Pet Health Articles

My friends and I might give you a hard time about going to the vet, brushing our teeth, and the many other things you do to take care of us. Don't believe our act. We appreciate your loving care so much that we're even willing to give you tips you might not have thought of on your own.

Humbly yours,

Carlos

The American Veterinary Medical Association started Pet Wellness Month a dozen years ago to encourage people to consider their pet’s overall well-being. Unfortunately, the absence of an obvious illness doesn’t mean your pet is as healthy as she could be. In the spirit of the awareness event, we would like to highlight seven important things you can do to take the best possible care of your pet. These include: 

Schedule a preventive care exam at least once a year. Puppies, kittens, and senior pets should visit us more often. These check-ups give our veterinarians the chance to determine potential health problems in your pet as early as possible. Some conditions require only careful monitoring while others will need treatment. We always let you know exactly what we discover during a preventive care exam. 

Keep up-to-date on your pet’s vaccinations. This not only prevents him from serious illness or death, but some vaccines are required by law. Our staff will also discuss optional vaccines your pet may benefit from, such as Lyme disease or feline leukemia. 

Spay or neuter your pet. We can’t stress the importance of this enough. Millions of healthy dogs and cats are euthanized every year because there just aren’t enough people willing to provide them with a loving home. Altering your pet also reduces the risk of conditions such as mammary gland tumors or testicular cancer. 

Don’t forget the importance of oral hygiene. Did you know that untreated dental problems can lead to issues with the heart, kidneys, and joints? We would be happy to demonstrate how to gain your pet’s cooperation long enough for you to brush her teeth. Additionally, checking your dog or cat’s oral hygiene is a normal part of our preventive care exams. 

Be sure to feed your pet nutritious foods. Ingredients that have the word meal or by-product added to it are little more than filler and don’t provide any real nutritional value. We also encourage you to limit treats and make sure that your pet gets exercise each day. 

Prepare a kit for your pet in the event of a natural disaster. If you’re suddenly facing a flood, fire, or tornado, you won’t be thinking clearly about what your pet needs to survive. Having a bag ready to go that has his food, toys, medications, and other essentials will help you evacuate your pet safely. 

Learn as much as you can about your pet’s species. This allows you to form a deeper bond because you have realistic expectations about her behavior. It also gives you the tools you need to create a living environment that is as stress-free and nurturing as possible. 

Feel free to contact us at Buffalo Companion Animal Clinic if you have questions about your pet’s health or care. If we haven’t seen your pet in more than a year, please schedule a check-up today. 

Photo Credit: Okssi68 / Getty Images