Pets are just as much a part of our family as anyone else. And the proof is in how we spend our money. According to the American Pets Product Association, in 2011, Americans spent more than $50 billion U.S. dollars on their pets. Sixty five percent of that dollar amount was spent on pet food and pet health care. Pet boarding, grooming, and day care grew to a whopping $3.8 billion that same year.

In the unfortunate event of pet health issues, there are just about 55,000 veterinary private practices and hospitals to serve your needs, according to the Veterinary Marketing Association. What are the most common types of pet health issues such as dog health issues that you may encounter? Similar to humans, obesity is a growing epidemic amongst pet health issues. In fact, according to recent research, 37 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats are overweight. This is significantly more than just five years ago. Closely following obesity, other common pet health issues include diabetes (also linked to obesity), arthritis, and chronic disease. As such, veterinarians prefer you bring your beloved pet to the doctor every six months. Six months to a dog is like 3 years to a human, and proactive healthcare helps keep dog health issues at bay.

What are some steps you can do to ensure the prevention of pet health issues? Regular teeth cleanings not only remove tartar and build up, but help prevent the spread of bacteria. Ear infections are more common dog health issues than for cats. Proper cleaning and maintenance can prevent infection. Other pet health issues that can easily be avoided include flea prevention. In fact, proper flea prevention for your dog can alleviate further dog health issues such as heart worm. Preventing pet health issues dogs can not only save you money, but can lengthen the life of your beloved pet.