publication date: Apr 9, 2009
Here are National Pet Month’s ten top tips for responsible pet ownership:
- Think carefully before getting a pet and learn about what it needs for a happy healthy life. Does your pet need to live indoors or outdoors? Does it need a special place to live like a hutch or a tank?
- Make sure your dog knows how to behave. Maybe you could go along to a local dog training session, or talk to a local vet about teaching good habits.
- Provide the right amount of food and always provide plenty of clean drinking water. Always seek advice from pet experts, such as your vet, on exactly what to feed your pet.
- Provide suitable housing and bedding. Make sure your pet is well sheltered from the cold and rain if it lives outdoors. Also ensure that it has soft bedding on which to sleep. For example you could use hay for a rabbit’s hutch, or soft blankets for a dog’s basket.
- Clean up after your pet. If you are walking a dog always make sure that you are carrying a plastic bag or small trowel with them to get rid of any mess. Also make sure hutches, tanks and cages are cleaned out regularly.
- Protect against disease. Your vet can provide advice about special animal medicines which will prevent your pet becoming ill.
- Ensure that your pet has regular exercise. Don’t keep your pet locked up in the house or in a hutch all day, make sure that it has a run in the garden or goes for regular walks.
Groom your pet regularly. Just like humans pets need to have their fur regularly brushed to ensure that it is bug and tangle free.- Ensure your cat or dog can be properly identified with an identification tag on its collar stating your home address should it accidentally go astray. You could get an identity microchip fitted by the local vet.
- Show your pet some love and affection. Like human beings pets also need to feel wanted and loved by their owners. Always make sure you regularly cuddle or stroke your pet.
