As 2014 begins, doctors from BluePearl Veterinary Partners are encouraging people to keep some New Year’s resolutions in mind not just for themselves, but for their pets too. Dr. Cassandra Bliss joins us on the Big Red Couch to share some tips on how to keep your pets happy and healthy in 2014.
· Consider quitting smoking for yourself and your pet. Second hand smoke isn’t only harmful to people. It is also harmful to pets. Knock the habit to help keep yourself and your furry friend alive longer.
· Exercise with your pet. Exercising for both people and pets is a great way to stay in shape. The life expectancy of a pet can be significantly increased if they live a healthy and active life.
· Make sure you maintain regular visits with your family veterinarian. Pets age much faster than people, so doctors from BluePearl recommend taking your pet to your veterinarian twice a year.
· Consider obtaining a pet insurance policy to assist with funding in the event of a veterinary emergency. Companies like Trupanion offer pet health insurance. That can mean the difference between being able to save your furry friend or having to make the difficult decision to put him or her to sleep.
· Start an emergency fund. Setting aside $20 to $40 per paycheck can be a perfect way to save for emergency care.
