Start the New Year Off
January is almost over and it’s never too late to reset the start button and create new routines for you and your fur baby.
Schedule Annual Vet Wellness Appointments
A key part of what veterinarians call preventive care is your annual visits to your vet. This is an opportune time to take action to protect your fur baby and identify potential problems before they become sick or injured. Wellness examinations for healthy pets are recommended yearly, and around every six months for older dogs and cats that have known health issues. Wellness visits are also a great opportunity to build the relationship between your fur baby, you and your veterinarian
Keep Vaccinations Up to Date
Making sure your fur babies are current on required and recommended vaccinations can help prevent them from contracting certain diseases. Dogs can get diseases like Bordetella, canine influenza, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis. Cats can get diseases like feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline rhinotracheitis, and respiratory illness from feline calicivirus. For the health of both pets and people, perhaps the most important reason to maintain your pet’s vaccines is for protection against rabies. Rabies can be transmitted to humans and is nearly 100% fatal to both people and pets (both cats and dogs).
Medications – Reminders
Giving your pet’s medications on time is important to ensure the medications work as intended and on whatever is being treated. For example, missing a monthly preventative dose puts your pet at risk for diseases from fleas and ticks as well as heartworm disease. Often life can get crazy and beyond busy, don’t let that prevent you from properly caring for you fur baby. There are reminder apps you can download for free to set up specific reminders to administer pet meds thus maintaining a medication schedule.
Exercise
At the start of a new year the number one resolution people make every year is embracing a healthier lifestyle and losing weight for their selves. Taking a walk with your dog is a great way to get some steps in for yourself and expose your pet to new sounds, smells, and new places creating an adventure your dog will thank you for. If you are a cat owner, encourage them to be active with a laser pointer, feather toy, or other interactive toys.
Self Care
Self-care is most important, especially when life becomes crazy and beyond busy at times. Owning a pet provides many physical and mental benefits like lowering blood pressure, depression, and reducing anxiety. Grooming your fur baby at home by brushing, trimming their nails, and brushing their teeth are three simple ways that will demonstrate your gratitude for all your fur children do for you. Take the time to create a plan to make this year the happiest and healthiest yet for you and your pets.