Pets can grow from fluffy to flabby. It’s true: studies show between 25 and 40 percent of household pets are overweight or obese, leading to obesity-related pet illnesses and increased veterinary costs. Start healthy eating habits early by feeding your pet a quality kibble; be sure to consult your veterinarian on your pet food selection. If you adopted a young pet, make sure to ask if a growth formula diet is appropriate.
Pesky Poisons
Curious young pets are determined explorers who want to get their paws dirty. Avoid accidental ingestion of deadly household poisons, such as plants, medications, common foods, cleaning products and pesticides
- Use covered trash bins inside the house to prevent access to disposed medications, empty cleaning bottles, dental floss and food.
- Keep pets out of the garage or shed, away from oil and antifreeze leaks from cars.
- Don’t store cleaners under sinks.
- At Christmastime, cover the tree water so pets can’t drink out of the stand. Pine needles are poisonous.
Click here for a list of common toxins and poisons.
Get the Scoop
Potty training isn’t just for your benefit, it’s essential for your pet’s health. The number one reason cats and kittens visit the veterinarian? Urinary tract infection. It’s serious and expensive to treat. Veterinarians recommend having one litter box for every cat in the house plus one additional box. For example: three cats need four boxes. Cats prefer uncovered boxes with sandy or silky unscented litter.
Puppies, like young children, need to go to the bathroom after eating, drinking, sleeping or playing. Repetitively taking your puppy outside following each of these activities will effectively train him to relieve himself outdoors. Praising your puppy for going potty will also encourage him to continue going outside. Creating a potty schedule is a good idea for dogs, who naturally prefer to follow a routine.
If your dog has an accident indoors, never scold him or rub his nose in the spot. Instead of punishing him, clean up the spot immediately with a safe, bleach-free, ammonia-free product that won’t harm your pet, children, carpets or furniture. If the odor remains, the dog will associate the spot as a designated potty area. Specialty cleaners may be bought at pet stores.
Further Reading:
A Newcomer's Tail
Want to know how much typical veterinary healthcare can cost for a new puppy? See how much it cost for Layla, an eight-month-old puppy in New York, to visit her vet.
What to Know As a First-Time Pet Owner
Take charge of your pet's well-being and learn how his most essential needs -- eating, playing and staying healthy -- are crucial for his quality of life.
A Clean Bill of Health
As cute as they may be, new pets can easily become ill. There’s a solution.
Playing it Safe
Never leave cats alone with string toys; accidental ingestion is life-threatening and often requires expensive surgical procedures.
Learn more about VPI Pet Insurance:
Dog insurance, Cat insurance, What’s covered, Get a quote