Keeping your pup healthy is one of the most important jobs you have as a pet parent. As a pet parent myself, I have a few things I do to make sure I stay on top of my dog's health.
Pet Insurance
I received three months of free pet insurance when I got my puppy. In that time, he had an ear infection. I was able to claim the cost of any treatment and vet visits which convinced me to keep the pet insurance.
I have used my pet insurance a few times since then with an unexpected illness and visits to the vet to help determine allergies.
For me, pet insurance is about peace of mind and knowing that I'm covered financially.
General Health and Wellbeing
Keeping my pup healthy can be expensive, besides such as their yearly vaccinations and the occasional illness. On top of this, there might be other vaccines you need to consider if diseases like Leptospirosis pop up.
I live in an area that is known as a high-risk area for ticks. Which means staying on top of flea and tick treatments is non-negotiable. I use a reminder on my phone to make sure I keep it up to date. I usually give an all wormer at the same time. My dog gets a yearly heartworm shot at the vet with his vaccinations.
Including supplements in my dog's food is another way I try to keep him healthy. I also have a pet first aid kit to help look after my pup when accidents happen.
Knowing your Pup
The most important part of looking after your pup's health is knowing them so well that you'll notice any change.
I'll notice if my dog isn't quite himself, which will trigger me being more watchful.
Your vet will usually be happy to chat with you over the phone. I noticed my pup had changed after he started taking medication to help with his allergies. A quick call with our vet helped calm me down, and she suggested dropping his dosage, which I didn't know I could do safely. Noticing this change helped me better care for my pup.
We love our pets like they are family which is why staying on top of their health is so important.