Want Your Dog to Live Longer? It Starts With This Simple Habit

The American Veterinary Association (AVMA) had conducted a study which showed that 70% of pets have dental diseases by the age of three. These small issues go unseen until they are irreversible. Visits to the doctor allows the early detection of these underlying issues.

All animals are masters at hiding their pain even while being right in front of your eyes. A dog with joint pain will still wags its tail when you appear in front of them, cats will suffer through kidney diseases without making a sound and, a rabbit may keep chewing on items until the pain wins. Our little family members suffer in silence until we take notice of their difficulties. The duty of taking care of them falls entirely upon us, as they depend on trust and commitment.

If detected early diseases like arthritis and, diabetes can be cured through simple home remedies rather than high risk treatments. Diseases mentioned earlier can be easily identified through simple blood tests instead of going through painful surgeries at a decisive stage. Visits for precautionary sake are not as costly as treatments for high risk illnesses which is an important way to keep the costs of owning a pet low and affordable.

As we service our cars every year to prevent any unforeseen situations, the same way we have to make sure our pets visit a vet at least once a year for a full body checkup to avoid them from developing any fatal diseases in the long term and monthly visits for any acute diseases that arise in the present.

Taking out time and visiting the vet with your pet will all be worth it once you see how healthy the reports come back.

During a visit a vet must check a few details like

• The heartbeat of the animal
• The ears, eyes and teeth for any infections
• Feel the body for any lumps or irregularities
• Give the required and updated vaccinations

If the need arises the doctor might also suggest blood tests, x-rays and urine tests for the sole reason of precaution. The visit costs are a form of investment, just like we have our health insurance.

The number of visits in a year also depend on the age of your pet. A young puppy or kitten might need to visit the vet more often to monitor growth and get vaccines, on the other hand a dog or cat aged between three to seven might need to visit the vet annually.

Aging is not an illness, it just makes animals susceptible to chronic diseases present in their surroundings. In the case of aged pets appropriate precautions must be taken in severe conditions such as Arthritis and Diabetes. Such conditions result in the weakening of their health as well as shortening their lifespan. As to say, no pet owner has the will power to watch their furry companions in such discomfort suffering through all the pain.

The result of a survey conducted by Banfield Pet Hospital in 2023 showed that senior animals who visited the vet twice a year lived on for almost two years more than those who visited annually. This shows that regular visits will give back to you in the form of extra years of companionship.

When a child gets sick, it plays on the mind of the parent. In the same way when a pet falls ill, it takes a toll on the mind of the owner. Regular health checkups help in keeping the peace of mind one needs. Uncertainty is stressful as it is. Not knowing the reason of what is irritating your pet makes it more stressful than the owner can handle.

Uncertain situations can arise at any given moment. Keeping a medical record on file by visiting the vet regularly, makes it easier to diagnose what went wrong and how it can be treated with the least amount of discomfort. Full body checkups offer understanding to both, the pet owners and the vets.

Every year spent with your pet is a blessing. So why not take the necessary precautions and prolong the inevitable. Pets deserve the best of what you can do for them as they are the ones who truly give love and affection without any prior conditions. Routine visits are not just to add years to their lives, but to add life into your years.

We as humans get our yearly health checkup not because we feel unwell, but because we want to make sure everything inside is functioning us is the way it should be. Pets deserve the same amount of care if not more. A visit to a vet is a promise of a healthy life made by you to your pets.

These visits are not just for the health of your pets, it is for honouring the trust that they have in you for taking care of all their needs, small and big. Those few minutes of the year spent at the vet will make sure of additional years in your life filled with wagging tails, purrs and love.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How often should I take my pet for a vet checkup?
   Most pets should visit the vet at least once a year, while senior pets or those with health issues may need more frequent visits.
2. Why are routine vet visits important if my pet seems healthy?
   Regular checkups help detect hidden illnesses early, preventing serious health problems later.
3. What happens during a regular vet checkup?
   The vet examines your pet’s overall health, checks for early signs of disease, and may recommend vaccinations or tests.