February is Responsible Pet Owners Month! As
pet owners are aware, there’s a lot more that goes into raising a furry friend
than simply playing fetch and taking naps together on the couch. Regardless of
the type of animal, there is a lot of work that goes into raising a pet
responsibly.
For Responsible Pet Owners Month, we wanted to
take the opportunity to list five things you can do to help make sure your pet
is living its life in the most comfortable, safe, and enjoyable way possible. Continue
reading to learn five tips for being a responsible pet owner!
Research Your Pet
While your pet can hold a special place in your heart as
one of a kind, your pet is also a member of a larger species of animals that
has specific needs to survive and thrive. You should try to learn as much as
you can about the animal and, if possible, the breed so that you can help your
pet live the lifestyle it’s best suited for.
Not all animals will behave the same or have
the same needs, but having a general understanding of things like what foods
are the most nutritious for your pet , what temperature
your pet prefers, how much exercise your pet needs, or what medications or
vaccines your pet needs, will help you create an optimal environment and routine for your pet.
Some resources may be found at local pet stores, animal shelters, or veterinarian’s offices, and other resources are available online. Do some exploring and try to learn something new this month so that you can be the best pet owner you can be!
Provide Nutritious Meals
Is your pet often pawing at your leg at the
dinner table, begging for some table scraps? While they may be both adorable
and persuasive, you may want to think twice about forking it over. The foods we feed ourselves and the foods we
should feed our pets don’t always overlap!
While some owners may not pay too much
attention to the food they’re feeding their pets, your pet’s diet has serious
effects on its health in both the short- and long-term.
Do some research to determine what foods are
the best options for your pet. You may want to consult a veterinarian for this
step as the answer may vary depending on your pet’s breed, weight, or age.
Spay or Neuter Your Pet
If you have a dog or cat and haven’t already had them spayed
or neutered, you may want to consider doing that as your
responsible-pet-owner-deed for the month. Spaying or neutering your pet is the
first step to preventing any unplanned pet pregnancies that may contribute to
the pet homelessness crisis.
Spaying and neutering also offers health
benefits to your pet: spaying a female pet decreases the likelihood of uterine
infections or breast tumors, and neutering a male pet can prevent testicular
cancer and some prostate problems.
It’s common for animal shelters to host free
spay and neutering events, which can be a convenient opportunity for your pet
to undergo the procedure. If you can’t find a free clinic, consider contacting
a veterinarian. While there is an expense involved, it’s important to note that
spaying or neutering is more cost-effective than raising a whole litter.
Exercise Regularly
As with humans, exercise can have a large
impact on a pet’s health and happiness. Prior to domestication, animals
like dogs and cats were dependent on roaming for survival. From the comfort of
our homes that need is no longer there, but a lack of exercise can still take a
toll on a pet’s wellbeing.
Depending on the pet, a certain amount of
space is required for the animal to live comfortably. As a pet owner, you
should make sure your pet has enough space to stretch its paws throughout the
day. Dog parks can be a great place for your dog to get some exercise while
socializing with other dogs. Taking your pet out for walks is another great way
to exercise outside of the home.
Regular exercise can improve an animal’s
health and age expectancy, as well as their mood. Try to keep exercise at the
forefront as you think about the present and future with your pet.
Spend Meaningful Time Together
When you get a new pet, you tend to spend a
lot of time getting to know it as your new friend and roommate. But over time,
that attention may fade as you get used to your pet being around, and you fall
back into the routine of everyday life that existed before
you adopted your pet.
Schedule a time every day for you to spend
with your pet. This can be a time for training, exercise, relaxation, or other
activities, but what’s important is that you continue to remain attentive to
your pet well after the excitement of adoption wears off.
Being a responsible pet owner means more than
feeding and sheltering your pet. Remember, as a pet owner, to a large extent
you are responsible for shaping your pet’s reality – do your best to make it
the happiest one possible!
Has your pet grown accustomed to your constant
presence in the house with the COVID-19 pandemic? Check out our blog on how to
spot and treat pet anxiety.
