Pets live for only a few years relative to humans, but you can proactively optimize your pet’s life quality and longevity. Comprehensive preventive health care, appropriate nutrition, and daily exercise can help ward off disease and keep pets in excellent physical and mental shape. The Advanced Veterinary Medical Center team provides essential tips for keeping pets in peak health.

1. Pet vaccinations

Vaccinations help protect pets, pet owners, and the community from serious infectious diseases, such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and feline leukemia. Keeping vaccinations up-to-date helps safeguard your pet’s health and prevents disease from spreading. Our team can develop a personalized vaccination schedule based on your furry pal’s age and lifestyle. Vaccinations should begin when pets are between 6 and 8 weeks of age and continue throughout their lives. 

2. Pet wellness visits

Routine wellness examinations and diagnostic screening tests facilitate early health problem detection. The earlier our team can diagnose a hidden problem, the more likely your pet will respond positively to treatment. Wellness visits include a weight check, complete physical examination, parasite screening, and age-specific diagnostic testing. At an annual wellness visit, we will also discuss behavioral health, nutrition, and exercise, and answer your questions or concerns.

3. Proper pet nutrition

A well-balanced diet must include suitable protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamin, and mineral ratios to meet your pet’s needs. Your pet’s nutritional requirements vary based on life stage, activity level, health history, breeding status, and individual genetics. Our team can recommend pet food brands that invest in extensive research, feeding trials, and specific formulas that address pet health concerns. 

4. Regular pet exercise

Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, provides mental stimulation, allows pets to burn off excess energy, and can help prevent behavior problems. The amount and type recommended for your furry pal depends on age, breed, and health status. Dogs benefit from daily walks, playtime, or training sessions, while cats benefit from interactive toys and climbing structures. 

5. Pet dental care

Dental care is often overlooked, but is vital to your pet’s health, as they use their mouths to explore, eat, groom, communicate, and play. Unhealthy teeth and gums because of poor dental hygiene can lead to significant pain, reduced quality of life, and a risk of infection that may spread to other organs. Regular toothbrushing with pet-safe toothpaste, dental chews, and regular professional dental cleanings can help keep your pet’s mouth healthy.

6. Pet parasite prevention

Parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and worms, can cause health issues for pets. Fleas and ticks cause itchy bites and can transmit potentially deadly diseases, such as Lyme disease or the plague. Heartworms cause extensive heart and lung damage, while intestinal worms can cause malnutrition or chronic diarrhea. Veterinarian-recommended flea, tick, and heartworm preventives year-round protect your pet’s health at a reasonable cost. Routine parasite checks and screening tests help ensure preventive programs work and your pet stays parasite-free.

7. Pet spaying and neutering

Spaying or neutering pets prevents unwanted puppies and kittens and reduces the risk of reproductive cancers and some behavioral issues. Our team recommends elective sterilization surgery for all pets who are not participants in a responsible breeding program. Ideal procedure timing depends on the pet’s species, breed, and expected adult size.

8. Pet mental stimulation 

A brown and white dog sits on a wooden floor, focused intently on three upside-down cups arranged in front. With a veterinarian’s precision, the person’s hand points to the cups, possibly playing a shell game. Shelves and a chair are visible in the background.

Exercising your pet’s mind is as essential as exercising their body. Playtime, training sessions, and social outings prevent boredom, anxiety, and destructive behaviors. Additionally, mental stimulation can affect cognitive dysfunction, which may strike your older pet. Rotating your pet’s toys and training session topics keeps things fresh and exciting.

9. Pet grooming

Regular grooming keeps your pet’s skin and coat in optimal condition and you can more easily check for skin issues or parasites. Most pets benefit from routine brushing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning, while long-haired pets may require professional grooming sessions every one to two months. 

Providing comprehensive preventive veterinary and at-home care can ensure your pet lives a long, healthy life. Contact our Advanced Veterinary Medical Center team to schedule a wellness screening appointment, or to learn more about your furry pal’s specific health needs.