Pet health and nutrition is important for the skin and coat condition and general well being of your canine or feline friend. For example, the coat is composed almost entirely of protein.

If your pet health and nutrition regimen does not provide your animal with enough protein, hair may fall out, or become dry, weak and brittle. Without proper nutrients, cell membranes weaken, allowing water to escape and viruses and bacteria to enter more easily.

Myths about good diets for our dogs and cats seem to always be with us. A recent myth that could be threatening to our pets' health involves raw meat diets for dogs and cats.

The truth is that good quality pet foods are backed by years of feline and canine nutrition studies. Meat is combined with vegetables, fruits, breads and other foods to give us the balanced nutrition we need in our own diets.

Once you get your pet, there are several things you need to do to ensure that his health and nutrition needs are properly taken care of:

• Find a veterinarian you trust - this affiliation could last many years, so it pays to look for good care at a quality practice
• Talk to your veterinarian, breeder or adoption agency about the best options for puppy or kitty formulated diets, as well as a recommended time frame for switching to an adult ration
• Purchase a buckle collar and lead for your puppy or kitten
• Stainless steel and ceramic water bowls are easy to wash and sterilize, and are a good investment
• Grooming supplies are essential for any doggy or kitty coat
• Purchase a puppy crate to make house training easier. Get your puppy used to his new crate by leaving him inside it for short, randomly scheduled periods, even when you're home
• Consider training your small breed puppy with a dog litter system
• Register for a local puppy "kindergarten" or other class designed to entertain young pups and teach simple dog obedience commands
• Be sure to expose your pet to lots of different social situations
• Teach your pet simple games such as "fetch"
• Consult your veterinarian if you're concerned about behavioral problems, including persistent play biting, housetraining difficulties, or fearfulness.

• A good vet hangs up his or her shingle in a sweet-smelling workspace with a comfortable atmosphere
• A good vet takes a full history and carries out a methodical nose-to-tail exam
• A good vet tackles your pet's bad behavior as assertively as his bellyache
• A good vet isn't afraid to say "I don't know"
• A good vet should carry out suitable lab tests before prescribing treatment
• A good vet conveys an understandable description of your pet's ailment together with his prescription
• A good vet telephones to see how your pet's doing

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