Every pet owner wants to keep their pet healthy, but knowing how to manage your pet’s health can be a challenge. Many pet owners only take their animals to the vet when they are sick, but preventative care is just as important to your pet’s overall wellbeing.
Our veterinary team at the Gables Animal Clinic wants everyone in our community to understand the benefits of preventative health care and routine wellness exams. Read on for some of our tips to help you best manage your pet’s health.
Preventive Pet Health Care
Understanding how to manage your pet’s health involves making the right decisions throughout your pet’s life. Each of the following can help you keep your pet healthy and can often reduce the need to take your pet to the vet:
- Vaccinations
- Screenings for common diseases
- Heartworm, flea, and tick prevention
- A healthy diet
- Frequent exercise
Pet Wellness Exams
Studies have shown that pets who have routine checkups have a lower risk for diseases like heartworm, are less prone to injuries, and have longer life expectancies. It is important to take your pet to the vet for an annual pet wellness exam. Your vet can do bloodwork, check your pet’s vital signs, and give you more information about how to manage your pet’s health.
Signs of Abnormal Health in an Animal
One of the most important aspects of knowing how to manage your pet’s health is being aware of your animal’s habits.
How often does your cat use their litter box or does your dog ask to be walked? How often does your pet eat or drink? Where does your pet spend their time?
When you understand your pet’s routine and habits, it can be easier to recognize any abnormal behaviors that could be signs of illness or discomfort.
How to Know If a Pet Isn’t Feeling Well
Illness can affect the way animals interact with people and other animals. Many animals have an instinct to keep away from others until they heal. If an animal who is usually outgoing and friendly suddenly lashes out or hides when another animal or a family member comes near, it could be a sign of a problem.
A cat or dog might change their behavior when it’s sick. It might be lethargic or irritable or have changes in their eating habits. If a pet is suffering from fleas, ticks, or skin allergies, you may notice excessive scratching, fur loss in affected areas, or irritability.
How to Keep Your Dog or Cat Healthy
Dogs and cats form deep relationships with their owners and other members of the family. Taking your pet in for regular vet visits, playing and exercising with them, and watching their diet are just a few ways to make sure that your dog or cat will be able to enjoy time with your family for many years.
Trust Your Pet’s Health to Us at Gables Animal Clinic in Coral Gables, FL
Give your pets a happy and healthy life by bringing them to visit us at Gables Animal Clinic in Coral Gables, FL. Our team wants to make sure that your pets have the medical care that they need. For more information about how to manage your pet’s health, call us at (305) 384-6983 to schedule an appointment today.
