7 Things You Should Ask At A Vet Appointment

Many American households keep at least one dog or cat as a pet. Indeed, keeping pets has several benefits, but only if you know how to provide the right care. For example, dogs and cats are required by law to get booster shots to protect them from deadly rabies.

So when it's time to visit the vet, it will be helpful to arm yourself with questions that will get you more information on how to give your pet the best care. Below are a few.

Is There An Appropriate Diet For A Pet?

Yes, there is. Contrary to several misconceptions out there, your pets are not supposed to eat everything. Their digestive systems can be sensitive when exposed to certain meals. For example, it is discouraged to feed your pet cat bread. The yeast content can become toxic and could cause respiratory failure in your feline.

In the same way, you may want to avoid feeding your pet dog onion-based foods. Whether cooked or raw, this vegetable can lead to red blood cell damage in your canine friend. Indeed, there are several foods you should avoid, which explains the benefits of sticking to approved feeds only. It is better to stay on the right path to save your pet from unintended discomfort.

How Much Exercise Is Too Much For A Pet?

There is a good reason to help your pets get regular exercise, but whether it’s excessive or insufficient depends on the animal in question. For example, dogs require at least thirty minutes of daily exercise. For some breeds, however, two hours is appropriate. Therefore, it helps to consider the dog’s age and breed to make the best decision.

A very-well fed cat will easily pack on the pounds if you fail to get it to exercise. Ideally, two playtime sessions to get them running around can work wonders for their heart and blood circulation. Every animal is different. Therefore, depending on which one you have, please make an effort to ask your vet about their appropriate daily activity levels.

Is It Possible To Maintain Routine Oral Care For Pets?

Just like in humans, good oral care in household animals can improve overall well-being. Their teeth can have tartar buildup, and the gums have a higher possibility of infections. Periodontal disease is pretty common in dogs especially. As long as the pet is cooperative, you can brush their teeth about three times a week. If not, a vet is your best option to do this.

Thankfully, specific pet feeds can help to some extent in their oral care. However, try to avoid offering dry bones to your dog as a means to clean their teeth naturally. If you doubt the specific feeds that help and the frequency with which to clean your pet’s teeth, an appointment is an excellent time to ask the vet for ideas.

What Tests Should Be Done Annually?

For starters, there are annual booster shots, parasite prevention medications, blood works, fecal tests, to name a few. Indeed, it can be quite a long list of checks at the vet, and once again, it depends on the animal, its age, and the breed. Most pet owners sometimes fail to recognize that household pets can still get ill from the most unsuspecting errors.

Moreover, on special days when you walk pets to the park or the outdoors, they can pick up ticks from the environment. Subsequently, that could lead to anemia if left to linger without adequate treatment. Fortunately, these annual checks at the vet help to salvage the situation. Sometimes, though, some of these checks can be done earlier if you suspect your pet is ill.

Are There Common Diseases Peculiar To Breeds And Age?

Yes, there are. Indeed, there are tons of them that you can be mindful of. Moreover, certain breeds are easily predisposed to specific ailments that could be fatal. For example, Pitbulls tend to be diagnosed too often with hip dysplasia, skin allergies, cataracts, and thyroid disease. However, the Labrador has a different set of ailments they are commonly diagnosed with.

As long as vet visits become routine for you and your pet, most of these can be detected earlier and nipped in the bud. On a more positive note, the vet can recommend particular vitamins and minerals to keep these peculiar diseases at bay.

Is There Immediate Cause For Concern If The Pet Loses Appetite?

The immediate answer is yes, but only if the appetite loss continues for more than 48 hours. Some animals may go off food because they do not like them. In other instances, it could be due to a toothache or pain somewhere within the body. If appetite loss also comes with sluggishness and drooling, visit the Vet immediately.

Will Neutering Or Spaying Harm The Pet?

Absolutely not, as long as you have an experienced vet handling it. Neutering is the medical removal of the testicles to make your pet infertile. The decision to do any will depend on you with recommendations from the vet, focusing on the benefits.