Wellness Wednesday: Plan Your Pet’s Year

Prince Buddy is hoping you’ll make a plan for him!

If you’ve been late on your pet’s yearly vaccinations, procrastinated on grooming sessions, or missed a month of flea/tick preventative, you’re not alone. You’re not a bad pet parent – you just don’t have a plan! There is no better time than right now to pencil in all your pet’s important dates on your calendar so you don’t forget.

Here’s everything you should schedule to keep your pet happy and healthy this year!

Medicine

A pill dispenser with the days of the week can be a huge help for those who have trouble remembering if you’ve given your pet (or yourself!) their medications for the day. Be sure to stock up on whatever they like to have their treats hidden in – you don’t want to get caught chasing your pet around the house trying to get them to take their medicine!

Don’t forget to mark down the day of the month your pet’s heartworm and flea/tick preventative are due – keeping them on prevention all year round is the best way to avoid heartworm disease, fleas, and tick-borne illnesses. 

Vaccinations

Check the date on your pet’s veterinary records and circle that on this year’s calendar so you don’t forget when to take them in. The SPCA of Texas provides low-cost vaccinations – learn more at spca.org/clinicservices. To make things easy, schedule their annual check-up on this date as well.

Grooming

If you have a pet who needs extra attention due to a long or thick coat, go ahead and book a monthly or bimonthly appointment with your groomer so that is taken care of. Groomers often have busy schedules and will appreciate having a long heads up on when you’re coming in.

For those who groom their pets themselves, set a date every two weeks or so to trim your pet’s nails and brush out their coats. A regular grooming schedule will help keep your home (relatively) free of pet fur and keep overgrown claws from damaging your floors and furniture.

Dental Care

If you’re not brushing your pet’s teeth, you’re leaving your pet at risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Daily brushing is a great choice, but if that doesn’t fit into your busy schedule, try to brush their teeth twice a week for good dental health. In between brushings, give them a dental chew or treat to help reduce tartar buildup and keep their breath minty fresh! At your next veterinary appointment, ask your vet to look at your pet’s teeth and tell you if they need a dental cleaning sometime soon. If the answer is yes, our Customer Care Center can help set you up with a dental cleaning at the SPCA of Texas’ Mary Spencer Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic in South Dallas. Just call 214-742-7722!