If you are about to get your first pet, you have to start preparing for pet emergencies. Accidents and illnesses can strike pets at any time, and no matter how careful you swear you'll be, there's always the chance that your cat could steal pizza that has garlic on it (garlic is bad for cats), or your dog could ingest who-knows-what on a walk. While one hopes that any alarming pet behavior turns out to be nothing, you really do need to be prepared.

When an animal joins your family, you want to do everything in your power to keep him or her safe. Unfortunately, accidents and illnesses still happen even in the safest environments. Seizures, fractures, and burns are not uncommon in pets. First-aid skills can help prevent an emergency from becoming much worse. If your pet would benefit from first-aid, these are some steps you should take in three important situations. What to Do During a Seizure

High blood pressure is a health problem for many people, but most pet parents likely haven't considered the possibility of their pets developing it. However, this is entirely possible for cats to develop within their lifetimes. If you've learned recently that your cat has high blood pressure, there are some steps that your vet is going to want you to go through to ensure that they're as healthy and safe as possible.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can affect most mammals. It's relatively common in wildlife, and since it can be spread in the urine of those wild animals, dogs can pick it up if they happen to drink from a contaminated stream or puddle. If your dog contracts leptospirosis and becomes ill, there's a good chance they will need to be hospitalized — at least for a few days while they're at their worst.