A Moment of Paws

By Dr. Edward Schettino

Pets give us so much and are truly a part of the family. The human-animal bond is an amazing thing and it’s up to us as pet owners to keep our pets safe, healthy, and engaged.

We want our pets to thrive, and to live long and healthy lives, and because it’s National Pet Wellness Month, it’s a perfect time to take a moment to not only reflect on how we can keep our pets healthy, but what we can do to further enrich their lives.

Of course, physical health is critically important, but when it comes to pet wellness, physical health is just one aspect of an animal’s overall wellness.

During National Pet Wellness Month, take a moment to consider the following:

1. Regular veterinary visits. Just like us, an annual wellness exam lets us know our level of overall physical health and offers a roadmap on how to achieve optimal health.
2. Vaccines and Preventatives. Review your pet’s vaccination records and schedule an appointment with your regular veterinarian should any vaccines be past due. You can also discuss preventatives such as flea and tick collars, pills or topicals to determine what is best for your pet.
3. Diet. Dietary needs change, particularly as pets age, so be sure to talk with your regular veterinarian to determine if your pet’s current diet is meeting their daily nutritional needs.
4. More Playtime and Exercise! Add an extra play session to strengthen your bond, but also ensure your pet is getting the exercise and engagement they need every day.
5. Training. No matter your dog’s age, training is an excellent way to keep them stimulated and offers a fun and productive activity for you and your pup.
6. Grooming. Keeping your pet’s nails trimmed and coat groomed not only makes your pet look better, it helps them feel better too. If it’s something you’re not comfortable with or your pet simply won’t allow you to groom them, treat them to a periodic spa day!

At the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), we want pets to thrive not only in a shelter setting, but once they get the loving home they deserve. ARL offers a variety of services, including low-cost spay/neuter, low-cost pet wellness, behavioral advice, among others, to keep pets healthy and happy from infancy to old age. Please visit arlboston.org for more information on any of the aforementioned services, and happy National Pet Wellness Month!

Dr. Edward Schettino is the President and CEO of the Animal Rescue League of Boston, and has a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.