You might be familiar with the basics of pet ownership, but there’s a lot more to it than you may have initially considered! Here are a few tips that are less commonly encountered when dealing with pet care.
1. Be Wary of What You Feed Your Pet
While it might be fun to give snacks from your plate to your pet, some foods can be dangerous or deadly to animals. For example, just a small amount of grapes or raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, and despite popular belief, milk and cream can cause digestive distress in cats. Be sure to do some research into what can cause damage, or ask your vet for a rundown of “people foods” that are safe to feed to your pet as a treat. The same goes for medications; when it comes to pet care, don’t administer human medicine if your pet seems ill! Common medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can cause severe liver and kidney damage.
2. Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation
It’s important to provide your pet with stimulation to keep their minds and bodies healthy and active. In addition to walking your dog, buying them toys for indoor activity is a good way to keep boredom at bay. The same can be said for cats; though it might seem like they’re often sleepy, kitties need stimulation too! Don’t forget to join in the fun and make some time to play with your pet each day.
3. Consider Microchipping Your Pet
While you might think that outfitting your pet with a stylish collar and a tag engraved with your address and phone number is enough, a microchip is a permanent way to identify your pet that cannot be taken off. If your missing pet is taken to a vet’s office or a pet shelter, a quick microchip scan will give the staff all of the information they need to know in order to get your furry friend back home to you.
4. Think About Pet Insurance
Pet insurance can be worth the investment. Pet care can get expensive, especially if your poor pet suffers an accident or a medical emergency. Nowadays, treatment has become very advanced, with a wide range of procedures and diagnostics that are used to treat and prevent various conditions. Don’t forget that as your pet ages, the risk of health problems increases, so it’s worth it to consider the future.
There’s so much more to pet care than simply providing love, food, and shelter for your companion. An annual vet visit to Ark Pet Hospital is also essential in giving your pet the gift of health and well-being.
