As a pet owner, you want nothing more than for your four-legged pal to live forever. While that unfortunately isn’t possible, you can keep your pet happy and healthy for many years to come through regular wellness and preventive care. Our Family Pet Care team describes various ways preventive care can help your pet thrive through the years.

Regular veterinary exams for your pet

An important pet wellness foundational pillar is regular veterinary visits. Schedule routine visits with your Family Pet Care veterinarian so we can monitor your pet’s overall health through comprehensive physical exams and myriad other preventive care measures. These checkups help us detect potential issues in their early stage, ensuring timely intervention and treatment.

During these routine visits, we also establish preventive care plans tailored to your pet’s specific needs, which may include vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental care, and nutritional guidance. These preventive measures are essential to help your pet avoid common health issues and enjoy long-term wellness.

Your pet’s age and health status determine their routine wellness care visits’ frequency. Typically, young healthy pets have annual visits, while senior pets benefit from semiannual preventive care.

Early detection screening tests for your pet

Blood tests, urinalysis, and other diagnostic tools are essential for detecting disease in its earliest stages, affording a good prognosis. By detecting hidden illness signs before they cause apparent problems, your pet’s treatment is often more effective, less intensive, and more affordable.

Lifestyle-appropriate vaccinations for your pet

A key component of wellness care, vaccinations play a crucial role in preventing pets’ infectious diseases. Keep track of your pet’s vaccination schedule, and consult with our veterinarian to ensure your furry pal receives the necessary protection based on their age, lifestyle, and exposure risk. 

Balanced nutrition for your pet

A well-balanced diet is fundamental to your pet’s health, as high-quality nutrition provides the essential building blocks for a strong immune system and healthy body. Determine the best nutritional plan for your pet based on their age, breed, and health status to ensure they thrive on proper proportions of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

Another important piece of your pet’s nutrition puzzle is feeding the appropriate amount. More than half the nation’s pets are overweight, so calculate the number of calories your pet needs each day to maintain a healthy weight.

Regular exercise for your pet

Physical activity is essential for maintaining your pet’s weight, promoting cardiovascular health, and preventing behavioral issues. With hectic lifestyles and busy work schedules, squeezing in exercise time can be tough. However, make a point to have several sessions per day to play and exercise with your furry pal. Tailor exercise routines to your pet’s breed, age, energy level, and overall health to ensure their activity level is appropriate for them to stay fit and happy.

Dental care for your pet

Oral health is often overlooked but at-home and professional care are critical to your pet’s well-being. Brush your pet’s teeth regularly—daily if possible—and provide dental treats and chews to help keep their teeth clean. In addition to at-home dental care, schedule regular professional dental examinations for a comprehensive oral health assessment and cleaning performed under general anesthesia. Dental issues can lead to other health problems, such as oral pain and infection, loose teeth, jawbone loss, and organ disease, so maintaining good oral hygiene is vital to your pet’s overall health.

Parasite prevention for your pet

Protect your pet from parasites, such as fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms to prevent serious illnesses that can be life-threatening. Give your pet veterinarian-recommended preventive medications to keep these pesky intruders at bay, and set up reminders to ensure you administer preventives on time.

Mental stimulation for your pet

Pets thrive on mental stimulation, and providing plenty of environmental enrichment is essential for preventing boredom and associated behavioral problems. Provide intriguing toys, engage in interactive play, and design puzzle feeders to keep your pet’s mind active. 

Spaying or neutering your pet

Spaying and neutering can prevent unwanted behaviors, contribute to population control, and reduce certain cancer, infection, and illness risks. Talk with our team to determine the age at which you should have your pet spayed or neutered to maximize their health and behavioral benefits. 

Investing in pet health insurance

You will need to budget to ensure your pet receives necessary veterinary care throughout their life, and investing in a comprehensive health insurance policy when your furry pal is young can save you a great deal. Pet insurance policies can provide financial coverage for accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, cancers, and other health and behavior concerns, including routine wellness care.

Investing time and effort in your pet’s wellness and preventive care can significantly contribute to their health and longevity. Regular veterinary care, a balanced diet, proper exercise, and dental care are all part of keeping your furry friend happy and thriving. Schedule your pet’s next wellness visit with our Family Pet Care team.