Your vet is a pretty significant figure in your dog’s life – and thus, in yours. Hopefully, you’ll only ever need him or her for routine checkups and preventative procedures; but just in case, it’s worth taking the time to develop a good relationship with a suitable vet, before you need their services.

WHERE AT LOOK

Sure, you could just pick a vet at random from the Yellow Pages or from an Internet search; but having the right vet is crucial to your dog’s health and happiness (and, presumably, this plays at least some part in your own happiness and peace of mind as an owner, right?)

Think about it this way: if you were trying to choose a doctor for yourself, would you be happy to just select one at random from an impersonal list?

Probably not. You’d want somebody who comes highly recommended – somebody you feel like you can trust.
Your vet isn’t just your dog’s doctor; he or she is also the dentist, manicurist, psychologist, and – hopefully! – a friend. When you roll all these things up into one, you can see why it’s necessary to spend some time confirming that you’ve made the right choice.

The best place to start looking for a vet is by word of mouth. If you have any friends or relatives who take good care of their dogs, then that’s a great place to start: ask them who they’d recommend, and why. This last one is particularly important, because everyone has different priorities: for example, perhaps they like their own vet because he/she is a specialist in their own particular breed; or they don’t charge very much; or the clinic is only five minutes’ drive … their priorities are not necessarily yours, so it’s a good idea to make sure that your values coincide with the person giving the recommendations.

Another great place to find a vet is through local training clubs (Schutzhund, agility, herding classes, police K-9 academies, etc.) These organizations are almost guaranteed to place a great deal of importance on high-quality veterinary care, because the health and well-being of their dogs is such a priority.

Once you’ve got a list of vets that you’re interested in pursuing further, all you have to do is call up the clinic and explain that you’re looking to find a regular vet for your dog(s): can you come in for a quick chat, introduce your dog, and have a look at the premises?

HAVE A LOOK BEFORE YOU NEED TO

Before you decide to align yourself and your dog with a particular clinic, test the waters first. Ideally, you want a chance to talk to the vet, and discuss his or her philosophies and approach to pet care.

This is really important. If your dog ever really needs vet-care (if there’s an emergency, or if she needs an urgent short-term appointment), you want to be sure that you’ve made the best possible choice as far as her health and comfort levels are concerned. Neither of you should be subjected to any unnecessary extra stress at a time like that – and you can avoid a lot of grief by spending a bit of time in preparation.

THINGS TO ASK THE VET

While you’re at the clinic, you’ll want to be assessing your potential vet’s overall attitude and approach to health care and animals; and you’ll also probably want answers to some specific questions.

Here’s a list of useful questions to help you on your way:

- How many vets are there on staff? If you need to make an urgent appointment, you don’t want to be waiting around while precious minutes tick past. Ideally, there’ll be at least two qualified veterinarians on hand (not just technicians or assistants.)

- What kind of testing and analysis capabilities does the clinic have If they have to send away to a lab for this kind of stuff, it means that the results are going to be delayed. If your dog is very sick, time is an important factor: it’s best if the clinic has at least blood-analysis testing on hand.

- What after-hours services are available? A lot of clinics close the doors in the evenings and on weekends, which means that if there’s an emergency, you’ll have to go somewhere else – and subject your dog (and yourself) to an unfamiliar vet. (If you don’t mind this, then that’s fine; but be aware that in a high-stress situation when emotions are running high, it’s reassuring for your dog and yourself to deal with someone familiar.)

- What’s their price range? How are payments made? Is there a facility for payment plans in case of unexpected vet bills? The payment-plan option is particularly important. Even with pet insurance, vet bills can sometimes be astronomical – and not everyone has the resources to deal with large vet bills straight away. Ask the clinic how they cater for situations like that.

- How up-to-date is the staff with advances in the industry? Do the vet, the technicians, and the assistants attend seminars and workshops regularly? The field of medical care is always moving forward – responsible vets make the effort to keep up with the times, and see that their staff do, too.

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

When you choose a vet, you’re balancing convenience and quality. There’s no right or wrong vet for you and your dog – which is partly why making the choice can be so confusing. There are lots of vets to choose from, and they’re all different!

Even though it’s tempting to go for the one right around the corner with the rock-bottom prices, it really is worthwhile taking the time to shop around. Your dog is utterly dependent on you for her healthcare – and if you take her seriously as a companion and member of the family, you’ll want to do the best thing by her.

A good vet knows how to take care of you as well as your dog. The relationship that you have with your vet will hopefully be one that’s based around a healthy mutual respect and positive synergy - there should be very little scope for misunderstanding. When the two of you see eye to eye, it makes caring for your dog that much easier.

FURTHER READING

For a complete survival guide on stress-free dog care, including detailed information on when your dog needs to see the vet, how to respond to pet emergencies, dog First Aid, and all common health problems, check out The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health. It’s a complete handbook on dog health care, and teaches you how to take a proactive and prepared approach to knowledgeable dog ownership.

You can visit The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health by clicking on the link below:

Ultimate Guide to Dog Health

by Melissa Grosjean

As the mercury drops and the winter chill settles in, we are offering some tips on keeping your companions comfortable through the winter months. Much of the advice for cold weather pet care is common sense - like making sure your companions have a safe, dry place to rest if they are outdoors or a comfortable place away from drafts if they are indoors. However, it never hurts to review cold weather tips again since last winter was a long time ago - and who knows how much we’ve forgotten since the balmy days of summer tend to melt those chilly details from memory.

Fur Coat Care

Winter coat care is important for your furry friends. They depend on you to help keep their coat clean and mat-free so they can stay warm and comfortable. Clean fur fluffs and holds air - similar to layering clothes, which will help Rover or Whiskers stay warm. Matted fur pulls on the skin and can cause discomfort and irritated skin. If left long enough, sores can develop and become infected. The Gripsoft Dematting Rake is a must for companions with long coats.

As the heat kicks on in your home the air gets drier. Regular brushing helps encourage and distribute the natural oils in your companion’s skin and coat. Essential fatty acids and daily multi-vitamins help nourish the skin and coat making it healthier and easier to care for. The fuller and longer your pet’s coat, the more attention they will need during winter weather - especially after a walk or romp in the snow.

Be sure to thoroughly wipe down your furry friend’s paws, legs and underbelly after a walk in winter weather, particularly if you walk near roadways. Slushy snow from sidewalks and roadways can contain a whole host of toxic chemicals including de-icers, salt, antifreeze, and heavy metals from vehicle exhaust. Your pet will ingest these if left to clean his own fur and paws - so be sure to remove the dirt before he does with some handy pet wipes.

If your friend’s own fur coat is not sufficient to keep her warm, get her a cozy sweater or jacket so she can still enjoy the great outdoors during the winter months. Walks are still a vitally important part of your companion’s daily routine for exercise and mental health. In rainy climates a light weight rain coat lets your companion enjoy their walks without getting soaked.

Paw Care

Like the built-in fur coat, your companion’s paws may need a bit of extra care during winter months. Dogs, especially, become susceptible to dry pads with frequent trips out onto the cold, wet ground and then back into the heated house. Some soothing Paw Balm is a great way to keep those pads supple and healthy. Trimming the fur between the toes makes keeping the paws clean and healthy a bit easier, as well as helping to prevent those pesky snow balls that can form between the toes. And for those walks in the snow or on cold sidewalks or icy roads, doggy booties will keep your companion comfortable and safe from the de-icing salts and other chemicals. For de-icing your own stairs and sidewalks, Safe Paw Ice Melter is the “pawfect” solution!

Good nail care is important, too. Long nails can make a dog sensitive to walking on hard surfaces. They also lose traction as their nails get long because they walk more on the backs of their feet, and their toes spread more allowing more snow between the toes. Keep their nails trimmed on a regular basis with a good quality nail clipper. If your pooch doesn’t like having her nails trimmed, keep the sessions short and only do one paw at a time – or, for smaller dogs, try filing the nails frequently instead of trimming less often.

Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats

This classic natural pet-care book is written by two celebrated veterinary specialists in chemical-free nutrition, treatment, and natural healing for pets. Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats offers valuable natural and holistic advice on a host of pet topics, including, but not limited to, diet, exercise, environment, coping with a pet’s death and how to care for a sick animal. In addition, this book offers a comprehensive “quick reference” section on animal illnesses.

The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care

A comprehensive guide that starts with how to choose a new puppy or kitten, and includes interviews with leading veterinary healers, emergency first aid strategies, the best diet for your pet, an overview of supplements and holistic remedies, an A to Z reference of natural treatments for common animal ailments and much more!