If you are like most Americans you are living paycheck to paycheck each week. You know how this affects you, but what about how it affects your pets? All too regularly I see people cutting back or bypassing needed veterinary care for their pets simply because they cannot afford to pay the bills. Any pet owner knows the bills I am talking about. Making the decisions to bypass needed pet health care such as rabies vaccinations, parvo vaccines, booster shots, checkups, specialty dog foods, and a host of other expenses for our pets, could cost us our pets in the long run.
Why is it that we think we can skip needed medical treatments for our pets and hope everything will turn out ok? Perhaps it is because as a society we tend to do this to ourselves. I know I hate going to the doctors on a regular basics. It costs money, never makes me feel any better, and never seems to do anything for me. I am stubborn too, so I am sure that does not help.
But I am not a dog or a cat, and they have things a little differently then we do. First off, we do not sniff each others butts all the time. While pets do this as a manner of socialization, we must understand that there is potential for bacteria transfer. Same goes with the area where pets relieve themselves outside. Sure we can scoop the poop, but unless you are washing the grass, there are still bacteria present. Your pets are walking through this area daily, and they are barefoot. If they get a cut on their foot this could lead to a high chance of infection.
What about running through the woods all day? Your pets are prone to parasites like fleas and ticks simply by running through some bushes. Sure these same ticks could land on you, but they do seem to like animals better. And any potential pest carries along a number of problems. Fleas can carry worms which pets can get by ingesting (eating) the flea when they chew on them. Sounds disgusting, but that's how they get them.
These are just two of the common problems you might not even think about when you own a pet. Worst of all, there are a lot of other hazards out there for your pets to encounter, such as broken glass, rabid animals, stagnant water sources, rusty nails and who knows what else.
Do your pet a favor. Spend less money on tennis balls and chew toys and get them all of the required shots, medications and vaccinations they need. These are more important to your pets overall health and could end up saving your pets life. They will be much happier to spend more time with you with only one chew toy then the alternative.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Kennel Cough come back?
By: Kateweh | 02-11-2007
I have a 3 month old boxer. She had kennel cough about a month ago. we brought her to the vet the day she started coughing, put her on an antibiotic and it was cleared up in a few days. She has been fine since and this morning, she was coughing again... my question is... Can kennel cough come back?
Insect
By: Luvmy2rotties | 24-10-2007
It is soft, kind of rubbery, it has legs in the front only and is a creamy brown color witIt is soft, kind of rubbery, it has legs in the front only and is a creamy brown color with what appears to just be a brown spot on the body for a head. Can you tell me what it is?h what appears to just be a brown spot on the body for a head. Can you tell me what it is?
Do dogs really need to have their teeth ...
By: ralral | 16-08-2007
Do dogs really need to have their teeth profesionally cleaned?
Dogs and Cats, do they sweat ?
By: Uriel.A | 13-06-2007
We had a minor bet today, on whether dogs and cats sweat. Maybe someone can help?
Our dog got a bad haircut at groomer
By: doxieone | 21-04-2007
How fast does dog hair grow?
My cat swallowed some plastic, when will it come out?
By: ralph | 05-04-2007
My cat swallowed a small piece of plastic wrapping sheet two days ago. I called the vet and he said that I should keep an eye on the cat and try to find the plastic in the feces, and if I find it and the cat looks healthy I have nothing to worry about. I didn't find it in the feces but the cat behaves as usual. For how long can the plastic stay in the cat's body?
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