We all know that good food, a loving home and plenty of exercise will go a long way in giving your dog and cat a happy and healthy life. But what about those times when some minor illness suddenly appears and it's 10 pm in the evening with no veterinarian available? (For those of you who have small children...you understand how this works).
Just like humans, animals can and will occasionally get sick. Considering some of the things animals get into, it's truly amazing our dogs and cats stay as healthy as they do. There are a lot of potential dangers out in that big wide world.
"Child" Proofing Your Home For Your Pet
Pets are just like children. They are curious explorers that love to check out what's in that overflowing garbage can or see if they really can reach the toilet bowl for a drink before someone catches them.
Here are a few guidelines to help you "pet proof" your home:
* When you use any pesticides, herbicides, antifreeze, or household cleaning products, make sure they are stored safely away after use. Wash away any extra waste that might have spilled immediately.
* It's preferable that you don't let your cat roam the neighborhood. Some people put out rat bait and other such poisons in their gardens and in their garbage. Why? Well, they may have mice in the area which they want to get rid of. They may also be tired of your or someone else's cat constantly getting into their garbage or defecating in their gardens. Believe me, this is a slow, painful death for your pet. I learned the hard way with a much beloved cat of mine. Since then, all of my cats are indoor house cats.
* Keep your garbage can lids closed tight. Animals love smelly garbage to explore to find what great human tidbits might be in there. However, that "food" may have some toxic cleaner spilled on it. Those yummy chicken bones are cooked...and splinter, which could cause serious intestinal problems. You get the idea.
* Be sure all electrical cords are kept covered or unplugged when not in use. Although not recommended normally, if you have a small puppy or kitten, run the cords under carpets, behind cabinets or heavy furniture that they can't crawl behind. Young pets love to chew...and wires and cords are enticing.
* If you use a toilet bowl cleaner that stays in toilet to "clean" with each flush keep the lid down. Animals, especially dogs, love to drink from the toilet for some bizarre
reason that only they understand. The chemicals in the cleaner can poison and/or kill.
Stocking The Medicine Cabinet
So, what to do when your dog or cat gets sick with a minor tummy ache, diarrhea, or some minor infection, including itchy skin? Stock your medicine cabinet with certain human medications that are perfectly fine to give to your pets in the proper dosage. However, you should always consult your veterinarian if possible before administering any type of medication, including dosage amounts of each for each of your animals. Keep a list handy near the cabinet for quick reference on dosages.
Here are some items you should keep on hand:
* Buffered Aspirin is good for lowering fever and relieving minor aches and pains in dogs. Most people prefer to use baby aspirin. Use approximately 80 mg per every 10 pounds of weight, usually no more than twice a day. NEVER give aspirin to a cat as it's extremely dangerous to them. Also, do not use Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen, as they are also dangerous to pets in general. Stick with the aspirin.
* Keopectate is good for soothing stomach troubles and diarrhea in both dogs and cats. A recommended amount would be 1 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of weight roughly every 4 hours.
* Gravol for motion sickness if you need to travel with your pet. Administer the tablet one hour before you leave. You should give no more than 12.5 mg to a cat or a small dog. A medium to large dog can handle between 25 to 50 mg. Do not give this to any animal that has bladder problems or glaucoma. Again, check with your vet to be sure if it's safe and what dosage is recommended for your pet.
* Pepto-Bismol, that good old pink stuff, is fine to give to your dog if they are having tummy trouble, such as vomiting or a rolling, noisy belly. One teaspoon every 6 hours per pound of body weight should be sufficient. This is another medicinal product that should not be given to cats.
* Hydrogen Peroxide and Polysporin for minor cuts and scratches. These will help clean out the wound and hopefully prevent any infection from occurring.
All in all, checking up with your vet and keeping some specific medications on hand should help you deal with any minor illnesses you may encounter with your dog and cat.
==========================================
Rose Smith is the author and owner of caring for canines, a web site that provides information on natural dog health care. To learn more about dog medications, vaccinations and first aid, please visit us at: caring for canines
If you are thinking of adding a feline to your... Read More
Almost without exception, breeders will advertise that their favorite terrier,... Read More
If your kids have been begging you to get a... Read More
By Jeffrey Rolocopyright 2004 AlphaHorseIn the dating world many men... Read More
Why The Food You Give Your Dog Matters!If you're like... Read More
If you have never seen a Shar Pei before, the... Read More
Eclampsia, or milk fever, is an acute, life-threatening condition which... Read More
Should you seriously consider buying a dog health insurance policy?... Read More
If there is an art to getting horses to load... Read More
First pet stores began selling clothes for pets. Then kennels... Read More
A major part of a horse's diet is hay or... Read More
'Help, my cat is pregnant and I don't know what... Read More
It's no secret that Americans love their pets. In fact,... Read More
Distemper: Spotting This Dog Killer Before it's Too LateCanine distemper... Read More
Many people ask the question: "Should we get a purebreed... Read More
Contributed with the help of Karen L Overall of the... Read More
Your dog seems to be driving you up the wall... Read More
Perhaps the best way to train your westie pups not... Read More
The aim of a Westie rescue centre such as the... Read More
I'm a pariah among the dog fanciers in my community.... Read More
Is your dog up to dirty no good again? Did... Read More
For most West Highland White Terrier owners, the dog is... Read More
It is entirely normal to look for signs of intelligence... Read More
Teaching your puppy crate training is the first and best... Read More
Wondering how to begin crate training your puppy or dog,... Read More
Wood Dale limo ..A pet can be as important a member of the... Read More
Weaning puppies is a perfectly natural process. Mamma dogs have... Read More
The other day I was doing a research online for... Read More
Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More
Many dog owners are bewildered when they hear their dog... Read More
My two therapy dogs, Nikki and Benny, bring joy to... Read More
Fleas belong to the insect order Siphonaptera. They are common... Read More
Dogs come in many assorted breeds, shapes, and sizes. They... Read More
Horse training can be a relatively mysterious subject to people... Read More
Our dogs are now, more than ever, a very important... Read More
In the last decade or so, the popularity of sugar... Read More
Dog clicker training is so much fun for both dogs... Read More
Preparing yourself and your household before, during, and after your... Read More
Aggression behavior in a dog is a normal form of... Read More
Making sure that accidents don't happen in the first place... Read More
I am a dog lover by nature. I have just... Read More
Taurine, a water-soluble amino acid, has recently become the topic... Read More
Yesterday we talked a little about the 6 Keys for... Read More
West Highland White Terriers began their history as the undesirable... Read More
Every month I am approached by dog owners of my... Read More
Trying to decide if you should get insurance on your... Read More
Dogs should be living to age 20 or more. That's... Read More
Why use a crate:When used properly and not abused, crates... Read More
Domesticated rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart... Read More
Cats are living longer lives thanks to dedicated care from... Read More
Pet |