For many of us our pets are our babies, part of the family and we love to spoil them. Being the best pet parent mean’s lots of things from veterinary care to taking them for walks and lots in between. We are going to talk about the different ways you can give your pet the best life ever.
Veterinary Care is a very important part of loving your pet. They rely on you to protect them from diseases and parasites, take them to the vet when they are sick and keep on top of any medical issues they have. They can’t tell us what’s wrong, so by being vigilant and knowing what is normal or abnormal behaviour you will know when your pet needs some extra care.
Keeping for your pets vaccinations up to date is one of the most important things you can do for them. This will protect them against catching potentially fatal diseases such as Canine Parvovirus and Feline Calicivirus.
Cats & dogs need to be wormed every 3 months for life to help keep intestinal worms at bay. Worms can cause weight loss, skin issues and if left untreated, worm’s can damage your pet’s internal organs.
Either a monthly tablet or yearly injection will protect your dog from potentially fatal heartworm. Heartworms are parasites that are able to live inside the arteries of the lung and chambers of a pet’s heart and feed on surrounding blood.
Tick/Flea protection not only stops your pet from being uncomfortable (imagine having fleas and scratching all the time) but could save their life. If left untreated a tick can be deadly. Even when using a tick treatment you should check your pet daily and remove any ticks before calling your vet for advice.
As your pet gets older they will need additional care, it’s recommended that pet’s over 7 get regular health checks and blood test as this can help pick up any issues before they become too serious.
Food
Knowing what to feed your pet can be difficult, there are so many varieties and brands to choose from. There are many food’s designed to support your pet through the different stages of their life as well as to assist with any medical problems.
If you aren’t sure if you are feeding your pet the best food for them speak to one of our lovely nurses who will be able to discuss the needs of your pet and make some recommendations to fit your budget.
Training
Loving your pet means helping them be the best they can be and this means giving them some training. A well trained pet is a happy pet as they can enjoy being part of the family, they are generally more relaxed in their home environment and can have fun on dog friendly outings. We have many handouts to help with training if you need them.
Enrichment
As a member of your family your pet needs to be entertained and stimulated on a daily basis. This can be taking them for a walk, providing them with toys or making puzzles for them to work out. Training is also a great way to give them mental stimulation as well as helping them be the best they can be. We have many fun and exciting toys for you to pick from and even have a recipe sheet to turn a Kong chew into a yummy treat. Just ask our nurses on your next visit.
Exercise
Is very important to not only keep your pet fit and healthy but is a great bonding time too. There’s nothing better than taking your dog for a long walk on the beach or playing with your cat. We are lucky enough to live in an amazing part of Australia with many dog friendly parks and dog walks to choice from in suburbs such as Wyee, Summerland Point, Warnervale, Woongarrah, San Remo & Budgewoi.
And of course cuddles
Cuddles, kisses, belly rubs, ear scratches, chin rubs are just a few of the ways to show your pet how much you love them. Your pet will thrive on being close to you and feeling loved and safe will make them a very happy fur baby.
Ultimately having a pet is a privilege and it’s our job as fur parents to do everything we can to make their life the best it can be. Love them with all your heart and you will be rewarded with one of the greatest gifts out there – unconditional love.
