Pets have always been considered one of human’s closest companions. People have depended on them for companionship and protection for a very long time. Having a pet in your home can be great and interesting but it can also be hard work. This is why it is necessary to know if you can provide everything a pet needs before getting one.
Every animal apart from being given food, shelter, and veterinary care has unique needs that should be taken good care of. This way humans show commitment towards pets. For most domestic animals, their behavior is influenced by how they are treated. If you treat them with love and compassion they will reciprocate the same towards you. Below are some of the things you need to know about caring for your lovely pets.
Environment Matters
You need to be certain that the place prepared for your pet to live in is well furnished for him. They need to be in a safe environment. Living close to a busy road would not be very safe for your cats and having enough space in your apartment is beneficial to pets like rabbits or dogs.
Animals need to have fresh food and water in a clean environment every day. Not doing so might lead to sickness which would invariably incur costs. Feeding, cleaning, and grooming pets in the right way and place can also be very rewarding cost-wise.
Researching and Asking Questions is Important
This is one of the most important things to do to care for your pets; before and even after getting one. It is necessary to ensure you understand the pet’s situation as regards its health and other needs.
If you’re adopting, find out what the pets like or don’t like. Are there particular foods he reacts to? For instance, cats according to a blog post by Animals HQ, shouldn’t take garlic as it could be dangerous to their health. These are questions you should ask the home you’re adopting from about your pet.
Visit a vet and ask questions about the animal and how best to take care of him. You want them playful and in good health not sickly on the hospital bed.
Not All Foods Are Pet-Worthy
A bad diet can have adverse effects on your pet’s overall health. You can’t give them every food because it goes well with you. This was why researching their needs was highlighted above. There are some foods both humans and pets can have but there are some they must never take. Some of which included:
- Alcohol: Nothing should make you give your pet alcohol. Whether in small or large quantities, it shouldn’t happen as even just a small amount can lead to intoxication in them. This in turn leads to various forms of weird occurrences such as seizures, vomiting, and in some cases death. If you notice they’ve ingested alcohol, reach out to your veterinarian or contact the Animal Poison Control Center immediately.
- Chocolate, Coffee, and Caffeine: These seem like something you’d be tempted to give your pet when you’re feeling good. Don’t fall for that temptation. Feeding them with chocolates means you’re giving them a type of stimulant known as methamphetamine. This stimulant when ingested in large quantities can cause diarrhea, seizures, vomiting, and death.
- Onions: Apart from causing you and your pets to cry, they can also make your pet very sick as it causes the loss of red blood cells. Onions are not at all helpful for your pets, do not feed it to them.
Exercise
Exercise is not only healthy for humans, but it is also very beneficial for your pet. Going for physical activities keeps them fit, healthy, happy, and bubbling with fun.
You can take your dog out for a walk, run, hike, or play fetch with him every day. At the end of the day, they don’t only benefit from the exercise, you do too. Getting toys for them is also a good way to get them to enjoy exercising; they get to have fun in the process. If your pet was adopted, you might not want to go all out at once. Starting with a short 10 – 15 minutes per day would be a good way to begin.
Trim Their Nails
Do you know how animals like to use their feet to scratch their body when it itches them? Well, having long nails would cause them more harm than they bargained for. Nail trimming is very important for your pet as it keeps you and them safe from possible injuries. Long nails cause them pain while walking so the earlier the better for them.
As a responsible pet owner, you need to ensure that your animals are kept healthy, fit, are getting nutritious food, much love, and proper housing. This would not only improve their health, but they would also in turn care for and be loyal to you.