While owning a pet can bring some of the greatest joys in life, it is important that you know how to provide your cat or dog with lifelong care. Today our Fairhaven vets share routine care checklists for cats and dogs and how pet wellness plans can help make care more affordable.
Dog Routine Care Checklist:
Routine pet care happens both at home and with our Fairhaven vets. It is good to know what needs to be done, and how often.
These are things that will need to be taken care of by a professional and can be covered under pet wellness plans:
- Ticks and fleas
- Worming (intestinal and heartworm)
- Vaccinations
- Grooming
- Dental hygiene
These are things that will need to be taken care of at home.
- Exercising -- your dog needs a lot of exercise like daily walks, and plenty of outside time
- Feeding -- your dog will thrive if they have a consistent feeding schedule
- Cleaning -- it is important to clean your dog at home in between professional grooming to maintain their clean coat.
Cat Routine Care Checklist:
Just like with dogs, your cats will need to have routine care from both our New England Animal Hospital vets and you at home.
These are things that will be managed by a professional:
- Ticks and fleas
- Worming (intestinal and heartworm)
- Vaccinations
- Grooming
- Physical checks
- Dental hygiene
Pet wellness plans for dogs and cats can help make the cost of routine care more manageable allowing you to focus on pet wellness and care for lifelong health.
Cats need a few extra things at home because they may not have outside time like a dog but will still need exercise.
These are the things you can set up at your home:
- Play and exercise -- your cat may sleep a lot but they do require playtime and exercise. It's important to make sure they have enough space to run around.
- Feeding -- like dogs, cats prefer to be fed at the same time each day. So having a feeding schedule is important.
- Cleaning -- your cat will clean itself regularly, but if you notice a lack of cleaning you will want to contact the vet right away, this could be a sign of something more serious.
- Housing -- cats need to have a "home" inside your home. Something they can climb on, scratch, and sleep in.
- Toys -- toys are important for cats as well. They love toys that stimulate their mind.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.