Lots of people dream of owning a pet (indeed, 44% of households in the UK have a pet of some kind), but when fantasy and reality collide you might find yourself surprised. Cats, dogs and other pets can be difficult to handle, unpredictable and prey to sudden health scares that leave you panicking.
Today we’re looking at the very basics of what you have to do when you own a pet to make sure you’re prepared when the big day comes.
Healthcare
Under the UK’s Animal Welfare Act of 2006, pet owners have a legal responsibility to protect their pets from “pain, injury, suffering and disease”, and to care for them if anything does happen. The best way to do this is to find a local vet and register your pet with them.
Regular checks with your vet mean they’ll get to know your pet, identify the warning signs of growing health concerns early, and perhaps most importantly, if you have an emergency, you’ll know exactly where to go instead of having to search for “vets open near me” while your cat or dog is in distress!
Feeding
All pets need to be fed, of course, but it takes more thought than simply buying the first thing labelled ‘dog food’ or ‘cat food’ on the shelf. Your pet will need different amounts and types of food at different times in its life. In many cases specific food is made for juvenile pets (like puppies and kittens), adults and senior pets, each providing the nutrients best suited to an animal at that stage of life. Fortunately, most pet foods are labelled with the right serving amount, but you can also research what your specific breed needs to be healthy.
If your pet is under- or overweight you’ll need to manage their diet – this is something else regular check ins at the vet can identify and monitor.
Exercise
Pets will need exercising for their mental health as well their physical wellbeing. A pet that gets lots of exercise is also well-stimulated mentally, and less prone to stress (and the difficult behaviours that that can cause).
The right kind of exercise differs from species to species (dogs are enthusiastic about being taken for a walk, and cats are mostly not), so you’ll need to do a combination of research and experimentation to find out what your pets specifically needs and likes. Cats prefer different kinds of toys and play, and different dogs need more or less exercise. Finding the sweet spot means a happier, healthier pet, and a happier owner too.
