What Every Pet Owner Should Know

If you’re a loving parent of a cat or dog, or you’ve at least owned one in the past, then you already know how rewarding it can be. For those of you who are not yet there, there’s a high likelihood you have no idea what you’re missing. From elevating your mood to helping you keep fit and relieve the usual stresses of life, owning a pet can have a myriad of benefits. However, it also comes with a certain set of responsibilities… more like having kids does! But it certainly gets easier once you start getting used to it. If you’re a pet owner or you are considering getting one, here’s what you should know.

You love them and they love you back

Even the name itself tells enough. Pets are creatures to be loved and taken care of. And surprisingly, if you show them love and tenderness, they show it right back! Additionally, one of the best ways to understand your pet pooch or kitty is to be attentive to them. Show affection to them anytime you’re together and they can’t wait for you to get back from work so they jump at you and brush their fur against your body each day. This relieves even the deepest of your stresses and emotional turmoil.

You have to watch what you feed them

The diet you feed your dog or cat can have an impact on their mood, energy levels, and overall health. Additionally, different pet breeds may have different nutritional needs depending on factors such as size, age, and temperaments. If you own a beagle, for instance, you’ll need to get him a diet that supports his high-activity characteristics. Mike Powell from the Dog Embassy asserts that foods from this helpful list, which are fairly high in proteins, calories, and fat can support your beagle’s fast metabolism and keep him cheery. The last thing you want is to come home and find your dog just laying on the floor with tears rolling down his eyes.

And just like humans, pets are also prone to obesity, as well as other diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart problems. For this reason, it is important to be watchful of what you feed your pet and monitor his/her weight. An expert vet can help determine your pet’s nutritional needs so you can ensure he always gets a healthy diet.

Exercise is crucial for pets

Being obese or overweight is nothing new in the pet world, especially for dogs. To prevent the problems that come with these issues, you’ll want to ensure that your dog or cat stays fit and active. In addition to getting them the right diet plan, you’ll need to make sure your dog gets exercise every morning at least 3-4 days a week. To supplement this, you can also get them pet toys that motivates them to run, chase, and stay active. 

Pet’s need a bath too 

Nothing can be more devastating than the sight of a pet whose hygiene has been neglected. Even though they don’t sweat as much as we do, they too need to keep clean. Bathing your cat or dog can help keep parasites such as ticks and fleas away, as well as to minimize the risk of bacterial and yeast infections. Doing so is beneficial for you too, as it prevents pest infestation and foul odors that pets may develop over time. However, bathing your pet too often could make their skin and their hair dry, which could pave the way to infections. A bath just once a week will suffice.

They need a vet visit at least once annually

To ensure that your furry friend is healthy, they need an exam by the vet at least once a year. This can help detect health issues early enough before they escalate into terminal illnesses. They also need regular vaccinations to protect them from issues like distemper, parvovirus, rabies, adenovirus, Bordetella, and leptospirosis, among others. Again, your vet will guide you in determining which vaccines your cat or dog should get depending on exposure levels, age, and other factors. If you have pet insurance with a preventive care pack all the yearly check-ups, vaccine visits and ab tests can be covered together with all the other unexpected vet costs.

Pets have their own language

Even though speech is not one of their gifts, pets do communicate to us from time to time. We just have to be more attentive to understand our pet’s body language, sounds, and behavior. It’s easy to tell when a dog is pissed, anxious, or sensing danger, isn’t it?

Raising a pet is no easy thing, especially if you’re starting with him from scratch as a puppy or kitten. However, it isn’t rocket science either. You just have to know what they need and make sure they get it. The above are just a few of the important things all pet owners should have in mind and put into practice.

Images: Chipiethenaughty