One of the most effective means of addressing your pet's health is through an overall approach to their well-being. This involves veterinary medicine, exercise, and proper diet, all of which are readily accessible and achievable. However, to simplify things, it's a good idea to focus on preventative measures you can take to extend your pet's life and enhance their quality of life in the process.

Disease Prevention

Most people know what vaccines are and how they work, but it's not always easy to remember what shots your dog or cat needs and when. In all, dogs require nine separate vaccinations which vary between one and three shots each while cats need six. Many of these are one time inoculations which will protect your pet for its entire life, while others will need boosters periodically to maintain effectiveness, so check with your veterinarian to be sure about what you need to do to follow up.

In the case of both dogs and cats, the first round of shots can begin as early as six weeks of age, giving you very few restrictions on when you can start. If you're adopting an animal from a breeder, shelter or pet store, ask about any shots they might have received so that you can pick up their course of inoculation appropriately, and not double up or miss a dosage. This is especially important with dogs over three months old, as they should be getting their rabies vaccine at this age.

Food and Fitness

Two of the quickest ways to cause your pet's health to deteriorate is neglecting physical activity and overfeeding them. Both will result in overweight animals, or pets who the lack musculature necessary for them to really enjoy their daily life. While it can be harder to help your cat exercise, it's just as important, but investing in a cat leash or a few toys can help.

Focus on pet food that provides high nutrient value without a lot of fat or unnecessary additives. If your pet is generally low energy or you're not able to take them for regular walks or exercise, you can combat obesity by just lowering their caloric intake without reducing the total volume of food. Avoid allowing a pet free access to food, though, and stick to a regular schedule.

Maintaining long-term pet health isn't much different from how your doctor recommends you live. In most cases, if you're not sure how to proceed, think of what a medical professional might advise for you, and you'll be largely on the right track.

For professional veterinary care, contact a company such as Edinburgh Animal Hospital.