Congratulations on your new pet! Whether you’re a first-time pet owner or have had pets in the past, it’s always exciting to bring a furry, scaled, or feathered friend into your home! To give your pet the best possible start, there are some crucial steps you should take to ensure they have a healthy and happy year ahead. Here at Homey Gnome Veterinary Clinic, we’ve got some tips for getting your pet off on the right paw or claw!
Start with a Trip to the Vet
As soon as you get your new pet, make sure to schedule an appointment with us here at Homey Gnome Veterinary Clinic. Our staff will provide your pet with a thorough checkup and discuss any vaccinations they may need. Even if you adopted an adult pet from a shelter or rescue organization, bring them in for an exam so that our veterinarians can assess their overall health and address any potential medical issues.
Feeding Your Pet Right
Proper nutrition is essential for your pet’s health and well-being. No matter what species you bring into your home, it’s important to provide food that matches their age range and specific nutritional needs.
For example, puppies and kittens have different nutritional needs than adult animals because they are still growing, so make sure to ask our veterinarians about which food is best for your animal’s age group. If you adopt an older animal, ask about their previous diet and if possible try not to switch brands too quickly so as not to upset their stomachs. We can also help answer any questions about portion size or additional supplements that may be necessary for optimal nutrition depending on the breed of your pet.
Keep Your Pet Up-to-Date on Vaccinations
Vaccines protect against serious diseases such as distemper and rabies that can be especially dangerous in young animals whose immune systems are still developing. We recommend scheduling regular exams throughout the year so that we can monitor your pet’s health closely while also making sure all vaccinations remain up-to-date. This way, you can rest assured that both you and your beloved pet are protected against preventable illnesses (not to mention saving money on expensive treatments down the line!).
Get Your Pet on a Parasite Prevention Plan
Did you know that many parasites that affect our pets can also affect the humans that care for them? To make sure your family and pets remain healthy and happy, we recommend instituting a monthly parasite prevention program for your pets. Our staff can advise you on the best type of medication for your pet’s size, age, and lifestyle. This will help protect your pet from preventable diseases that may be spread by ticks, fleas, or mosquitos (i.e. heartworm).
To make it simple, we have an online store for you to easily refill your pet’s parasite prevention products, too!
A great start begins with good preparation! By visiting us here at Homey Gnome Veterinary Clinic early on in your journey together with your new furry friend, you can ensure they get off on the right foot with preventive healthcare measures like checkups, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and nutritional advice tailored specifically for them based on age group or breed type – all of which will go a long way toward helping keep them healthy throughout their lives! So don’t delay – schedule an appointment today so we can help share this year of great health together!
Image credit: Pexels