Owning a pet requires more than just providing the basics of food, water, and shelter; it is a long-term commitment to a relationship for the life of the animal. Veterinarians can help establish a happy and healthy bond for both pet and client when they create an awareness of what it takes to become a responsible pet owner.

Responsible pet care starts with being attentive to the following six tips.

1. Annual Physical Examination

• An annual physical examination is recommended.
• Information from established records of annual physical examinations can indicate a change in an animal’s health, which helps to provide early detection of an illness.
• Veterinarians who are aware of an animal’s health and risk factors--such as geographic location and lifestyle--can customize a vaccination schedule that will decrease the risk of transmittable diseases to support and provide a pet with a longer, healthier life.

2. Annual Dental Examinations

• An annual dental examination that includes scaling and polishing is recommended to guard against most pet dental problems.
• Recorded dental examination findings may indicate changes in an animal’s oral health to alert to issues of dental disease.
• Annual dental check-ups may provide information that signal the need to change procedures at home that impact dental care. For example, an increase in plaque and tartar build-up may point to changes needed in the animal’s diet, and the onset of periodontal disease may be slowed by recommending alternative teeth brushing practices. 

3. Preventing Illnesses with Parasiticides

Clients should be informed that:

• Fleas, ticks and mites are the most common external parasites of dogs and cats worldwide and can cause dermatological disorders, allergic reactions and transmit vectors of disease and parasites.
• Internal parasites such as tapeworm, heartworm and roundworm, can cause varying symptoms of irritation, illness, and even death, and some can be transmitted to humans.
• Heartworm prevention is important for cats as there is no approved drug therapy for Feline Heartworm infection.
• Products for parasite control have been developed for external, internal and environmental use, and are dependent on the situation and need.
• Treating animals year-round with preventative parasite control products is recommended.
• Some treatments require completion of blood or fecal examinations prior to use.

4. Diet and Exercise

Clients should be aware that exercise and mental stimulation is essential for all pets and that the amount needed is dependent on the pet’s age, breed and health.

• Animals who don’t have the ability to release energy can exhibit problem behaviors such as:
  • Destructive chewing, digging and scratching
  • Jumping up on people, furniture and countertops
  • Rough play
  • Barking, whining and pacing
  • Hyperactivity
  • Night-time activity
• The benefits of daily activity can be seen in behaviors such as:
• Reduced or eliminated destructive problems
• Reduced digestive problems
• Increased bonding with owners
• Maintained healthy weight
• Encouraged sleep and restful behavior
• Knowing what type of food and how to feed is important to prevent weight-related health problems.
• Encourage clients to ask questions about weight management issues and the proper dietary needs for their pet.

5. Identification

Pets should always be properly identified in ways such as:

• Microchip-always keep chip registration information up to date!
• Collars with tags that identify contact information
• Local licensing ordinances

6. Care for a Senior Pet

Advances in veterinary medicine help animals live longer than ever before, but the increased lifespan brings about different needs for adaptation and medical attention. Clients who are educated to recognize the differences in this period of their pet’s life can work with their veterinarian to develop a plan to provide for their senior animal.
Points for clients to consider:

• The set age for becoming a senior aged animal
• Typically small breeds live longer than large breeds
• Cats generally live longer than dogs
• The living conditions, health, and breed of an animal play an important part in the aging process
• As a pet ages, changes may become noticeable, for instance:
• Loss of kidney function
•  Incontinence or excessive urination
• With early detection, both are treatable
• Sensory and cognitive changes
• Sensory reactions appear slower
• Gradual loss of mental sharpness
• Important to keep pet mentally active and stimulated
• Exercise is important
• Inactivity in a senior pet can hasten physical decline
• Healthy senior pets should continue with adapted exercise regimen
• Arthritic or ill animals need to be kept as mentally and physically active as possible
• Nutritional needs change
• When activity levels change, nutritional levels change also
• Obesity in a senior animal can easily occur
• Senior animals may suffer from nutritional deficiencies

Veterinarians who educate their clients in ways to become responsible pet owners can create a rapport with the client that will focus on supporting a pet’s happy, healthy, and long life.

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