Our pets play an important role in our lives, sticking by our sides through thick and thin and providing unconditional love. In return, we owe them the best possible care that will optimize their health and longevity. From routine veterinary visits, to nutrition and behavior consultations, each care aspect contributes to your pet’s overall health. The Southern Kern Veterinary Clinic team shares essential tips for promoting your pet’s well-being.

1. Schedule routine veterinary check-ups

Routine wellness check-ups can facilitate early disease detection or prevent some diseases altogether. The earlier our team knows about a problem, the more likely we can intervene and effectively slow or stop disease progression. With annual or bi-annual visits, our team can monitor your furry pal’s health, update vaccinations, discuss age-specific screening tests, and provide guidance on all things pet. 

2. Invest in vet-recommended nutrition

A balanced diet is vital for your pet’s health, but nutrition is far from one-size-fits-all. Our team can recommend a nutritional strategy based on your pet’s health history, age, size, and activity level. Proper nutrition from the right diet provides your pet with energy and can help combat chronic diseases, including arthritis, kidney failure, obesity, or gastrointestinal (GI) issues.

3. Exercise your pet regularly

We all know the importance of exercise for our physical and mental well-being. For pets, exercise is an outlet for excess energy, keeps aging muscles and joints strong and flexible, and engages the senses. As a bonus, exercise also helps maintain a healthy weight and reduces the risk of obesity-related diseases.

4. Care for your pet’s oral health

Dental health is an often overlooked—yet critical—piece of your pet’s health puzzle. Poor dental hygiene, including gingivitis or periodontal disease, can lead to significant discomfort, tooth loss, and gum infections that can spread to vital internal organs. Daily toothbrushing is achievable with patience and training, but most pets still require periodic professional cleanings. 

5. Mentally stimulate your pet

Mental stimulation, including toys, puzzles, training, and games, helps prevent boredom and can help manage or prevent pet behavior problems. Training and play sessions also keep your furry pal’s mind active and engaged into their senior years and help slow cognitive decline.

6. Keep pets hydrated

Hydration is often overlooked, as owners assume their pets will drink as much water as they need. This is true for dogs, but cats sometimes do not drink enough to support digestion and urinary tract health. A water fountain, finding your pet’s bowl type preference, keeping bowls clean, and frequently refreshing the water can encourage intake.

7. Prevent pet parasites

Parasites, including fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms, are nuisances at best and a source of deadly health complications at worst. Most harmful parasites can be easily controlled with cost-effective, safe, monthly medications. Ask our team to recommend products that will suit your pet’s lifestyle and fit your household budget.

8. Schedule regular grooming sessions

Grooming is essential for pets with all skin and coat types, including thin- or short-coated breeds. Routine bathing removes dead skin cells and loosens the hair, while brushing helps distribute natural skin oils and removes loose hair, which reduces matting, shedding, or overheating. You should also trim your pet’s nails every month or so, and clean their ears regularly, according to our veterinary team’s recommendations, to prevent infections.

9. Create a low-stress home environment

A safe, stress-free home environment minimizes the risk of stress-related illnesses and ensures pets feel at ease in their space. If you have multiple pets, each pet should have their own retreat with access to food, water, resting areas, climbing spots, and litter boxes, with no competition or intimidation from others.

10. Allow pets to socialize

Socialization is the process of introducing young, impressionable puppies and kittens to new experiences, so as adults they will be adaptable and more likely to accept changes, such as meeting new people during regular walks or meetings. Socialization should then continue throughout adulthood to maintain behavioral health. 

Keeping your pet happy and healthy requires careful attention to each aspect of their overall care and following our tips can help you establish an optimal pet care routine. However, each pet has special needs. We want to help you understand your pet’s individual needs and health risks, so contact our Southern Kern Veterinary Clinic team to schedule a visit and consultation.