Basic Pet Care

Basic Pet Care

Being a responsible pet owner means making sure that your furry friend has everything it needs to live a long, happy and healthy life.  Taking care of a pet is a big responsibilty, but with the proper tools, you can gain a rewarding experience and build a loving bond with your pet.  A little prevention goes a long way in reducing unnecessary expenses. 

Healthy Food Choices
Vaccinations
Spaying & Neutering
Providing Indentification
Grooming
Building A Bond
Proper Shelter
Your Pet's Mental Health
Services & Resources 

Healthy Food Choices
The type of food that you choose to feed your pet can make a big difference in your pets health and quality of life.  The right choice of food will not only improve your pets general health, but will also help enhance coat quality and leave less waste in the yard or litter box to clean up later. 

If you want to know what your pet is consuming, just read the label on their food.  The ingredients are listed by weight, so look for fodd that lists a protein first, such as beef, lamb, chicken or fish. Depending on the quality of food, the protein will come in one of three varieties:

• Whole meat or poultry - This is just the flesh. It is the same part of the animal that a person would eat. 
• Meat or poultry by-products - These are the other parts of the animal such as internal organs, blood, bones and feet. 
• Meat or poultry meal - This is the by-products that have been ground up into a powdered form. 

Whole meat or poultry will provide the best source of nutrition for your pet.  The food should also contain a grain and vitamins or fatty acids. It's a good ide to avoid food that contains a lot of corn since it is one of the most common allergens for pets and is not an ideal source of protein for carnivores (such as dogs and cats).  

Your pets should also have access to clean, fresh water at all times.  Food and water bowls should be washed frequently.  

Harmful Human Foods
Some human foods are bad and even dangerous for animals to consume.  Never feed your pet any of the following:

• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Onions
• Large amounts of garlic
• Raisins
• Grapes
• Macadamia nuts 

 You should also avoid giving cow's milk to your cat or kitten.  Felines do not easily digest pasteurized milk and may develop diarrhea. 

 Regulate Your Feeding
 Pets that are overfed run the rish of becoming obese, which may lead to future health problems.  Instead of leaving food down all day, talk to your vet about a proper feeding schedule for your pet. A carnivore's system is designed to eat a big meal and then digest it, so if your dog or cat "grazes" all day, it's digestive enzymes never get fully geared up to do their job and some important nutrients may be lost. 

Vaccinations
Keeping your pets up-to-date on their vaccinations is a good wa to prevent illness and costly medical bills.  You should schedule an annual check-up with your vet.  The vet will examine your pet to make sure that it isn't sick.  Regular check-ups should include vaccinations, parasite control, heartworm and FIV/FeLV testing.  If you are unable to afford regular vet care, many communities have low cost clinics that offer these services at affordable prices.  Check with your local Humane Society for information on low cost clinics near you.  

Spaying & Neutering
Spaying or neutering your pet is the only way to completely protect against unwanted litters.  Millions of animals in the United States are put to sleep each year simply because they have no home.  Controlling overpopulation is important, but there are other benefits to sterilizing your pet as well.   

Females
Spaying your pets prior to maturity significantly reduces the risk of breast and uterine cancer.  Spaying will eliminate the spotting and vocalizations that occur when a female is in heat.  Female cats can breed up to 3 times a year and can become pregnant while they are still nursing a current litter.  

Males
Neutering your pets prior to maturity prevents testicular and prostate diseases and can reduce certain types of aggression.  Neutered males are less likely to spray and the desire to escape is significantly reduced.  

Spay & Neuter Programs
The average person spends more money taking care of unexpected litters of puppies and kittens than it would cost them to spay or neuter their pet through a low-cost program.  Check your local Humane Society for spay or neuter programs near you.

Provide Proper Identification
Be sure that your pet has a dog license, ID tag and microchip tag visible to help ensure a safe return if it becomes lost.  Many pets end up a pound or shelter because there is no way to identify their owner.

Grooming Your Pets
You can help keep your pets clean, improve coat quality, cut down on hairballs and reduce shedding by brushing your pet at least once a week.  If kept clean, most dogs don't need to be bathed more than a few times a year.  Cats will keep themselves clean and rarely need to be bathed   Be sure to check your pet for matting which can cause sores to appear on the skin if left unattended.  

Building a Bond
 The feeling of being comfortable with every situation is not programmed into our pets DNA.  Animals rely on their owners to teach them what is scary and what is not.  When pets are not properly socialized with other pets, people and different environments, they can become afraid of them.  Fear can quickly turn into aggression.  

Dogs thrive with structure and leadership.  Teaching your dog a few basic commands will strengthen the relationship between you and your pet, creating a bond that will last a lifetime.  

Proper Shelter
 Your pet needs a warm, quiet place to rest during its down time.  A pet bed or old blanket will keep your pet comfortable and protect them from drafts.  Bedding should be washed often to remove pet dander. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, be sure that it has access to shade and fresh water in the summer and warm, dry shelter and fresh water in the winter.  Indoors is the safest place for your cat, where it is less likely to contract diseases from stray cats, obtain parasites, or become lost or injured. 

Your Pet's Mental Health
Pets need exercise to stimulate their minds and maintain their health.  When pets are bored, they will make their own entertainment, which can lead to destructive behaviours that are frustrating to many pet owners.  Supervised activities can help satisfy your pet's natural instincts to dig, chew, herd, retrieve and chase.  The amount of exercise needed will vary depending on the age, breed and health of your pet. 

Services & Resources
Animal Neglect & Cruelty Hotline                        419-891-9777
Behavior & Training Helpline                               419-891-0706
Microchipping                                                    419-891-0705
Humane Ohio Spay & Neuter Clinic                     419-266-5607  
Total Pet Care Animal Emergency Center           419-473-0328