How you treat your pet is as important in your life as what you eat. If you love your pet beyond all limits and want to commit no mistakes as a pet owner, here are 10 points you need to bear in mind :
1. Research what pet is best for you :
The correct choice of a pet is the core step in pet ownership. Once you decide what pet will best suit your family, lifestyle and habits, then being a perfect pet-owner will be piece of cake.Dogs require more amount of attention, time and energy as compared to cats , so if you aren’t quite keen on the idea of walks or hikes in the outdoors, or can’t imagine getting up on cold winter mornings to take your pet out to the loo, a cat might suit you better.
Some pets require daily brushing and grooming, others don’t require nearly as much.
Breed characteristics differ too, so if you’re looking for a lapdog, you should go for a less-active breed. If you or other members of your family are very active outdoors and plan to bring a pet along, a more active breed will do the trick.
Some pets require daily brushing and grooming, others don’t require nearly as much.
2. Say NO to physical punishments :
A physical punishment when your pet has committed a mistake or shown inappropriate behaviour might seem right at once but surely isn’t. It brings pain and fear to your pet and helps you gain nothing – a lose-lose situation it is, which should be surely avoided.
3. Socialize your pet well :
Behaviour problems are the major reason why dogs don’t stay with their families or don’t get adopted by other families. Lack of proper socialization can result in unwanted fears, aggressive behavior, timidity, and many more behavior problems that are difficult to extinguish once a dog is mature.
Socializing is especially important for puppies.The ideal time for socialization is between three and 12 weeks for dogs; between two and eight weeks for cats.
4. Help your pet be perfectly active :
Physical exercise and play-time play a major role in the physical and mental development of your pet. In absence of physical activities, your pet is more likely to be bored, destructive and moreover overweight, with its health consistently deteriorating.
5. Make your home ‘pet friendly’ :
Your dog or cat is a part of the family. Your kitty, quite probably, needs her own litter box in a quiet, out-of-the way corner, her own toys, a scratching post or tree and a nice cozy spot for napping.
Your dog needs his own comfortable spot as well, preferably a crate, a cozy bed that’s only his and a selection of appropriate toys.
Accidents can frequently happen in a household with pets. Have the right cleaning and managing steps at hand and be aware of techniques to remove pet stains.
6. Instill obedience for a lifetime :
Behavior problems are the main reason why pets are forced into animal shelters or why their homes don’t stay to be theirs forever. As soon as you get a puppy or an adult dog home, you must start teaching them to obey commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stand’ , ‘lay’ and more. A puppy must begin formal training within 8 weeks.
It is also advisable to take your pet for a refresher course once every few years to eliminate any behaviour problems with age.
7. House rules should be consistent :
It’s very important for each and every member of your family to be on the same platform when it comes to bringing a pet home. When you let your dog bark at outside noises while some other member of the family corrects it, you confuse the pet. Similarly if you allow your cat to drink in the kitchen sink while someone else does not, problems pop up.
Therefore consistency in house rules is a must to ensure perfect pet ownership.
8. Limit treats after training :
This is a great step to ensure that your pet takes a treat as a reward rather than something expected. Also it prevents your pet from gaining excess weight. Consider a species-appropriate diet and consult a suitable vet to ensure you give your pet what’s best for him.
9. Enrich your pet’s environment :
An enriched pet environment is an important way to ensure that your pet stays mentally stimulated. It’s a key step to help your older dog or cat develop a sharp brain and make it last.
10. Ensure best company for your pet :
Pets often become destructive when they are left on their own for long periods of time. If you spend 10-12 hours a day away from home or are occasionally away on trips, it’s important to ensure that your pet is kept company in your absence. You can rely on friendly neighbors, relatives or pet-care centers to ensure that someone is giving your pet the required amount of attention in your absence.