Jennifer Hartzell plays with a kitten at the Butler County Humane Society. Eagle File Photo

Keeping your cat or dog safe and healthy in the new year goes beyond the basics of a nutritious diet, access to clean water and shelter from the elements, according to a Butler County veterinarian.

Dr. Lori Love, a veterinarian with Moraine Grove Veterinary Clinic, said not only should people take their pets to a vet annually, they keep current on their shots to avoid disease and other conditions circulating among pets. A vet can give pet owners specific recommendations on how to keep their pet happy, healthy and entertained.

“Mental health is just as important as physical health and goes a long way to preventing behavior problems,” Love said. “Both dogs and cats need ‘environmental enrichment,’ items and activities that mimic what they would do naturally. This makes their lives more interesting and prevents boredom. Boredom leads to behavior problems.”

Cari Ciancio, executive director of the Butler County Humane Society, echoed Love’s emphasis on the importance of vet visits and also said vets can identify health problems that could arise from animal socialization, especially in dogs.

“People who are taking their dogs to parks or are allowing their pets outside, make sure you are staying up to date on their vaccinations,” Ciancio said, “because that is going to protect them from an animal who has not had their vaccinations.”

Love said dogs and cats can benefit from being with their owners, as well as through engaging activities such as play.

“Dogs in particular are social creatures and generally want to be part of a pack ... they want to be with their people,” Love said. “While cats are a little less social than dogs, they nonetheless prefer to be with their people. They appreciate opportunities to climb and hunt (and) chase. Some also love food puzzles, being groomed, hiding in boxes and paper bags, catnip and cat grass.”

Ciancio said there is a constant flow of dogs and cats coming into the humane society in need of good forever homes. She said the new year is a great time for people to make a big change by adopting a pet.

“We have loving animals here who need good homes and not enough people are adopting them,” Ciancio said. “We really need good people to take them in.”