{"id":10798,"date":"2023-04-19T09:15:35","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T16:15:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osfbl01.justfoodfordogs.com\/?p=10798"},"modified":"2026-08-08T11:37:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:37:32","slug":"what-questions-should-you-ask-your-vet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/what-questions-should-you-ask-your-vet","title":{"rendered":"5 Key Questions to Ask a Vet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no doubt about it: Our pets are our family, and we want them in our lives for as long as possible.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/how-to-keep-your-dog-healthy.html\">To keep them in good health<\/a>, we turn to our wonderfully skilled veterinarians to help us along the way, but we must also help them by asking the right questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just like with our own health, new pets need preventative care. Our furry friends also need vaccinations, blood work, and annual checkups to prevent or detect any major health concerns or common diseases. Since our pets can\u2019t tell us how they feel, it is up to us as pet parents to watch out for any unusual signs and ask the appropriate questions to hopefully catch any health issues before they begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just as you would for your own doctor, try jotting down a list of questions in regard to your pet\u2019s health to ask your vet. Bringing up some of these important topics at their next vet visit could make a world of difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/osfbl01.justfoodfordogs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/dog-at-vet-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"dog at the vet\" class=\"wp-image-11084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/dog-at-vet-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/dog-at-vet-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/dog-at-vet-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/dog-at-vet.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. How much exercise\/play does my pet need?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just like humans, no two animals are alike. Depending on their age, size, dog breed, and overall health, their exercise needs will vary. That is why it is important to talk to your vet about how much exercise your specific pet will need. Insufficient exercise can cause joint pain and obesity, while too much can be taxing on the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, dogs bred to work, such as retrievers or collies, will require more exercise than smaller, more sedentary breeds such as a pug or Shih Tzu. Additionally, larger breed dogs tend to have more joint problems and may need extra joint support, especially if they are very active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. What can I do about dental care?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dental disease is very common in pets; some breeds can even be more susceptible to bad teeth. Poor dental health can cause a myriad of health concerns including gingivitis, tooth loss, and organ issues, so it\u2019s best to catch it early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, your dog\u2019s teeth should be checked <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avma.org\/resources-tools\/pet-owners\/petcare\/pet-dental-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">at least once a year<\/a> to determine if professional dental cleaning is needed. The AVMA suggests pet owners see their vet if they encounter symptoms such as swelling of the gums, bad breath, reduced appetite, mouth bleeding, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These symptoms can be preventable. The best way to avoid major dental issues in the future is by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/5-ways-to-keep-your-dogs-teeth-clean.html\">daily brushing<\/a>. Items that claim to clean teeth such as bones and rawhides can actually cause blockages and do more harm than good. If daily brushing is not possible with your cat or dog, your vet may have alternative methods you can use to keep your pet\u2019s teeth healthy as can be!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Is your pet at a healthy weight?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the United States alone, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/5-ways-to-help-your-dog-lose-weight.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">over 50 million dogs<\/a> are overweight or obese. We know those puppy dog eyes and tiny meows can be very persuasive, especially when it comes to feeding time, but maintaining your pet\u2019s weight is crucial to keeping them in good health. You can reduce your pet\u2019s risk of diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, and more just by keeping them at a healthy weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many pet parents are not sure what exactly their pet\u2019s \u201cideal\u201d weight is, and that is OK! Your vet can look at not only your pet\u2019s weight on the scale but how their body looks and feels to establish whether or not they require a special diet and\/or exercise regimen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Excessive weight gain can also be a sign of other health conditions such as Cushing\u2019s disease and hypothyroidism, so it\u2019s always a good idea to schedule an appointment if you cannot get to the root cause of your pet\u2019s weight issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. What kind of pet food should they be eating?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Feeding your pet a completely balanced diet is the first step to a healthy life for your cat or dog. When choosing a type of food, consulting with your vet is vital\u2014if your pet has health concerns such as kidney disease, pancreatitis, IBD, etc., you will want their diet to help manage the disease. Be wary of dog foods that claim to be natural or have fillers or preservatives, as these will not help your dog or cat nutritionally and can make any health problems worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">JustFoodForDogs&nbsp;believes a human edible and nutritionally balanced diet \u2014 especially one that has been scientifically proven to boost the immune system &#8212; will give your pets everything they need for overall health and wellness. When health concerns are present, deferring to your vet about diet changes is always suggested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>If you have any questions about switching to whole foods, feel free to reach out to us seven days a week at (866) 726-9509 or&nbsp;via our <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.justfoodfordogs.com\/contact-us\/\"><em>contact us<\/em><\/a><em> page!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. What preventatives does my pet need?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For your first visit to the veterinary clinic, remember to ask about what preventatives your pet should be on and how often. These range from heartworm prevention and vaccinations to flea and tick prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keeping Your Pet Healthy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osfbl01.justfoodfordogs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Trupanion-Insurance-Blog-Image.webp\" alt=\"a dog and a cat lying next to eachother\" class=\"wp-image-10840\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Being prepared for your pet\u2019s first vet appointment will help bring peace of mind in learning how to care for them. As pet parents, we all want the best for our pet\u2019s life so they can be happy and healthy in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are worried about the expense of pet care, consider exploring your options for <a href=\"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/affordable-veterinary-care.html\">affordable vet care<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When a new furry family member enters your life, these are the questions to ask a vet first.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":10809,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_jffd_show_updated":"1","footnotes":"","_ppma_block_editor_authors":""},"categories":[71,80],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[294],"class_list":["post-10798","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-wellbeing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.8 (Yoast SEO v28.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>5 Key Questions to Ask a Vet | JustFoodforDogs Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" 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A graduate of the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London, he has focused on clinical nutrition since vet school \u2014 researching and working exclusively with freshly prepared whole-food diets during his years at Cal Poly Pomona. His commitment to nutrition is personal as well as professional: his own Golden Retriever, Rey, had kidney disease successfully managed on a vet-directed renal diet. Dr. Chavez's career is founded on a deep commitment to pet advocacy, integrity, education, and sound veterinary principles.","url":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/author\/dr-oscar-chavez-mrcvs-mba"},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/what-questions-should-you-ask-your-vet#local-main-organization-logo","url":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/jffd-logo-blue.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/jffd-logo-blue.png","width":2755,"height":315,"caption":"JustFoodForDogs"}]}},"authors":[{"term_id":294,"user_id":36,"is_guest":0,"slug":"dr-oscar-chavez-mrcvs-mba","display_name":"Dr. Oscar Chavez, MRCVS MBA","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/dr-oscar-chavez.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/dr-oscar-chavez.jpg"},"author_category":"1","first_name":"Dr. Oscar","last_name":"Chavez, MRCVS MBA","job_title":"Veterinarian & Former Chief Medical Officer","edu_1":"BVetMed, Royal Veterinary College, University of London (2006)","edu_2":"MBA, University of California, Irvine (2012)","education_3":"MRCVS \u2014 licensed practicing veterinarian","exp_1":"Former Chief Medical Officer, JustFoodForDogs; former Chief of Staff at Banfield","exp_2":"Professor of veterinary clinical nutrition and adjunct faculty at Cal Poly Pomona; former Director of its Animal Health Science veterinary technician program (2010\u20132013)","experience_3":"Served on the Multidisciplinary and Registered Veterinary Technician Committees, California State Veterinary Medical Board","author_bio":"Dr. Oscar Chavez, BVetMed MRCVS MBA lead our Canine Nutrition Team as Chief Medical Officer at JustFoodForDogs LLC. Dr. Chavez is a veterinarian and business executive with a progressive career founded upon a solid commitment to pet advocacy, integrity, education, and sound veterinary principles. Dr. Chavez graduated in 2006 from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, and started his career with Banfield, the world\u2019s largest veterinary practice, where he became Chief of Staff. In 2009, he joined the faculty of the Animal and Veterinary Science department at\u00a0California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. There, he was Director of the Animal Health Science veterinary technician program from 2010 \u2013 2013, and remains an adjunct faculty and researcher, and professor of veterinary clinical nutrition. Additionally, he served as a member of the Multidisciplinary Committee and the Registered Veterinary Technician Committee for the California State Veterinary Medical Board. In 2012, Dr. Chavez completed a Master\u2019s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of California at Irvine. As Director of Canine Clinical Nutrition, he brings not only a deep technical expertise in researching and working exclusively with freshly prepared whole food diets at Cal Poly Pomona, but a true love for dogs that all of us here share. His own Golden Retriever, Rey, was a successful case study for our food. Rey\u2019s kidney disease was successfully managed with our Renal Moderate Protein vet-directed diet, which made Dr. Chavez\u2019s involvement even that much more personal to him. A graduate of the Royal Veterinary College in London, UK, Dr. Chavez is a licensed practicing veterinarian who has focused on clinical nutrition since graduating vet school. Dr. Chavez notes, \u201cIt all starts with nutrition. You are what you eat, and practically any health issue can be addressed through a higher-quality diet. We are in a unique time for veterinary medicine where people are seeking whole food diets using real USDA ingredients over commercial kibble or cans that use feed grade ingredients. I\u2019m excited of the possibilities we have in further increasing the health of our dogs with this trend. Our goal is to raise awareness of these diets and help bring a simple, fast and affordable solution to as many pet parents and their dogs as possible.","user_url":"","linkedin":"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dr-oscar-chavez-realtor","instagram":"","x":"","facebook":"","description":"Dr. Oscar Chavez, BVetMed MRCVS MBA, is a veterinarian and business executive who previously served as Chief Medical Officer at JustFoodForDogs, leading its Canine Nutrition Team. A graduate of the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London, he has focused on clinical nutrition since vet school \u2014 researching and working exclusively with freshly prepared whole-food diets during his years at Cal Poly Pomona. His commitment to nutrition is personal as well as professional: his own Golden Retriever, Rey, had kidney disease successfully managed on a vet-directed renal diet. Dr. Chavez's career is founded on a deep commitment to pet advocacy, integrity, education, and sound veterinary principles."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10798","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/36"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10798"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10798\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10798"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=10798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}