Help Your Pets Keep Their New Year’s Resolutions
Happy New Year! While we don’t know what 2021 may bring, it’s a good bet most people are glad to get 2020 behind us. To make sure the new year starts off on the right paw, here are some resolutions your pet will definitely want to keep.
Vaccines/Exams
Whether you received a new furry bundle of joy this Christmas or you already have a pet family member, making sure they stay healthy is one resolution you can’t afford to avoid. All pets should keep updated on their vaccines. For dogs these include - rabies, canine parvovirus, distemper, and canine hepatitis. Additionally, dog vaccines may include - Bordetella bronchiseptica, Borrelia burgdorferi and Leptospira bacteria.
Vaccines for cats include - panleukopenia (feline distemper), feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus type I (rhinotracheitis) and rabies. Additional feline vaccines may include - feline leukemia virus, Bordetella, Chlamydophila felis and feline immunodeficiency virus.
Your pets should also have a regular exam, especially if they are a senior pet with health issues related to their advancing age.
Exercise
Most people will make a new year’s resolution to exercise more. This is a resolution that is also important to your pet. Like humans, pets can become out of shape due to inactivity. Help your pet keep their exercise resolution by taking regular brisk walks, playing fetch, or maybe a short jog. Exercise will keep your pet fit, healthy, and reduce their chance of mischievous boredom.
If you have a senior pet, try slower, shorter walks and simple activities that will keep them moving.
Dental Care
Dental care may not be high on your new year’s resolution list because you probably do that every day, but it’s a must for your pet since they can’t brush their own teeth. Your pet’s dental health is the key to their overall health and wellbeing. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), “Periodontal disease is the most common dental condition in dogs and cats – by the time your pet is 3 years old, he or she will very likely have some early evidence of periodontal disease, which will worsen as your pet grows older if effective preventive measures aren’t taken. Early detection and treatment are critical, because advanced periodontal disease can cause severe problems and pain for your pet. Periodontal disease doesn’t just affect your pet’s mouth. Other health problems found in association with periodontal disease include kidney, liver, and heart muscle changes.”
To help you keep your pet’s new year’s dental resolution, Altadena Valley will be offering 20% off dental cleaning for the month of February. Because this special is so popular our spaces fill up fast. Contact the office today to schedule your pet’s February appointment.
Pet Training and Socialization
Believe it or not - training is one of your dog’s top resolutions, especially if you have a new puppy. Training and socialization classes help your dog learn important life skills. Getting along with other people and pets, sit/stay/leave-it commands, and other critical directives help your dog function as a loyal companion and friend.
Available classes include Puppy Socialization, Obedience, Impulse Control, Therapy Prep, and more. To learn about the class curriculum and current schedule, visit our training
website.
Love and Attention
We’re sure your pet’s #1 resolution is to spend more time with you - so, give them lots of love and attention. And remember this year to…”Be the person your dog thinks you are”!
Happy New Year!
Julie Grimes, DVM
