You and Your Pet

Understanding You and Your Pet

Regardless of the type of pet, it's important to fully understand their needs. When you adopt a furry friend, you are committing to a responsibility of keeping them healthy and happy as their owner. This will include daily responsibilities, grooming, aging, obedience, wellness, and more. You may also consider pet insurance, or pet sitting.

Living Together

Always keep in mind that when you have a pet, you have to accommodate your living space to their needs. You should either alter your conditions or consider grooming practices to keep your pets warm in the winter or cool in the summer. Pets will always need exercise; keeping them active is a major responsibility. Your pets' diet is controlled by you, so you should confer with your veterinarian to the best foods to feed and how often.

Grooming

If you plan on home-grooming, it is important to obtain the supplies necessary to properly clean your pet. The following is a list of some supplies you might consider:
  • Brush – either a massaging brush or bristle brush help smooth and shine hair
  • Dematting comb – helps comb out mats in fur
  • Ear cleaner –gently clean pets' ears
  • Eye-stain cleaners – great for pets with excess tear production. Cleans stains around eyes and disinfects
  • Facial scissors – with rounded tips to avoid poking eyes
  • Grooming table and grooming arm – allow you to safely secure your pet while grooming them
  • Nail Clippers –keep pet's nails at a healthy length
  • Oatmeal baths – for pets with allergies. Help soothe skin and prevent dryness
  • Professional pet clippers – cut through pet hair with ease
  • Shedding blade – catches a pets' undercoat and helps pull out shedding hair
  • Soft Paws or Soft Claws – protective silicone coating put over a cat or dog's nails to prevent harm to furniture or floors
  • Toothbrush – rid pets' mouth of bacteria and plaque

Pet Aging

Whether you have watched your pet age or you have adopted an older pet, senior pet care is very different than caring for a younger animal. As your pet ages, you will notice tell-tale signs that they are entering their senior years, with greying facial hair and decreased mobility. Providing your pet with proper nutrition and superior care can increase their lifespan and ensure further comfort during their last remaining years.
Cat's Age Calendar — Veterinarian in Marion, IA
Dog's Age — Veterinarian in Marion, IA

Insurance

Similar to human health insurance, some companies provide pet health insurance, which can allow pet owners to avoid expensive veterinary bills. Most pet insurances work the same as human medical insurance. Most plans also have exclusions that will not be covered under the pet insurance.

Sitters

Before hiring someone to look after your pet, always check their references and verify whether the sitter is a member of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters or Pet Sitters International. Check that the pet sitter is insured and licensed in pet CPR. When you have finally found a pet sitter who meets your requirements, be sure you have a signed agreement for your pet's care.

Traveling

When leaving on vacation, many pet owners opt to leave their pet behind at a boarding house or with family or friends; however, you should know that you can always take your pet with you. Traveling with your pets allows them to experience new sights and smells, averts separation anxiety, and prevents you from worrying about your pet while you're away. Before traveling with pets, be sure to check local regulations regarding pet travel and safety. Also confirm that the places you will be staying (hotel, friend's house, etc.) allows pets. Always make sure traveling pets have proper identification tags on their collars, as well as internal microchips for added safety.
Dog on The Car — Veterinarian in Marion, IA
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