10 Questions to ask at your pet’s first vet visit

2. What are good treat options to feed my pet?

There are MANY commercial pet treats on the market; some of which are definitely better than others in terms of their ingredients, safety, calories, palatability, etc. Walking down the treat aisle at a pet store can be rather daunting! The veterinarian or technician can provide recommendations and tips to help differentiate the “good” pet treats from the “bad”. Some pet owners choose to make their own pet treats or use human food as treats. If either of these treat options interest you, be sure to notify the veterinary staff. They may have a few recommended home-made treat recipes, and they can discuss what human foods are safe for your pet to consume. 

3. Should my pet be on any preventatives?

Asking this question will open the door for a conversation about preventatives and recommended products. Most dogs and indoor/outdoor cats should be on preventatives. Preventatives help prevent fleas, ticks, and heartworm disease (which is basically what it sounds like). There are MANY different preventative products on the market, and what may be best for one pet may not be best for another. The veterinarian can discuss how preventatives work, who should take them, and what products are safe and reliable. As a small animal veterinarian, I personally recommend year-round monthly heartworm and flea/tick prevention for all dogs and cats that go outdoors.

5. How do you care for a pet’s oral health?

Oral health has gained recognition in veterinary medicine compared to previous years. This is due to the extent that oral health affects a pet’s wellbeing, life expectancy, and overall health. That being said, it is important to ask your veterinarian about what home dental care options are available for your pet. Options may include: teeth brushing, dental treats, dental toys/chews, toothpaste, dental wipes, water additives, etc. Introducing home dental care at a young age will make things easier down the road and help delay the development of dental disease.

Please watch out for some of my future posts about pet dental health, which will discuss tips for brushing your pet’s teeth, why dental health is so important, and more. 

6. What grooming is recommended for my pet? 

I use “grooming” as an umbrella term for things like bathing, nail trims, brushing, haircuts, etc. Dogs and cats have varying grooming needs depending on their breed and lifestyle. For example, long haired cats require routine hair brushing to help ensure they maintain a clean healthy coat, and dogs typically need routine bathing for basic cleanliness. The vet can make grooming recommendations tailored toward your specific pet. In addition, they can provide you with the knowledge and resources to perform basic grooming tasks at home, such as nail trims. 

7. When and how should I introduce training to my pet?

Asking this question will open the door for a conversation about training your new pet. Training may include house/litter box training, teaching basic commands, crate training, etc. The vet can provide you with training tips and tricks and help provide resources for how to get started. The veterinary team may also have recommendations for local training courses for your pet. I recommend that all dogs and cats receive some basic training for both their overall wellbeing and safety of both the pet and the owner.

One comment I often hear in regards to the topic of training a pet is: “you cannot train a cat”. Don’t get me wrong it may be difficult, but cats in fact can be trained. I’m not saying all cat owners need to teach their cat how to sit, stay etc. Instead, I recommend focusing on training your cat to not scratch the furniture and stay off the kitchen table, etc. The veterinary team can provide you with tips and tricks needed to help successfully manage such a daunting task.

For some personal tips and tricks for training your pet, please keep an eye out for future posts specifically focused on this topic. 

8. How do I introduce my pet to other pets? 

This question may not directly apply to all pet owners, but likely does affect most pet owners in some form. Whether you own multiple pets of your own or your pet is only exposed to other pets on walks/dog parks/etc., it is important to know how to safely introduce two animals that are not familiar with each other. There are multiple different techniques/methods for doing so, which you can discuss with the veterinary team. Typically, introducing a dog and a cat or two cats is much more involved than introducing two dogs. However, all introductions should be done gradually and under direct supervision to reduce stress and ensure safety for both pets involved. The veterinary team can help you navigate this process and provide you with different methods to explore.

Keep a look out for future posts focused on this topic for some of my personal tips and tricks. 

9. What animal emergency clinics and boarding facilities are available in the area? 

This question is pretty straightforward. The veterinary team may have a list or brochures from these facilities. It is important to prepare for any potential issues that could arise causing you to need these services. You never know when your pet may need to visit an emergency veterinarian for immediate care, or when your pet may need to get boarded at the last minute due to a personal emergency. 

10. How do I find pet insurance for my new pet? 

Pet insurance continues to gain popularity due to the rising cost of veterinary services and increased availability of more advanced diagnostics and treatments. As a small animal veterinarian, I always recommend pet insurance to my clients. There are many pet insurances to choose from, and your vet may even have a few that they recommend.