Many pet owners’ only indication of when to take their pets to the veterinarian is when they see them limping or refusing to eat. Maybe the common conception is that animals are hardier than people, or that pets can somehow magically cure themselves from ailments such as ear infections by eating enough grass. The reality, of course, is that pets benefit from regular checkups at the vet just as people do from visits to their physician.
Don’t wait until your pet’s kidneys are failing before you take them in for a checkup. Be on the lookout for these signs that your pet may need to visit the vet:
- Coughing or “hacking”
- Lethargic behavior, sleeping more than usual
- Vomiting
- Urinating more or less than usual
- Vigorous self scratching or rubbing (especially around the ears)
These are just a few of the most common signs that your pet may be trying to tell you something. Regular checkups at the vet will prolong your pet’s life and lay the foundation for years of happy pet ownership.