Puppies and Kittens 

• Vaccination Series (between 6 and 16 weeks of age)

• Kittens should be tested for Feline Leukemia and FIV and vaccinations for these diseases should be discussed with your veterinarian.

• Parasite Control (worms, fleas, ticks, mites, etc)

• Animals under 1 year should be eating a growth formula food (kitten or puppy food)

• Start basic obedience and house training.

• Start monthly heartworm prevention (before 6 months of age or after a negative heartworm test) and discuss spay/neuter with your vet.

• Maintain a well fitting collar and current identification on your growing pet.  Microchip implantation can be performed at anytime to provide permanent identification.

Young Adults

• Routine vaccinations (tailored to your pet's needs and lifestyle)
• Monthly heartworm preventative and parasite control.
• Nutrition tailored to activity and lifestyle (to prevent weight problems)
• Nutritional supplements if animal is predisposed to certain conditions (i.e. joint supplements for large breed dogs prone to hip problems and arthritis)
• Yearly health exam and checkup, including fecal and heartworm testing.

Older Adults

• Yearly health exam and checkup, including basic labwork to evaluate general health and catch any problems early.  Most pets should also have a dental checkup and cleaning if needed.
• Vaccinations are tailored to each individual pet as they age.  Some pets may require different vaccinations or fewer vaccinations as they age.
• Nutrition tailored to pet's age, activity, lifestyle, and any medical conditions present.
• Nutritional supplements if appropriate.
• Monthly heartworm preventative and parasite control.

Senior Pets

• Yearly health exam and labwork as recommended by your veterinarian.  
• Vaccinations are tailored to the individual pet and reflect the age of pet, vaccination history, current health status, and risk of exposure to infectious disease.
• Dental checkup and cleaning as needed.
• Continue monthly heartworm preventative and parasite control.
• Nutrition tailored to older pet's needs; including supplements if appropriate.

Valentine Values

• Instead of chocolates (which can be deadly to a pet), celebrate with a new chew toy or squeaky toy instead.  Your pet will thank you.
• Watch out for potential dangers from Valentine presents, such as foil wrappings from candy, ribbons from flowers or balloons, and stuffed animals which look like a squeaky toy but aren't made for pets.  
• Also watch that pets don't chew on flowers given as gifts.  Besides injuries from thorns, some flowers and plants can be irritating or toxic if chewed or swallowed.

Easter Echoes

• Keep Easter chocolates out of pet's reach.
• Avoid the temptation to buy a chick, duck or bunny as a Holiday present or pet.  Although cute, these animals suffer just to be displayed in pets stores at this time of year.  After the holiday, thousands of these "impulse pets" end up abandoned in shelters or die from neglect because unknowing owners didn't realize the specific care they require.
• You may contract Salmonella (which can cause severe inflammation of the GI tract) from chicks or ducks; children are especially susceptible to this illness.

Summertime Blues

• Never leave your pet in a parked car for any period of time.  On a warm day, the temperature in a parked car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes- even with the car window's partially open.  Your pet can quickly suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke when trapped in high temperatures.  You don't just expose your pet to the dangers of heat stress when you leave him in a car, you also expose him to possible pet theft.  Thousands of pets are stolen each year from unattended cars.
• Be alert for signs of heat stress- heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue.  If you suspect your pet is suffering from the heat, move him or her into the shade or other cool area as quickly as possible.  You can apply cool water (not ice water) and a fan to help cool your pet, but the most important thing you can do is get your pet to your veterinarian immediately for further treatment.
• If you see an animal in a car exhibiting any signs of heat stress, call your local animal control agency or police department immediately.  If you are at a place of business, contact the manager and try to locate the owner of the vehicle.
• When traveling with your pet, make sure cats and small dogs ride in a carrier, and larger pets wear safety harnesses or are confined to one area of the vehicle.  If taking your pet on vacation with you, make sure that hotels and campgrounds welcome your pet as well.
• Be careful of fireworks and pets.  If your pet is scared of the noise, don't have fireworks around your pet.  Consult an animal behaviorists if necessary and if your pet requires sedation or other treatment, consult your veterinarian.  It's better to leave the fireworks to a professional and take your family to a community display, safer for you and your pet.

Halloween Havoc

• All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room during peak trick-or-treating hours- too many strangers in unusual garb can be scary and stressful to pets.
• When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, be careful that your pets don't dart out the door.  
• No tricks or treats: keep all Halloween candy out of your pet's reach.  Chocolate can be toxic to pets and foil and candy wrappers can be dangerous in swallowed.
• Be careful of lit pumpkins around pets.  Pets can knock them over or get burned.
• Don't leave your pet in the yard on Halloween.  There have been reports of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen, or even killed pets on this night.  Although the mascot for Halloween, black cats should be kept indoors on this night.
• Don't dress up your dog or cat unless you know they don't mind.  Make sure costumes aren't restrictive or interfere with your pet's sight, hearing, ability to breathe or vocalize.  Avoid costumes with small or dangling parts which can be chewed off and swallowed.
• Educate your children about approaching animals while they are wearing costumes, which even a normally friendly pet may not recognize.

Turkey Troubles

• Thanksgiving is definitely a time of plenty, but it shouldn't be a time for emergency veterinary visits.  Resist the temptation to feed your pet from the Thanksgiving table.  Food that your pet isn't used to (especially rich foods) can cause stomach upset or worse, a condition called pancreatitis which can be life threatening.
• Turkey bones can splinter and cause serious illness, and the strings and ties can cause foreign body problems if they get trapped in the intestine.
• Onions, abundant in stuffing and dressings, can be toxic and cause anemia (blood problems) in pets.
• Chocolate, often in desserts, can also be toxic to pets.
• Some broth added to your pets regular food may be just the right treat for your pet (and a lot safer and cheaper than an emergency visit).  

Winter Woes

• Don't leave pets outdoors when the temperature drops.  Most dogs, and all cats, are safer indoors, except when taken out to exercise.  Regardless of the season, shorthaired, very young, or very old animals should not be left outside without supervision during cold weather.
• No matter what the temperature, wind chill can threaten a pet's life.  If you animal is an outdoor animal, he or she must be protected by a dry, draft-free house that is large enough to allow the animal to sit and lie down comfortably while be small enough to keep in the animal's body heat.  The floor should be raised a few inches from the ground and covered with shavings, straw, or warm blankets.  The house should be turned away from direct winds and the doorway should be covered with a swinging door or flap of burlap or heavy plastic.  
• Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy.  Routinely check your pet's water dish to make sure the water is fresh and unfrozen.  Special heated water bowls can be purchased to make certain water doesn't freeze in cold temperatures.  Use plastic food and water bowls rather than metal, to prevent you pet's tongue from sticking the cold metal in low temperatures.
• Warm engines in parked cars can attract cats and small wildlife looking to stay warm under the hood.  Bang on your hood and honk the horn to encourage these animals to move before you start the engine.
• The salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pet's feet.  Wipe the feet with a damp towel to remove snow, ice, and any chemical residue before your pet comes back inside.  Licking these chemicals from the feet may irritate your pet's mouth.
• Antifreeze is a deadly poison, but it has a sweet taste that may attract animals and children.  Wipe up any spills and store antifreeze (and all household chemicals) out of reach.  Better yet, use an antifreeze-coolant made with proplylene glycol, which if swallowed in small amounts, shouldn't harm the pet.

Christmas Chaos

• Christmas trees can be beautiful but harbor many dangers to pets.  Don't let your pet drink from the Christmas tree water, which may have chemicals added to extend the life of the tree.  Tinsel and garland can be very detrimental if swallowed, especially by cats.  Electrical cords can pose fire and electrocution risks if chewed on.  
• The Christmas ham may be delicious but rich foods can cause serious stomach trouble in pets.  Be sure to also avoid giving your pet chocolate during this time of year.
• Keep plants and gifts away from your pets.  Some plants and holiday flowers can be toxic to pets when chewed or eaten, and ribbons on gift packages can pose choking and foreign body hazards.
• Never give an animal as a surprise gift.  Instead give a stuffed animal and a box of pet supplies with a gift certificate to the local shelter or rescue group.  You recipient will appreciate being able to pick at their new friend themselves.