GoodRx Guide
Pet Healthcare and Wellness (Dogs and Cats): Your GoodRx Guide
Taking care of your pet’s health
Let’s face it: Our furry friends are part of the family. Of course, we want to take the best care of our beloved cats and dogs. But what does that entail? How do you make sure your pet lives their best life?
Like people, dogs and cats have specific needs to thrive. Here are a few of the essentials:
Basic needs like food, water, and exercise
Safety and protection, including a safe place to live
Opportunities for play, activity, and entertainment
Routine health checkups and preventative treatments
Veterinary healthcare for illness or injury
Plenty of love, attention, and affection
You’ll want to tailor your pet care to your individual cat or dog. Perhaps your dog needs lots of outdoor time to run. Maybe your cat lets you know they’re feeling stressed by peeing outside the litter box. Your senior pet may need a diet change to support their health as they age.
Remember that living with a dog or cat can brighten your home, but it is a commitment. We’ve got some great guidance on pet health. And your veterinarian can help guide you on what’s best for your resident furry friends.
Getting veterinary care for your pet
Your furry family member needs veterinary care just like you need healthcare. This can include:
Regular checkups, at least once a year
Preventative treatments for fleas, ticks, and other common pests
Microchipping in case your pet gets lost
Treatment for an illness or injury
Medications or diet changes for an ongoing chronic illness
Dental cleaning and care
End-of-life care
You’ll want to find a veterinarian as soon as you bring home your cat or dog. At your initial visit, your vet will examine your pet and help you understand what healthcare they need.
Establishing a relationship — called a veterinary-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) — with your vet is important. It allows them to track your pet’s well-being throughout their life. And if your vet offers telehealth, the VCPR allows them to diagnose and prescribe treatment for your pet remotely.
Veterinary care can be expensive. If you need help paying for your pet’s medical bills, these guides may help:
What to know about pet medications
Depending on your pet’s health needs, you may find yourself picking up a pet medication prescription. Or your veterinarian may recommend over-the-counter products to support your pet’s well-being.
One category of pet medications you will likely need are preventative medications. These may be available over the counter or by prescription and may include:
Heartworm preventatives
Worms and intestinal parasite preventatives
If your pet has an illness or a chronic health condition, your vet may prescribe additional medications. For example, if your dog or cat has an infection, your vet may recommend antibiotics. For an injury, your veterinarian may suggest short-term painkillers.
Other times, your pet may need medications for a long period of time. For example, pets with diabetes may need regular insulin. Dogs with high blood pressure or cats with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) could also need ongoing medications.
Keep in mind that, sometimes, your vet may prescribe a medication that humans also use. But don’t give your pet a human medication; these can poison your pet. Always ask your vet for the correct dosage and medication. And if you’re interested in alternative options, such as CBD for your pet, consult with your veterinarian first.
Caring for your dog
Have a canine friend at home? To help them live their best life, you’ll want to consider their veterinary and lifestyle needs. Here’s an overview of what to think about for your dog’s health. And ask your veterinarian for specific recommendations.
First, make sure your dog is up to date on their healthcare needs. When you first bring your dog home, your vet will likely recommend:
Spaying or neutering (“fixing” your dog so they can’t reproduce)
Microchipping, which can help you track your pet if they get lost
Core vaccinations to prevent serious illness, including rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus
Every year, plan for additional preventative care. Your dog will likely need:
A routine checkup with the vet
Boosters to stay current on vaccinations
Flea, tick, and other parasite preventative medications
Internal parasite and heartworm testing
Dental cleaning and exams as needed
And then, you’ll want to keep an eye on all of the other aspects of your dog’s well-being, such as:
Providing a healthy diet and helping them maintain a healthy weight
Making sure they get enough exercise and play time
Training to keep your dog safe and mentally active
Spending time together to meet your dog’s need for companionship
Caring for your cat
Cats need more than just food, water, and a clean litter box to thrive. They need preventative healthcare, basic necessities, and opportunities to explore. Here’s a brief overview of what to keep in mind for your feline family members.
There are a few steps you’ll want to take when you first bring home your cat. These include:
Spaying or neutering (surgery to prevent your cat from reproducing)
Microchipping, which helps you track your cat if they get lost
Core vaccinations to prevent disease, including rabies and the combination FVRCP vaccine (feline distemper vaccine)
Prepare for additional preventative healthcare measures for your cat at least yearly. Your vet may recommend:
Routine checkups and bloodwork
Vaccine boosters
Preventative medication for fleas, ticks, and other parasites
Dental exams and cleaning as needed
To help your cat live their best life, here are some other aspects of their care to keep in mind:
Providing a nutritious cat diet and maintaining a healthy weight
Cleaning your cat’s litter box at least once a day
Giving them access to toys, climbing spaces, and interesting activities
Making sure they get enough exercise and playtime
References
American Association of Feline Practitioners. (n.d.). What your cat needs to feel secure. Cat Friendly Homes.
American Association of Feline Practitioners. (2016). Veterinary task force on feline sterilization: Recommendations for age of spay and neuter surgery.
American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). AAHA-AVMA feline preventive healthcare guidelines.
American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Importance of wellness exams.
American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Microchipping FAQ.
American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). National check the chip day.
American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Pet ownership.
American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Spaying and neutering.
American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Vaccinations.
American Veterinary Medical Association. (2011). AAHA-AVMA canine preventive healthcare guidelines.
American Veterinary Medical Association. (2012). The veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR).
Dale, S. (2007). Feline enrichment. World Small Animal Veterinary Association.
Partners for Healthy Pets. (n.d.). Why a checkup?
Stone, A. E. S., et al. (2020). 2020 AAHA/AAFP feline vaccination guidelines. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association.
World Small Animal Veterinary Association. (2013). The savvy cat owner’s guide: Nutrition on the internet.
World Small Animal Veterinary Association. (2013). The savvy dog owner’s guide: Nutrition on the internet.
