Veterinarian, Amir Anwary believes many pet owners are making three mistakes many pet owners make that are shortening the lives of their furry friends – and what can be done to prevent them
A vet has revealed three common mistakes many pet owners are making that could be reducing the lifespan of their beloved animals. Amir Anwary shared his concerns on TikTok, highlighting where he believes the issues lie.
“Our pets lives are already so short,” he said. “So we should do everything we can to prevent their lives from being even shorter!” Amir continued by explaining that these three problems have a greater negative impact than genetics. Whilst veterinary bills can often prove unexpectedly expensive, addressing potentially serious concerns before they escalate could save you money in the long term.
Chronic obesity
“If you have a pet and they are consistently overweight and you are feeding them way too much, then this may cause chronic inflammation, heart disease, joint degeneration and insulin resistance,” Amir explained.
He cautioned that allowing them to remain overweight for an extended period is one of the quickest ways to diminish your pet’s quality of life and their lifespan.
Poor dental care
Amir highlighted that if your dog or cat has poor oral hygiene, it doesn’t simply mean unpleasant breath, but also indicates excessive bacteria.
He elaborated: “This bacteria can spread from their mouth to the bloodstream and to their internal organs such as their liver, kidneys and spleen. So make sure you are doing something to take care of your pet’s oral health.”
Waiting too long
Amir also highlighted that “skipping” vet visits or “waiting too long” until your pet becomes sicker before bringing them into the clinic can also prove extremely detrimental to animals’ health.
“I’ve seen this so often as a veterinarian,” he said. “Owners will wait until their pets become sicker and then they will bring them in. By this time the cancer has progressed, the joint degeneration has progressed, the kidney disease has progressed. Amir urged: “Bring them in sooner rather than later.
“This will make the treatment significantly cheaper and we can preserve as much of that quality of life as possible.”
Writing in response, one TikTok user sought further advice, asking: “What is the best way to help their dental health?”
To which Amir advised: “Brushing their teeth or using a dental powder!
A second person shared their experience: “My two-year old Yorkie will not let anyone not even me go anywhere near his mouth. I tried brushing his teeth from an early age but it’s impossible. My vet can’t even check his teeth! I use dental sticks, water solution and I sprinkle plaque powder in his food.”
Whilst a third person spoke of their technique: “I brush my dog’s teeth twice a week (she hates it) and use a finger wipe to clean her mouth daily. I floss her teeth once in a while when she’s chilled enough. We’re super normal.”
