Just like humans, animals need a healthy lifestyle to have a long, happy life with fewer visits to the vet. Whether a cat or a dog, your pet needs a lot of attention. Even the smallest details matter! By giving them the right medical attention, the right training, or the right supplies, you can make sure your fur baby will be fine.
Your dog’s health affects their behavior and the opposite is right as well. As pet parents, it is very important to be educated and learn the steps you should take to keep your pet safe.
In this article, you will be reading about how to keep your pet happy and healthy, especially dogs and cats including their needs, and how to fulfill them.
If you have a Cat, this part is for you.
Click here to jump to the Dog section.
What Are the Necessary Supplies You Need for Your Cat?
1. Glass and Stainless Steel Bowls
Do not use plastic bowls. It can cause acne and can harbor bacteria. Make sure to cleanse your cat’s bowl daily.
2. Litter box
It is very important that the litter box is always clean. Or else, your cat would be uncomfortable using it and will pee outside the box. The type of litter is not an issue as long as your cat is comfortable. To avoid any unwanted incidence, it is recommended to have 2 litter boxes per cat.
3. Hair Brush
Brushing the coat should be done daily to avoid tangled hair and helps decrease the shedding in your house.
4. Toys
Toys are essential even for an adult and senior cats because it helps with mental stimulation and exercise.
5. A Good Quality Cat Carrier
Do not take your cat to the vet without a carrier or cage. The carrier should be strong and won’t break. avoid causing your cat to run away.
6. Ear and Eye Cleansers
They are essential, especially for breeds like Persians Himalayan, and Maine coon. These ear and eye cleansers prevent unwanted infections.
7. Cat Shampoo
When choosing the cat shampoo, make sure it is designed for cats and doesn’t contain permethrin (used in dog shampoos and flea treatment). Permethrin is deadly for cats.
8. Nail Clippers
a growing nail can penetrate your cat’s paw and cause severe pain, it is important to cut them if they do not have access to scratchers or trees. An injury when cutting a cat’s nails is not scary. Put pressure on the nail if it bleeds using a gauze with betadine or use styptic powder.
9. Dental Supplies
- Water additives can be used in the water of your cat specifically to eliminate plaques and bad breaths.
- Use a toothbrush and toothpaste. Brushing the teeth is better to be done daily. Make sure they are VOHC approved or they won’t actually work.
- Dental toys with bristles that act like a toothbrush.
- In severe cases, dental food is recommended.
10. Good Quality Dry Food and Wet Food
You can avoid the mix-up between low-quality food and good ones by contacting your vet and asking them for the best food depending on your cat’s weight, age, and health history.
What Are the Medical Preventions Your Cat Should Have?
1. Vaccination
Vaccination will protect your cats against deadly viruses such as calicivirus, panleukopenia, rabies, and rhinotracheitis.
2. Deworming
Deworming keeps your cat safe from worms that can transmit to humans as well.
3. Flea and Tick Treatment
It keeps your cat safe from blood-sucking insects that can transmit diseases and cause anemia.
4. Vitamins
There are specific vitamins for growing kittens. Different categories are there as well for adults and aged cats.
If you have a Dog, this part is for you.
What Are the Necessary Supplies You Need for Your Dog?
1. Glass and Stainless Steel Bowls
As I mentioned for the cats, do not use plastic bowls for dogs as well. Doing so can cause acne and harbor bacteria. Make sure to cleanse your dog’s bowl daily.
2. Leah and Collar or a Harness
Never let your dog walk off-leash. He might run away if he sees a cat or a bird. In that process, he might even get lost or hit by a car.
3. Hair Brush
Just like cats, brushing the coat should be done daily to avoid tangled hair. It helps decrease the shedding in your house and can remove dirt from your dog’s coat as well.
4. Toys
Toys are a must for dogs. No matter how old they are, they need it to exercise and get their energy out. It is essential for mental stimulation as well.
5. Ear and Eye Cleansers
They are essential, especially for breeds like bichon and cocker. It prevents unwanted infections and keeps your pet’s eyes and ears clean.
6. Nail Clippers
A growing nail can get twisted and cause your dog severe pain. It is important to cut when they start to get longer. An injury when cutting a cat’s nails is not scary. Put pressure on the nail if it bleeds using a gauze with betadine or use styptic powder or simply go to your vet or groomer if you find it hard to cut your dog’s nails.
7. Dental Supplies
- Water additives can be used in the water of your dog. It is specific to eliminate plaques and bad breaths. Also, it’s easy to use, especially with hyperactive dogs who do not like their teeth to be brushed.
- Also, must use toothbrushes and toothpaste. Brushing the teeth is better to be done daily,
- Dental treats are also necessary. Make sure they are VOHC approved or they won’t actually work.
- Dental toys with bristles that act like a toothbrush.
- In severe cases, dental food is recommended.
8. Good Quality Dry Food and Wet Food
It is very important for the growth of your puppy as well as the maintenance of your adult dog’s health. Just like cats, you can ask your veterinarian to help you choose the best type for your furry friend.
9. Dog Shampoo
Dogs can get very dirty especially when they play outside. They need a specific shampoo that helps to clean them well without causing any skin irritation. Avoid using human shampoos.
What Are the Medical Preventions Your Dog Should Have?
1. Vaccination
it will protect your dog against deadly viruses such as parvovirus, canine distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and rabies
2. Deworming
Deworming keeps your dog safe from worms that can cause serious health issues and transmit to humans as well.
3. Flea and Tick Treatment
It keeps your dog safe from blood-sucking insects that can transmit deadly diseases and cause anemia.
4. Vitamins
There are specific vitamins for growing puppies. Similarly, different versions are available for adults, and aged cats. Additionally, there are some vitamins for dogs with specific health needs such as hip and joint support. These are for dogs who are prone to hip dysplasia.
5. Spaying
Last but not least, spaying your dogs and cats can save their life. Even, it decreases the chances of them developing cancer and pyometra (infection in the uterus) which can be extremely deadly.
Wrapping Up
Before getting a new pet, do a lot of research from trusted resources. Contact your vet and go shopping. Your pet needs more than just supply and prevention. They need love and cuddles as well. In the end, a happy pet is a healthy pet. Try to give at least an hour of your day to spend with your furry friend.
Lamis has remarkable humility, empathy and generosity. Out of love for animals, she founded her own animal rescue team. As of now, this team rescued, treated and rehomed over 60 animals!
She has worked as an Intern in various veterinary clinics and animal hospitals. She has also had numerous voluntary experiences including blood donations and creating educational content for her countrymen.
Currently, she’s pursuing her Master’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine at Lebanese Public University.
She’s CPD certified in –
- Small Animal Nutrition
- Nutrition of Hospitalized Cats
- Dog Grooming
- Pet Psychology