If you’re a pet owner, you probably dread the visits to the veterinarian as much as your fur baby does. First there’s getting your pet actually into the car, then keeping them calm in the waiting room and you can just forget about any sense of calm when they see the needles. While visits to the animal hospital can be stressful, they are absolutely necessary. Here’s how often you should be taking your pet to the animal hospital for a vet checkup:
If you have a dog or cat under 10 years…
Take them once a year. (This is a minimum. You may want to go more often if your pet is having behavioral issues or needs help with diet and exercise.)
If you have a dog or cat over 10 years…
Take them every six months. Older animals should see a vet much more frequently as age can lead to all sorts of health problems.
If you have a rabbit or hamster or other small pet…
Take them once a year.
If your pet is showing signs of illness or acting abnormal…
Take them to the animal hospital immediately.
Sometimes people think routine veterinary care checkups are a waste of money or not worth the time. However, they are an important part of keeping your pet healthy and happy. Often they are a good preventive care measure as a veterinarian can detect underlying conditions before they get too serious. This not only saves you money down the road by avoiding expensive pet surgery or medication but also could save your pet’s life.
Additionally, a routine checkup at an animal hospital can provide helpful services such as dental cleaning, keeping vaccinations up to date and monitoring your pet’s behavior. Vets can also help with properly administering medicine like antibiotics as some medicine needs to be continued even after a pet is healed. If it’s been over a year since your pet has been looked at by a veterinarian, don’t hesitate to make an appointment at your local animal hospital today because a healthy pet is a happy pet!
