Happy, healthy pets are a trademark top priority for all good pet owners. How can you help make sure your dogs and cats are best cared for? From frequent walks and claw trims to vaccines and wellness exams, preventative care for your pet will help them live a longer, happier lives, while also helping to save you stress and money in the long run.

This one may be a bit expected, but we cannot stress enough the wonderful benefits that come from proper, regular exercise with your pet.

Weight Control: A clear benefit is maintaining a healthy weight for your pet. Obesity in animals is on the rise and can cause some serious issues for your pet down the road including pet diabetes, heart disease and respiratory problems. With the help of your veterinarian, make sure your pet has a good workout regime and sensible diet to help keep those pounds in check.

Behavioral Improvements: Time spent exercising with your pet helps to create a special, trusting bond between the two of you. It also helps to prevent boredom in your cat or dog that could otherwise turn into destructive habits around the house. Keep your connection strong and your furniture intact with a daily exercise routine.

Whether you have a playful puppy or a feisty feline on your hands, maintaining their dental and grooming health is essential to ensuring their comfort.

Dental Health: An estimated 65-85% of all cats and dogs over the age of 3 years have some type of dental disease, which have the potential to spread infections to your pet’s organs and cause additional serious health problems. Regular dental care can help prevent these painful ailments and maintain excellent oral health in your pet.

Grooming: Bond with your pet and ensure their comfort with proper grooming! Regular brushing and bathing can reduce allergens, catch skin problems early on, reduce shedding, help regulate your pet’s body temperature, and avoid bacteria and fungi that can thrive in a matted coat. And don’t forget those toes! Low-stress cat claw trimming and proper dog nail trims are vital to your pet’s comfort and wellbeing.

Vaccinations are an excellent way to help make sure your pet lives as long and healthy a life as possible. Not only are some vaccinations required in certain cities, but both core and noncore vaccines can play a huge role in fighting off what could be otherwise fatal diseases.

When your pet relies solely on you for their health and well-being, it is critical to keep up with these daily preventative care topics, but also equally important to get your vet in the wellness boat with you, too.

Annual wellness exams with your trusted vet help to detect potential health concerns early on to reduce risk and potential costs, discuss changes in care as your pet ages, and offer you an excellent resource for your preventative care questions.

Have questions on how to offer your pets the best preventative care possible? Give us a call at 701.757.3500 or schedule an appointment online today for help from our team of trusted paw-fessionals!