Setting Pet Health Goals for the New Year: A Vet’s Checklist
New year, new you…and new goals for your pets! At the Whole Pet Vet Hospital & Wellness Center, we have some suggestions for pet health resolutions. Keep reading for our vet checklist for pet health:
Winter Pet Care
The new year arrives in the midst of winter, so first off, it’s important to take the season into account. For instance, health and fitness routines may need to be adjusted. Milder temperatures can inspire long neighborhood walks or time at the dog park. However, it can sometimes be too cold or rainy for outdoor adventures. Get creative with indoor obstacle courses or hide and seek games when winter weather is too gray.
Winter weather can also mean modifications to how you care for your dog or cat’s skin and coat. Cooler temperatures and increased wind can cause skin and fur to dry out, so consider bathing less and brushing more. Use this time to embrace seasonal style; if your dog or cat could benefit from a warm sweater, then let them be fashionable!
We like to celebrate Pet Dental Health Month in February, and a new year’s resolution for great pet dental care will make your veterinary team smile! Healthy teeth and gums will help keep your dog or cat healthier overall, so we recommend routine at-home teeth brushing, regular checkups that include oral exams, and professional dental cleanings when appropriate.
A Fresh Calendar
This is the perfect time to review your pet’s veterinary records to put due dates on the calendar. Throughout the year, make note of when your pet will need services like:
- Vaccines
- Heartworm tests
- Fecal exams
- Heartworm and flea/tick prevention
The schedule is always right for pet wellness, and we encourage you to call your veterinarian to double-check those due dates.
Another Year Older
Puppies and kittens are another step closer to adulthood, and adult pets may be approaching their senior years. No matter the lifestage, diagnostic baselines can provide valuable comparison information as pets age.
It’s best to have your veterinarian perform bloodwork, urine tests, ultrasounds, or other lab and imaging work while your pet is a younger dog or cat. This will depend on the individual recommendation, but early results will become part of the medical record. With each new year that comes, your pet may have the same tests run during routine visits or due to an illness or injury. Side by side, early and later tests will show what is holding steady and healthy, or what may be changing and need medical attention. Your pet has a better chance of wellness in old age if issues are caught and addressed early.
To recap, your New Year goals for pets should include proper seasonal care, routine wellness services, and necessary diagnostic testing. This leads us to what might be the most important pet care resolution of all: schedule those veterinary appointments! If it’s time for a routine exam or if you have concerns, appointments should not be skipped. This is your chance to ask questions about diet, exercise, behavior, and more, all while your veterinary team can physically examine your dog or cat.
So at the top of your New Year’s Resolutions list, write “Contact The Whole Pet Vet Hospital & Wellness Center,” then check it off by calling us at (408) 402-3071 to set up your pet’s appointment!