Whether you're devoted to cats or dogs (or both), we all love our pets. With that in mind, we asked local veterinarians and other folks who work with animals for tips on improving the quality — and possibly quantity — of your best friend's time on earth. (And in the event your pet does need medical care, we also took a look at pet insurance and local nonprofits helping with the costs of pet ownership.) "I honestly believe that most people don't do things to hurt their animals," says Dr. Deborah Adwell of Sycamore Veterinary Hospital. "They just don't know." Well, now you do.
- Treat for fleas and ticks. This one is a natural because you don't want your dog or cat to itch — and you don't want bugs in your home — but Dr. Lori Elliott of Shady Grove Animal Clinic notes that these pests also carry diseases that can shorten a pet's life. With dogs, you also need to watch out for heartworms, which are transmitted by mosquitoes. Some flea-and-tick formulas repel mosquitoes, too, but veterinarians advise against using spray with DEET.
- Clean your pet's teeth. This does mean brushing your dog's pearly whites two or three times a week, Elliott says. As in humans, tartar can affect the heart and kidneys of your cat or dog. If you do brush a dog's teeth, use a pet toothpaste, not your own — and be sure to find a flavor they like. Cats' mouths, Elliott acknowledges, are so small that it can be difficult to brush their teeth yourself, but she advises owners to get dogs' and cats' teeth cleaned professionally by a vet twice a year, a procedure that requires anesthesia.
- Clean the litter box daily. Yes, it's a pain, but in addition to making your cat a happier feline — and reducing the chance that he'll decide to conduct his business somewhere else — doing so can also give you potentially life-saving clues to your pet's health. If a cat hasn't urinated in a couple of days, this could be a sign of a urinary-tract infection or a blockage. Alternately, if your cat is voiding her bladder so much that the litter can't keep up, this could indicate another problem, like diabetes.
- Get to know your pet's body. Think of this as the pet equivalent of a routine self-exam. "Just check them out once a month, head to tail and even between their toes," says Dr. Nicola Williamson of Veterinary Dermatology of Richmond. Doing so can alert you to masses, red spots or suspicious growths that need to be seen by a veterinarian.
- Don't over-feed. Portion control is particularly important for cats, especially those that live exclusively indoors, because they don't always get much exercise. Dr. Craig Nofsinger of Swift Creek Animal Hospital advises owners to establish good eating habits in the beginning. Cats are "creatures of routine," so it's a good idea to stagger their feedings instead of holding to a rigid schedule they come to count on with much meowing. Varying feeding times can keep them from focusing so much on food, Nofsinger adds. "We don't want to make mealtime the highlight of the day." But do make sure there are actual mealtimes. "Cats are meal feeders, not grazers," says Dr. Deborah Adwell of Sycamore Veterinary Hospital, who notes that keeping a well-stocked bowl of dry food available all day is a recipe for weight gain. Dogs, too, need to be fed proper portions. "We're not looking to get every dog in a bikini," Nofsinger jokes, but if a dog is obese, its joints can begin hurting and mobility can decrease — just like humans. According to research completed in 2002 by pet-food company Purina, avoiding obesity can also extend your dog's life: A 14-year, lifelong study of Labrador retrievers found that lifespans were extended by 15 percent, nearly two years, when the dogs maintained their ideal body weight.
- Inside/outside cats: Use your judgment. That said, a cat that lives solely outside averages a 2- to 3-year lifespan because of predators, cars and other issues, while its indoor-only counterpart lives 12 to 15 years on average. But what about kitties who divide their time between the house and the yard? The cat owner must use his or her best judgment. If you have a fenced-in yard or live on a lightly traveled street, your cat may be fine.
- Keep outdoor dog areas clean. Allowing dog waste to accumulate increases the chances of your dog getting an infection or having parasites such as hookworms or roundworms hitch a ride. If you need professional help on this front, pet-waste-removal business DoodyCalls (502-3537 or doodycalls.com) just opened a local franchise last month.
- Have your pet spayed or neutered. Not only will you make Bob Barker proud and cut down on animal overpopulation, but older, unaltered pets can fall victim to testicular cancer or mammary cancer, depending on gender.
- Exercise is essential. Like us, animals do better if their weight doesn't yo-yo. It's not hard for dogs to get a good workout by walking, running and swimming, but indoor cats can present a challenge. Elliott says having partners-in-crime helps at her house. "My indoor cats play Indy 500," a chasing game with rules that seem to elude the human residents, she notes. Laser pointers can also prompt cats to run around and jump. As for string, be sure to monitor your cat if you're going to let them play with it, as ingesting string can cause life-threatening intestinal obstructions.
- Keep your animals away from toxic items. That includes grapes, chocolate and flowers such as poinsettias and lilies — Easter lilies are particularly dangerous for cats. You may also have to keep unframed photos away from your kitty, because some of them enjoy the taste of photo chemicals, which are definitely not good for them.
- Don't smoke around your pet. Cats and dogs have been proven to be more vulnerable to oral cancer if they're exposed continually to secondhand smoke, Elliott notes.
- Note any major changes in behavior, and be sure to let your vet know. "Your vet doesn't live with your dog or cat," says Adwell, adding that many pets act differently in the vet's office than they do at home, so communication during checkups is important.
- The food you buy doesn't have to be the most expensive brand — just not the cheapest. Susan Waggy, a licensed veterinary technician with Brook Run Animal Clinic, says that cheaper food has more "fillers," including preservatives, fat, artificial flavoring and coloring — just like humans' junk food. "You are what you eat," adds Waggy, "and animals are the same way." As for the decision between wet and dry? "I'm a fan of dry," Adwell says. "It's better for their teeth." The abrasion involved in eating dry food can reduce tartar buildup. For cats, adding a spoonful of wet food to their dry food will help give them needed moisture. This is especially important for male cats, which are prone to get urinary stones due in part to dehydration. Finally, be sure you're giving your pet food that's targeted to their particular needs — a kitten requires different food than an adult cat, for example, and larger dog breeds should be eating differently than smaller breeds.
- Take your pet to the vet at least once a year. Every pet — even those that live indoors — needs to be caught up with its shots, and preventive care is just as important for your wallet as it is for your pets. "Preventive medicine is the way to not have to spend a lot of your finances for something that could have been prevented more cheaply," says Dr. Angela Ivey, director of veterinary services at the Richmond SPCA.
