10/15/2025
Powder Ridge Post ā October 2025
October is National Pet Wellness Month!
You may think your veterinarian is being a bit of a worrywart when they remind you to schedule your petās wellness visit. We often hear clients say things like, āBellaās fineāshe doesnāt go outside,ā or āChip was just in a few months ago for an ear infection.ā Sound familiar? If so, here are a few important reasons why scheduling your petās annual wellness visit is so vital.
Pets are experts at hiding when they donāt feel well.
For generations, animals have learned that showing weakness makes them easy targets for predators. As a result, their survival instinct is to mask any signs of illness. These changes can be incredibly subtleāso subtle that we may attribute them to something going on in our lives rather than our petās.
Small signs can include a change in sleeping habits, hesitating before jumping onto a favorite chair, or suddenly refusing a food theyāve loved for years. You might notice your pet dropping bits of kibble while eating, drinking more water than usual, or asking to go outside more frequently. Is Roberta urinating more often, or are her stools softer than before? These small changes can be early warning signs that something isnāt quite right.
Regular checkups and lab work are essential for early detection.
Catching problems early greatly increases the chance of successful treatmentābefore they become serious or even life-threatening. As the saying goes, āAn ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.ā
Of course, we understand that scheduling your petās wellness visit isnāt always easy. Data shows that annual wellness visits and vaccinations have declined over the past few years. At the same time, many households are feeling financial pressureāAmericans now carry nearly as much credit card debt as in 2010, with many balances 90+ days overdue. This has led to a decrease not only in veterinary visits but also in purchases of pet food, supplies, and accessories.
So, what can weā45.5% of dog-owning and 32.1% of cat-owning householdsādo to help our pets stay healthy?
Plan ahead and explore your options.
ā¢ Many pet insurance companies offer wellness add-ons or āridersā that reimburse routine medical expenses like exams and vaccinations.
ā¢ Consider opening a dedicated savings account for your pet. Even setting aside a few dollars each week in an interest-bearing account can add up and help ease future expenses.
ā¢ Our hospital, like many others, accepts CareCredit as a payment option. Purchases over $200 qualify for six months of interest-free financingājust be sure to pay off the balance within the promotional period to avoid added interest.
Lastly, talk to your veterinary team.
If your budget only allows for an exam and rabies vaccine right now, thatās okay! If your pet is otherwise healthy, we can spread out the cost by scheduling a follow-up visit with a technician for additional vaccinations or lab work later. Most of us are pet owners tooāwe understand the challenges and want to help you provide the best care possible.
Together, we can help ensure your pets live long, healthy, and happy lives.
