(BPT) – Your pets are an integral part of the family, so it’s important to practice preventative care to support their well-being and help them live long, healthy lives. But just like people, pets can be affected by chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and allergies. That’s why, as a pet parent, staying informed and being proactive can help to avoid or at least prolong the onset of chronic conditions.

Pet health trends change over time. Cats and dogs are more prone to certain conditions now than they have been in the past. For example, over the past 10 years there’s been a 30 percent increase in environmental allergy cases in dogs and an 11 percent increase in cats, according to the Banfield 2018 State of Pet Health Report. Allergens can vary by region and climate, but many common triggers can be found in the home, notes the study.

Additionally, pets today are also more prone to being overweight, and obesity cases are rising. One in three pets are overweight, according to Banfield, and the numbers are growing. While you can be proactive in helping pets exercise and eat a nutritionally-balanced diet, there are many other health conditions you have no control over. Pets can suffer from chronic diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and thyroid disease.

The first step to keep pets healthy is to invest in preventative care. One of the most important things you can do to ensure the ongoing health of any animal is to bring them in for annual checkups whether they are experiencing health issues or not. This allows veterinarians to screen for a variety of health issues and provide insight on any concerns. This is also an opportunity for you to ask important questions and get expert insight.

If you discover that your pet has a chronic condition that needs to be treated, don’t panic. Modern medicine and treatment plans help pets live a long, high-quality life even with conditions like allergies or diabetes. You may have to make lifestyle adjustments such as changing food or activity routines, but it’s usually manageable and you’ll likely notice an improvement to your pet’s health and demeanor quickly.

As is the case with humans, chronic conditions are often treated with preventative medications. In fact, many of the same prescriptions that people use are also used on pets, just at a different dosage. That means you can buy your pet’s medication at your local pharmacy instead of the vet’s office. By doing this you can access deep discounts offered with the Inside Rx Pets card, in more than 40,000 participating pharmacies nationwide.

The program offers savings on commonly prescribed medications such as insulin and antibiotics, as well as glaucoma and anti-inflammatory drugs. A list of the medications with which you can use the Inside Rx Pets card, as well as information to compare the pricing in pharmacies in your area and other use terms, can be found at InsideRx.com/pets.

Just like people, taking preventative measures for your pets’ health will help save costs in the long run. What’s more, it will help ensure that your favorite furry family members are by your side for many years to come.