Resolutions for Pets
In 2020, I Will for My Pet…
Whew! It’s a new year, which always feels like a clean slate.
Depending on your preferences, you may or may not make New Year’s resolutions, but most of us have at least a short list of wanted changes for our new slate. How about a resolution or two to improve your beloved animal family members’ lives this year? Pick and choose among the following – discuss with your veterinarian what your pet or pets need to stay their healthiest and have the best quality of life.
1. Vaccinations: These are not optional, nor do they cause autism in dogs or cats (there is no autism in dogs or cats). Our pet vaccines protect against common diseases that can create significant illness up to death. The cost of appropriate vaccinations over the lifetime of a pet is much less than the cost of treatment or the pain of loss. Not all pets need all recommended vaccinations. There are core required vaccinations like rabies, but others should be tailored to your pet’s age and lifestyle risks. Discuss options with your veterinarian.
2. Daily Home And Annual Dental Care: Good oral health is the key to total health in our dogs and cats, literally adding years of comfort and quality life. Acclimate young cats and dogs to daily brushing or use special dental wipes to decrease the accrual of the daily biofilm into hardened calculus; it will also keep their breath fresh. If you have a dog that loves to chew, a daily dental chew does double duty. Link in our resources list below for veterinary dentist tested and approved products.
3. Diet Choice: Price, ingredient list and label marketing tell you nothing about the quality of the diet. To be a good pet food consumer, discuss with your veterinarian their recommendations. There are so many recipes for dog and cat foods introduced every year and all are marketing hard for your dollars. Choose foods for dogs that are grain-inclusive, not exotic ingredients, and look hard at the AAFCO information. Make sure not to overfeed.
4. Exercise: Every pet needs some. Make sure that you are encouraging your pets to move, including the cats. Carrying too much extra weight is hard on joints and can promote the development of many diseases such as arthritis, diabetes mellitus and cancer.
5. Training, Socialization & Enrichment: Every dog needs training and socialization. During the critical window of eight weeks to six months old, every puppy needs to learn how to dog, along with starting obedience training and experiencing new people and places. Training shouldn’t end after one puppy class, but rather be continued throughout their lifetime to reinforce being a good canine citizen. Cats too need socialization and enrichment throughout their kittenhood and life to stay sharp and avoid kitty couch potatoes. Laser tag, feeding puzzles and play all help to keep a cat healthier with physical and mental stimulation.
I really could add many more, but space prohibits. Here’s to a happy, healthy new year for you and your pets.
Dr. Margot Vahrenwald is the owner of Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center at 2255 Oneida St. For more information, visit www.parkhillvet.com
Resources and Inspiration
• Veterinary Oral Health Council – vohc.org
• Pet Health Network – pethealthnetwork.com
• Nutrition Information For Pet Owners From Tufts – vetnutrition.tufts.edu/petfoodology
• Feeding Toys and Puzzles For Cats – feedingpuzzlesforcats.com
• Indoor Pet Enrichment Initiative, Ohio State – indoorpet.osu.edu/pet-owners