Finding the Best Pet Meds for your Cats and Dogs

Pets have been an important part of the human experience for thousands of years. Early societies depended on hunting and gathering for their survival, and without the help of “man’s best friend,” they might not have made it. The dog was domesticated from the gray wolf around fifteen thousand years ago. It was the world’s first pet, but it was not a cute and cuddly animal. Dogs were great hunters, herders and guards. They were extremely loyal and affectionate, at least toward their owners.In time, man formed an extremely close bond with his canine friend. He then began to domesticate other amicable animals. The cat was brought into human communities around 9500 years ago. It is now the most popular pet in America. Why do people keep pets? There are many reasons. But perhaps the most persuasive one is that they actually help us live longer. A quarter century of research has proven that living with pets helps prolong human life. Not only do they provide unconditional love, they also help their owners get a little exercise. Walking a dog three times a day burns hundreds of calories. It is no wonder that most American homes (57 percent) contain a cat or a dog. Altogether, there were 161 million owned dogs and cats at last count. Most folks own pets because they adore them, and they treat them accordingly. They feed them; walk them; bathe them; and take them to the veterinarian when they are sick. The average dog owner spends $225 on vet visits each year, while cat lovers spend $203. Unfortunately, many pet owners cannot afford the high cost of prescription medications for their furry friends. This is an increasingly common problem for elderly pet owners, who often have to choose between their medicine and pills for their pets. What do pets do for senior citizens? Studies have shown that owning a pet has myriad health benefits for older people. We know, for instance, that pet lovers who are recovering from a heart attack are five times more likely to survive than those who do not own a dog or a cat. This goes double if they are single, since they feel solely responsible for their pets. The need to take care of another living thing can give them the motivation they need to live. Americans spend about 40 billion dollars each year on pet health care. About a quarter of that amount, or 10 billion dollars, is for prescription pills. As prices continue to rise, more and more pet owners are buying pet meds on the internet. A recent survey of pet lovers revealed that twenty percent of them now buy online. It is all perfectly legally and the saving can be substantial. Many reliable sites sell generic medications at a 50 to 80 percent discount. With cost savings like that, it is no wonder that fewer pet lovers are buying pills from theirveterinarians. What do they buy? Domesticated animals are stricken with many of the same ailments. The most common problems are caused by fleas and ticks. These annoying insects can cause a whole host of health issues for cats and dogs. In addition to the nonstop scratching, tick and flea bites can cause anemia, tapeworms and skin rashes. But only dogs can get Lyme disease, which can be fatal. Both pets can catch Rocky Mountain spotted fever, another possibly fatal disease. Tick and flea infestation is serious and the only way to get rid of it is with prescription medications. Since they typically spend more time outdoors, dogs are much more likely to come down with heartworms. The disease is spread by mosquitoes and can be deadly if it is not treated immediately. Cats can also get heartworms, but it is far less common. Medication is prescribed in either case and it must be taken until the illness has completely cleared up. Prescription heartworm pills for both dogs and cats are bestsellers online. One reason dogs are a bit more expensive to care for than cats is that they are more likely to develop age-related diseases like arthritis. About 20 percent of dogs have arthritis, but only about half of them receive treatment. No, their owners are not neglecting them. The sad truth is that the disease is extremely expensive to treat and most pet lovers simply cannot afford it. They are forced to watch their beloved friends limp around in pain and lose interest in activities they formerly enjoyed, like long walks. Popular and effective arthritis medications for dogs can be purchased at huge discounts from online pet pharmacies. All you need is a prescription from your veterinarian and a credit card. Savings are guaranteed and shipping is often free. Online pet pharmacies offer substantial discounts on the most popular prescription medications for your furry friend.