ASK THE EXPERTS WITH CODY
Being Proactive Can Help
Your Pet Live Longer
Article by Banfield Corporation
(BPT) - Your pets are an integral part of the family, so it's important to practice preventative care to support their well-being and help them live long, healthy lives. But just like people, pets can be affected by chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and allergies. That's why, as a pet parent, staying informed and being proactive can help to avoid or at least prolong the onset of chronic conditions.
Pet health trends change over time. Cats and dogs are more prone to certain conditions now than they have been in the past. For example, over the past 10 years there's been a 30 percent increase in environmental allergy cases in dogs and an 11 percent increase in cats, according to the Banfield 2018 State of Pet Health Report. Allergens can vary by region and climate, but many common triggers can be found in the home, notes the study.
Additionally, pets today are also more prone to being overweight, and obesity cases are rising. One in three pets are overweight, according to Banfield, and the numbers are growing. While you can be
proactive in helping pets exercise and eat a nutritionally-balanced diet, there are many other health conditions you have no control over. Pets can suffer from chronic diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and thyroid disease.
The first step to keep pets healthy is to invest in preventative care. One of the most important things you can do to ensure the ongoing health of any animal is to bring them in for annual checkups whether they are experiencing health