ten crucial mistakes that shorten our pets lives, our pets are our babies we pamper them spoil them and let's be honest would rather stay at home and cuddle them on a Friday night instead of meeting up with our human friends, there's no denying that fur babies are our family.
but unfortunately, a lot of people unwittingly make some serious mistakes in their pet care, that can lead to all kinds of health problems and even a shorter lifespan none of us want that, so let's see what major no-nose you should avoid when it comes to taking.
10 Mistakes That Shorten Your Pet's Life
-mistake number one not being picky about food whether you feed your pet dry or wet food, be selective about the ingredients, always read the label first before choosing a brand it shouldn't contain any flavoring agents corn GMOs as for a natural diet always consult a vet before you decide, what food you're gonna give your pet for example, even though cats eat plenty of raw meat in the wild it's actually not good for domesticated kitties also, always make sure your pets have access to fresh clean water.
-mistake number two, rarely taking pets to the vet don't neglect regular visits to the vet, even if your furry friends hate you for it this is the only way to prevent diseases.
and catch any sort of problems before they get too serious, make sure to keep up with regular vaccinations and shots to protect both your pet and your family, sure vet bills can get pretty expensive but that's simply part of being a responsible pet owner.
-mistake number three, allowing pets access to open doors and windows, unless you have a fenced-in yard that's regularly treated to kill any parasites, your pets shouldn't have open access to the street first of all you risk your pop or kitty running away and getting lost or hurt plus if you live in an apartment building on the upper floors, this can result in a tragic situation especially when it comes to cats maybe their feline instincts kick in when they spot a bird, but they'll unknowingly leap out a window in pursuit of their prey to avoid a catastrophe make sure your pets are securely indoors .
-mistake number four, not spaying or neutering this decision, is a personal one that's entirely up to a pet owner however vets do recommend spaying and neutering your animals, because it actually helps them live long and happy lives you avoid any unexpected pregnancies, the problems that come with females in heat and the issue of urine marking in males the only thing you should watch out for when it comes to sterilizing your cat is excess weight since many kitties become lazy and gain extra pounds after the surgery, in that case you just need to be careful with their diet and make sure they get plenty of physical activity.
-mistake number five, neglecting grooming and dental hygiene just like humans cats and dogs need regular oral care start brushing their teeth at an early age, so that they get used to the process they make special toothbrushes and pastes for animals that you can get at any pet store ideally, you should get your pets teeth checked by a vet at least once a year especially if it has a bad odor as for grooming different breeds have different requirements.
-number 6, neglecting bath time or doing it incorrectly bathing is a necessity when it comes to pets, cats of course are a little more self-sufficient when it comes to staying clean, so they don't really need to be washed if you do decide to shampoo your kitty once or twice a year is enough, as for our rambunctious canine companions they'll need to be washed a little more often about once every three months.
-seven given your pets table food all vets agree that giving your pet people food is a terrible idea, your pets digestive system simply can't handle most of the stuff we humans eat I know it's hard to resist those big puppy eyes or that intimidating feline glare but just to remind yourself that you're doing what's best for your furry friend each time you say no.
-mistake number eight, not giving enough attention, your four-legged housemate needs your love and attention sure most cats are a little more independent but your kitty still needs to be shown love, as for dogs oh boy do they crave your attention, and this is totally natural for man's best friend.
pets need socialization and human interaction to develop physically emotionally, and socially otherwise they can become easily scared aggressive and disobedient, and don't forget to tell them how much of a good boy or girl.
-number nine, not checking their caller time can get away from us and our fur babies grow faster than we like them to Plus like people they put on weight, so be sure to check if their color is too tight from time to time for cats and small breed dogs, you should be able to slip one finger between their collar and skin, for medium to large breed dogs two fingers should fit also make sure your dog's collar isn't too loose before you two go out on a walk otherwise your dog o might slip right out and run away.
-mistake number ten keeping a dog cooped up all the time, dogs of all ages and breeds should have enough time outside to move around interact with of their dogs, and be free to explore if they don't get enough physical activity and stimulation your pup can get overweight which leads to a whole slew of health problems plus all that pent-up energy might get released n the form of chewing up your shoes and furniture.
but indoor cats need exercise and mental stimulation too, that's where things like cat trees and plenty of toys come in of course some of us have other types of pets like parakeets and guinea.
-so let's take a look at the do's and don'ts of owning these little guys pirate kids, don't keep them locked up in their cage constantly birds need physical activity, and some kind of entertainment, they are social creatures and need at least 30 minutes a day of games and communication don't focus their diet around seeds, you can give your birdy fresh veggies fruits parsley and even twigs this nutritionally balanced diet will help keep them healthy and you'll also notice an improvement in their mood.
