All around the world, millions of people adore and care for their cherished pets. They can quickly become an important part of family life from the first weeks of ownership.
Children are taught how to care for them and learn the importance of play, regular feeding times, and taking family pets such as dogs on daily or twice daily walks. Initially, pets such as cats and dogs will need to be toilet trained, and this may take a few weeks to achieve, perhaps with a few little accidents along the way.
Looking after a pet is a lifelong task, but it can bring joy to both you and your animal. There’s a simple pleasure in snuggling up with your dog after a hard day’s work or taking them out for a long walk in the countryside that you will both enjoy.
In short, pets are a source of great pleasure and contentment and can add a valuable extra layer to family life. However, if you’re planning to buy your first pet, you may be unaware of all the steps that are needed to protect their well-being and ensure that they grow strong and healthy. This article will assist in this respect by outlining six key tips that will help you to care for your beloved animal.
1. Building a routine when they’re young
Almost all family pets thrive on routine and need structure to their days. You should aim to build a structured routine for your pets from the first day of ownership. For example, when you buy a dog and bring them home for the first time, you can begin to create a daily routine for them.
In the first few weeks, this will involve toilet training the animal and creating a morning routine where they go outside as soon as possible. Get into the habit of praising them when they begin to learn to go to the toilet outside as this will reinforce the fact that they’re doing the right thing. Treats can be used as rewards for obeying simple commands and will help the dog to learn quickly.
Ideally, you’ll want to schedule feeding at the same time each day. Most dogs need to be fed at least twice a day, but consult your local vet for specific feeding information for your animal or the specific breed.
In addition, aim to take your dog for walks at the same time each day. They’ll look forward to this and it helps to give structure to their day. As with feeding requirements, the ideal number of walks will depend on the breed. Some breeds, such as the bichon frisé only need 30 minutes of exercise per day, while other breeds such as the border collie and Siberian husky will need much more.
In short, build a routine of letting them outside in the morning, feeding them, and walking them at similar times each day.
2. Tagging your pets
For cats and dogs, there’s a need to tag them. Traditionally, this was achieved simply by giving them a dog or cat collar with their name and the family address or a contact number. Tagging your pets is of paramount importance in case they become lost as the person who finds them will be able to call you or bring the pet back to your home.
Pets such as cats and dogs are curious by nature and cats will routinely explore their surrounding areas. Dogs can become lost when out on a long walk, especially if they’re excited by seeing other animals such as sheep and fail to return to you.
However, in recent years, a more modern and reliable way of tagging your pets has become popular. This is known as microchipping. As the name suggests, a tiny microchip is inserted under the pet’s skin. The procedure is completely painless and can be completed in minutes. The microchip stores the pet’s current location, along with a unique ID number that identifies the pet.
Today, such microchips can be linked to your smartphone, enabling you to constantly be aware of your pet’s location. This can be incredibly reassuring if they get lost on a walk or escape from your backyard. Microchipping your pet can also be an ideal way to prove ownership of it, thanks to the unique ID number that’s assigned to the chip.
3. Spaying/neutering
For dogs and cats, owners should consider spaying or neutering them when they’re young. This is a routine procedure that can be performed by your vet but is one that has some health and well-being benefits.
For example, evidence indicates that spaying your cat when they’re young can reduce the risk of them developing cervical cancer. In addition, it will also prevent your cat from being “in heat”, which eliminates the risk of unwanted pregnancies and male cats hanging around your home.
For dogs, spaying or neutering them can also have benefits. Male dogs are likely to be far less aggressive after being neutered, which can be a vital consideration if you have a powerful dog such as a Pitbull terrier. Other breeds such as the cocker spaniel may be susceptible to developing a form of aggression that’s known as “spaniel rage.” Thankfully, this is rare in the breed, but it can lead to unexpected changes in temperament and even attacks on other animals. Spaying your spaniel may help to reduce the chance of them suffering from this condition.
Speak to your local vet about spaying/neutering and make an informed decision if this procedure is right for your pet.
4. Pet considerations when moving home
During your pet’s life, you may intend to move home. Most adults will live in several homes during their lifetime, but it’s important to consider your pet when making the final preparations to move to a new location.
Firstly, on removal day, it can be beneficial to put your cherished pet into a kennel or cattery. You’ll likely need to keep your front door open when moving furniture and other household belongings out of the house, and there’s a risk that your pet may escape without being noticed. Smaller pets may also get in the way when moving boxes and can create a trip hazard if they’re not easily seen.
Ideally, put your animal into pet accommodation the night before you move and pick them up once you’ve finished unpacking at your new address. In some circumstances, you may wish to use professional animal transport services to move your pet to the new home. This may be ideal if you need to travel a long distance to your new home or have larger animals that can’t be easily transported in the family vehicle.
Choose a professional animal transport service that has experience in transporting pets in a safe and secure environment. Look online for such firms and seek customer feedback from other pet owners who have used the service. You should be assured that the company will use experienced drivers who will allow your pet to arrive at the new location without any anxiety, having had a smooth journey.
5. The importance of exercise
As with humans, exercise is incredibly important for your cherished pets. It can be a key way to allow them to maintain a healthy weight while keeping their mind sharp and stimulated. Regular exercise may also help to improve the mood of your pet. Many dogs can suffer from anxiety if they don’t get regular exercise, so it’s important to consider walks to protect their mental well-being.
Enjoying regular exercise with your pet can also be a great way to bond. Taking your dog to the local park and getting it to chase a tennis ball can be fun for both the animal and the owner. Getting outdoors with your pet can also allow them to socialize with other animals, which is an important part of their psychological development.
Research online to see what the ideal amount of exercise is for your pet or talk to your local vet. Create a daily routine of exercise that suits their breed, and you’ll find that you and your pet can develop a strong bond together.
6. Regular vet visits
As a final key point, it’s vitally important to recognize the benefits of regular vet visits for your pet. Younger pets (such as dogs and cats) will need a range of vaccinations and inoculations in the first year of their lives. These can be essential in preventing them from getting potentially life-threatening diseases such as canine parvovirus and leptospirosis in dogs. Leptospirosis can pass from dogs to humans and can be a serious illness for both the animal and the owner.
Getting your pet vaccinated will also allow it to build immunity against certain illnesses and diseases. This will mean that they may not become ill even if they come into contact with various pathogens.
In addition, consider that most reputable kennels and catteries will ask for proof of your pet’s vaccination status before allowing them to stay. This is so that unvaccinated animals don’t spread diseases to other pets staying at the accommodation.
Speak to your vet to find out what vaccinations are needed for your pet, along with any boosters that may be required to offer them ongoing protection from disease.
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