Being your dog’s best friend may come easy, but being a responsible pet owner takes work. While owning a dog is rewarding and fun, you’ve made a lifelong commitment to your dog that should never be taken lightly. You owe it to your pet/s to be a conscientious pack leader, and here are some tips to show you how to be just that!
- Spay or neuter your pet. Pet overpopulation is a continuing crisis, with estimates of up to 8 million dogs and cats entering shelters each year. Also, spaying or neutering offers health benefits to your pet.
- Encourage your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers to spay and neuter their pets!
- Train your dog. The number one reason pets wind up in shelters is due to avoidable behavior problems.
- Schedule an annual veterinary checkup, including a dental checkup as well. Pets have mastered the art of hiding their pain and illnesses.
- ID and/or microchip your pet—better safe than sorry!
- Be prepared. Take a pet first-aid class, and keep a first-aid kit easily accessible.
- Travel safely. You wear your seatbelt, so why shouldn’t your pet? Plus, securing Fido in your car means less distraction for you while driving.
- Pet-proof your home. Remember, pets are curious and homes can have poisonous plants and toxic cleaning products.
- Feed your pet a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
- Clean up after your dog. Not only is this considerate and healthy thing to do, but it can be illegal not to.
- Groom your dog on a regular basis: clean and trim her coat, keep her nails trimmed, clean her ears, and make sure those teeth are free from tartar and plaque.
- Provide shelter for your dog, inside with you. Dogs are social animals and need to be part of the pack, not banished to an outdoor kennel.
