New year's resolutions for your pet

Here are a few things that you can do to keep your favorite friend in good health during the upcoming new year:

• Develop a daily exercise program for your pet.  For older dogs, a daily walk of 3-4 blocks is perfectly adequate, and will help keep limbs and joints supple.  For young dogs in good health, daily speed walking is excellent exercise and will build resistance to injuries.  All cats will benefit from daily play sessions with one of the many interactive cat toys - our staff's favorite is the Cat Dancer toy.

• Start a weekly dental care program.  If you don't know how to brush your pet's teeth, schedule a consultation with us, and we'll show you how.  If your pet already has yellow teeth or red gums, call us to schedule a dental cleaning.  Dental care is the single most important thing you can do to extend your friend's life!  See our article on the next page for more information.

• Do you have a pet over the age of eight?  Commit to a yearly complete physical examination, so that age-related health problems can be diagnosed and treated early - before they do serious harm.

• Evaluate what you are feeding your pet.  What is the fat content of your pet's diet? Are artificial preservatives and chemicals used?  Is more than 20% of your pet's diet composed of table food?  We'd be glad to schedule an appointment to talk with you about how to improve your pet's nutrition and reduce harmful chemicals and fats in the diet.

• Take a few minutes to mark your pet's anticipated "dates" with us on your calendar, now.  You'll want to have your dog heartworm tested and started on preventative medication before April 1st.  Rabies vaccine is a legal requirement for all cats and dogs in our state.  Other vaccinations may be necessary to keep your pet in good health.  We'll be glad to tell you which ones, and whether it is best for your pet to receive vaccines all at the same time or whether it would be best to split the vaccinations.

• Have a family member assume responsibility for faithfully changing your pet's drinking water twice daily, and for washing out the water bowl daily.  Unwashed bowls add odors to water that many pet's don't like.  Odors or dirty water can reduce your pet's liquid intake and can contribute to disease.