Why Consistency Matters in Your Pet’s Preventative Care
Preventative care is one of the simplest ways to help protect your pet’s health, but it works best when it stays part of their regular routine. Fleas, ticks and heartworms can pose serious health risks, and staying on schedule with your pet’s preventatives can help reduce those risks before they become a problem.
Whether your pet takes a monthly chew, uses a topical treatment or receives another type of preventative recommended by your veterinarian, consistency matters.
Why Staying on Schedule Matters
Flea, tick and heartworm preventatives are designed to work according to specific dosing schedules. Missing a dose or waiting too long between treatments can leave your pet without the intended protection.
Heartworm prevention is especially important to keep on schedule. Heartworm disease is spread through mosquito bites and can cause serious health problems. Because pets can be exposed even when they spend most of their time indoors, maintaining regular prevention is an important part of their ongoing care.
Fleas and ticks can also cause more than an occasional itch. Fleas can lead to skin irritation and allergic reactions, while ticks can transmit diseases that affect pets and, in some cases, people.
That’s why preventative care isn’t just about treating a problem after it appears.
Make Preventative Care Part of Their Routine
Remembering a monthly dose can be tricky, especially when life gets busy. Here are a few simple habits can make it easier to stay on track:
Pick a Consistent Date
If your pet’s preventative is given monthly, choose a day that’s easy to remember. Giving their medication around the same time each month can make it easier to keep track of when their next dose is due.
Set a Reminder
Add your pet’s preventative to your phone or calendar with a recurring monthly reminder. If you have multiple pets, you can also set individual reminders to keep track of each pet’s medication schedule.
Keep Their Preventatives in One Place
With Koala Health’s pouch packaging service, eligible medications can be sorted into individual date- and time-stamped pouches. Each pouch contains the medications your pet needs at that time, making it easier to keep track of their daily routine without sorting through multiple bottles.
Pair It With Another Routine
Try connecting your pet’s preventative to something you already do every month. It could be the day you pay a bill, change an air filter or complete another recurring household task.
The more naturally their preventative fits into your routine, the easier it can be to remember.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you realize you’ve missed a dose, don’t guess about what to do next. The right steps can depend on the specific preventative, how long it has been since the missed dose and your pet’s individual needs.
Check the medication’s instructions and reach out to your veterinarian if you’re unsure when to give the next dose or whether your pet needs additional care. Always follow the product’s directions and your veterinarian’s recommendations.
Stay Ahead of Their Preventative Care
Your pet’s preventative care may only take a few minutes each month, but those small steps play an important role in protecting their long-term health.
At Koala Health, we make it easier to stay on top of your pet’s medication routine. From coordinating prescriptions with your veterinarian to delivering medications right to your door, we’re here to help make keeping up with their care a little simpler. Because when preventative care becomes part of the routine, it’s easier to keep your pet protected.