Being a pet parent means spending a lot of time worrying about your pets and trying to keep them healthy. Fortunately, your vet can help you keep your pets happy and healthy for a long time. Keep reading to learn about the importance of yearly veterinarian visits for pets.

1. Vet Familiarity

Whether you've got a cat, a dog, or some other type of pet, you want them to behave well. According to the ASPCA's National Rehoming Survey, about 47% of rehomed dogs and 42% of rehomed cats are rehomed due to behavioral issues, health problems, or a pet growing larger than expected. Taking your dog or cat to the vet yearly helps get them used to vet trips, which can help improve their overall behavior. The biggest benefit is that you don't have to struggle to get your pets to behave at the vet.

2. Medical History

A thorough medical history helps your veterinarian get a better understanding of your pet's health, which can make it easier to diagnose diseases and illnesses. When you take your pet to the vet each year, your vet gets a chance to keep detailed records of your pet's health over the years. If your pet does have a medical issue you can't figure out, their medical history can help vets make a diagnosis.

3. Physical Exams

As much time as you spend around your pets, you might not know what to look for when it comes to physical problems. There are a lot of warning signs of illness and medical problems that many pet owners might not know about. When you take your pets to the vet, they will perform a thorough physical examination to look for any signs of problems. If your pet has an unusual growth or a common physical symptom of an underlying medical condition, your veterinarian can order further testing to get a more detailed diagnosis.

4. Weight and Nutrition

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for all types of animals, and taking your pets to the veterinarian once a year is a huge help. It can be hard to figure out if you're feeding your pets too much, especially if they seem hungry immediately after they're done eating. Weighing pets can also be extremely difficult at home. When you take your pets to the vet, you can get them weighed and make sure they don't have any nutritional problems you should be worried about. Your vet can also provide advice about diet and exercise.

5. Catching Problems Early

From minor illnesses to chronic conditions, dealing with medical problems is typically easier when they're diagnosed early on. Taking your pets in for an annual veterinarian checkup gives you a better chance of catching potential problems early on, which typically means a better outlook and quality of life for your pet. Your vet can also help you figure out the best treatment options based on the diagnosis.

6. Milestone Care

Going to the veterinarian yearly is crucial when pets need certain annual care. Puppies and kittens need lots of vaccines, but those vaccines are administered every one to three years for adult dogs and cats. When it's time for your pet to get shots or receive some other type of milestone care, taking them to the vet on time is key. Vaccines help prevent diseases in pets that can lead to serious medical problems.

7. Routine Tests

Routine testing also helps keep your pets healthy, and that's something your veterinarian can offer during yearly checkups. Things like blood tests can give vets a closer look at your pet's health, so they can decide whether they're getting the nutrition they need and whether they have underlying medical issues. Routine testing can also help detect serious problems early on.

8. Addressing Concerns

If you've noticed something wrong with your pet recently, your yearly veterinarian visit is a good opportunity to bring that up. You can mention any symptoms you may have noticed to your vet, and ask them if those symptoms indicate that your pet may need further testing or treatment. Addressing these concerns gives you peace of mind and helps you keep your pets healthy.

Being a pet parent is a busy job when you're not getting help from vets. Yearly vet visits are a key part of keeping your pets healthy. If you want to keep your pets happy and healthy, call West Toledo Animal Hospital to schedule a yearly checkup today.