How to be the Best Owner for Your Pet

Just like with parenthood, none of us are born knowing how to be the best owner of a pet. The good news is that you can learn as you go. As long as you have good intentions, are affectionate, and care for their basic needs, you’ll be a hero to your cat or dog.

Tips for being the best owner for your pet

Beyond attending to their primary needs, there are other habits that will make you the best owner for your pet. Want to know what they are? Here we go:

1. Pay attention to their health

Take your pet to the vet for a general check-up once a year. Don’t forget to comply with their obligatory vaccination schedule, and if you want, with their secondary vaccinations. The professional will carry out certain examinations to make sure that they’re healthy. Otherwise, they will provide you with the correct treatment. They’ll observe your animal for signs or symptoms of sickness, pain, or discomfort.

2. Take measures to prevent parasites

Ticks and fleas are a regular problem for dogs. Not only do they cause them to itch all day, but the truth is that they can cause illnesses (including in people). Administer an effective remedy which is suited to your animal to get rid of them. There are many different choices.

3. Give them healthy food

To find out the best food for your pet you can ask a vet or the breeder. The type of food, how much, and how often will all depend on age, breed, weight, and how active they are. A healthy diet means a healthy dog. If you want to be the best owner for your pet, make sure you give them the food they need.

Of course, you can’t forget water. Hydration is really important (just like for people). Remember to change their drinking water every day, especially in the summer and if their water is in the sun for many hours. Your dog should never be without cold water.

4. Clean their teeth

You can do this or you can take your dog to the vet so that they can do it. Left to themselves, your pet can’t look after their oral hygiene, so you need to help them if you’re going to be the best owner for your pet. There are dog products which are similar to toothpaste, but if this is too difficult for you, you can buy them chewable treats which clean their teeth and gums, etc.

5. Sterilise

Castration is one of the best ways to be a good owner for many reasons. Firstly, you’ll be helping stop the increase in stray and abandoned dogs. You’ll also be avoiding health problems which unsterilised animals tend to have (breast cancer, ovarian cancer, testicular cancer). Furthermore, castrated dogs are much calmer, don’t fight, and tend not to try and escape… Be careful though, because they also tend to suffer from obesity. Pay close attention to their diet.

6. Put a tag on or get them chipped

Even if your animal is castrated and only ever goes out on a lead, you never know what could happen if they get scared or there’s an accident. Tags are really cheap and can have their name and your telephone number written on them. This way anyone who finds them will be able to contact you. Regarding chips, which are compulsory in many countries and cities, they make finding a lost dog much, much easier.

7. Give baths and brush their hair

Far more than just a matter of looking good, the truth is that animals need to be clean. The frequency you do this will depend on their fur type (short, medium, long), the time of year (animals tend to get dirtier in summer), their activities (whether your dog is active or sedentary), and even their age (puppies are much more likely to get dirty). Use pet shampoo and don’t forget to dry them well. They shouldn’t go out into the street whilst still wet. Take this opportunity to brush them and leave them bright and silky.

8. Play with them

It’s true that these days people don’t have so much free time. But, if you want to be the best owner for your pet, you need to pay attention to them (otherwise we recommend you don’t adopt a cat or a dog). Pets are really happy when they play with people. Throw a ball for them, take them to the park, let them roll on the lawn and play with other dogs.