Pets fill our lives with joy and love – they’re the perfect companion and teach us, unconditional love. Unfortunately, our beloved pets have a limited lifespan, and their loss is inevitable. As pet parents, we want to do our best to make sure our pets live the best and healthiest lives we can ever provide them. Pets are family, and we care for them the same way we would for a little child because, in reality, they are little babies with fur.
Here’s how to take better care of your fur baby:
1. Regular Veterinarian visits
Because pets have a shorter lifespan than us humans, being a responsible pet parent starts with taking your pet to the vet regularly. Generally, pets need certain vaccinations beginning from a young age, depending on their veterinarian’s recommendation. Aside from vaccinations, you need to perform a checkup on your pet around once or twice a year throughout their entire lifespan.
Sometimes taking your pet to the veterinarian can be a challenging task, especially when your pet is a cat. Cats are used to staying in the comfort of their homes; going out even once or twice a year can put a lot of stress on them, resulting in aggressive behavior.
However, there are some ways to soothe your cat when attempting to take them out of the house, such as getting them used to staying in the carrier from a young age so they don’t become averse to it when they get older. Also, choose a veterinarian that your pet feels comfortable with – they need someone to treat them gently and understand how stressful veterinarian visits can be to them.
“We understand the bond that comes with owning a pet. After all, we are pet owners too. We know that caring for your pet is a responsibility that isn’t taken lightly. After all, they matter as much to you as your children. Therefore, you need a trusted veterinarian to turn to.” Says a veterinarian at Phoenix Veterinary Center.
2. Neutering your pet
We understand how selfish this might sound. The concept of neutering or spaying your pet might seem confusing to some because who wouldn’t want to see their pet’s children? But, the advantages of spaying/neutering your pet outweigh the cuteness of their newborns.
First of all, it protects your pet from numerous health problems and complications that come with pregnancies. It reduces the risk of cancer and doesn’t let her go into “heat,” which reduces the risk of her straying away from the house in search of a partner – not to mention that you’ll be able to take her out with no worries that males will come near her or show any aggressive behavior. Note that this surgery will require your pet to take anesthesia, so be prepared to stay with them overnight at the veterinarian’s to monitor their health just in case anything happens.
3. Provide them with a social life and training
One of the most important things to do to take good care of your pet is to provide them with good training and social life – which come hand-in-hand. The best time to start is when they’re still young, but even if you didn’t start, it’s never too late to give them the training they need. The first type of training to give them is toilet training, then come teaching them how to be obedient.
As for their social life, if your pet is isolated and doesn’t deal with other animals, they will very likely grow to be aggressive and unfriendly with other animals, which may lead to complications if you take them out. In addition to the decreased aggression, letting them play with other pets positively affects them, according to District Dogs.
4. Nutrition
A responsible pet parent takes care of their pet’s health the same way as they would with a child. The main two aspects of health are constantly providing them with fresh water and healthy food. Animal bodies need certain nutrients to stay healthy and ensure that they live as long as possible.
We understand that choosing the right meals for your pets can be an overwhelming experience. You can seek the help of a veterinarian or start with the basics, such as giving them meals with a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Note that not all animals have the same nutritional needs. The food you give them depends on their health, age, activity levels, breeds, and size.
Read Next: How to Keep your Dog Safe on a Walk and still have Fun (mamabee.com)
Photo by Alvan Nee Photo by FLOUFFY alan King on Unsplash