HAPPY NEW YEAR!

• Make your annual veterinary appointment for your pets. Take the time to have your vet assess how your pet is doing, update all vaccinations, schedule a dental if in order and get set up with stool samples and blood work to get this year’s flea/tick and heartworm preventatives started.
• Mark your calendar ahead each month for the day preventatives are due. 
• Schedule grooming appointments so you don’t find yourself scrambling when “it HAS to be done NOW!”
• Check your pet food and be sure you are feeding the right formula for your pet’s needs. Puppies need puppy food, adult needs can vary due to allergies, weight, activity, etc. Senior needs are special, too.
• While you are at it, get an 8 ounce scoop to keep with the food. Stop eyeballing how much you are feeding and insure your pet is being fed according to the product guidelines for his weight and activity level.   
• Teach your pet a new trick! Keep the neurons firing by teaching a new trick to your pet. A special treat reward to be used during training makes it an enjoyable adventure for pet and owner.
• Set aside time to groom  your pet daily.  This is a great way to spend some quality time while keeping your pet’s coat healthy and tangle free. It also helps owner’s spot unusual bumps, lumps, abrasions and external parasites early.
• Dental hygiene is vitally important for a healthy pet.  Get your pet accustomed to having its teeth brushed with a special pet safe toothpaste and brush. If your pet says NO WAY to that approach, talk to your vet or stop at one of the many good pet supply stores for a fun alternative for your pet. There are a lot of options available from chewable dental treats to toys that massage the teeth and gums.  If your pet’s teeth need it (look inside their mouth, you’ll know!), set up a dental with your veterinarian and then follow his advice for daily maintenance.   
• Choose a new activity that you and your pooch can enjoy. Hiking, snowshoeing, swimming, geocaching, running, Frisbee…exercise is good for the body, mind and spirit of you and your pet.  Playing with your cat with feather toys, laser lights, glitter balls or a new climbing tower will have them acting like kittens in no time!
• Time for new dishes and litter pans? Time and use can really take a toll on our pets food and water bowls, beds, litter boxes and toys. Give them the once over and toss out any that are damaged or unable to be sanitized properly.

Make 2017 the year you and your pet celebrate each and every day!