It’s that time of year where everyone gets a pumpkin spice latte, takes a nice fall hike, and eats enough candy to make their dentist sick. Sure your pooch can’t indulge on the forbidden fruit, but they can still partake in the spirit of Halloween with some costume fun! Here are 10 spooktacular dog outfits that will make your floof the life of the party and the talk of the town!
10. Lion
I wouldn’t be lion if I said this costume is both hilarious and frightening. Your pooch will think he’s the king of the jungle! I’d sure hate to run into this creature in the wild!
9. Delivery Dog
You’ve got mail! Is your pup at war with the mailman? Help him or her bury the hatchet and get them this ironic costume!
8. Hawaiian Rockstar
Sure the cold is here, but let’s not forget summer was just two months ago and will be here again. Throw this on with some Jimmy Buffet in the background and you’ll feel some nice Hawaiian vibes fill the room! Your friends will thank you too!
7. Unicorn
Is your dog special? Is your dog rare? Can your pup fly around and fart rainbows? Well then folks, you got yourself a unicorn! Help your pup show its true colors and get them this “cloud” favorite!
6. Spider
Wanna raise some heart rates and maybe spill a few drinks? We got just the thing! Throw this on and wait for the screams!
5. Shark
Does your pooch self-identify as a fiesty great white? Look no further than this baby shark doot doo doo doot doot! Better warn the guests they’re treading in shark infested waters!
4. Super Dog
If your pooch can scale the puppy gate, jump up on the top counter, or run the opposite direction at lightning speed when called upon, well then you got yourself a super-pooch! Harness your dog’s inner super power with a super suit!
3. Business Pup
Does your dog do it’s business like no one’s business? Buy them this Wall Street wardrobe and everyone will know they mean business!
2. Jedi
If you’re a true Star Wars fan, you gotta show it! Join the bark side and flaunt your pup’s Jedi pride with a cloak and lightsaber!
1. Ghost Barkers
Keep those pesky ghouls and night goblins away with your very own ghost guardian! Who ya gonna call?? Ghostbarkers!
Sure, your pooch may get more likes than you online, but let’s not forget who made them social media famous…YOU! Happy online shopping and Happy Halloween!
Share a photo of your dog in costume and include @wellnesspetfood and #wellnesspetfood. Then keep an eye out for your four-legged friend on our website, Facebook or Instagram!
October 29 is National Cat Day, and as you surely know, cats are unique, mystical, wonderful creatures. To celebrate this year’s National Cat Day, we’re answering the “what is” of the Internet’s top cat related searches. The results are as interesting and amusing as felines themselves.
1. Best Cat Costumes of 2018
Cat costumes are generally excellent (we’re looking at you, Harry Pawter), but what makes shopping for them online even better than buying them (or realizing you may have wasted $17 when your cat refuses to wear the costume you selected) is seeing the expressions on the cats’ faces. The feline Princess Leia is pure Force while the cat with bunny ears is just daring you to make a joke about it laying an egg.
Wellness Graphic Designer, Maria’s cat, Mogwaii sports a shark costume.
2. Cat Videos
We’re speculating, but it’s likely this is the most-searched term during the eight-hour workday. Compilations of cat videos populate the first page of Google for this search giving users several minutes of amusing and often-hilarious videos of cats being cats. So popular are cat videos that researchers have studied why cat videos are among the most popular use for the world’s most powerful and broadest informational resource. Research indicates that emotional regulation and procrastination are the primary motivators. So, if you have a predilection for watching cat videos because they make you happy, you’re not alone…not by a long stretch.
3. Cat Adoption
Maybe it’s the videos that inspire people, but cat adoption is one of the top searches related to cats as well, which is just “purr”fect. Adopting a cat from anywhere is great, but adopting a shelter cat is an especially kind move for feline-kind. While the precise number of cats in shelters is difficult to pinpoint at any given time, roughly 3.2 million cats are in U.S. shelters each year. The majority of cats are adopted into loving homes, with the number of adopted cats growing each year.
4. What are the Best Cat Names?
If this top search term is any indication, the adoption went (or will go) well. While there are plenty of creative cat parents coming up with great cat names, there’s even this handy name generator that lets you put in your cat’s colors, pattern, gender, personality, intelligence (ranging from “amateur” to “professor”, and space for a few suggested adjectives for the cat’s personality. (Incidentally, this is a great way to spend any remaining part of your day not spent watching cat videos.) If you need additional inspiration, you can also check out our tips on The Art of Naming Your Pet.
Clearly, cats make the world a better place. Celebrate National Cat Day with us by watching some great cat videos and sharing your newfound knowledge about cats with friends. Meanwhile, we at Wellness Pet Food will do our part by making natural cat foods that ensure our feline friends live long, happy, healthy lives.
Share a photo of your cat and include @wellnesspetfood and #wellnesspetfood. Then keep an eye out for your four-legged friend on our website, Facebook or Instagram!
Halloween marks the start of the holiday season! The children count down the days until they get to dress in their favorite characters and get spoiled with candy and treats. Parents decorate, pick out the perfect costumes for kids and pets and stock up on candy.
Although Halloween is one of our favorite holidays, it is typically one of the most dangerous holidays for pets. As a small animal veterinarian, it is a common time of year that I see pets for getting lost, emergencies and illness. So today, I would like to discuss the top pet emergencies and illnesses associated with Halloween and how we can prepare to keep our pets for a safe and fun holiday. Let’s get started:
1. Chocolate Toxicity:
Place the human treats out of reach of your pets. The most popular Halloween treats are toxic to pets. Chocolate in all forms, especially dark or baking chocolate can be very dangerous for cats and dogs. Sugar-free candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause serious problems in pets. Keep the HUMAN treats away! I know firsthand it is difficult to watch your pets sad face as they look at everyone eating and enjoying, and just want to be a part of it. There is no need to let your pet feel left out and not let them indulge on the holiday that celebrates eating treats. I tell all my pet parents to have your favorite dog treats easily accessible during the holiday festivities. I absolutely love and trust Wellness CORE pet treats. These treats have all the highest quality ingredients.
2. Decoration Emergencies:
Watch the decorations and keep wires away from pets. Pumpkins are popular decorations that can pose a dangerous hazard, especially when used as jack-o-lanterns. Kittens and puppies are especially at risk of getting burned by candle flame. Although pumpkins and decorative corn are nontoxic, they can cause stomach discomfort in pets that nibble on them.
3. Costume Mishaps:
Be careful with costumes. Nothing is cuter than seeing our pets in adorable Halloween costumes. However, unless your pet is used to getting dressed up, I do not recommend it. If you do dress up your pet for Halloween, check the costume for small, easily chewed-off pieces that could present a choking hazard. Make sure the costume does not limit their movement, vision or ability to breathe, bark or meow. Costumes that do not fit properly can get twisted on your pet or caught on external objects leading to injury.
4. Lost Pets:
Keep Pets Calm and Easily Identifiable. With all the trick-or-treating, and visitors arriving at your door, Halloween can often be scary and stressful for pets. I recommend dogs and cats be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours unless you are certain they are very social. Also, the constant opening the door for trick-or-treaters can lead to escaping pets. Always make sure your pet is wearing proper identification. I always recommend microchipping your pet.
Happy Halloween everyone! I hope this helps all my pet parents out there be more aware and prepared for all the possible Halloween pet emergencies. I always tell all my pet parents, be conscientious of the possible dangers, but do not forget to enjoy and have fun with your pet during the holiday. Make sure to spoil them extra with some yummy HALLOWEEN TREATS just for them and take lots of cute pictures. My goal always is to keep our pets safe and healthy. As much as I love seeing them walk in through my doors, I prefer to help avoid “sick” trips to the veterinarian. Happy Halloween everyone!
October is not only National Pit bull Awareness Month, but October 28 is also National Pit bull Awareness Day. To celebrate, we are sharing some lesser-known facts about pit bulls in the hopes everyone will see pit bulls for what they are—normal, loving, animals.
1. The Label “Pit bull” Usually Refers to a Cross Breed
Dogs recognized as pit bulls are actually a cross breed of bulldogs and terriers. There are five combinations of breeds that typically get labeled as pit bulls. Those are:
American bulldogs
American pit bull terrier
American Staffordshire terriers
Staffordshire bull terrier
English bull terrier
2. Pit bulls’ Lineage Traces Back to England in the 1600s
Pit bulls descend from bulldogs. Bulldogs were used as early as the 1600s for bull and bear baiting (their name descends from their use as bull baiters). In the mid-1800s, some very observant people determined such blood sports were very cruel and made bull baiting illegal. For those who this decision was less obviously a very good one replaced bull baiting with dog fighting. To make it more entertaining, they crossbred bulldogs with terriers. The result was the animal that we know and love today.
3. Pit bulls Held a Lot of Value to Early American Immigrants
Pit bulls made their way to America on ships alongside immigrants looking for a new lease on life. Of course, early America was a tad more rustic than it is now, and survival was often a daily struggle. Because of their protective attributes, pit bulls were considered very valuable.
They helped their owners by protecting them.
They also defended livestock from predators and intruders.
They abetted hunts by acting as hog catchers.
Lastly, they served as companions to young children, which is the start of how they evolved into family pets.
So, without pit bulls, some early American families and communities may have suffered for lack of food or protection.
Throughout the years, pit bulls continued to be great family pets. Despite the negative news that sometimes surrounds the typically muscular, square-headed dogs, pit bulls were ranked as the second most tolerant dogs in a test by the American Temperament Test Society, Inc., American Humane Association, ASPCA. The results were originally shared by The Huffington Post. The results also showed that in the overwhelming majority of cases where pit bulls were associated with attacks on people or other animals, the dog had been neglected or abused. Conditions where dogs are trained to be aggressive or are not trained to socialize are also circumstances that could cause a dog to behave negatively in certain situations. The point is, pit bulls are as good as their breeding. With love and training to be social, pit bulls are loving and loyal pets.
5. Pit bulls are Generally Healthy Dogs
Faithful pit bulls have good lifespans and can live 13-15 years with few health complications (they’re hardy dogs). The health problems that afflict them most often are bone diseases, skins allergies, thyroid problems and congenital heart defects.
Pit bulls are strong and energetic and therefore need daily exercise to keep them from getting bored. Walks are great for helping to socialize pit bulls. Of course, it is always recommended that pit bulls—like any dog, be walked on a leash.
7. Pit bulls Prefer Small Meals Several Times a Day
Some see a big, strong dog and think he has a big, strong appetite; however, pit bulls do better when they are fed 2-4 small meals during the day. Those meals should not be served within a half hour of exercise, either. For pit bulls, we’d recommend a high-protein, grain-free diet like Wellness CORE Original.
When fed, loved and trained well, pit bulls are some of the best dogs to have as pets. Help us at Wellness Pet Food celebrate National Pit bull Month this October by spreading the word to battle negative perceptions of these fabulous dogs.
Did you know that October is National Seafood Month? Just like their human counterparts, plenty of pets have a natural affinity for foods that come from the ocean. Not only is seafood delicious to many people and pets, but fish is packed with powerful nutrients that contribute to overall health and wellness. And since some pets have food intolerances to other protein sources, fish proteins offer a welcome alternative for sensitive pets.
Check out some of the benefits of the most common seafood ingredients we use in Wellness recipes:
Salmon:
Salmon oil:
Tuna:
Whitefish:
For Wellness dogs and cats who are seafood aficionados, we’ve curated some of our most delectable (and healthy) fish-based meals and snacks we recommend spoiling your pet with this month and throughout the year.
Wellness CORE Freeze Dried Treats are made in the U.S.A. from 100% real Salmon. Reward your dog with these grain free, protein packed, freeze dried raw treats!
Thick meaty cuts of fish in a rich, delicious gravy mixed with superfoods such as sweet potatoes and broccoli to ensure your dog has the nutrition they need to thrive from the core.
This protein-rich CORE® Pâté wet cat food contains wholesome ingredients that are free from grains, carrageenan, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives to give your cat the energy it needs to thrive.
Indulge your cat with Wellness® Kittles™ natural, grain-free crunchy cat treats. At only 2 calories per treat, Kittles are the purrfect way to show your kitty love.
What’s your pet’s favorite seafood recipe? We’d love to hear from you! On Instagram, tag @wellnesspetfood for a chance to be featured on our social communities or website
Dogs are remarkable animals; they are wise, compassionate, intuitive and brave; however, some dogs, like these incredible service dogs, are just a cut above the rest. Their stories inspire us and remind us just how special dogs are and how much of a better place they make the world.
1. Chi Chi, “American Hero Dog” of the 2018 American Humane Hero Dog Awards®
Chi Chi’s heartwarming story reminds us that life often isn’t fair, but that doesn’t mean we should despair. Chi Chi was found starving and bound in a garbage bag in South Korea. None of Chi Chi’s limbs were salvageable, and she became a quadruple amputee. Remarkably, Chi Chi learned to trust people again despite her abuse. She was given custom prosthetics and soon after became a certified therapy dog. The joy that emanates from Chi Chi is palpable. In addition to overcoming her early traumas and going on to help others, Chi Chi is also a cancer survivor whose personality and attitude inspire and motivate everyone she meets. The ceremony honoring Chi Chi will be aired on national television on the Hallmark Channel on October 24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
2. A Dog Named Hero Helps Military Sexual Assault Victim Heal
It’s no coincidence Hero the dog’s name is ‘Hero’ given his heroism in helping his owner, Heidi Luke, overcome the PTSD stemming from a sexual assault endured while serving in the military. For Heidi, hero is her battle buddy who enables her to go about her life. She can now grocery shop without having a panic attack. Hero guards Heidi in public, keeping strangers from getting too close. Hero’s work is part of an effort called Healing Paws for Warriors; the objective is to minimize the number of veteran suicides that occur due to trauma resulting from military service.
3. Lizzy the Labrador Gives Leigh Michel New Hope after Multiple Sexual Assaults During Army Service
As indicated by the NPR headline that details Leigh Michel’s harrowing tale, service dogs are taking on an increasingly prominent role in helping those who served in the military overcome trauma after being sexually assaulted. Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits for service dogs do not cover service dogs as therapy for mental illness; however, it is possible that as brave service members share their stories and their experiences with service dogs, that will change.
4. Willy’s Sense of Smell Saves His Owner’s Life
Madison Stangl was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes her first year at college. A few years after diagnosis, however, Madison developed a condition called hypoglycemia unawareness where she was unable to recognize warning signs of low blood pressure. Willy, a service dog came to Madison’s rescue. Trained to sniff out a drop or spike in blood sugar, Willy the golden retriever woke Madison in the middle of the night when her blood sugar was deathly low. Without Willy, Madison would have died.
5. Sully Serves Former President George H. W. Bush & Raises Awareness
As many know, former President George H. W. Bush suffers from Parkinson’s and has been hospitalized twice since his wife Barbara passed away in April 2018. Sully not only is helping the former POTUS, but the lovely yellow lab is helping to raise awareness via the Instagram account, @sullyhwbush, to raise awareness for and about the important role service dogs play in all of our lives.
Service dogs do amazing work, and we salute them in their various, honorable missions. To show our love and support, we at Wellness Pet Food stand firm by our dedication to making delicious, high-quality, all-natural foods, snacks, and treats that are designed to ensure wellness and longevity in all animals that enjoy them.
This summer was hot but these accounts were hotter! From impressive dock jumps to internet challenges, these dogs sure left their “mark” on the internet!
10. Madame Eyebrows: Our #10 spot goes to Instagram’s most frumpy pooch: Madame Eyebrows! Her uniquely marked face is furever stuck in Monday-mood and everyone can relate. Sure, she may wear that frown pretty convincingly, but make no mistake she is living her best life!
9. Logan the Shepherd: #9 goes to Instagram’s most stunning dog model, Logan! Rescued from a Craigslist ad, Logan came from humble beginnings but quickly climbed the ranks with his beautiful split-face markings and longing eyes. He’s since captured the eyes of millions and stolen the hearts of many more! Sure, he may be “two-faced” but he’s certainly no Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!
8. Walter Geoffrey the Frenchie: Our #8 spot goes to Instagram’s most gifted singer, Geoffrey! When he’s not lounging around at the house, getting sassy with his mom, or ordering Puppuccinos at Starbucks, he likes to dust off the old pipes and sing a few tunes. Remember, if you run into Geoffrey at a karaoke bar, don’t even try to challenge him to a sing-off! He’ll steal your pride and your girl!
7. Golden Retriever Jill: Our #7 spot goes to Instagram’s most famous underwater fetcher, Jill! What surfaced as an unbelievable video of a dog swimming underwater quickly led to a massive treasure chest of unseen diving videos buried in the account! This pooch must have been a submarine captain in a past life because she’s one incredible sub-woofer! If you ever drop your phone or sunglasses in a lake or pool, you know who to call!
6. Winston Moose: #6 goes to Instagram’s most famous scaredy-cat, Winston! During the dog days of August, a video of him getting adorably spooked by an ocean wave blew up. His reaction was priceless, sending waves across the internet! A true service dog at heart, Winston has done us all a public service and brightened each of our days with his hilarious, playful, and easily-spookable personality!
5. Ringo Swiss Alot: Our #5 spot goes to Instagram’s most gifted dock diver, Ringo! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! Nope, it’s Ringo! Whether he’s jumping after his toy or challenging his mom to a diving competition, this pooch hits the water with grace and style! Every jump is a chance for Ringo to SEND IT and he never disappoints!
4. Kirk the Border Collie: Our #4 spot goes to Instagram’s most lovable Border Collie, Kirk! A video of Kirk reacting to herself winning the 2017 Incredible Dog Challenge captured the hearts of millions. Bouncing and spinning with each obstacle, Kirk didn’t miss a beat as she watched her run on tv. Although the video was posted last year, it didn’t go viral until this summer proving once again there’s a goldmine of viral content just waiting to be discovered!
3. Maya Polar Bear: This spot goes to Instagram’s most happy cloud, Maya! She loves borking to some Spotify tunes, giving makeup tutorials, riding the escalator with her mom, and creating food ASMR videos! She’s become such a staple in the Instagram dog community that anything she touches turns to gold. One could say she has the Midas “fluff’!
2. Siberian Husky Jax: Our #2 spot goes to Instagram’s most viral Husky, Jax! Remember the What The Fluff Challenge that popped up earlier this summer? Well, this account started it all! The goal of the challenge was to fool your pet into thinking you disappeared by throwing a blanket up into the air and running into another room. What began with a simple homemade video led to a massive internet sensation leaving millions of pooches bamboozled or laughing at their owners for attempting such a cheap trick!
1. Long Coat Max: Our #1 spot goes to Instagram’s most loved German Shepherd, Max! His coat may be long but there’s certainly no long-face to match! With Max, there’s never a boring minute! He’s made us laugh, cry, and laugh some more with his hilarious internal-voice videos, adorable throwbacks, and goofy memes! Max has put the GSD gang on the map by growing quicker than any other dog in the Instagram community! Max gained almost 100K followers in the span of a few weeks after one of his videos went viral on an international scale. Max’s dad has shared so many adorable moments that it feels as though we’re right there with them for every swim, lick, bamboozle, and happy accident on the kitchen floor!
Mick Szydlowski is an author, marketing consultant and animal welfare advocate living in Seattle, Washington, with his wife, plus two young daughters and their “big brother,” Klaus the cat. Although Oskar is no longer around, Mick is patiently awaiting the arrival of his next special-needs shelter cat, which just happens to be another blind tabby!
What are some common special needs in pets?
If you’ve browsed social media over the past six or seven years, you have likely come across a number of accounts which feature pets with special needs. Animals with special needs are those that require additional daily care which is often quite specific, although not necessarily a lot of extra work in every case. The broad range of special needs may include varying degrees of blindness, deafness, loss of limbs or use of wheels for mobility, neurological issues, paralysis, behavioral problems, birth defects, plus a range of digestive disorders and chronic diseases that reduce organ function. The truth is that any pet that lives well into its senior years will likely develop a condition that would classify it as an animal with special needs.
How to care for a pet with special needs:
Frequently, the thought of caring for a pet with special needs discourages people from adopting the afflicted cat or dog, hence finding homes for these unique animals is a challenging task for shelters. However, an animal with special needs is not necessarily unhealthy or destined to live in a state of suffering. These assumptions come from unfounded biases and low expectations that society imposes on those with disabilities. With the right environment and daily attention and love, most of these pets can absolutely thrive. The key for those interested in adopting a “less than perfect” animal is to be armed with knowledge about the specific condition and a commitment to care which can include additional time and expenses. The rewards of caring for a special animal are immeasurable; you’ll be inspired daily and the bond of friendship will be something you’ll never forget!
Life with Oskar & Klaus
I am very lucky to have been blessed with two special needs cats in my life. The first cat, named Klaus, was adopted from a no-kill shelter in 2006. Klaus was already an adult cat when I brought him home after meeting numerous cats and kittens with every character trait from timid to wild. There was something special about this cat — the only adult — that was in a room full of kittens. His collapsed right ear, missing teeth and scars were a reminder of his previous life as a famished stray, but his elegant tabby coat, bright eyes and overall confidence were a clear sign that he would make a perfect spoiled indoor companion.
Klaus, however, came with digestive issues that required a fair amount of trial-and-error to control. He suffered from frequent bouts of colitis, which translated to recurrent diarrhea and responsive vomiting lasting a week or more. The key to eliminating the flareups ultimately came down to feeding him the right ratio of protein and carbs, portion size, mix of kibble and wet food and adding a daily probiotic supplement. With the right formula in place, Klaus’ digestive health is something that I don’t worry about and I certainly don’t miss cleaning up the messes that were part of the daily routine for many, many months!
The second cat, Oskar, was an outdoor farm kitten discovered in 2011. Oskar was only eight weeks old when I found him, and although I was not actively searching for a second cat, I immediately fell in love with him and brought him home to Klaus. Oskar was born completely blind with a condition called microphthalmia; he technically had eyes, but they were never fully developed and thus stayed tucked far behind his eyelids. Instead of navigating his world visually, Oskar mapped out his environment using his senses of hearing, smell and touch and by utilizing detailed special memory.
Initially, however, I had serious misconceptions about how well he’d do in an indoor space. Would Oskar run into the walls and furniture? Would I have to put down padding along the base of the walls to keep his head safe? Would he be able to find his food or the litter box? Oskar began to prove that my fears were misguided on the first day! As long as I didn’t rearrange the furniture and kept the clutter to a minimum there were zero issues. As a matter of fact, Oskar never made a mess anywhere outside of the litter box and he was the first cat at the food bowl when breakfast was served! Like many blind cats, he was adventurous and quite fearless, plus exceptionally skilled at climbing on top of the tallest object in the room, which Klaus often couldn’t do!
Should Your Next Pet be a Special Needs animal?
If you are prepared to offer the extra care and are ready to bring a unique special needs cat or dog into your home then talk to your local shelter about the animals that are in their custody that need that special someone. Shelters will often keep pets with special needs in their foster care program so you may not see them at the facility. Additionally, some shelters, such as Milo’s Sanctuary in California, specialize in caring for pets with special needs, so feel free to extend your search if you have no shelter locally. When you have finally brought home your special needs pet, share your experience on social media with others to inspire them to adopt the “less than perfect” cat or dog that ends up being absolutely extraordinary.
Every pet owner knows that vet care is a routine part of being a responsible pet parent, but not every pet parent knows what vet care should cost from basic preventative care and vaccinations to an unexpected diagnosis.
This article gives an overview of what kinds of expenses to expect and what those expenses are so you’re better prepared before heading to the office. Keep in mind that it’s possible for vet costs to vary widely depending on where you live, for example. It’s also a good idea to talk with other trusted pet parents to get their experience of different veterinary care costs.
What Do Veterinarians Charge For?
Most pet parents cringe when it comes to the vet bill part of a vet visit; however, that is because most do not know what goes into the services their pet receives. The reality is that—in addition to administrative and operating fees—there are many things vets have to charge for in their practice. These are:
Professional services, which includes the physical exam, medical exam, extended exam, and hospitalized patient exam
Diagnostic services, which includes blood pressure evaluation and more
Diagnostic imaging services, which could range from ultrasounds to radiographs
Lab work services, which includes collecting labs, running, and analyzing samples that test for blood chemistry, leukemia, heartworms, thyroid, immunity, and more
Surgical procedures
Anesthesia for procedures, which includes intubation and monitoring
Hospitalization services, which includes overnight stays, inpatient monitoring, and more
Veterinary fees are generally competitive based on the rates of other veterinarians in the surrounding area as well as the nature of the services offered. Your pet’s weight and size also influences costs for services rendered.
Costs of Basic Preventative Care
Needless to say, all of these services are not part of basic preventative care. During a routine, annual or bi-annual (depending on your pet’s age) preventative care or well-visit, your pet will have a thorough physical exam in which the vet will check your pet’s hearing, vision, teeth and gums, heart function, respiration, skin and coat, musculature, and more.
Average cost of physical exam: $45-$55
Some such visits will also include getting routine vaccinations or vaccine boosters. Recommended vaccines for dogs are for parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, and rabies. Recommended vaccines for cats are panleukopenia, herpesvirus, calcivirus, feline leukemia, and rabies.
Average cost of vaccines per shot: $15-$28
Costs of Additional Tests and Services
Additional services that might be rendered during a preventative care visit include tests for potential issues such as a fecal exam or heart worm test. The typical costs for such additional tests and services are:
Fecal exam: $25-$45
Heartworm test: $45-$50
Dental cleaning: $70-$400
Allergy testing: $195-$250 for skin test, $200-$300 for blood test
Geriatric screening: $85-$110
Costs of Surgery or Unexpected Diagnosis
While on average, routine annual veterinary care might cost between $200 to $400 for dogs and $90 to $200 for cats, unplanned events such as accidents, injuries, or unanticipated ailments can cost a variable amount more.
For example, if you learn your cat has diabetes, it might cost $300 just for your vet to be able to properly diagnose your cat. The total cost of caring for a pet with diabetes will vary depending on the age of the cat when diagnosed and how long the cat lives afterward. While glucose can be monitored and insulin can be managed at home, pets with diabetes often have to visit the vet more frequently for other ailments or for interpreting at-home glucose test results as needed.
Similarly, if, after the $45–$50 heart worm test, your dog does have heart worms, treatment can be $400 to $1,000.
Emergency treatment is another expense that can quickly run upwards of and beyond $1,000. Again, this is circumstantial and depends on what the vet has to do to diagnose and to treat your pet. If the ailment is unknown, the vet will have to do diagnostics and blood work—possibly imaging, to determine what is wrong. After they figure out what is wrong, they still have to treat your pet. If hospitalization is necessary, that will increase the total costs for treatment.
Covering Veterinary Costs
If your pet does have an emergency, you can minimize costs by providing the vet with as much specific information as possible. While not all unexpected diagnoses and needs for long-term treatment can be prevented, attending to routine preventative care, not missing annual check-ups, and getting your pet vaccinated and staying on top of booster shots will help.
To manage costs, consider creating a special savings account to cover your pet’s annual vet bills plus incidentals. If you start saving while your pet is young, by the time they suffer afflictions typical of old age, you will be financially prepared to handle those unplanned diagnoses as well as any other unexpected medical problems that occur along the way.
In addition to preventative care, pet parents can help decrease unplanned medical issues by feeding a natural food especially designed for his or her size, age and breed. Wellness Pet Food for dogs and cats is made with all-natural ingredients and are created to ensure cats and dogs have long, healthy, happy lives.
With so many different personality types among them, it can be difficult to read your cat’s mood and overall wellness; however, studies have shown that happy, healthy cats (regardless of personality) all exhibit similar physical and vocal cues to indicate that they are happy and healthy.
Good Grooming
A happy healthy cat will keep himself well-groomed. Not only that, but he might also feel inclined to groom other pets or even you. Some pet owners call licks from their cat “kisses”. They’re not wrong as your cat’s attempt to groom you is a show of trust in your bond.
Lifted or Twitchy Tail
You can tell a lot about your cat by her tail. When a cat holds her tail high in the air, it’s a show of confidence, and when she twitches the tip of her tail, it means she’s happy with who is around her.
Gets Comfortable
When cats are on the defense, they arch their backs, and their ears flatten. Happy cats will indicate they are such by being relaxes in their movements and sleeping positions. They will tuck their paws under when watching the world go by, for example.
Dilated Eyes
While your cat’s eyes won’t be dilated 24/7, a sign of happiness is a sudden dilation of the eyes—most people think it means their cat is about to go wild, but it’s not.
Forward-Facing Ears
When cats are upset, they will fold their ears back against their heads. Happy cats’ ears are forward-facing as if to say they’re interested in what you have to say.
Hearty Appetite
Healthy cats enjoy eating and will show enthusiasm at meal times by rubbing against your legs and guiding you to where food is typically served.
Playful Patterns
As cats age, their playing habits might change, but a sign of a happy cat is a playful spirit. Whether it is chasing a toy or just jumping and running around, happy cats are playful pets.
Good Sleeper
Cats can nap anytime, anywhere and for any length of time—that’s surely why they call them “cat naps”; however, a happy cat will want to sleep with someone…on your lap, with a fellow pet, in your bed, etc. What is more, a happy cat will sleep but not in excess as that is a sign of an unhappy cat.
Likes to Chat
Happy cats can be chatterboxes. Their high-pitched “talks” are signs that they are happy, happy, happy.
Happy cats purr when they are feeling content. Often, this happens while they are getting a back scratch, but sometimes, a happy cat will purr just because. If this describes your cat, then rest assured, he is one happy, healthy kitty.
Happy and healthy cats are ones that feel good. Keep your cat health (and happy) by giving him or her all-natural (yet very yummy) snacks, treats, and meals. Wellness Pet Food cares about your cat’s health and happiness and shows it through a complete line of wet and dry foods, snacks, and treats designed especially for felines.
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