Tip of the week: How to prolong your pet’s life

Do a weekly checkup. Start at the nose and work to the tail, “feeling and looking for any abnormalities”—like pale gums (a symptom of anemia), any discharge (infection), or potentially cancerous lumps. Learning what’s normal will help you identify problems sooner.

Clean the teeth. Dental disease can cause heart, liver, and kidney problems, so brush daily with animal toothpaste. Dental chew treats also help.

Spay/neuter. Aside from preventing overpopulation, “fixing” a pet protects it from a host of potential health problems.

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Keep them active. Insufficient exercise can lead to obesity and diabetes. Cats need one or two 15-minute play sessions a day. “The amount of exercise sessions your dog needs varies by breed, but she should be breaking a pant daily.”

Source: Family Circle