Preventing Common Health Problems in Pets

Last reviewed: 24 April 2025 Author: Gavin Levenstein • Vet reviewed

Caring for pets is about the little, consistent things you do every day. This practical guide walks you through simple, vet-backed steps to prevent the most common health problems in dogs and cats—plus the gear that makes prevention easier at home.

Note: This article is educational and not a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet seems unwell, contact your vet right away.

Quick links:

• Parasites: Fleas, ticks, worms, heartworm
• Pet dental care at home
• Spay or neuter: Benefits, timing, and recovery
• Slow feeding for gulping, bloat, vomiting
• GPS trackers vs microchips
• When to see a vet (red flags)
• FAQs

Quick start checklist

• Book routine health checks: annually for adults, every 6 months for seniors or pets with chronic issues.
• Keep parasite prevention current year-round; adjust for local season spikes.
• Brush teeth 3–5 times per week; add dental chews or toys.
• Maintain a healthy weight; use slow feeders for fast eaters.
• Spay or neuter at the age recommended by your vet; plan recovery gear in advance.
• Keep ID up to date: microchip plus GPS for outdoor-prone pets.
• Save this page and download the Pet Preventive Care Checklist for your fridge.

– Download: tailme.co.za/guides/pet-preventive-care-checklist/ (email required)

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Parasite Prevention for Dogs and Cats: Fleas, Ticks, Worms, Heartworm

Why it matters:

• Fleas and ticks can trigger allergies, skin infections, and transmit disease.
• Intestinal worms steal nutrients and may cause gut upset or anemia.
• Heartworm (risk varies by region) can be life-threatening for dogs.

Step-by-step prevention: 1) Know your season and risk: – In South Africa, flea and tick activity typically rises in warmer, humid months and around bushy/grassland areas. Ask your vet about heartworm risk in your area and travel destinations. 2) Choose a prevention plan: – Use a vet-recommended monthly or quarterly flea/tick product. Combine with regular deworming as advised by your vet. – Natural vs prescription: Natural sprays and shampoos can help with deterrence and grooming but are not replacements for proven preventives. Use them as add-ons, not stand-alones. 3) Create a monthly reminder: – Set calendar alerts for doses; treat all pets in the home. 4) Check your pet after outdoor time: – Run fingers against the coat grain; look around ears, armpits, groin, tail base, and between toes. 5) Keep the home and yard clean: – Vacuum weekly, wash bedding hot, and trim grass or brushy edges.

First signs and what to do:

• Fleas: scratching, pepper-like specks on skin, hair loss on the rump.
• Ticks: visible tick, fever, stiff walk, pale gums—remove ticks promptly and call your vet if your pet seems unwell.
• Worms: potbelly, dull coat, scooting, rice-like segments near the anus, vomiting, diarrhea. Bring a fresh stool sample to your vet.

Recommended products:

• Track outdoor adventures and manage risk with GPS. See GPS pet trackers with long battery life: /trackers-health/pet-tracking/
• For grooming between vet-grade preventives, keep a tick remover tool in your kit.

CTA: Explore GPS pet trackers with long battery life

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Pet Dental Care at Home: Brushing, Chews, and Vet Cleanings

Dental disease is one of the most common—and most preventable—pet problems. Plaque hardens into tartar, gums get inflamed, and bacteria can enter the bloodstream.

How to start brushing (dogs and cats): 1) Pick the right tools: a soft pet toothbrush or finger brush and pet-safe toothpaste (never human toothpaste). 2) Go slow: let your pet lick the toothpaste first; reward calm behavior. 3) Lift the lip: brush the outer surface with small circles, focusing on the back teeth where plaque builds most. 4) Aim for 3–5 days per week; even 60–90 seconds is helpful.

Extra helpers:

• Dental chews and chew toys can reduce plaque; choose sizes and textures suited to your pet’s mouth and chewing style.
• Water additives and dental gels are useful adjuncts for pets that resist brushing.
• Schedule professional dental cleanings as your vet recommends—typically every 6–24 months depending on risk.

Signs to call the vet:

• Bad breath that lingers, red or bleeding gums, brown tartar, dropping food, pawing at the mouth, swelling around the face, loose or broken teeth.

Recommended products:

• Dog dental care kit: /dogs/dental-care/
• Cat dental care essentials: /cats/medical-recovery/ (check Dental Care subcategory if applicable)

CTA: Shop dog dental care kit

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Spay or Neuter: Benefits, Timing, and Recovery Suit Sizing

Health and behavior benefits:

• Reduces risk of pyometra (life-threatening uterine infection) and decreases certain cancers and hormone-driven behaviors like roaming and marking.
• Timing varies by species, breed, and lifestyle—your vet will recommend the ideal window.

Aftercare checklist:

• First 10–14 days matter most. Keep the incision dry and clean.
• Restrict running, jumping, and rough play; use crate time or a quiet room.
• Check the incision twice daily for swelling, redness, discharge, or missing sutures.
• Prevent licking. Recovery suits are a gentle alternative or complement to an e-collar.
• Use prescribed pain relief as directed; no baths or swimming until cleared by your vet.

Recovery suits vs cones:

• Recovery suits offer full-body coverage for spay/neuter incisions and hot spots, often with less stress than rigid cones.
• Cones still help for face/ear issues or pets determined to lick.

Getting the right fit:

• Measure chest girth, back length, and weight; follow the brand sizing guide. When in doubt, size up for comfort but ensure a snug, not baggy, fit.

Recommended products:

• Recovery suit for spay/neuter: /medical-recovery/suitical/
• MPS Vet Recovery range: /medical-recovery/mps-vet-recovery/
• At-home recovery essentials: /medical-recovery/at-home-recovery/

CTA: Find the right recovery suit for your pet

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Slow Feeding to Prevent Gulping, Bloat, and Vomiting

Why slow feeding helps:

• Slows down fast eaters to reduce gulping, gas, vomiting, and the risk of bloat in large, deep-chested dogs.
• Encourages better chewing, aids digestion, and supports weight management by increasing mealtime satisfaction.

How to implement: 1) Switch to a slow feeder bowl or puzzle feeder matched to your pet’s size and skill. 2) Serve measured portions; avoid free feeding for pets who overeat. 3) Split daily intake into 2–3 meals to prevent hunger-driven gulping. 4) Feeding height: Contrary to older advice, elevated bowls are not generally recommended for bloat prevention unless advised by your vet for orthopedic or medical reasons. 5) For cats: consider wide, shallow bowls to protect whiskers and encourage relaxed eating.

When to be cautious:

• If your dog is a known bloat risk (e.g., Great Dane, German Shepherd), keep exercise gentle for 1 hour before and after meals and discuss prevention with your vet.

Recommended products:

• Slow feeder bowls for fast eaters: /essentials-lifestyle/auto-feeders/
• Automatic feeders for precise portions and routine: /dogs/auto-feeders/

CTA: Explore slow feeders and auto feeders

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Keep Pets Safe and Found: GPS Trackers vs Microchips

Microchip vs GPS—what’s the difference?

• Microchip: a permanent ID scanned by vets/shelters; it does not track location in real time.
• GPS tracker: shows live location on your phone, sets safe zones, and can alert you if your pet roams.

Best practice is both:

• Microchip plus an updated registry for lifetime ID.
• GPS tracker for day-to-day safety, escape artists, adventure cats, and off-lead training.

Pro tips:

• Create safe zones around home and regular walking routes.
• Optimize battery by adjusting update frequency to activity and using Wi-Fi/Bluetooth assist where available.
• Review activity insights to support weight and mobility goals, especially for seniors.

Recommended products:

• GPS pet trackers with long battery life: /trackers-health/pet-tracking/

CTA: Keep a tail on your pets with GPS tracking

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When to See a Vet: Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Call your vet urgently if you notice:

• Sudden weakness, collapse, severe lethargy, or pale/white gums
• Repeated vomiting or diarrhea, blood in stool or urine
• Swollen, painful abdomen or unproductive retching (possible bloat)
• Breathing difficulty, blue or gray gums, persistent coughing
• Seizures, disorientation, or sudden behavior changes
• Refusing food and water for 24 hours (12 hours for kittens/puppies)
• Any wound that is deep, contaminated, or doesn’t improve within 24–48 hours
• After surgery: excessive swelling, discharge, or persistent licking at the incision

If you suspect poisoning, contact your vet immediately and bring the product label if available.

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Recommended Products (curated picks)

• Dog dental care kit for at-home brushing: /dogs/dental-care/
• Cat dental care essentials: /cats/medical-recovery/
• Recovery suit for spay/neuter and hot spots: /medical-recovery/suitical/
• MPS Vet Recovery suits and accessories: /medical-recovery/mps-vet-recovery/
• Slow feeder bowls for fast eaters: /essentials-lifestyle/auto-feeders/
• Automatic feeders for portion control: /dogs/auto-feeders/
• GPS pet trackers with long battery life: /trackers-health/pet-tracking/

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FAQs

How often should I brush my dog’s or cat’s teeth?

• Aim for 3–5 times per week. Daily is ideal but any consistent routine helps. Combine with dental chews and schedule vet cleanings as advised.

Do recovery suits replace the cone after spay/neuter?

• Often, yes. Many pets tolerate suits better, and they protect the incision. Some pets still need a cone if they persist in licking or for face/ear issues.

How often should I give flea and tick prevention?

• Follow your product’s label and your vet’s advice—usually monthly or quarterly. Treat all pets in the home and set calendar reminders.

Do GPS trackers replace microchips?

• No. Microchips provide permanent ID and require a scanner; GPS provides live location. Together, they offer the best chance of a fast reunion.

What are signs of worms in pets and first steps?

• Look for a potbelly, dull coat, scooting, rice-like segments near the anus, vomiting, or diarrhea. Book a vet visit and bring a fresh stool sample.

When should senior pets see the vet?

• Every 6 months is a good rule of thumb, with more frequent checks if they have chronic conditions.

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References and helpful resources

• AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: aaha.org
• WSAVA Global Nutrition Toolkit: wsava.org
• Regional parasite risk: ask your local veterinarian, especially for travel plans or seasonal spikes.

Medical disclaimer: This guide offers general information and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. In an emergency, contact your nearest veterinary clinic immediately.

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Keep learning with TailMe

• Slow feeding benefits and bloat basics: see our guides in TailTalk
• Hot spots and skin conditions: how recovery suits help
• GPS tracker tips: battery optimization and safe zones

If you found this helpful, download the Pet Preventive Care Checklist and subscribe to TailTalk for seasonal reminders and new product updates.