A Healthy Pet is a Happy Pet!

Everyone loves their pet. Whether it's a cat, dog, hamster, or even a scaly snake, pets are an enormous part of our daily existence. So, when your pet gets sick you try to do everything and any thing to make him better. There are two ways to insure our pet's health is good as it can be. One is by observing their behavior and appearance, and the second is scheduling regular vet checkups.

When you have lived with your pet for any length of time you become aware of all their quirky habits, good and bad. A cat may decide he wants attention at three a.m. by sticking his wet nose on your face. Dogs drool piles of sticky saliva on your end tables. Your parakeet sings at the top of his tiny lungs just when you have drifted off to sleep. These are small things that make your pet unique.

But if you begin to notice subtle or blatant changes, such as the cat is no where to be found, the dog's mouth is dry and appears chalky, your bird huddles on his perch and refuses to sing a note, then pet health may be at risk.

Not only are habits important to note, but also their appearance should be closely observed. Changes can be subtle as cat's eyes may appear to have a film over them, or obvious when you see a beautiful yellow canary suddenly loses all the minuscule feathers from its head. If this behavior or different appearance doesn't clear up shortly a visit to the vet is a must.

Regularly planned vet visits are also important to pet health. Most veterinarians' offices keep hours that work for busy schedules. Habitual trips to the doctor are important for many reasons. A main basis is keeping their shots up to date, especially if your pet comes in contact with other animals.

Rabies, feline leukemia, and heart worms are just a few of the contagious diseases pets are faced with that can be prevented. Other reasons for regular checkups are so your pet and vet can become familiar with one another. The more your doctor understands your pet's individuality the better he can make observations and catch anything subtle that could be wrong. Regular teeth cleanings and nail clippings can also insure your pet's good health continues.

A long, healthy life is what everyone desires for their pet. Be vigilant to their nuances, and make those regular doctor visits to insure they live to a happy, old age.