Being a responsible pet owner involves more than merely feeding, walking and caring for your pet. In order make sure you are providing them with the care they deserve, it is important you establish a good relationship with your vet, which includes knowing what questions to ask.
We always appreciate the questions our pet owner clients ask us. Sure, going to the vet can be a traumatic experience for many pets, but it doesn’t have to be this way. In many cases, it is not the owner’s fault, the veterinarian’s fault or the pet’s fault that any given animal is frightened of going to the vet.
This is why it is imperative that we take the time to ask the right vet questions and make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to caring for your beloved animal family member. At Sykesville Veterinary Clinic, we encourage all our pet owners to ask us any and all questions you may have, no matter how silly you may think they are.
“Is my pet at a healthy weight?”
One of the toughest aspects of pet ownership is figuring out how much to feed your pet in order to keep him or her at a healthy weight. Unfortunately, more than half the dogs and cats in the U.S. are overweight, according to the Association for Pet Obesity and Prevention. To solve this problem, it is a good idea to ask your vet if your pet is within the appropriate weight range, and if not, how to tackle the problem.
“How often should I brush my pet’s teeth?”
This is a tough one, as many people have differing opinions. However, many pet owners don’t even realize that they need to be brushing their pet’s teeth at all, making this an even more difficult question to answer.
The general rule of thumb is that a pet’s teeth should be brushed once a day, but this seems unfathomable to many. We suggest you start by brushing three times a week and see how that goes. Getting into a routine is the best way to really get in the habit of doing this.
“Am I giving them the right kind of food?
These days there are so many pet foods on the market, it can be difficult to know which food is a good option and which food brand is full of filler ingredients instead of nutrients. We typically recommend checking the label on any food you’re considering to use, not only for commercial foods but also for holistic or natural food options.
“Should I really get pet insurance?”
This is something you should discuss with your vet before moving forward. For animals that are prone to injury or illnesses more so than other breeds, it may be a good idea.
“Is it okay to give my pet human medications?”
Believe it or not, many pet owners think this is acceptable to do without consulting their veterinarian; doing this is NOT a safe practice. You should ALWAYS discuss with your vet whether or not to give your pet any type of human meds, whether it’s ibuprofen, aspirin, Benadryl or some other over-the-counter medication.
These are just a handful of the top vet questions we would love to receive and discuss with pet owners, and in doing so help you better understand how to provide your pet with high-quality care. Remember, there are no stupid questions. We are here to answer any and every question to the best of our ability when it comes to your pet.
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