When it comes to their pets most owners will do anything they can to ensure they are happy and healthy.

However, there’s a lot more to being a responsible pet owner than just picking up after your dog and making sure they’re fed and walked each day.

Desexing, vaccinations, correct feeding, training and socialisation are all extremely important.

Desexing

Did you know that desexing doesn’t only prevent unwanted kittens and puppies it also prevents a range of health issues from occurring later in the dog's life?

Rose Mckean has been a vet for the past four years and has seen the impact not desexing a pet can have on it’s health later in life.

“They can have a number of issues over their lifetime if they’re not desexed,” she said.

“It’s good for your pets health down the track.”

Male dogs can develop prostate problems while female dogs can get urinary tract infections and cancer in mammary glands.

Plus, desexed pets generally live longer lives.

National Desexing Month is an initiative of the National Desexing Network which sees vets across Australia offer discounted desexing during the month of July.

Find a vet near you taking part in the promotion by going to the National Desexing Network website where a list of vets taking part will be published at the end of June.

Dr Mckean’s practice has taken part in National Desexing Month for years.

“It’s a good initiative,” she said.

“We provide a discount to people on Government benefits to help them afford to desex their pets.

“It’s very important so we don’t end up with unwanted litters of kittens or puppies.

“It also reduces fighting in cats so it reduces the cost of vet bills as they don’t get injured – they’re also a lot nicer to have around the house.”

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Vaccinations

Annual vaccinations ensure your pet will remain disease free but more importantly the actual trip to the vet to have them administered can be just as important. 

“During your pets annual vaccinations the vet will give them a check over from nose to tail and will discuss any issues and identify any problems so we can improve your pets quality of life and keep them healthy and happy for longer,” Dr Mckean said.

Feeding

“Pets tend to be a bit broader around the middle now which comes from being too kind and subsequently overfeeding,” Dr Mckean said. “Healthy weight is huge part of being a responsible owner.”

Being overweight can have many adverse side effects including joint disease and arthritis.

Contact your vet if you’re having trouble with your pets weight or general helath.