Did you know that the United States has more cats than any other country? As such, there’s a good chance that you might be the owner of one or a few of the 76.43 million friendly, furry felines in the United States. On top of that, it’s estimated that 46.3 million households or approximately 37% to 47% of all households in the United states have at least one dog as a pet, animal companion, or service animal. That’s a lot of bow wow wows and meows! For all these reasons and more, it’s easy to see that Americans love their pets, regardless of what species they are.
It’s no secret that pets are a huge part of any American household that has them, no matter how big or small of a pet it is. Their personalities, love of anything fun or food related, and of course the unconditional love they have for their pet parents, are just a of the reasons why Americans love their pets so much. For many people, a pet is much more than just an animal. They can be their lifeline, their best friend, the one thing that keeps them going in life and pushes them to succeed.
As nice as it would be, however, pets can’t live on love alone! If that were the case, the majority of pets in the United States would live forever, or at least as long as their owners did. A crucial part of animal care and pet care is making sure an animal’s needs are met in every way. They depend on their caretakers for everything, just like a child, elderly, or disabled family member would. So in many ways, health care for animals is very much like health care for people too!
Here are five essential pet care tips that are sure improve your beloved pet’s quality of life as well as their health, ensuring they’ll be around for years and years to come. These pet care tips apply to pets of all species.
Take your pet to the veterinarian at least once a year
A lot of responsible pet care is making sure your pet is regularly seen by their veterinarian. This should happen at least once a year, especially for older dogs, cats, rabbits, and other pets. Never skip a yearly appointment because you assume your pet is fine. Animals, especially prey animals, are experts at concealing pain, signs of disease, or anything else that could otherwise indicate something is possibly wrong. A professional veterinarian will be able to catch any early signs of disease before they become severe. Prevention is the best cure, even for pets! Pert insurance plans are a great way to keep veterinary costs low while providing your pet with the care they need.
Get pets spayed and neutered
Many people don’t realize how important spaying and neutering is when it comes to healthcare for pets. Remember, spaying and neutering are non-negotiable, required surgeries for pet health and proper care. Not only does it help to reduce the amount of strays and over population — and therefore animals that go uncared for — but it also helps to protect and preserve the life, health, and overall well being of your pet. It also makes them easier to litter train and more well behaved.
Provide a stimulating environment
Remember, you are all your pet has. You have your job, your family, your friends, errands to run, people to see, and whatever else life throws your way. But all your pet has is you! Be sure to spend ample one on one time with them, or better yet, get them another animal companion to share life with. Keep them stimulated with fun toys, teaching them tricks, and the proper amounts of exercise. Part of providing an enriching environment is also feeding your pet the best quality food available for their species. Diet is an essential part of proper pet care!