New Year's Resolutions for your Pets

New Year’s Resolutions for Your Pets It’s that time again!  Time to make a long list of ways to make 2021 a perfect year.  Perfection is unattainable, maybe that is why resolutions are so hard to continue all year long.  I instead wanted to highlight some small changes that you can do at home to improve your pets' health in 2021.  Even if these resolutions are not accomplished daily, the more frequently they are performed the better.  So don’t be downtrodden if you forget, instead, know that you are improving your pet’s health every time these tasks are done!
First, brushing teeth is a daily routine that helps remove plaque.  If plaque is not removed within 24-48 hours, it can harden into tartar/calculus.  Only a professional cleaning/prophylaxis can remove tartar.  Only the outside of your pets’ teeth need to be brushed.  This can be done while your pet's mouth is closed.  Use a dog/cat toothpaste, as human toothpaste has fluoride and is not meant to be swallowed.  Many animals can be taught to tolerate toothbrushing (even if they don’t like it).  For those animals that don’t allow brushing, a yearly cleaning under anesthesia is most often needed.      
Second, feeding a good quality food is the best way to improve your pet’s health in the long term.  There are many different kinds and brands of food available now.  No one brand/type of food is ideal for all pets - although some marketing strategies will tell you otherwise.  There are many things to look for, but checking the label to ensure your pet's food has an AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement is the best place to start.  
Third, exercise daily.  The percentage of overweight pets is at an all time high.  It is estimated that 69.3% of dogs and 85% of cats are overweight/obese in the US.  The amount of exercise needed is unique to each pet, but should include some type of walking/playing.  Walking or controlled exercise is especially helpful for pets with arthritis or joint pain.  You and your vet can work together to come up with a healthy weight and weight loss strategy.  
Fourth, yearly veterinary preventative care.  A yearly physical exam is the best way to detect abnormalities in our patients that can’t talk.  Many pets will hide signs of an illness until they are no longer able.  This gives the illusion that a sickness is sudden, but actually many illnesses start early and are not noticed until the patient can no longer compensate.  Owners play a critical role in a physical; in that, they can describe normal behavior for their pets.  Abnormal behavior is frequently the first sign of an illness.  
If you have any questions, please be sure to contact your family veterinarian.
- Dr.  Wendi Goetsch