Yearly Pet Care Routine Guide for 2024

Life is busy, and if you’re lucky enough to have a beloved pet in your life, it’s likely to be even more so. It’s very easy to drop a ball with everything else going on. Use the guide below to ensure your pet’s needs are completely covered in 2024 and beyond.

Get the Basics Right

First off, be sure that your pet’s daily care and schedule are optimal. Start by thinking about what they eat: is your dog or cat’s diet meeting their needs? There are so many pet food options on the market that choosing a brand or food type can be tricky. If your dog or cat is getting on in years, you may wish to choose one of the senior food ranges - similar ranges are available for very young animals, too. Your vet can provide you with plenty of advice and guidance on this, including how much you should be feeding your pet every day to maintain a healthy weight. 

It’s essential to ensure that your pet is getting enough exercise, too. Animals that are overweight are, like people, much more susceptible to a range of health issues. Mental stimulation is also key. For cats, providing a few toys and playing with your pet regularly is likely to be enough, but dogs may need a little more interaction and challenge. Have a look at some of the dog toys available online to view a variety of toys and activities designed to challenge and entertain even the brightest of pooches.

 

Pencil-in Flea Treatments

Dogs and cats need regular treatment to prevent a flea problem from developing. This is something you definitely want to take preemptive steps to prevent: fleas are notoriously a nightmare to get rid of once an infestation gets established. 

Luckily, this is easy to avoid as part of your pet care routine for 2024 and beyond. Choose from one of a range of over-the-counter spot-on flea treatments for an easy solution. Typically, you apply the flea treatment to the back of your pet’s neck once a month to keep fleas at bay (be sure to read the instruction leaflet fully carefully, however). 

The monthly flea treatment can be easy to forget, so once you’ve given your pet their first treatment, create a recurring monthly entry in your calendar to remind you going forward. If the treatment doesn’t seem to be effective, or you’re concerned about side effects, don’t hesitate to contact your vet for advice.

 

Schedule Vet Visits

Next on the list is to book any visits to the vet your dog or cat requires for things like routine vaccinations. As well as this, many pet owners choose to take their furry friend along for an annual six-monthly wellness check-up at the vet’s office. 

Wellness visits are an effective way to ensure your pet doesn’t have any unhidden health issues or is at risk of developing a problem. As well as physical checkups, the vet may test for health problems such as diabetes, anemia, heartworms, and hyperthyroidism.

 

Get Grooming

While caring for a cat’s grooming needs is easy (they are pretty much able to take care of their own grooming needs - and could even be outraged at your trying to intervene!), dogs are likely to need some regular attention. In general, giving your dog a brush every day - or even every week - is normally fine. If you’d like to take them to a professional groomer, booking a session every one to three months is plenty. Breeds such as poodles, who have constantly growing hair, will need more grooming, plus a haircut every four to six weeks to avoid overgrowth. 

When it comes to bathing, this should really only be done when necessary, as shampoos and soaps strip the natural oils from a dog’s coat. So, unless they’ve come back from a walk covered in a questionable substance, there’s no need to worry about this issue.

 

Don’t Forget Pet Insurance

Getting a pet insurance policy in place - or ensuring that your existing one still meets your pet’s needs - is a vital part of your annual pet care routine. How does pet insurance work? Well, if your pet has an accident, suffers an injury, or develops a new health condition, an insurance policy may reimburse you for the costs, either partially or in full. 

As well as accidents, illness, and hereditary or congenital conditions, routine care for your pet could be covered if you purchase a preventative care package. 

 

Planning Your Pet’s Care for the Year Ahead

Getting organized regarding your pet’s care throughout the year can help ensure nothing gets missed and your perfect pooch or charismatic cat stays in the best health possible. Use our guide above to book the essential pet visits and treatments your pet needs, and don’t forget to review your pet insurance policy for ultimate peace of mind.