The Benefits of Pet Ownership Outweigh the Risks

Follow these guidelines to help keep your pet healthy.  Keep in mind that a little preventive care can go a long way in maintaining your animal’s health, and a healthy animal is less likely to pick up diseases and transmit them to you.

Diet

·   Feed your pet a high quality commercial diet that is designed for your animal and his or her  stage of life.

·   Don’t feed your animal raw or undercooked meats or unpasteurized milk. Keep in mind that microwaving may not heat the meat sufficiently to kill organisms in it.

·   Prevent coprophagy (stool-eating). Never let your animal eat his or her own or another animal’s feces.

·   Provide plenty of clean, fresh water. Don’t let your animal drink from the toilet. Prevent your animal from raiding the trash.

·   Prevent your animal from hunting or eating other animals. Cats can catch toxoplasmosis from eating rodents. If your cat goes outdoors, consider placing two bells on the collar to help warn potential prey.

Veterinary Care

·   Avoid acquiring a kitten or puppy less than 6 months of age

·   Have all new animals examined by a veterinarian.

·   Take your pets to the veterinarian for a check-up at least once a year.

·   Keep vaccinations current. Have your pet’s feces checked by a veterinarian periodically for parasites.  Any adult dog or cat with diarrhea should have its stool examined for bacterial infection. If acquiring a puppy or kitten less than 6 months old, the animal’s stool should be examined at a veterinary hospital for bacterial infections.

·   Have your cat (particularly a new cat or an outdoor cat) checked for the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

Human Health

·   Avoid contact with pet’s feces

·   Wash your hands after handling pets including before eating.

·   Supervise the hand-washing of immune-compromised children.

Grooming/Flea Control

·    Have your animal bathed, brushed, and combed as needed to keep the skin and coat healthy.

·    Keep your animal’s toenails trimmed to minimize the risk of your being scratched. If  necessary, ask your vet about rubber caps that can be placed on your cat’s nails.

·    Use good flea control. Consult with your veterinarian about the best available products.

·   A clean environment is important. Keep your pet’s living and feeding areas clean. Wash your pet’s bedding regularly.

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