Skip to content
                Contact
preventative care routine for cats and dogs

5 Proven Preventative Pet Care Routines

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And this goes double for our pets! Taking a few moments out of the day to prevent an injury or illness is easier, quicker, and far less expensive than a trip to the vet. Plus, by maintaining a regular routine, if something new or different does crop up with your pet, you’ll be more likely to catch it and address it sooner.

Not sure where to start? Here are my five proven preventative pet care routines:

Pin Me!

pet care routine pin

1. Measure Meals + Treats

Chilly loves to play with his bob a lot toy!

My dog, Chilly, is on a veterinary prescribed diet for a kidney condition (which is getting a lot better).

We supplement his regular diet with various high-quality foods to mix things up a bit. But one thing that doesn’t change is our feeding routine. Rather than eyeballing it, we always measure the amount of food (wet or dry) to ensure he gets the right amount for his size and activity level.

Then, to give him a little extra brain and body boost, we use his favorite treat dispensers to feed him all of his dry kibble (he loves the Bob-a-Lot dispenser). Not only does this ensure he gets the right amount of food, the dispenser engages his brain, keeps him busy, and burns calories!

I also measure out treats for the day so that we don’t “over treat” Chilly. His current favorite is the super wholesome, single-ingredient Freeze Dried Chicken Breast Treat from the folks at iHeartDogs. I love it because it’s healthy and every package purchased
feeds 14 shelter dogs through the company’s partnership with Rescue Bank!

If you’re unsure of the proper amount of food or treats to feed your pet, consult with your veterinarian or check out this guide for help.

2. Soothe the Skin

It's Chilly's bath time with Vetericyn FoamCare shampoo!

The skin is the largest organ in the body so it’s important to include it in your preventative care routine. To soothe Chilly’s itchy skin during allergy season, I use Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Hydrogel. He also has a tendency to chew and lick certain areas of his body so much that he loses his fur. I’ve tried everything to treat it but nothing really worked until I started using the Vetericyn Hot Spot Spray. The results have been simply amazing! (Check out my Instagram account @petliving for an incredible before and after.) Oh! And let’s not leave out the kitties. Vetericyn Wound Care Spray comes in handy to treat minor “war wounds” if your cats – like mine – don’t really get along.

Finally, if you want to prevent skin infections and keep dirty dog smell at bay, regular baths are key. We LOVE the Vetericyn FoamCare Medicated Shampoo because it comes in a spray bottle for easy application, foams up fast, and rinses clean easily. It makes bath time much faster and helps keep Chilly’s skin healthy! Be sure to use my code PETLIVING for 20% off your entire purchase at Vetericyn.com.

3. Get Moving

These days, our pets are packing on the pounds. In fact, over half of the pet population in the US is overweight or obese. Keeping your pet at a healthy weight will help prevent weight-related problems like heart disease, diabetes, and debilitating joint issues. In addition to measuring the proper amount of food, help keep your pet in tip top shape with regular exercise.

Chilly and I head out for a walk two times a day, weather permitting. On bad weather days, I try to stop what I’m doing at least three times a day to play with him using a tug toy or a good old-fashioned game of chase around the living room. When it comes to the cats, I try to regularly engage them with a toy, encouraging them to chase, jump, and pounce. It doesn’t really matter what you do, as long as you both find it fun and it gets your pet moving.

osteoarthritis checklist

4. Visit the Vet

Chilly loves our vet, Dr. Garcia!

It’s easy to let vet appointments slip to the bottom of your to-do list. But regular check-ups for both dogs and cats can help prevent problems down the road. Younger pets should see a vet once a year while senior pets benefit from twice-yearly visits. (Because Chilly’s technically a senior at age 8, we see the vet more often than he’d like, I’m sure.)

If your pet is on medication, stick to the dosage instructions to ensure your pet gets and/or stays healthy. If you need a reminder, schedule daily or monthly doses into your calendar or set a reminder on your smart phone.

5. Carve out quality time

This is probably one of the easiest, most satisfying preventative measures you can take. Spending time bonding with your pet has amazing health and psychological benefits for you both. Chilly and I bond during walks, playtime, or just hanging on the sofa watching Netflix. In the mornings, I spend time with my cat, Turdie, over coffee. In the evenings, I cuddle with my other cat, Olivia, while I’m reading a book.

Do whatever brings you and your pet closer together. Just make sure you take at least 15 minutes a day to do nothing but spend time with your pet. It will do you both good!

Get the free urine marking ebook today!

Kristen Levine is a nationally acclaimed pet expert, influencer, and Fear Free Certified® Professional with over 30 years of experience working with pets.

Through this blog and her book, Pampered Pets on a Budget, Kristen has helped millions of pet parents solve problems and provide the best care for their dogs and cats.

Working alongside hundreds of pet professionals, including veterinarians, behaviorists and trainers inspired Kristen to become a pet parenting “guide”, providing readers with reliable information about health, wellness and lifestyle for dogs and cats and the people who love them.

A dogged advocate for pet adoption and rescue, Kristen has featured over 1,000 adoptable dogs and cats from the SPCA on live television and radio appearances to get them adopted. Her blog, KristenLevine.com has been featured in over 100 media outlets – including the New York Times, USA Today, FOX & Friends, Good Morning America, Women's Day, Reader's Digest, Good Housekeeping, Pop Sugar and more.

To stay up to date on the latest health and lifestyle trends for pets, Kristen regularly attends the top veterinary and pet product conferences, where she’s often a featured speaker.

This Post Has One Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back To Top