can be dealt with quickly before it gets any worse.

Bathing and grooming your pet on a regular basis is also very important. This, of course, can be done at home or you can take your pet to a shop to have it professionally groomed. Getting this done often will keep you aware of any skin problems your pet might have, that you can take care of promptly. It will also keep you aware of any fleas or ticks your pet might have and these should be treated or removed immediately.

In addition, brushing your pet on a regular basis, whether it be a cat or a dog, can prevent hairballs. Clean your pets' teeth on a regular basis and make sure you clip their nails often. Their nails should be kept short. Keeping ears clean and free of debris is also very important. Doing all of these things on a regular basis will help eliminate trips to the vet. Check out all of the products you would need for these essentials in
Pet Grooming Supplies to keep your pet healthy and well-groomed.

Just like their owners, pets need
Pet Vitamins and minerals for a healthy coat and healthy immune system, as well as calcium for strong bones. You might want to check with your veterinarian as to which vitamins would be best for your particular pet.

Always keep your pets' food and water bowls clean and make sure they always have fresh water. Their bedding and blankets should always be clean, as well as their kennels if they sleep outside. Exercise is another very important key to prevent obesity. Always make sure your pet is kept warm during the cold winter months. Check out
Dog Sweaters or Dog Jackets and Coats , which would be perfect when taking your dog for a walk in the snow, rain or cold wind.

Always feed your pet the most healthy diet possible with absolutely no table scraps. Don't ever get your pet started on this habit. Read labels and don't always go for the cheaper brand. Again, you might want to check with your vet about the best diet for your particular pet. Don't ever feed your pet chocolate or any sort of evaporated milk that is sold in cans, as these things are poison to your pet. And, of course, make yourself aware of which plants are poisonous to our precious pets.

The most important thing you can give your pet is love, discipline and consistency with eating habits and exercise.

Canine Health

Our dogs are like their owners, they like to stay active and have a job to do!!! If their owners are surfers or skateboard riders, their dogs can learn to do this sport too. How cool would it be to take your dog surfing with you or skateboard riding? If this is presented to the dog as a challenge, and if you dog has a personality that you think would like it, he would really enjoy it as much as you do. Surfing for dogs has become so popular, and there are beaches that hold competitions every summer. They are judged on the length of their rides, their ability and confidence. Teach your dog to surf next summer and make him a 'cool surfer dude dog'.

There are also groups that organize hiking and camping trips with your dogs. You could also take your dog with you on a long-distance run or mountain climb. If you take your dog on any of these long-distance walks or mountain climbs, always make sure you take plenty of water with you, as your dog will get just as thirsty as you will. Check out the
dog backpacks and choose one that would be perfect for your particular dog. That way, your pet can carry his own water bottle and healthy snack to eat along the way.

Whatever activity you involve your dog in, it will contribute towards keeping your precious pooch's weight under control, a healthy heart and overall
pet health . During chilly weather, you might want to get your pooch a dog jacket or dog vest, just for that little bit of extra warmth. Dog shoes are also available if you are walking your dog on rough terrain or a mountain climb. Sometimes their little paw pads are sensitive, especially on little dogs or if the pavement is very hot.

Dog treadmills are also another option, especially in areas where there is lot of rain or snow and you can't take your dog out on a daily walk. With a dog treadmill you can be sure that your pet is getting exercise every day getting plenty of oxygen to his lungs, regardless of the weather conditions. And, it would save the pet owner a lot of time too. We all want to increase our pets' lifespans and prevent obesity, and the only way to do this is with daily exercise, no table scraps and a healthy diet.

As much as our pets love to eat scraps from our tables, this isn't a healthy practice to get started. If you never start giving them scraps from the table from the beginning, they will never expect them. Stick with a good healthy dog food diet, or perhaps home-made dog food might be a choice. Check with your veterinarian as to what would be the best diet for your particular dog.

If your dog has been given table scraps from a previous owner, or perhaps other family members, and you want to break this habit, you might want to start by confining your pet in a
pet carrier or pet kennel during meal times. You could even put him in another room during meal times until you get this habit broken. Doing this would especially make it less stressful when you want a relaxing meal or when you are having company over for dinner, so that you won't be embarrassed by a begging dog.

Whatever activity of exercise you decide to do to keep your pet healthy, you always have to remember to be consistent and give your pet lots of love, praise and petting, and perhaps a 'healthy' treat.