Caring for cats and dogs - includes related information on immunizations

FDA Consumer, Nov, 1991 by Williams Rebecca D.

At the ripe old age of 18, Camron, a long-haired Siamese and Himalayan cat, is no stranger to the vet's office. At the first sign of trouble, his owner, Sally Klein of Corvallis, Ore., takes him for a checkup. She even bought an insurance plan that gives Camron free office visits.

"I take real good care of him. He has better health insurance than I do," Klein says with a laugh.

More than half of all households in the United States have some kind of pet, and the number is rising, according to a survey by the Pet Food Institute. By far the most popular pets are dogs and cats. The number of dogs owned by Americans increased 13 percent between 1982 and 1990, while the number of cats owned rose 44 percent.

As pet ownership has increased over the years, so have advances in nutritional and medical care for pets. In the 1860s, the first commercially prepared dog food, a biscuit, was sold in England. In the 1930s and 1940s, canned pet food was introduced in the United States.

Consider the advanced techniques some veterinarians offer today: contact lenses for the nearsighted, hip replacements for dogs with bone deformities, animal blood banks for pets in surgery or accidents, and ultrasound machines to diagnose heart ailments, to name a few.

These procedures are advanced, however, and often only available in veterinary schools. Most pets will never get contacts or an ultrasound test. But their chances for good health have improved with the availability of vaccinations, veterinary drugs, nutritionally balanced food, and an increasing number of pet owners who are willing to pay for it all.

"Veterinary care for pets has continued to progress as we've had more leisure time and income," says Sandra Woods, D.V.M., with FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. "For pets, the quality of medical care has improved with the lifestyle of the owners."

Many aspects of health care for pets are regulated by the federal government. The U.S. Department of Agriculture supervises vaccines, the Food and Drug Administration regulates veterinary drugs taht treat diseases, and the Environmental Protection Agency regulates chemicals to kill ticks and fleas. USDA, FDA, and the Federal Trade Commission regulate pet food labeling and advertising claims.

By following sound veterinary advice, pet owners may extent and improve their dogs' and cats' lives for years, according to Woods.

"It's important for pet owners to establish a regular veterinary care program, pick out a vet they like, and schedule the pet for regular exams," she says.

"Owning a pet is a 10- to 15-year commitment," says Woods, "and unless you are willing to make this commitment both emotionally and financially, you shouldn't become a pet owner."

For those willing to make the commitment, there are a number of guidelines that can prolong a pet's life.

Puppy Love, Cuddly Kittens

So you've chosen the pick of the litter. Now what? Be prepared to rearrange your life somewhat for a young animal, and get into the habit of regular visits to the veterinarian to detect diseases early.

First, a puppy or kitten needs a series of vaccinations. Many pet diseases are easier to prevent than cure; in fact, some that can easily be prevented, such as rabies and feline leukemia, cannot be cured at all (see accompanying article on vaccines).

A new pet is also likely to explore its environment, so both cats and dogs should wear some kind of identification tags. Even a house cat or puppy can slip through the door and get lost in the neighborhood.

Just as new parents child-proof their homes, it's a good idea for new pet owners to make their homes safe for curious animals. According to the American Humane Association, common household substances such as cleaning fluid, bleach, gasoline, and detergents can poison an exploring pet.

Because dogs are guided by smell, they may be misled about what's good to eat. A puddle of antifreeze in the driveway, for example, smells and tastes sweet to a dog but is extremely toxic. Likewise, cats may be attracted to play with small or breakable objects that could get caught in their throats, such as needles, marbles, glass, or brittle plastic. Many plants, such as marigolds, poinsettias and amaryllis, are also poisonous to pets.

Veterinarians will also recommend that the average family pet be either neutered (castrated) or spayed (ovaries removed). This is best done when the pet is between 6 and 8 months old.

In most cases, removing a dog or cat's reproductive organs before it reaches maturity improves its personality, at least from a human's point of view. Males will be less likely to roam, fight or act aggressively to other animals. Male cats will be less likely to spray their scent glands to mark territory. And female pets won't go in heat (a period of ovulation and sexual excitement). Nor will they produce litters of unwanted puppies or kittens.

Puppies and kittens may be cute, but, according to the National Animal Control Association, about 10 million of them are destroyed in animal shelters each year in the United States because they have no homes.