The core concept behind the idea of “wellness” is prevention.
And by prevention, we mean maintaining a level of health to avoid a larger health crisis. To attain a level of “good wellness” requires staying up to date on your pet's health from nose to tail. Here are some things to keep in mind when being proactive on your pet’s wellness:
Medical Care
Visit the vet clinic every six months to stay current on their health. As they age, especially older, larger-breed dogs and cats and small dogs around age 12, some lab tests are good to consider getting ordered to make sure everything is working well from the inside and out.
Insurance
Modern medicine for pets can run into the thousands, and no matter how you feel about the ethics of the situation, if you get a big medical bill there’s often no one but you to pay it. You don’t want your pet’s health to get stuck in the middle. Medical insurance for pets can help take the sting out of a big medical fiasco and let you think of what is right for your pet, not just the price tag.
Spaying/Neutering
One of the easiest things you can do to help your pet stay healthy is the simple act of having your pet spayed (if female) or neutered (if male). Only pedigreed dogs and cats enrolled in a breeding program designed to improve a particular breed should not be spayed or neutered. The health benefits of spaying/neutering include:
- Reduced risk of mammary (breast) cancer
- Reduced risk of prostate infections
- No risk of uterine infection (pyometra)
- No risk of pregnancy and pregnancy complications or C-section
- Reduced risk of roaming behavior, fights and trauma
- No risk of testicular cancer
Aside from the health benefits to your pet, spaying or neutering your pet can also help alleviate the pet overpopulation problem. Tens of thousands of unwanted pets are needlessly put to sleep each year in shelters. Spaying and neutering are relatively simple surgeries with minimal complications. It is far easier to have these procedures performed on younger pets (usually around than 4 to 6 months old) with smaller reproductive organs than after your pet has reached maturity (usually around 9 to 12 months old), or is already pregnant.
Flea and Tick Control
C’mon, you didn’t think we’d forget that, did you? Fleas and ticks are not only gross and itchy, but they can also transmit deadly diseases like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and many more. An easy, once-a-month topical application of PetArmor® Plus can help kill and prevent fleas and ticks from spreading illnesses to your pet. That’s wellness and prevention if I've ever heard of it!
A few simple steps can make sure that your pet stays healthy and by your side for years to come. Continue to support your pet’s wellness journey with the help of PetArmor®.
