Three Ways to be a Responsible Pet Owner

Many of us love animals – and are lucky enough to share our lives with a furry, feathered or scaly friend. We like to think that we are taking care of them properly, but are we doing the very best job that we can?

Having a pet is a big responsibility: it’s something we would have been told by our parents when we were children, maybe as we welcomed a new addition to our family. So, as well as training them and providing a great diet, make sure you know how you should be correctly looking after your pet – so you and your four-legged friend can live your best lives together.

Keep their environment comfortable and safe
Your pet will probably spend a lot of its time in your home, so it’s important to make them comfortable in this environment. That means keeping their water bowl full, giving them access to a potty area – whether that’s a door to the outside, or a potty pad (for dogs) or a clean litter tray (for cats) – plus a bed for them to snuggle in.

You should also make sure there’s nothing hazardous in your home your pet can eat. This could be chocolate, candy, gum with Xylitol, children’s toys or household cleaners; there are a number of common foods and household items that could prove fatal for your pet. Also check their play area is free of hazards, and fences outside have no holes.

ID your pet
Sometimes, your pet might get lost – and the best way to make sure you don’t lose your pet for good is to have an ID tag on them. If your pet is found by someone, the tag will let them know they’re not a stray animal and what your contact details are so they don’t have to be taken to a shelter. The tags can also be easily replaced and are inexpensive.

Also, consider getting your pet microchipped, in case the tag is lost. This tiny computer chip has a unique identification code and is placed under the skin. The code can be scanned at a vet or shelter, which is then entered into a database to bring up the owner’s information.

Have yearly vet visits
Make sure you commit to taking your pet to annual examinations with your veterinarian, which you should do even if your pet’s vaccinations aren’t due. This is because abnormalities can be found all the time on routine physical examinations, of which owners may not have been aware. You have the opportunity to treat the issue before it becomes a bigger problem.

As a pet owner, you should be prepared for medical costs. This could be just for treating dental disease or ear infections, but it could also be for trauma or cancer. So it’s important you build a good relationship with a vet that you can trust – such as the team at heartandpaw.com – so they can help you with such problems.

Your vet can also help with other procedures. These can include spaying or neutering your pet, or by providing regular dental cleanings to prevent periodontal disease.