With cold weather just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about how to keep yourself and your family healthy--but when it comes to the pets, staying safe isn't as easy as pulling out the warm coats and stocking up on cough syrup! Although pets aren't susceptible to all the same germs as we humans are, there are plenty of illnesses that your pet can catch during the chillier days of the year. What can you do? Today, our experts at the pet vaccination clinic will explain.
The Best Defense
Although there are plenty of things you can do to keep your pets healthy and happy through the cold months, the most important step is to keep up with vaccinations. Vaccinations are absolutely crucial to your pet's health for a variety of reasons, most notably because up-to-date shots are one of the most reliable proactive measures available--and, as we all know, a little bit of proactive work now can prevent a lot of expensive, painful, and exhausting reactive work later on. Pet vaccinations also provide an extra layer of protection for the times when risks are too numerous or too widespread to avoid completely--like, for example, at a dog park, where it's impossible to keep Fido away from every single germ. Pet vaccination clinics offer unique plans that help keep your pet on a regular vaccination schedule capable of meeting health goals set by you and your vet. Remember, as cold weather draws ever closer, there will be more and more opportunities for your pet to come into contact with "pet germs" from other animals; don't underestimate the importance of vaccinations.
A Little Help
Vaccinations are the first step toward protecting your pets, but once the shots have been administered, there's still more you can do to keep your pets out of danger and away from germs. This is especially true when it comes to gatherings where multiple pets are present, or where your pet has the opportunity to come into contact with strange animals. Although such situations do carry risks, it's possible to enjoy "pet socials" without worrying about health concerns--as long as you know what to do to keep your animals healthy. Here's a little advice from our pet health experts on how to make the winter months germ-free and happy!
- Cleanup. One of the most important things you can do to protect your animals--and others' animals, too--is to properly clean up and dispose of your pet's stool. It's not just courtesy; allowing your pets to come into contact with the droppings of other animals can spread diseases, so cleanup is your way of protecting a healthy pet environment.
- Be vigilant. When it comes to socializing pets, there are a lot of health risks--but a little bit of vigilance goes a long way. If your pet is sick, don't take it out or allow it near other animals; similarly, if you notice someone else's pet looking unwell, don't let your own animal get too close. Always remember to wash your hands after contact with any possibly-ill animal to protect your pets.
- Wildlife. Dogs love wildlife--or chasing wildlife, maybe. The truth is that those furry passers-by can bring health problems for your animals. Don't let pets interact with wildlife, don't approach wildlife yourself, and always report a wild animal that appears to be acting strangely.
Remember, it's crucial to visit your local clinic and get your pets vaccinated, but after that, there's still more you can do to ensure that your animals (and everyone else's) remain healthy and happy. If you want more information on vaccination plans for your pet, vaccinations themselves, or preventative health measures, contact us today!
