People who have pets know how important the health and wellbeing of those furry little friends are. For many people, pets are an extension of the family, another brother or sister or child. When it comes to keeping their fur babies healthy, pet parents will do what it takes. In fact, one report showed that throughout the most recent recession, the majority of pet owners continued to spend the same amount of money or even more on their pets. Part of the process of caring for a pet to the utmost extent is finding the best veterinary options, including obtaining knowledge on the highest quality animal hospitals in your area.
From standard veterinary services to emergency vet options
Many people, from children to adults, have dreams of being surprised with a new puppy or kitten that is just for them to cuddle, play with, and enjoy. Unfortunately, there are also many of these people who do not fully comprehend just what it takes to care for an animal, especially from the time that it is a baby, helpless and completely dependent. There are a lot of things to think about in taking care of a pet, and lining up veterinary services that are reliable, trustworthy, and informative will help make the whole process much easier. The right veterinarian will be able to advise you on vaccinations, things to watch for in the particular breed that you’ve chosen, the dental health of your animal, and what kind of food and exercise it should be getting.
Ideally, you will be keeping up on routine checkups and health screenings for your adorable animal. But life can sometimes be unexpected, and when a sudden illness or injury occurs, it will be more than worth it to know what animal hospitals are nearby that could help to treat and care for your beloved furry family member. If you have pet health insurance, finding out ahead of time which animal hospitals will accept your insurance can end up saving you valuable time and a lot of hassle.
Recommendations for keeping your pet healthy
Depending on the type of pet that you have, your veterinarian will have specific instructions and guidance for what is best for his or her health. However there are a few general guidelines that you can follow, as you search for the right vet to care for your pet. If you have a brand new puppy or kitten, it is recommended that you take it in every three to four weeks for vaccinations, up until it reaches about 16 weeks old. If your beloved animal is on the elderly side, you should probably be taking it for a check up at least two times a year. And one of the most vital aspects of caring for your pet is keeping up on its dental health.
Just as the case is in humans, much information about the general health can be derived from oral health. A common problem among dogs and cats is dental disease, which can lead to other, more serious problems as well. About 70% of cats and 80% of dogs develop some signs of dental disease by the time they are three years old. These conditions can develop into loose teeth, abscesses, and chronic pain for your pet. Keeping up on dental health can avoid much discomfort for your furry friend.
One of the first things that should happen when you get a pet is to find a veterinarian you can trust, and animal hospitals that you can default to in an emergency. You want the best for your whole family, pets included, and finding the best ways to maintain their health is an important step.