Seasonal Pet Care and Reminders
Spring is here and it’s a fine time to think about the benefits of a “Spring
Tune-Up” for your pet. Here are some helpful tips and reminders:
- Pet owners who spend time outdoors with their best friends should
make certain they are protected with flea, tick and heartworm treatments and are
up-to-date on vaccinations. Commit to a regular veterinary check-up for your pet
and create a log that tracks treatment and vaccination dates.
- Think “safety” and check that your pet’s identification tags are
updated with your accurate phone or email information and securely fastened. For
optimum peace of mind, consider microchipping your pet as a way of permanently
ensuring that if you and your best friend are separated, he or she can be
tracked to you.
- Dental hygiene is another effective “Spring Tune-Up” tool, so
have your pet’s teeth checked and cleaned by a vet. Plaque, gum disease and
decay are known to lead to other ailments, thus, having a clean, well-maintained
mouth can add years to your pets’ lives.
- Schedule a professional grooming that includes a bath, haircut if
needed, and nail trimming. Often, a groomer can spot a skin condition or growth
that might be missed during a routine veterinary exam.
- Know your pet’s proper body weight and ask your vet if a special
diet is in order. In many parts of the country, warmer weather is approaching,
and for dogs, outdoor exercise can aid in controlling body weight. For felines,
monitoring their food intake can make a healthy difference.
- And most importantly, any time of the year, resolve to spay and
neuter your pets so that your animals don’t contribute to the large population
of unwanted litters.
CLICK HERE to download the Joplin Humane Society quarterly newsletter "Paws to Read". In this issue, you can ready a heartwarming successful adoption story about a little dog named "Rascal".
