Basic Pet Care: What Every Pet Owner Should Know

Written by Jean Tosun Furs

Adog is reliable, trustworthy, and loving but first and foremost, a dog is a faithful and true friend. A dog models as a selfless service companion, enjoys simple pleasures (a walk, a treat or a cuddle) and loves unconditionally.

In order to survive, companion animals like humans need water, food, shelter, and love. If you are thinking about giving one a forever home, especially before committing to share your living space, it is best to learn about the proper care of a pet. This holds true even if you already have a companion pet. Your local library or bookstore has books on animal care where you can get advice and help. You can contact your local rescue shelter or animal control officer if you’d like to speak to someone directly about pet care.

As a pet owner, you’ll need items such as beds, healthy food, food and water bowls, storage bins, toys, a collar, leash, harness and identification tags for their safety.

Water is the main component for healthy, living cells of the body. Without water, your dog’s body will not function properly. More specifically, your dog will dehydrate. This can happen if your dog isn’t getting enough water, which is why you should clean and refill your dog’s water bowl daily.

Food is essential for your dog to thrive. According to Dr. Demian Dressler, DVM with Dr. Susan Ettinger, DVM, Dip, ACVIM (Oncology), in his book TheDogCancerSurvivalGuidestates: “no dog can thrive on kibble” and suggests real meat and vegetables daily. Add some meat and vegetables to the kibble if that’s what you can afford. Some of the healthiest foods for dogs are blueberries, chicken, salmon, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, apple slices, eggs, oatmeal, plain yogurt, carrots and peanut butter. The right pet food will enrich your buddy’s life and provide them with the energy and nutrients they need.

Shelter and love: For safety’s sake, our companion animals should not be left outdoors unattended. Dogs are family and family members live indoors and are loved.

Tips

Health Care: Veterinarian visits should be with a competent veterinarian. Wellness examinations are suggested to make sure your pet is healthy.

Vaccinations: Vaccinating your pets is essential to being a responsible pet parent. Rabies and distemper vaccinations are required.

Walks: Going for a walk is the highlight of a dog’s day and is essential to their psychological and physical health. Dogs need a change of scenery, social interaction, exercise, and a chance to sniff the day’s “news”. Rushing a walk because you’re in a hurry, tugging at a dog’s neck or taking them right back indoors as soon as they relieve themselves is unkind and unfair.

Proper Identification: If your pet gets lost, having proper identification is the key to a happy ending. Start with the basics such as a safe collar and a tag that contains all of your current contact information. In addition to an ID tag, microchipping your pet is advisable because there’s always a chance the collar will fall off. A combination of these forms of ID will go a long way to reuniting you and your beloved pet.

Spaying or neutering: Sterilizing your pet prevents a host of health problems, complicated pregnancies, and reduces the number of homeless animals.

Comfy Quarters: If a pet bed looks flat, buy new ones. Make sure there are no potential hazards, unsafe toys, exposed cords and/or wires that your pet can get to. Secure safety gates, repair loose screens and remove any poisonous plants.

Training & Socializing: Ensuring your pet is well trained and socialized makes for a happy pet and pet parent.