Like kids, homestead pets need medical attention and financial support. Often, pets do not get the required pet care support. Neglected pets end up in emergency veterinary clinics or animal hospitals.
And with a homestead, you have ample space to have as many pets as you can. You get eggs for chicken, milk from cows, and meat from a goat. And to get these items, you take good care of your livestock.
But do you ever think about your cats and dogs? Do you take care of them? They also need attention and care. These pets are easy to maintain, and in return, they offer a myriad of benefits.
Homestead pets can increase the chances of exercise, socialization, and getting outside. Regular playing or walking with your pets reduces cholesterol levels, blood pressure and helps you manage depression.
Here is how to ensure your homestead pets are healthy and happy all year.
Plan for Annual Checkups
Is your pet healthy? And how can you know? Scheduling an annual checkup is the only sure way.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) suggests that all homestead pets should get a physical medical checkup once a year. Beyond flea vaccinations and treatments, the pets need regular visits to a reliable veterinary.
Pets might not show any outward signs of disease, but you can always tell by looking at them. Things like behavior change, losing interest in certain activities, and lethargy are signs that something is wrong with your pet.
Tooth decay can make the pet eat poorly, making them lose weight. Pets with active outdoor lives need to get their skin checked regularly for signs of infestations and bites. Some chronic health issues like arthritis and diabetes can be managed when diagnosed early.
Some internal health issues won’t show up until it gets too late. That’s why yearly checkups are vital to track a pet’s health issues and get treated early enough.
Proper Nutrition
A balanced diet is crucial to a homestead pets overall health. It prevents illness-related deficiencies for great health. And as you feed the pets, follow the instructions or vet’s recommendations.
However, dogs and cats of different ages may have different nutritional needs. You should be alert to know the right quantity to feed your feline friend.
If you have puppies in your homestead, you must prepare them from mom’s milk diet to regular puppy food. The process should be slow but consistent. Weaning should start at three to four weeks, and by eight weeks, the puppy should be taking regular food.
An adult dog needs sufficient nutrients for energy and repair of body tissues. The activity level is the greatest factor when feeding an adult dog. However, feeding differs between pets. Senior dogs may suffer age-related issues such as a slow metabolism.
Ensure you’re careful not to overfeed your pet. Extra weight can cause several health problems for your homestead pets.
Preventive Medications
“Prevention is better than cure.” The adage is still valid. Avoiding illness is better than treating your pets.
Dogs are known to age faster than humans, meaning they should see a vet more often. Preventive care is where the pet is regularly checked for optimal health. The history of your dog’s life will enable the veterinarian to get accurate health status.
All homestead pets should get examined regularly. The physical examination can detect enlarged lymph nodes, abdominal tumors, heart murmurs, and skin tumors. A dermatologist can evaluate the hair coat to determine the need for tick and flea control.
Homestead pets should be given medicine to prevent heartworms. Such medications treat or prevent intestinal parasites. Preventive medication is tailored to a pet’s specific needs.
Make Your Homestead Pet-Friendly
As a homestead owner, you should ensure your home is comfortable and safe for your pets. Kittens and cats tend to scratch and sharpen their claws. Purchase a scratch pad so they can’t scratch your rugs, curtains, and furniture.
Keep stationery, small objects, medicines, and children’s toys away from pets. Keep the aquarium from direct sunlight and birdcages away from windows to protect them from rain and sun.
Consider things like sliding doors. You may have to open the door often. It can get inconvenient to drop everything to let the pet in and out. Consider adding a pet door in your home modernpetdoors.com.au
And if you delay, you may find your floor messy. Fortunately, you can put this frustration to an end. You can visit the homepage of a reliable company to find out if they have built-in pet doors.
Deworm Homestead Pets Regularly
Deworming pets is a crucial preventive measure for reducing parasites- both internal and external. It boosts your pet’s health and prevents the transmission of parasites to your family members.
It’s recommended to deworm your kitten and puppy after every two weeks up to three months. Sometimes you might see little wiggly worms in feces. More so, consider the parasites in the area.
Children, seniors, cancer patients, people with diabetes, and pregnant women have suppressed immune systems. This makes them be at a higher risk. Many of pets’ parasites are zoonotic, which means they can be transmitted to humans.
This is why you’re recommended to deworm homestead pets more often.
Be Careful of Harmful Chemicals
Being in your homestead means there are higher chances of pesticides for farms. But they’re harmful to your homestead pets. Therefore, be careful when spraying livestock.
Take great precautions with rodent poison and choose pet-friendly alternatives. With this, you won’t worry about your pets being roaming freely in the homestead.
Grooming
Good grooming improves the appearance and overall wellbeing of your pet. Brushing and cleaning away buildup and dead skin will do wonders for your pet’s smell and hygiene. Regular washing helps in stopping the growth of fleas, leaving your dog happy and healthy.
The Bottom Line
Caring for your pets should be a priority. Take them for annual checkups, practice good grooming, keep them active, and provide them with nutritious meals. These are a few tips to keep the pets happy and healthy.
You can add more practices that will make dogs and cats happy in your homestead.