By Emilia, Colegio Nueva Granada reporter | When you get a pet, take the pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible to see if your pet is healthy and to ensure it gets the appropriate vaccinations and any needed health care. 

According to the American Veterinary Medical Associatio (AMVA), your veterinarian can advise you about proper immunization, parasite control, nutrition, sterilization, socialization, training, grooming, and other care that may be necessary to protect the health of your new pet.  

Provide your pet with a good diet, fresh water, clean bedding, and plenty of exercise. Keep up with your pet’s vaccines, deworming, and flea and tick control. 

Here are some tips from AMVA to keep your pet healthy now and in the future:

1. Keep your pet at a healthy weight.  
2. Exercise your pet.  
3. Feed your pet a balanced, nutritious diet. 
4. Have your veterinarian examine your pet at least once a year to make sure your pet is healthy and to help detect problems earlier.  
5. Vaccinate your pet against diseases.  
6. Keep your pet free of parasites (fleas and ticks, heartworms, etc.). Consult your veterinarian for the best product for your pet.  
7. Spay or neuter your pet. 

About the author 

My name Is Emilia and I love animals. I would do anything to keep my pet healthy. My pet is a dachshund. Her name is Blomma and I love her so much. I chose to write about this topic because when my class and I were going to write about healthy articles, I saw that many of my classmates wrote about healthy food or sports or something like that. Then I thought, well why can’t I write about how to keep your pet healthy? I am from Sweden and Guatemala. I love snow and I love to play with animals. I also love horseback riding! I hope that these examples have helped you to make your pet healthy and HAPPY!  

Illustration by Kyaira, eighth grade The DePaul Catholic School, 2022–23.

Read more from Healthy NewsWorks International Correspondents.