Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Healthy Pets Help Ensure Healthy Families

By Donna Stone


Animals have always been an important part of human life. Some animals are kept for food, others for produce and yet others for working. Yet, some animals are kept for companionship and they often become an integral part of the household. They are loved and cherished. They are not expected to work or to make any contribution other than to be there for the pleasure of all household members. It is vital to remember, however, that only healthy pets can provide joy and affection.

Animals that do not receive affection and attention from their owners can easily become unhealthy. They become frustrated, develop destructive habits and refuse to eat, all simply to attract the attention of their owners and to receive some form of affection. When choosing an animal, it is important to ascertain the level of personal attention that the animal will require and if it would be difficult to provide that level of attention it may be better to choose a different type of animal.

Exercise is very important to the health of all animals. Caged animals should have a variety of devices that will allow them to exercise. Other animals, such as most dogs, need to be exercised by taking them for runs and walks and by playing with them. Lack of exercise can lead to depression, obesity and poor behaviour and will almost certainly shorten the life span of the animal.

An inappropriate diet is perhaps the biggest threat to the health of a household animal. Many owners fail to feed their animals a balanced diet specifically designed for their needs. They think they show them love by feeding them human food and snacks on demand. The truth of the matter is that an unbalanced diet radically shorten the life span of such animals.

Animals often develop medical conditions that are not obvious to their owners. That is why it is necessary to schedule regular visits to the vet. Routine tests will quickly reveal potential problems which can be dealt with in good time. Animals should also receive their inoculations on a regular basis. Any sudden changes in the habits of an animal may be indicative of a health problem.

Animals suffering from boredom and stressful situations are often unhealthy. All household animals should enjoy some variety in their routine and animals that enjoy playing with toys should have a variety available to them. Stress can be a killer, too. Owners will quickly learn which situations cause an animal stress and should try not to expose the animal to such situations.

The environment within which an animal is kept is vital to its health. Many dog species, for example, should never be kept in small spaces. Keeping exotic species have become fashionable but in many cases the local climate is simply not suitable for the animal. If the environment is not suitable for the animal, it is likely to become ill.

Only happy and healthy animals can play the role for which they were intended when they were adopted. This is the responsibility of the owner. Great care should be taken to only adopt animals that will readily adapt to the lifestyle of its owners and to learn as much as possible about the characteristic of the animal concerned.




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