Monthly reminders for routine pet care tasks -- bookmark this page for a year-round maintenance schedule.
January
- • Renew pet insurance if annual renewal
- • Check flea/tick prevention stock
- • Cold weather: watch paws for salt/ice melt irritation
- • Senior dogs: schedule biannual bloodwork
February
- • Annual heartworm test due (start of season)
- • Dental Health Month: assess home dental routine
- • Update ID tags if contact info changed
- • Valentine's Day: keep chocolate and xylitol out of reach
March
- • Spring allergies begin: monitor for itching, ear infections
- • Resume year-round flea/tick prevention if winter gap
- • Schedule annual wellness exam
- • Spring cleaning: review household toxins
April
- • Heartworm season: confirm prevention is current
- • Flea and tick season starts -- confirm prevention
- • Outdoor hazards: mushrooms, fertilizers, spring plants
- • Microchip check: confirm registration is current
May
- • Weigh pet -- record for year-over-year comparison
- • Review food: is current diet still appropriate?
- • Boarding/travel: Bordetella vaccine current?
- • Warm weather: never leave pet in parked car
June
- • Summer heat: adjust exercise to cooler hours
- • Outdoor water: check for algae (toxic blue-green algae)
- • Swimming: rinse ears after swimming to prevent infection
- • Firework prep: ID tags secure, safe space prepared
July
- • 4th of July: highest pet escape day of the year
- • Heatstroke watch: panting, drooling, weakness
- • Check paws: hot pavement causes burns
- • Biannual senior exam due (if 7+ years)
August
- • Back-to-school transition: dogs may develop SA
- • Mosquito peak season: heartworm prevention critical
- • Review training: any behaviors that slipped?
- • Annual dental check: professional cleaning due?
September
- • Fall allergies: second peak for environmental allergy dogs
- • Flea season extends into fall -- maintain prevention
- • Update emergency vet info in phone
- • Senior cat bloodwork: thyroid, kidney panel
October
- • Halloween: keep candy (xylitol, chocolate) secured
- • Seasonal food hazards: grapes, raisins in holiday baking
- • Cooler weather: joint issues may worsen -- assess mobility
- • Winter coat: double-coated breeds starting to shed
November
- • Thanksgiving: bones, onions, grapes, xylitol hazards
- • Holiday decor: tinsel, poinsettia, Christmas tree water
- • Plan holiday boarding: book early
- • Year-end insurance review: worth renewing?
December
- • Holiday plants: holly, mistletoe, poinsettia toxic
- • Travel stress: familiar items help anxious pets
- • Cold weather: antifreeze is extremely toxic -- keep away
- • Year review: schedule January wellness exam now