When you own a cat or dog, you want to do everything you can to make sure that it stays healthy and happy. However, even the best owners sometimes make mistakes. But don’t fret – we’ve compiled a list of ways in which you could be unknowingly harming your dog or cat. This way, you can recognize these harmful habits and stop them before they begin to negatively affect your beloved pet. Here are a few unexpected things that can hurt your pet:
- An Ill-fitting Collar: When buying a collar or harness for your pet, you need to make sure that it fits properly. For small dogs, you should be able to put one finger between the skin and the collar or harness. For larger dogs, you should be able to slip two fingers in. If the collar is too small, your dog may experience pain and feel as if it is being strangled while on walks. On the other hand, if the collar is too large, your dog may escape and get into trouble or danger. Checking to make sure that your dog’s collar or harness is the correct size will keep your pet safe and secure.
- Table Food: Though your dog or cat may enjoy eating human food, it’s not healthy for them to do so. Feeding your pet table scraps will cause it to gain weight quickly. If it becomes overweight or obese, your cat or dog will then be at risk for health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and certain types of cancer. In addition, certain foods such as grapes and chocolate can be life-threatening when consumed by pets. Therefore, it’s best to stick to dog or cat food.
- Lack of Dental Care: As pets age, plaque begins to build up on their teeth and gums. In order to prevent tooth loss, bad breath, and dental disease, you should brush your pet’s teeth every day and take it to the vet for regular dental cleanings.
- Being Loose in the Car: When you take your pet for a car ride, it’s important to secure it in a crate, harness, or other type of safety restraint. Leaving your dog or cat loose can have serious consequences if you’re in an automobile accident. Your animal could get ejected from the car or hurt you, your passengers, or itself. Therefore, it’s smart to keep your pet secured while riding in your vehicle.
For more great information on pet safety, check out our other blog posts. You can learn about exercise safety for dogs as well as how to keep your pet safe in the summertime heat.
If you’re looking for someone to care for and spend time with your pet while you’re away, choose Top Tails. As your Manayunk pet sitter, we’ll take care of your dog or cat’s needs while making sure that they are happy and comfortable. We offer several great service packages to meet every schedule. Whether you’ll be gone for a few hours or a whole week, you can trust our qualified Manayunk pet sitters to treat your dog or cat like royalty. Call 215-508-1903 or e-mail info@toptailsdogwalking.com today to find out more!