General Wellness
Checkup Checklist Make the most of your time with your veterinarian. Here are must-ask questions for your pet’s next exam. By Mary Scoviak
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Pets have little trouble letting their human families know what they want when they’re hungry or want to go outside. But they need their owners to speak for them when it comes to planning for optimal lifelong health. Your dog’s or cat’s semiannual or annual exam is the perfect opportunity to start that conversation with your veterinarian. What do you need to know about caring for your pet? Here are some key questions veterinary experts would ask if they were on the other side of the exam table.
4 Fall 2013 | Pet Quarterly
1. How much food does my pet need? More than half of dogs and cats in the United States are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. As in humans, obesity isn’t just a cosmetic problem. It can lead to or worsen conditions from heart disease to osteoarthritis and cancer. “I wish every pet owner would measure food in terms of an 8-ounce cup, so that portion sizes stay the same,” says Dr. Wendy Hauser, who recently transitioned from her small-animal practice to veterinary business consulting.