Pet health guides. Tips and advice from ASDA Finance
Pet care advice from ASDA
How do I keep my pet healthy?
Good food, regular exercise and a safe home environment are the ingredients to a long and happy life.
It’s true for humans – and also domestic pets such as cats and dogs.
Whether you're a cat person or a dog lover, once you’ve welcomed a new pet into your home, you’ll need to think about diet, outside exercise and sleeping arrangements.
What to feed cats?
You may think cats need less caring for than a dog, and so are easy pets to keep. However, cats have important nutritional needs which change as they grow from a kitten, to an adult, and into old age. Buying cat food that suits the age of your feline will ensure it gets the vitamins it needs to be healthy. Kittens need more calories for their size than adult cats, but once on solid food they should eat a meat-only cat food diet which will have supplements added.
The packaging on canned or dry food will have guidelines about how much to feed your cat, which depends on its age, size and activity levels. You can check it is not getting fat or undernourished by regularly weighing it.
What to feed dogs?
The same advice applies to dogs, but you should not feed cat food to dogs, as it is usually too high in protein and fat. Human food is unlikely to meet the needs of dogs or cats and some foods are poisonous to them, such as onions, grapes and chocolate. Cats and dogs need access to fresh drinking water. They should not be given cow's milk as many are lactose intolerant - which means milk will make them ill.
Pet obesity
Obesity is a major cause of health problems. The trigger can be overfeeding, or giving an animal scraps of human food. The result could be trips to a vet, perhaps resulting in a claim on your pet insurance, if you’ve bought pet cover.
Adult cats have a tendency to put on weight, and obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in cats, affecting about one in four in the UK, according to the RSPCA. Overweight cats are more likely to develop diabetes, heart and respiratory problems, bladder stones and arthritis.
Dogs too can easily become overweight, with as many as two million carrying too much fat in Britain. Pet charity the PDSA says obesity can shorten a Labrador’s life expectancy by two years.
To ensure your pet has a healthy weight, and doesn't have an underlying health problem, it is worth visiting a vet once a year for a check up. Dog insurance and cat insurance can help cover vet costs and can be called on in the event of an accident or sudden illness.
How often should I walk my dog?
Dogs need plenty of exercise to keep fit. The RSPCA recommends a dog should be provided with access to a place where it can exercise, explore and play at least once a day. The level of exercise your dog needs will depend on its age, breed and health. As a guide, two half-hour walks a day is a good base for many dogs, but some will need more vigorous activities thrown in which you can provide by taking them out for a run or letting them chase a ball.
You won’t need to take a cat for a walk – and most have the freedom to roam where they please. They should however be provided with a large scratching post that allows them to stretch up from their back legs - especially if they are usually confined inside the home.
Both dogs and cats like to play with toys which will keep them entertained and stimulated.
A place to sleep
Dogs and cats need a place to sleep during the day and night. This could be a basket in a quiet corner or a garden shed, but cats often feel safest when they can climb high - so giving them access to a shelf or the top of a cupboard can help.
Feline and canine pets should be given frequent and regular opportunities to go to the toilet. If you give your cat a litter tray, clean it regularly and keep it away from its food bowl.
Find out more about Asda Dog Insurance and Asda Cat Insurance today!
Pet insurance will usually cover accident and illness but cover is limited and not all conditions will be covered so you should always check your insurance policy to make sure you have the level of cover you need for your pet . As an owner you have a duty of care towards you pet so if illness or accident are caused by negligence you would not be able to make a claim. In addition, routine trips to the vets and pre-existing conditions will not be covered by pet insurance.
