If you have a pet then you know that they come with a very large responsibility. But with routine care and lots of love, owning a pet can be an incredible experience. Our Columbia vets share some helpful pet health and care tips to help you give your pet the life the deserve.
The Health and Care of Your Pet
You love your pets, but caring for their health of them is a big responsibility, That said, caring for your pet's health doesn't need to be complicated, simply focus on lots of love and follow these 10 easy steps from your Columbia animal hospital to help prevent health issues from developing.
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Meeting the Nutritional Requirements of Your Pet
Your pet's well-being is impacted by the quality of the food they eat. To help keep your pet healthy, speak to your vet about the best foods for your pet based on age, breed, and lifestyle. Your vet at our Columbia vet clinic will be happy to offer tips for finding just the right food to meet your pup's nutritional needs. Whether you want to feed your pooch the best food to achieve optimal health, or to treat existing conditions through diet, discussing your pet's nutritional needs with your vet can help.
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Ensuring That Your Pet Maintains a Healthy Weight
Obesity has been linked to several serious conditions in dogs including diabetes and joint pain, so keeping your pet at a healthy weight is essential for optimal health. Once you have chosen a nutritious food that your pet enjoys, your vet at Maury County Veterinary Hospital will be able to determine the optimal number of calories your pet should consume each day. Once you know how many calories are appropriate for your pet, you will be able to easily work out exactly how much to feed your pet for each meal.
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Providing Your Pet With Plenty of Exercise Opportunities
Different breeds require different amounts of exercise. While some dogs can stay healthy with a quick walk around the block, high-energy breeds may need an hour or more of vigorous exercise once or twice daily. Adequate physical activity not only helps to keep your pet's body in good condition, but it can also help to prevent them from getting bored which can lead to destructive behaviors or anxiety. Be sure to ask your vet at Maury County Veterinary Hospital about the appropriate amount of exercise for your pet. Walks, backyard games, and social time at pet parks are all great ways to ensure your pooch gets plenty of exercise.
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Annual Wellness Exams to Help Monitor For Issues
Diagnosing and treating conditions in the very earliest stages helps to ensure the very best treatment outcomes. Annual veterinary exams, when your pet seems healthy, are all about prevention, monitoring your pet's overall health, and checking for early signs of developing issues. Your vet will discuss your pet's diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors with you, ask if you have questions or concerns about your pet's health or behavior, then perform a thorough physical examination. After the examination, your veterinarian will discuss any findings with you. If anything concerning has been detected, your Columbia vet will make recommendations about your pet's diet, and any necessary diagnostic testing, or treatment.
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Routine Vaccinations Can Help to Protect Your Pet
Our Columbia veterinarians believe that vaccinations are essential for helping your pet live a long and healthy life. Regularly scheduled vaccines help to protect your pet from many highly contagious, potentially life-threatening diseases. Most states require by law that all pets be vaccinated against rabies, but there are several other serious conditions that vaccines protect dogs against including parvo, distemper, and panleukopenia.
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Preventive Care to Defend Your Pet Against Parasites
Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes can all carry organisms that lead to a range of diseases that seriously threaten your pet's health and longevity. A bite from one of these parasites could cause your pet to become gravely ill if not protected. Speak to your Columbia animal hospital vets about the most effective ways to protect your pooch against a full range of tick-borne diseases, heartworms, and other parasitic conditions common in your area.
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Allowing Your Pets Plenty of Opportunities For Socializing
A puppy’s or kitten’s formative years are from a few weeks old to about 16-18 weeks and is the most critical period for socialization. It is important to introduce other people and pets to your new pet as early as possible so they have the time to get used to people, animals, and their surroundings to prevent anxiety and even aggression.
So be sure they get enough people and animal interaction, not just in the early months but throughout their life. Parks are always a great way to introduce your pet to others if you have that option near you.
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Routine Pet Care For Dental and Grooming
Grooming involves keeping your pet’s nails trimmed, brushing them a few times a week, and giving regular baths. Grooming is also a good way to keep an eye on changes in your pet’s fur or skin, like dandruff, bald patches, or dry skin.
This can be an ideal time to check for lumps and bumps on your pet that may be cause for concern. Check with your veterinarian at Maury County Veterinary Hospital for the best grooming protocol for your particular pet.
Dental care is very important when maintaining the happiness and health of your pet. It is important to have your pet's teeth cleaned to avoid any oral diseases that can cause them pain and discomfort, and it keeps your pet's breath smelling a lot better.
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Spay or Neuter to Prevent Various Conditions, Behaviors and Unwanted Litters
Getting your pet fixed is very important and has many benefits for your pet. It can stop unwanted baby pets and has been known to help reduce aggression in some pets. It can help prevent certain diseases and cancers that can affect your pet.
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Help Keep Your Companion Safe While Both Out and About or At Home
It is important to keep your beloved pet safe while they are at home, and outside. There are many ways you can help with pet safety including:
- collars with ID tags
- microchips
- fenced-in yards (keeps other animals from getting in as much as it keeps your pet in)
- keeping toxic chemicals out of reach and locked up
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.