Why are regular vet appointments important?

When you have a pet, whether it’s a dog, cat, or another animal, it’s your responsibility to ensure they get the best care possible. This is why it’s important to schedule regular visits for your four-legged friend at a veterinary clinic. Unfortunately, many pet parents underestimate the importance of regular veterinary services. So this article is going to delve into a few key reasons why all animals should visit a local veterinarian at least once a year.

Vaccinations: There are numerous diseases pets can be exposed to, especially when they’re around other animals. This is why it’s important to keep up-to-date with your pet’s vaccinations. Vaccines like distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus all play a key role in keeping your animal as healthy as possible. If they don’t receive their vaccines when needed, they may come down with a life-threatening condition. A veterinary clinic can help remind pet owners when vaccines are needed and administer them at regular visits.

Dental check-ups: Unless you have an extremely calm animal, chances are, your pet isn’t going to let you brush their teeth. But just like humans, animals need their teeth looked at and cleaned as needed. Without a proper examination, animals may not get the teeth cleaning they need. About 80% of dogs and 70% of cats are diagnosed with periodontal disease by the age of three — so it’s important to visit the vet for a good check up. Vets can check your pet’s teeth, clean them as necessary, and ultimately prevent or manage any dental problems.

Early disease detection: As a pet owner, it isn’t always easy to tell if something is wrong with your pet. Unless your animal is showing clear signs of being in pain or not feeling well, humans don’t always know what to look for. Fortunately, veterinarians are trained to know what to look for during a routine examination. Whether it’s a bacterial infection, a problem with their weight, or deteriorating hips in senior pets, visiting the vet regularly can help detect problems and disease as early as possible. This way, treatment can be started and the problem can be addressed appropriately.

These are just a few of the many reasons pet owners should make regular vet visits. So if you have a pet, make sure you contact your local vet for a check-up appointment.