The tartar and staining on your pet’s teeth actually contains bacteria. Left untreated, it can cause premature periodontal disease, heart disease, liver disease and kidney failure. Dental care is important for a long, healthy life.

Heartworms are parasites that dogs and cats can get from mosquitoes. Despite fur, mosquitoes can still bite dogs and cats and transmit the disease. To protect your pet it is important to have yearly heartworm testing and keep them on a monthly preventative at home. There is no treatment for cats, therefore prevention is imperative.

Yes your pet ages more rapidly than a human. Depending on your pet’s breed it can be considered a geriatric between 4 and 7 years of age. As people age, diet, exercise, and routine medical care is very important for their health. These are also important for your pet’s health. Examinations twice a year are necessary because early disease detection is key to a long, healthy life.

You should bring in a new puppy no matter his shot records to check his general health condition. Evaluations will be made as to future shots and worm prevention. A puppy talk should cover basic care that may have some new information for a new owner. Generally, the first shots are given at a point between 6 and 8 weeks of age. The shots will be repeated every 3 to 4 weeks until the puppy gets its rabies at approximately 16 weeks of age.