If you plan to add a furry friend to your household, the new animal requires just as much love and care as human family members. It’s easy for first-time pet owners to make a few mistakes at the beginning. Fortunately, the veterinarians at Wahiawa Pet Hospital in Hawaii have a few tips to keep animals happy and healthy in their new homes. Their knowledge comes from experience providing spaying, neutering, surgical, dental, and pet boarding services for dogs and cats throughout the area. 

If you’re not sure how to best care for your new pet, below, the local veterinarian shares useful advice to help:

• Schedule Appointments for Shots: If you’ve adopted a dog or cat, make sure they are up to date with their shots. New pets are susceptible to diseases transferred from humans and other household animals. Common dog vaccinations protect from canine hepatitis and parvovirus, distemper, and rabies. If you have a new feline friend, cat vaccinations for panleukopenia, calicivirus, and herpes are necessary. If you’re not sure what shots your pet needs, the veterinarians at Wahiawa Pet Hospital will help. 
• Purchase the Proper Food: When purchasing dog or cat food, take the age, size, and breed of the animal into account. These factors contribute to how easily they can digest certain ingredients. Look for options formulated for your type of pet. 
• Don’t Forget to Brush: Regular brushing won’t only keep your pet’s coat shiny and healthy, it’s also great for bonding. Animals appreciate the affection, and the regular grooming will help them become more comfortable around you. To prevent mats, use slicker brushes on dogs with medium to long hair or curly coats. You can use a soft-bristle brush for short-haired breeds, as well as cats.  

To maintain your pet’s health, routine veterinarian checkups are important. To schedule an appointment at Hawaii’s Wahiawa Pet Hospital, call (808) 621-7000 today. Visit the veterinary hospital online to discover how they will care for your animals, and like them on Facebook for news.