Caring for pets is a big responsibility, whether you have a dog, cat, fish or bird. Each type of pet has different needs. Research your specific animal by talking to friends with similar pets or checking online forums.
Make sure your pet is healthy by taking them to the vet for wellness checks. Clean their living spaces regularly to prevent disease and odor.
Diet
Providing a proper diet is one of the most important aspects of caring for your pet. Pets must be fed scheduled meals tailored to their size, health, and activity level, as well as provided with plenty of fresh water. A diet rich in carbohydrates gives your pet energy. Proteins keep their muscles healthy, and fats provide essential fatty acids for brain development and healthy skin and coat.
Limiting treats is also vital. Many commercial treats are high in calories and can lead to obesity in pets. Sugary foods can cause diabetes, and fatty foods may increase your pet’s risk of pancreatitis. Many human foods, including chocolate, onions, and grapes, can be toxic to pets and may cause life-threatening illness.
A quality food should be labeled with a nutritional adequacy statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This ensures that your dog is getting all of the nutrients it needs. We recommend using a veterinarian nutritionist to help you determine the best diet for your pet.
Exercise
Pets need regular exercise to keep them happy, healthy and well behaved. Exercise stimulates the brain, improves heart health and promotes bone and muscle mass. It also helps dogs and cats stay at a healthy weight. Sedentary pets are at higher risk for a wide range of health conditions. Exercise is especially important for a dog and can help to prevent boredom that may lead to unwanted behaviors such as chewing or attacking other pets or people.
A good exercise routine can be as simple as taking your pet for a walk, jog or run a few times each week. There are even pet-friendly running strollers and hiking backpacks available for smaller pets. However, it is important to consider your pet’s fitness level and ability before starting any exercise program. Ask your vet what amount of exercise is appropriate for your dog and how to increase the duration and intensity over time. It is also a good idea to exercise your pet during cooler times of the day to avoid heatstroke.
Cleanliness
Animals are naturally clean creatures, but we need to take some extra care of them. This includes cleaning habitats, such as buying a rabbit run or a tank for fish, as well as keeping them from getting too dirty. Dried, caked-on dirt can irritate a pet’s skin and make them uncomfortable.
It is also important to keep food bowls and feeding accessories clean. They are often contaminated with germs and bacteria, especially when pets are eating from them.
Hygiene is particularly important around pets because domestic animals can pass certain diseases and infections to people through contact with their feces or fur. Thoroughly washing hands after handling pets and their cages, tanks, or litter boxes can greatly decrease the possibility of catching these zoonotic illnesses. Creating and sticking to a cleaning schedule can help with this, as well. Washing bedding and towels frequently can also eliminate germs and odors. This is especially important if there are newborns, small children, or pregnant women in the household.
Socialization
Most pet owners would agree that proper nutrition, vaccinations, parasite control and regular veterinary exams are essential to providing a happy and healthy life for their dogs. However, most people are unaware that socialization is just as important.
Dogs that are properly socialized are less likely to develop behaviour issues such as fear, separation anxiety and aggression. This makes them more adaptable and easier to handle. Socialized dogs are also better able to cope with changes in their environment such as boarding, trips to the park and encounters with strangers like groomers.
It is never too late to start socializing your dog or cat. Even older and disabled pets can reap the benefits of socialization, although it may take a bit more patience as they get used to new situations. Just make sure to slowly and gently expose your pet to new dogs, people, experiences and places. If done correctly, it will only help to improve their quality of life.
