All of us adore our pets. We want to see them happy, playful, energetic, and full of life. However, one of our main responsibilities as pet owners is to watch our pets’ health. The last thing we don’t want is our pets to become sick. Therefore, vaccinations are vital in preventing unnecessary and dangerous diseases.
Important Things to Do to Keep Your Pet Healthy
Every new puppy or kitten owner should do the following to keep their new pet healthy and on track:
Veterinarian Visit
Every puppy and kitten should see a veterinarian like Five Oaks AH within the first week of moving into a new home. A vet will perform a standard puppy or kitten wellness examination to ensure that your new companion is healthy. Plus, if you bought your pet from a breeder, you’ll want to make sure the breeder followed through on its initial health guarantees.
Finally, a veterinarian will listen to the heart and lungs of the puppy or kitten to make sure there are no murmurs or congenital defects. A thorough examination of the eyes and nose will also reveal any signs of respiratory illness or other issues such as Cherry Eye or genetic problems.
Parasite Treatment
Intestinal parasites such as tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms can all be detected during the first visit. Giardia and Coccidia parasites can also be ruled out with a stool sample or check.
Vaccination
Because a mother’s immunity is still active, giving shots before eight weeks is generally considered ineffective.
Puppies are given a combination shot and Rabies vaccination at the ages of eight, twelve, and sixteen weeks. Optional vaccinations include Bordetella, Corona, and Leptospirosis, depending on the risk to your area or dog. Check here for more information about Pet Vaccination.
Neutering
Neutering is another important item on our health checklist. However, you don’t need to plan ahead of time because neutering cats begin around the age of five months and dogs around six months. Neutering has several advantages, including a lower risk of mammary and testicular cancer, infections of the womb or uterus, straying, and males fighting over females. Furthermore, the female animals will not have to go through seasons and will not be subjected to unwanted pregnancies.
Dental Care
Dental care is another important component of healthy living. Brushing your cat’s or dog’s teeth is best to keep them in good shape. Plaque takes 24-48 hours to form a film on which tartar can develop, so daily brushing is ideal, but every other day is sufficient. The best time to begin is when they are young, so it becomes a natural part of their lives.
Brushing their teeth is a skill that requires practice and a step-by-step approach. First, begin with just the toothpaste, which should be made specifically for dogs or cats. Allow them to become accustomed to the flavor first. After that, introduce the toothbrush with toothpaste on it. Visit this Dog Dentist Kinston for more information.
Good Nutrition
Great nutrition is the foundation for a successful life. We’ve all heard the phrase “you are what you eat,” and your pets’ nutrition is as important as ours. Because high-quality foods are more nutrient-dense, they often eat less, even though they are more expensive. As a result, each bag lasts longer and costs less than expected.
