Our advice isn’t intended to replace regular visits to your veterinarian — just to offer some practical ways to ensure that your pet remains in the best possible health throughout his or her life.

Talk about preventive medicine! Removing the ovaries and uterus of a female dog — otherwise known as spaying — helps prevent breast cancer and pyometra, or infection of the uterus, and stops the animal from going into heat. And ASPCA experts believe that many aggressive behavior problems can be avoided by neutering a male, or removing the testicles, by the six months of age. The surgery also prevents testicular cancer, prostate disease and hernias.

When your pet was born, he received protection from many diseases from antibodies passed in his mother’s milk. These antibodies dissipated by the time he was about three months old, leaving his immune system vulnerable. That’s where you come in. Dogs should receive a five-in-one vaccine against several infectious diseases, including distemper, leptospirosis and parvovirus, as well as a rabies vaccination. Ask the vet if vaccinations for kennel cough and Lyme disease are recommended for your dog.

You go to the doctor regularly — and so should your pet. Annual checkups give your veterinarian the chance to notice any developing illness and take care of it right away. Your vet will want to know about your pet’s behavior, eating and exercise habits, and will check her temperature, pulse and respiratory rate. The doctor will also inspect her gums and teeth, heart and lungs, and assess the health of her internal organs. If it’s been a year or more since your pet has seen a vet, make that appointment today!

But do it safely, please! These little pests can cause big problems for your pets, including skin disease, anemia, scratching, allergies and tapeworms. There are many products available to help you control the fleas on your pet and in your home, but it’s of utmost importance that whatever you use is approved for use on your pet’s species. In other words, don’t use products for dogs on your cat, and vice versa. Ask your vet for a recommendation, and don’t forget — when fighting fleas, you’ll need to treat ALL the pets in the household, not just those who are obviously infested.

It’s difficult to treat and sometimes fatal, but heartworm infection is easily prevented. Your dog should be given a blood test for heartworm every year in the early spring, and your veterinarian may prescribe a preventive tablet to be given once a month throughout mosquito season. (Some vets may recommend the medication year-round.)

Not only will daily exercise keep your pet physically fit and mentally healthy, it helps channel aggressive and destructive behavior. Regular activity also burns up calories and increases muscle mass and cardiovascular strength. When it comes to canines, individual exercise needs vary based on breed, sex, age and level of health, but a couple of walks around the block every day is probably not enough — especially if your pooch is an adolescent or a member of the sporting, herding, hound or terrier breeds. Always start slow, though, and limit beginning sessions to five minutes or so.

Not enough exercise and too much food will cause any animal to gain weight — especially pets, who rely on you to regulate nutrition and activity levels. Excess flesh can cause health problems, including arthritis and liver and heart disease. Overweight pets face increased risk during surgery. What’s the best way to tip the scales in your pet’s favor? Gradually decrease her food intake while increasing her activity level. You can switch to a reduced calorie food or make a cutback in the portion size of her regular food. We recommend a gradual reduction of 25 to 33 percent for dogs — but it’s always a good idea to check with your pet’s vet first.

Regular home checkups are a great way to nip potential health problems in the bud. Plus, they’re as easy as one, two, three:

1. Check under your pet’s fur for lumps, bumps, flakes or scabs.
2. Check your pet’s ears and eyes for any signs of redness or discharge. 
3. Make note of any changes in her eating or drinking habits. If something seems off, call the vet.

Our experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center urge you to avoid feeding the following foods to your pet: Alcoholic beverages, avocado, chocolate, coffee, fatty foods, macadamia nuts, moldy or spoiled foods, onions and onion powder, raisins and grapes, salt, yeast dough, garlic and products sweetened with xylitol.

Does your pet have morning breath — all day long? This is a major indicator that your pet is in need of dental care. Particles of food, saliva and bacteria — what’s commonly called “plaque” — can build up on the teeth and gums and cause infection. If left untreated, infection can result in tooth decay — and even move into the bloodstream and affect your pet’s heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, bones and joints! Check your animal companion’s teeth and gums at least once a week, and ask your vet how you can further prevent gum disease by regular brushing with a toothpaste formulated especially for your pet’s species.