+ HEALTH & Wellness
Pet Care 101
Whether Whether you you currently currently have have a a pet pet or or are are looking looki
to get one, here are some tips
that will help you provide the best care.
By Jessica Gilbreath and Hillary Fisher
Proper Dental
Hygiene for Your Pet
Periodontal disease, while completely
preventable, is the most common
clinical condition in cats and dogs. It
has the potential to destroy a pet’s
teeth and gums and compromise their
health. If your pet exhibits any of the
following symptoms, the American
Veterinary Medical Association
recommends scheduling an
appointment with your veterinarian to
minimize the risk of possible infection
from gingivitis.
BAD BREATH: If your pet’s breath
becomes particularly offensive, it’s
a sign that periodontal disease has
started.
FREQUENT PAWING AT THE FACE
OR MOUTH: If your pet starts to paw
their face or rub their head on the floor
or a wall, they may be experiencing
dental discomfort.
RELUCTANCE TO EAT HARD
FOODS: If your pet stops chewing,
drops food when eating, or whimpers
or cries when eating, gingivitis may
have already set in.
RED, SWOLLEN GUMS AND
BROWNISH TEETH: Lots of tartar
and discoloration as well as red,
bleeding gums, are signs of gingivitis.
While brushing your pet’s teeth at
home may help to slow tartar and
gingivitis, it won’t stop dental problems
from occurring. Get professional care
when recommended.
46 Central Florida Lifestyle | August 2019
Pamper Your Pet
Everyone loves to be pampered,
including your pets. Regular
grooming and hygiene goes
beyond nutrition and exercise.
It will leave your furry friend
looking and feeling great.
Regular fur brushing promotes
good health while removing
dead hair, skin and dirt from
your pet’s coat. This is also
an excellent opportunity to
examine your animal’s body for
lumps, rashes, sores, dull and
flaky skin, and fleas. These are
warning signs that may warrant
a trip to the vet.
Live a Long,
Happy Life
Pets are part of the family, but their
life spans are significantly shorter
than ours. As part of a survey of
veterinarians on the keys to pet
health, the Canadian Veterinary
Medical Association identified
the top five most important things
pet owners can do to increase the
longevity of their pet’s life. The order
of importance may surprise you.
1. WEIGHT CONTROL: Pet
obesity can be life threatening.
Overweight pets are more likely
to encounter medical conditions
like diabetes, arthritis, heart
disease, lung disorders, high blood
pressure, immune dysfunction and
cancerous tumors.
2. DENTAL HEALTH: Proper dental
hygiene can prevent infection in
pets.
3. REGULAR EXAM AND CHECKUPS:
Meeting regularly with a
veterinarian can help find health
problems before they become
major. Staying up-to-date on
vaccines is also important.
4. REGULAR EXERCISE: Regular
exercise will be enjoyable for your
pet and will prevent obesity.
5. APPROPRIATE FOOD FOR LIFE
STAGE: A good quality food will
help your pet maintain a healthy
weight, oral hygiene and a
healthy coat.