New Year’s Resolutions for Optimal Pet Wellness
Half of all people make New Year’s Resolutions, and yet only a small percentage keep them going. It’s great to be optimistic about the future, but it’s equally important to keep our goals realistic. Luckily, when it comes to pet wellness, objectives are not only straightforward, they’re attainable to boot! Join us in discovering and supporting New Year’s Resolutions for our pets.
It’s Elementary, Dear Pet Owner
Perhaps the easiest way to move forward this coming year is to simply maintain your pet’s routine wellness exam. Whether they should be seen once or twice a year, we use the time to their advantage. We discuss all the potential ways you can support pet wellness in the approaching months, and help you with any positive changes.
Staying in front of illness is the primary target during these routine visits. The earlier we intervene, the longer a pet may live and enjoy a high quality of life. This means you maximize the time you have with your best friend, a goal that benefits you both.
No One’s First Choice
One of the reasons pet wellness slides as they age is the fact that dental care gets the back burner. Good dental health is an element of pet wellness that cannot be understated. Connected to systemic illness, such as liver or heart disease, poor dental health has a negative effect on a pet’s overall health.
In the new year, embrace the idea of brushing your pet’s teeth 1-2 times a week. Neither of you will love this at first. But once it’s accepted as a habit, you can both reap the benefits of good dental health.
Additionally, dental cleanings can impact pet wellness. We can scale and polish the teeth, prevent future damage, and assess problems with digital X-rays. This can be done safely under anesthesia and we’re happy to walk you through every step of the journey.
The Play’s the Thing
We all get stuck in ruts. However, pet wellness hinges on how regularly they move their furry little legs. Daily exercise is part of the puzzle, and requires commitment and enthusiasm. The best part about this is that pet exercise usually makes pet owners feel good, too. Moving around together strengthens the bond between you and your pet while ncreasing your health and theirs, two.
Keep the weight off, joints moving, and minds happy with daily pet exercise.
Re-Thinking Pet Nutrition
If you’ve noticed a little bit of a slide regarding your pet’s meal times, portions, and begging for extra snacks, it might be time to address their nutritional needs. That being said, however, changes to your pet’s diet should only be done after a veterinary consultation and a slow transition to a new product. Sudden changes to your pet’s eating routine can have unhealthy consequences.
In the new year, measure out portions exactly. Count their calories, and alter them based on how much exercise they take in on a day-to-day basis. Only provide high-value, healthy treats, and reward them with extra play time and affection instead of extra calories.
Pet Wellness in the New Year
Changing things up a bit is great any time of the year, but the new year really adds momentum. If you need help assessing your pet’s needs, please give us a call at (207) 729-4678. From all of us at Androscoggin Animal Hospital, Happy New Year!