HELPING YOU KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY—WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

Regular preventative care helps catch health problems early—often before your pet shows any signs of illness. Routine exams, vaccinations, parasite prevention, microchipping, and screening tests allow your veterinary team to identify small changes that can become serious and costly if left untreated.

Preventative care doesn’t just protect your pet’s health—it can save you money in the long run. Treating advanced disease is far more expensive than managing issues early or preventing them altogether. Simple steps now can help avoid emergency visits, long-term medications, and painful conditions later.

Microchipping is a simple, permanent form of identification that greatly increases the chances of a lost pet being reunited with their family. Combined with regular veterinary care, it provides an added layer of protection and peace of mind.

As pets age, routine senior bloodwork becomes especially important. These screening tests can detect early kidney, liver, thyroid, and metabolic changes so treatment can begin sooner—often improving quality of life and extending lifespan.

Preventative care helps:

• Detect disease before symptoms appear
• Reduce the risk of serious illness and emergency care
• Improve the chance of reuniting lost pets with their families
• Support longer, healthier lives
• Lower long-term medical costs

Below you’ll find resources on recommended preventative care for dogs and cats, the importance of routine wellness visits, the benefits of microchipping, and why senior bloodwork is a vital part of healthy aging.

• Canine Heartworms and Preventing Disease - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• Vaccine Information for Dogs, Cats, Puppies and Kittens - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• Blood Work is a Basic Evaluation Tool - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• Microchipping Could Save your Pet's Life - Veterinary Partner - VIN

Spaying and neutering is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your pet’s health and help prevent pet overpopulation. These routine procedures not only reduce the number of unwanted animals in shelters, but also lower your pet’s risk for several serious and life-threatening medical conditions.

Spaying female pets helps prevent uterine infections (pyometra) and greatly reduces the risk of mammary cancer. Neutering male pets lowers the risk of testicular cancer, prostate disease, and certain behavior-related injuries such as roaming and fighting.

In addition to the health benefits, spaying and neutering can save you money over your pet’s lifetime. Treating reproductive cancers, infections, and injuries is far more expensive than the cost of a preventative surgery.

Spaying and neutering helps:

• Prevent life-threatening reproductive diseases
• Reduce certain behavior-related injuries
• Lower cancer risk
• Help control pet overpopulation
• Save money on future medical costs

Below you’ll find resources on the benefits of spaying and neutering and recommended timing.

• Spaying Your Female Dog - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• Neutering Your Male Dog - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• Neutering Your Male Cat - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• Spaying your Female Cat - Veterinary Partner - VIN

Proper dental care is a vital part of your pet’s overall health. Most dogs and cats develop some degree of dental disease by the age of three, and without treatment, it can lead to pain, infection, and serious health problems beyond the mouth.

When plaque and tartar build up, bacteria can travel from the gums into the bloodstream and affect the heart, liver, and kidneys. Dental disease can also cause chronic pain, difficulty eating, and behavior changes that are often mistaken for “normal aging.”

Maintaining good oral health helps:

• Prevent painful infections and tooth loss
• Protect the heart, liver, and kidneys
• Improve appetite and comfort
• Extend your pet’s lifespan

Below you’ll find resources on the importance of dental cleanings, signs of dental disease, and tips for at-home dental care to keep your pet healthy and pain-free.

• Brushing your Dog's Teeth - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• Practical Dental Care Tips for Dogs and Cats - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• Dental Care in Cats - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• An organization, developed by veterinary dentists, to objectively review dental products and put their seal of approval on products that meet their guidelines (Mission of the Veterinary Oral Health Council)

Maintaining your pet at an ideal body condition score (BCS) is one of the most important things you can do for their long-term health and quality of life. Pets at a healthy weight live longer, move more comfortably, and are less likely to develop chronic diseases.

When a pet carries extra weight, it places stress on their joints, heart, lungs, and internal organs. Over time, this can lead to arthritis, diabetes, liver disease, breathing problems, and a shortened lifespan. Even a few extra pounds can significantly impact a dog or cat’s health.

Keeping your pet lean helps:

• Reduce pain and strain on joints
• Improve energy and mobility
• Lower the risk of chronic illness
• Support a longer, happier life

Below you’ll find helpful resources on the dangers of obesity, safe weight loss for dogs, and proper nutrition for cats to help you give your pet the healthiest life possible.

• Weight Loss in Dogs - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• Nutrition for Your Cat - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• Obesity is Unhealthy in Dogs and Cats - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of pets with obesity and weight-related disorders.

Good nutrition is the foundation of your pet’s health at every stage of life. The food your pet eats affects their energy level, immune system, weight, digestion, skin and coat, and long-term disease risk. Feeding a balanced, complete diet helps support healthy growth, strong muscles, and overall wellness.

More expensive food does not always mean better food. What matters most is that the diet is complete, appropriate for your pet’s life stage and health needs, and backed by sound nutritional standards. With the right guidance, it’s possible to choose a high-quality food that fits your budget and your pet’s individual needs.

Proper nutrition helps:

• Maintain a healthy weight and body condition
• Support digestion and immune health
• Promote healthy skin, coat, and energy levels
• Reduce the risk of nutrition-related disease

Below you’ll find resources to help you confidently choose a food for your pet at any budget, safely transition cats to wet food when needed, and learn which human foods can be harmful or toxic to pets.

• People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• An article written by a veterinary nutritionist on evaluating the quality of pet food.

• World Small Animal Veterinary Association guidelines on selecting a pet food for your pet (PDF)

• Giving your cat wet food is encouraged. There are several diseases they can get that are better managed, or even prevented if they are on canned food. Here’s a resource if your cat refuses to eat canned food.

Proper socialization, regular exercise, and mental enrichment are essential for raising happy, well-adjusted pets. Puppies and kittens who are safely exposed to new people, animals, sounds, and environments during their early months are more confident and less likely to develop fear, anxiety, and behavior problems later in life.

Daily physical activity and mental stimulation help prevent boredom and stress, which are common causes of destructive behaviors such as chewing, scratching, excessive barking, and inappropriate elimination. These behaviors often lead to costly training needs, property damage, or even surrender to shelters.

Investing time in socialization and enrichment now can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for behavior consultations, medications, and home repairs—while also strengthening the bond you share with your pet.

Socialization, exercise, and enrichment help:

• Reduce fear, anxiety, and aggression
• Prevent destructive or unwanted behaviors
• Improve confidence and adaptability
• Strengthen the human–animal bond
• Save money on training, damage, and behavior-related care

Below you’ll find resources on safe puppy and kitten socialization, enrichment ideas for dogs and cats, and age-appropriate exercise to support lifelong behavioral health.

• Importance of Socializing Puppies and Kittens - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• Options for Exercising Your Dog - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• Enrichment for Senior Dogs - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• The Importance of Play in Cats - Veterinary Partner - VIN

• Feline Enrichment: Meeting the Essential Needs of Cats - Veterinary Partner - VIN