Did you know that February is Responsible Pet Owners Month? This is a great time to take a look at your furry friend’s care regimen, and see if any areas could use improvement. A comfy habitat, good food, and lots of love are all important parts of good pet care, but truly responsible pet ownership doesn’t end there. A Southeast Denver, CO vet lists some key points of responsible pet care below.
Veterinary Care
Proper veterinary care is definitely at the top of the list when it comes to responsible pet ownership. Vaccinations, wellness care, microchipping, parasite control, and spay/neuter surgery all help your pet stay healthy and happy, and protect your beloved furbaby from dangerous viruses and diseases. If your four-legged buddy is overdue for a trip to the vet’s, let this serve as a reminder to schedule an appointment.
Stimulation
Make sure your furry friend has plenty of fun toys to play with while you’re away. Fido can amuse himself with puzzle toys or appropriate chew sticks, while Fluffy will be more interested in birdwatching and pouncing on catnip mice. These things aren’t just luxury items for pets: offering proper toys and stimulation will help your four-legged pal burn off excess energy appropriately, and can greatly reduce behavioral issues.
Training
This one mostly applies to Fido, of course. Make sure your dog knows at least the five basic orders of good doggy obedience, which are Sit, Stay, Come, Heel, and Lay Down. These commands are very important for your pet’s manners, and are also crucial for safety reasons. Proper training can help keep your pooch from running into a dangerous area, for instance, or approaching a potentially unsafe animal. Housebreaking is also very important!
Security
One of the best things you can do, both for your pet’s safety and the safety of other animals, is to keep your furball secure. If you have a pooch, make sure your fences are sturdy, and use self-latching gates. Also, be sure to keep Fido on a leash whenever you take him off your property. As for Fluffy, she’s much safer indoors, where she isn’t exposed to the dangers posed by cars, predators, weather, and other hazards.
Does your four-legged buddy need shots or an examination? We are here to serve all your furry pal’s veterinary care needs. Contact us, your local Southeast Denver, CO animal hospital, today!
