The new year is a time for fresh starts and resolutions, not only for you but for your beloved pet as well! As your trusted veterinary clinic, Commonwealth Animal Care is here to help you set some meaningful New Year’s resolutions for your furry friend. Let’s make 2024 a year of health, happiness, and cherished moments together.

#1: Schedule regular wellness visits

Start the year on the right paw by scheduling your pet’s regular wellness visit with our team. These checkups are essential for early disease detection and prevention. Each visit includes a comprehensive exam that allows us to check for subtle disease signs. To look beneath the surface, we will also recommend wellness screening tests that help us detect life-threatening conditions, such as kidney failure and heartworm disease, during the early stages. Early detection is always better because it gives us a chance to start treatment that can cure the disease or slow progression, which can translate to many more happy years for your pet.

Your pet’s wellness visit will also include vaccines, which build the foundation for protection against infectious diseases. We will assess your pet’s lifestyle and individual risks, and recommend the vaccines that best fit their needs.

#2: Prioritize parasite prevention

Parasites are not only a nuisance but can also pose serious health risks to your pet. Every pet should receive year-round protection against the following parasites:

  • Fleas — In addition to causing irritation and itching, fleas can transmit tapeworms if your pet accidentally ingests one while grooming.
  • Ticks — Ticks can transmit many dangerous diseases, including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and Ricky Mountain spotted fever.
  • Heartworms — Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and cause deadly heart failure if they are not eliminated in the larval stage.
  • Intestinal parasites — Your pet can pick up many intestinal parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms, from the environment. 

Make it a resolution to protect your pet from these pesky and dangerous parasites. We can recommend safe and effective preventive products tailored to your pet’s needs and lifestyle.

#3: Embrace dental care

Do you know that up to 80% of pets have dental disease by their third birthday? Oral health is a critical aspect of your pet’s overall well-being, but without regular care, your pet’s teeth can quickly develop dental disease. This resolution involves two parts:

  • Professional dental cleanings — Like you, your pet requires regular dental cleanings to scrape away plaque and tartar that build up on their teeth. Schedule a professional dental cleaning to start with a clean slate that will allow you to keep up with your pet’s dental care at home.
  • Toothbrushing — Daily toothbrushing scrubs away plaque before it becomes tartar, which coats your pet’s teeth and creeps below the gumline to weaken the periodontal ligament. Periodontal disease causes tooth root infection, pain, and tooth loss, but can be prevented with regular brushing.

Commit to regular dental care in 2024 to prevent painful and costly dental issues and improve your pet’s quality of life.

#4: Get moving together

Like their owners, pets need regular exercise to stay physically and mentally healthy. With more than half the pet population overweight or obese, exercise is a critical part of your pet’s wellness routine. Staying fit can help stave off weight-related diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes. Additionally, exercise provides important mental benefits and prevents boredom-related behavior problems. 

Whether you choose daily walks, interactive playtime, or hiking new trails together (or a new adventure each day) resolve to keep your pet active and engaged. As an added bonus, exercising together will also strengthen your bond.

#5: Spend quality time with your pet

Your pet thrives on companionship and affection, so try to dedicate more quality time to snuggling, playing, and enjoying life’s simple pleasures together. Whether it’s a cozy movie night, an adventure at the park, or just cuddles on the couch, your pet will cherish these moments with you.

As you embark on a new year, remember that your pet relies on you for their well-being and happiness. By setting these New Year’s resolutions for your furry friend, you’re ensuring they lead a healthy and fulfilling life. Your commitment to their health and happiness will be rewarded with boundless love and cherished memories in the year ahead. 

As your partner in your pet’s health, we are here to help in any way we can. Schedule an appointment with the Commonwealth Animal Care team to start the year off right. Cheers to a wonderful 2024 with your beloved pet!