Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Pet Care - How To Do It Right

By Coleen Smith


Pets are very important members of our family, and making sure that they're well cared for is also important. It's often more difficult than it seems at first. In fact, sometimes special knowledge and understanding will be necessary. At the end of the day, some tips and precautions will be in order to insure the health and longevity of the animals we choose to keep.

Even though most pets have relatives in the wild, once an animal lives among humans in their homes, they become completely dependent on us. When you decide to buy or adopt a pet, you are agreeing to be responsible for their care and well being for their whole lives. Remember that it is best to do a bit of research into the specific species and breed before investing in them. Often, some animals are simply easier to care for than others. Some will be more suited and flexible when considering a person's lifestyle. If possible, think and research these things before choosing the right animal for the family.

Always be sure to do some specific research into whatever animal one may consider adopting. Each species is unique and has different requirements to be healthy and happy. Even different breeds within a species may have much different needs from each other. For example, the environment required by a Golden Retriever will be quite different than that needed by a Chihuahua. Be sure to gain a clear understanding of your responsibilities, preferably before a purchase or adoption is made.

Most species of animals that are kept as pets require a lot of attention from their humans. For instance, dogs and new puppies seem to struggle both emotionally and physically when they are ignored. Make sure you have enough time available to give them the attention they need before you decide to adopt a pet.

One of the most basic needs your pet has is proper nutrition. Many underestimate the importance of this fact, and the animal is often left suffering because of it. Regardless of what type of pet you own, its long term health and longevity depend on the proper balance of protein, vitamins and minerals. This is true whether your pet is a dog, cat, bird, fish or reptile. Consider purchasing books or exploring the internet for species and breed specific nutritional needs.

Take your pet to your local veterinarian as soon as practical after you bring him home. It's always good to get a checkup in case there are problems that you're not aware of, and many pets need vaccinations and preventative medicines. These needs may differ from animal to animal, but they must not be ignored. These needs may or may not be essential for the animal's health, but the topic needs to be discussed with a professional. Look into a few pet insurance plans. This can save you a lot of money on veterinary bills.

No matter what the species, it is important to never ignore odd or unnatural behavior. If your pet is acting different than he normally does, something may be seriously wrong. There are certain signs that are often the first indicators of a nutritional problem, illness or even poisoning. For example, if your pet seems very sleepy or fatigued, or if he hides in a corner when he's normally friendly, that could be an indication of a problem. Of course if he exhibits physical symptoms, like vomiting or diarrhea, that's a clear indicator of illness.

Taking care of a pet is much more than just giving them food, water and shelter. Providing proper care for your pets requires education and planning as well as love. It's ideal to learn about a pet's needs before making the commitment to adopt him, but if you already have a pet, it's certainly not too late. Start now to learn about what he needs and how to make sure he gets it. Just like in doing anything well, taking good care of your pet starts with education.




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