Health & Behavior

Your Pet’s Behavioral Health
The behavioral health of your pet is an important component of his overall medical well-being.  To promote and support optimal behavioral health, have fun with your canine companion by providing exercise as well as mental enrichment.  Exercise-related playtime options involve playing with toys, swimming, and enjoying walks together.  Equally important to exercise, mentally-enriching playtime opportunities develop your pet’s problem-solving skills, tap in to his natural dog-specific talents, and tire him out as efficiently as physical exercise!  These positive effects make mental enrichment opportunities a terrific option for rainy and busy days!  Develop your dog’s brain and siphon off some of that natural doggie energy by providing kibble dispensing toys, playing hide and seek (this builds your “come when called” behavior as well!), attend a rewarding and relationship-building class such as agility, teach your pup to retrieve your frequently misplaced keys, or develop their scent discrimination ability by hiding treats in a special box or place in the house before releasing him to “find it!”.  Your well-adjusted, mentally enriched pet will thank you for the good times!

Relationship with Your Veterinarian
Doctors of Veterinary Medicine are medical professionals whose primary responsibility is protecting the health and welfare of animals and people. In order for your veterinarian to best serve you and your pet it is essential that you communicate your pet’s health care needs to the veterinarian. Many signs of illness are subtle. Your veterinarian will rely on your awareness of small changes in your pet’s behavior or habits.

Building a relationship with your veterinarian will help you to stay on top of your pet’s health and help them to live a long, happy life. Take the time to choose the right veterinarian for your special pet.

Find a Veterinarian
The Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society has member veterinarians across the Front Range who are happy to help you take care of your pet. To search the member database, please click here and choose your search preferences.

For more information on pet health, please visit the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society at http://www.davms.org/.