Unless you can understand barks, yelps, howls, meows, and purrs, it can be difficult to listen to your pet’s health. Yet, that is what some pet owners do. Several vet visits, entail a pet not sounding right or making noises that they normally do not. If things have gotten that far, your cat or dog is probably really ill.
The good news is there is a way to prevent that from happening. No, it doesn’t entail going to the vet every week! It a simple rule of thumb.
The coat doesn’t joke.
Sounds silly, but it is very accurate. A healthy cat or dog, 9 times out of 10, will have a healthy looking coat of fur. Hence, grooming and washing is a great way to gain insights into your pet’s overall health. Let’s see why.
The Right Smell
After a good wash and grooming, your pet should have a fresh scent. If there are any foul or offensive scents exuding from the coat after a good wash, there is a problem. In such cases, your pet could have an infestation of fleas, a fungus, or even a bacterial infection. A visit to the vet would be best if this were to occur.
Food Matters
What your pet eats will affect its coat. Dog hair and cat fur are comprised mainly of protein. Consequently, a balanced diet that incorporates protein, amino acids, and other nutrients is essential to a healthy coat. When you see inconsistencies in the coat of your pet, you may need to investigate if their diet is optimized for good health. Simple put: If you are what you eat, the same is true for your pet.
In short, listening to your pet is good. Yet, recognizing any health problems before they alert you is better. If you use a pet groomer, ask them if to recognize any issues with your pet’s coat. It could be like getting a second opinion.
