Protecting Your Pets This Winter

According to statistics reported by the ASPCA, about forty-four percent of homes in the United States have at least one dog, and around thirty-five percent of homes have a cat. Many families give pets as Christmas gifts. If you are one of the thousands of families that added a pet to their home over the holidays, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed right now adjusting to them, especially if your pet is a puppy or a kitten.

Hopefully, by now, you have contacted Cumberland Animal Hospital and scheduled a first appointment for your pet. Our expert team of veterinarians can answer all of your questions about preventative health and daily care. We can give you information on the best preventative health practices for your particular pet, and give you a schedule of when shots need to be received and treatment is needed. Preventative health in household pets doesn’t stop at vaccinations though. At Cumberland Animal Hospital we can share with you the products we most recommend for flea and tick prevention and to protect your pet from deadly parasites, such as, heartworms, in order for them to live a long and healthy life.

One special note that we would like to emphasis this time of year, is about the dropping temperatures that we have seen across North Carolina. Historically, this time of year is the coldest in our state, and it will continue to be so for the next few weeks. Please do not leave your pets outside. Some people erroneously believe that pets are better equipped with insulation to retain their body heat, even when it is freezing outside. It is a safe assumption that if you would not want to be outside for a long period of time in the cold, then neither would your pet. According to North Carolina law, owners of these pets must not willfully neglect them by not protecting them from the weather. Still, every year, dogs and cats die from being left for too long out in freezing temperatures. Don’t let this happen to your pet.

Our staff at Cumberland Animal Hospital would love to take care of the preventative health of your pet. Give us a call today at (910) 822-3337 to schedule an appointment.