World Veterinary Day 2024: How regular vet visits can help pets live longer

For those of us who have pets at home, our furry companions bring much joy and endless, unconditional love into our lives, brightening even the most mundane days. They eagerly wait for us to return home, even if we’re gone for ten minutes, joining us on our adventures and excitedly being a part of our daily routine. Transcending the role of a mere pet, our four-legged companions become a beloved part of the family.

While they may not be able to speak our language, their wagging tails, excited barks and meows, and affectionate nuzzles communicate volumes. So for pet owners, ensuring their furry friend lives a long, healthy, and fulfilling life becomes a priority.

On World Veterinary Day today (April 27, 2024), let’s reflect on how regular vet visits , though your pet may detest them, play a crucial role in helping your pet live a long, healthy life, and always by our side.

The first visit: Setting the stage

The first visit to the vet creates the foundation for our pets’ lifelong well-being. It’s best to take your pet to the vet within the first 48 hours of bringing it home, especially if it’s a puppy or a kitten. This initial consultation will provide valuable insights into breed-specific needs, nutritional requirements, dental hygiene, behavioural guidance, training recommendations, and discussions about spaying/neutering and crucial life stages. The vet can also provide insights on what vaccinations your pet may require to ensure they are healthy.

Nutrition: The everyday medicine
The adage “Food is medicine,” is true, not just for us but also for our pets. Beyond vaccinations, proper nutrition is key to ensuring our pets' physical and mental well-being. Veterinarians can guide us on what to feed, how much to feed, and the best feeding practices tailored to our companions. Regular grooming, including bathing, coat maintenance, and medicated baths when necessary, contribute to overall hygiene and comfort. Encouraging positive behaviours through training and socialisation also falls under a veterinarian's expertise, fostering a harmonious relationship between pet and owner.

Dental health is key
Dental hygiene, just like in most humans, often tends to be an overlooked aspect. However, it plays a crucial role in our pets' overall health. Veterinarians can advise on preventive measures to combat dental diseases, which can lead to more severe health issues if left unchecked, and guide us on which foods to avoid to ensure a safe and nutritious diet.

Caring for adult and senior pets
As our pets become adults or seniors, it’s even more important to schedule regular vet visits. For adult dogs and cats, it’s essential to ensure you provide a balanced diet, healthy skin and coat, and make sure their urinary tract is in good health. For senior pets whose senses can be declining, it’s best to intervene early and address common age-related issues like cataracts, dental problems, arthritis, and kidney issues, improving their overall quality of life.

Preventive care: The key to a long, healthy life
Vaccinations and deworming are vital preventive measures that protect our pets from potentially life-threatening diseases and parasitic infestations, some of which can pose risks to human health as well. Spaying/neutering not only offers behavioural benefits but also reduces the risk of certain health complications, making it an essential consideration for responsible pet ownership.

Further, just like us humans, pets too, require routine health checks. Prevention is indeed better than cure. Besides helping detect any health issues, preventive health checkups help in managing allergic conditions such as diabetes and allergic diseases which tend to require lifelong care and management. Regular weight monitoring is also crucial in preventing obesity-related illnesses, including arthritis, cardiovascular problems, and other health complications.

Committing to their well-being
While most pets may not enjoy it or even be afraid, regular veterinary care is key to ensuring our pets receive the necessary attention and interventions for a longer and healthier life. Given that they are our best friends, it is our responsibility to provide them with the best care possible, enhancing their quality of life and strengthening our bond with them.

Being a veterinarian is a noble profession but no easy feat, as it involves emotional distress, trauma, and multiple challenges to navigate each day. This World Vet Day, let’s take a moment to thank veterinarians who remain resilient even during tough times to ensure that our beloved pets are happy, healthy, and safe.

Authored by: Dr. Bala Guru Chinnappan, Scientific Communications Specialist, Royal Canin