Having a responsible pet requires a lot of trust, knowledge, and consideration; Unfortunately, some new pet owners take this responsibility very lightly.

So before you bring your new dog or cat home, consider the following pet care tips to make sure you give your new friend the right amount of care and just the right love. Your new partner trusts you to provide it.

Dogs

Whether your new pet is just a puppy or a grown dog, you have a challenge ahead of you in practicing responsible pet ownership and awareness. Your home is new territory and you are now your pet’s primary caretaker. Both kindness and a firm but reassuring approach to your new dog will go a long way. Make sure he knows that you are ready to give him the love he deserves by creating a dog-friendly environment and integrating these pet care tips into your routine.

• Cage Training and House Breaking – Two Very Important Stages in Your Dog’s Life. Cage training, if you choose this method, gives your pet a quiet and safe place to retreat to at bedtime or when you leave the house. If you want to avoid chewing or scratching, it may be necessary to train the cage at first. Housebreaking is just a matter of course – think of a word you want your dog to associate with outdoor potty and use it repeatedly. Take your dog outside several times, usually after meals or water breaks, and you’ll soon make the connection.
• Flea and Tick Prevention – Without preventative measures and an ounce of responsible pet ownership, your home could become infected or your dog could become seriously ill. Most vets can provide you with products that remove fleas and ticks from your dog. Available orally or in liquid form placed on the back only once a month, your dog will be able to repel fleas, ticks, and parasites on a regular basis.
• Preventive Injections and Vaccinations – Dogs suffer from many terrible diseases that are often fatal if left untreated or prevented early on. Vaccination is one of the most important pet care tips that can be given, and one to keep in mind. Rabies, distemper, heartworms, and parvovirus are some of the worst viruses that can affect your dog; Your vet will discuss what vaccinations your pet receives at each annual checkup to prevent these agonizing diseases.
• Spay or Neuter – Similar to annual vaccinations, highlighting the need to spay or neuter the game in vital pet care tips. Without control, two dogs can produce more than 4,000 pups in seven years. Sadly, a large number of these dogs will be euthanized or left to fend for themselves on the street. Spaying or neutering, an important part of having a responsible pet, ensures that your pet will be healthier in the long run and will have prevented the birth of more unwanted puppies.
• Obedience Training – Your dog wants structure. Teaching him the basic commands yourself or enrolling him in an obedience or training course gives him a level of organization in his life. Furthermore, teaching him certain commands also ensures that he will be a well behaved and functioning member of your family within your home. Buy a book that offers tips on pet behavior and care, such as My smart puppy by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson or Dog talk by John Ross. These two books will give you a better idea of ​​how to have a responsible pet and how to approach certain situations with your new dog.

Cats

Unlike dogs, cats are much more independent and may need less attention. Cats, however, depend on you for the same needs that a dog expects. If problem behaviors arise, contact your local animal shelter or animal welfare organization for more tips on caring for pets. Cat and dog care literature will most likely be provided upon request.

In either case, to help your cat be a happier, better-behaved feline, consider the following most important pet care tips:

• A clean litter box: If your cat lives indoors, you will need to clean and / or empty his litter box at least twice a day. About every week, you will also need to dump the litter out completely and wash its box with hot soapy water to reduce the spread of bacterial growth. This task may be easy to forget, but cats are clean animals. For a cat, this is one of the most important pet care tips: making sure his area is always clean. The location of your box is important – keep it out of high traffic areas and away from your food. To help him learn to use his litter box, show him where he is four to five times a day and encourage him to use it, praising him when he uses it or even when he just digs.
• Flea and Tick Prevention – Fleas and ticks can make your new pet seriously ill and can introduce parasites into the bloodstream. Practice responsible pet ownership! Prevent this from happening by purchasing flea and tick preventative products from your vet. Flea dust and a quick vacuum sweep around your home is also an excellent flea or tick protector. However, if you choose to purchase products online or in the store, exercise caution and practice responsible pet ownership by reviewing labels and warnings, if any; some preventive measures are harmful to cats.
• Spaying or neutering: As important for cats as it is for dogs! Having a responsible pet dictates that you should spay or neuter your cat when she is between six and eight weeks old, if possible. Not only will it help prevent “overcrowding” of pets, but it will reduce the potential for other cancers and diseases that can occur if your cat is not surgically altered.
• Preventive Injections and Vaccinations – Cats are susceptible to a variety of deadly and painful diseases. Without vaccinations and a nod to having a responsible pet, they are likely to die or have medical problems in their lifetime. Like the recommendation for dogs, vaccination for cats is one of the most important tips for pet care. Rabies, FeLV (feline leukemia), FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), and distemper are some of the worst; However, with a regular checkup and vaccinations from your vet and just a little bit of responsible pet ownership, you have nothing to worry about!

Be an informed pet owner

Now you have a great responsibility in your hands. Ultimately, your new cat or dog depends on you to provide the necessities of life, and it is your job, as a responsible and knowledgeable pet owner, to ensure that it leads a happy and healthy life by incorporating a routine into its life and following the instructions. pet care tips outlined above.

Do your research and talk to other pet owners for other helpful pet care tips! Your pet has basic needs that you must meet. Of course, you need a ready supply of fresh drinking water, healthy dog ​​or cat food, shade or shelter, and regular grooming, but you also hope that you will create a loving home and warm environment and keep it healthy. and happy.

With just a little awareness of what to expect along with having a responsible pet, you are ready to give your new companion lots of love and a happy home!