Taking Care of Your Pet

1. Taking Care of Your Pet Every true pet lover goes out of their way to ensure their pet, that much-loved puppy or older dog, the playful kitten or lazy, senior fur friend that now sleeps a lot, is loved and cared for – and knows it too. A huge responsibility rests on humans’ shoulders from the moment they bring the new member into their home until that last moment when we have to say goodbye. Every pet owner should take care that they pay attention to certain issues to help ensure their pet stays happy and healthy and remains a cherished member of the household. What follows here as some very basic – but necessary – introductory tips to ensure that you and your pet are given the best chance of being together for a long time? Of course, there will be others, so add those that you believe apply to your own circumstances. THE ROLE OF THE VET IN ITS LIFE: This is extremely important. Always keep the vet’s contact details close by, not only for the regular 6-monthly or annual wellness exam and check-up, the times when they are checked for problems, and when they get their regular shots to ensure they remain healthy, but also for those times that immediate attention is required, such as during/after an accident, or a snake bite, or when open wounds after a fight need attention. Never simply assume the animal will “get over it” without medical attention- This is true for all cats and dogs. Know how to quickly reach the vet and the animal hospital or clinic. In addition to taking it to the vet for check-ups and at those times that they are unwell, always keep an eye on them in terms of how healthy/unhealthy their coat looks, if they show signs of irritation in or around their ears, or their eyes – or in their mouth. These could be warning signs of a situation that needs attention. Be aware. DIET: Pay attention to your animal’s diet. Feed them the most appropriate food, and remember, too much is not always good – an obese cat or dog will not be happy. So, in addition to the best food for their type and age, keep

2. treats to a minimum and make sure you include some form of exercise in their routine. SAFE SPACES: No matter where you live, in an apartment, a cottage or a sprawling estate, make sure your pets have a safe area where they can play, roam and rest, an area that is closed off from possible danger such as busy roads and other dangers. Cats are not that easy to control, but if they understand where their home, their safe space is, they will respond well in most cases. COMFORT: Always make sure you provide everything they need to be happy, comfortable and relaxed. Provide, in addition to regular food, also clean water at all times, a comfortable place to sleep, loose toys, an area where they can move around unhindered and not feel too hemmed in. Make sure they are comfortable, also – even especially - when you are not there with them. KEEP IT OCCUPIED : Bored pets are often unhappy pets, and not keeping them occupied may lead to certain behavioral issues such as listlessness, nervousness, anxiety, spells of becoming undisciplined and times when they become naughty. So, keep them occupied by playing with them often, by introducing them to a variety of ball and other games, by taking them for regular long walks and by making sure they never spend too much time on their own. Dogs are very social animals and thrive on human interaction. Of course, cats also react well to attention, to being played with even if games may differ from those you devise for your dog. Keep the cat occupied, spend lots of time with them and shower them with love. It helps to keep them happy and well. The above are only a few tips that can go a long way towards keeping your dog or cat happy and loved. About Us: At Powell Veterinary Service we offer all pet owners almost 30 years of dedicated, unrivaled service to ensure their pets remain healthy and happy. We offer a great experience and are proud of the services we offer with regard to all aspects of animal care. We perform surgeries, we spay and neuter, we offer boarding facilities and we provide puppies for different activities that appeal to our clients. At PVS we also offer a wellness service for pets to ensure any conditions are picked up early. We are Kersey, CO-based and serve the surrounding areas. We are available by appointment, but also for emergency situations. Pets are our passion and we ensure that your animal receives excellent treatment from our practice. For more about us please visit https://powellvets.com