Friday, February 17, 2017

9 Tips for Being a Responsible Pet Parent

   February is not only the month of love; it is also Responsible Pet Owners Month. In the eyes of the law, we own our pets instead of them being part of our family. Since I disagree with that sentiment, I will be referring to it as Responsible Pet Parent Month.
We visited the American Rose Center with Pierre Westie & Bentley Basset Hound
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Tips to Responsible Pet Parenting
• Provide a quality food
It is important to become a label reader when you are selecting a food for your dog or cat. With all of the recalls lately, it is a good idea to do some extra research before buying a particular brand.
Save 10% on Dr.Harvey’s Fine Food for Companion Animals with my Ambassador code BFTB818
• Clean water
This may seem like a no-brainer, but fresh water means more than just making sure the bowl is full. You need to wash food and water bowls on a daily basis with hot water and soap to kill germs and bacteria.
Pierre Westie wrapped in a pink towel after his bath
• Grooming
Dogs and cats need regular grooming to keep their coat healthy. Depending on the breed, daily brushing is a great routine to begin as soon as they arrive home. It is also important to keep their nails trimmed. This can be done at home or you can have your vet or groomer take care of this task. Dental health is extremely important for the health of your pet.
• Training
It is important to train your dog in the basics such as walking on a leash, coming when called, sit, and basic manners. This requires consistency on your part and it is very important to keep any training positive. This includes potty or litter box training. Never yell or strike your dog or cat. In no circumstances should you stick their nose in their “accidents.” 
Pierre Westie and Bentley Basset Hound sniff every fire hydrant
• Exercise
Pets need to move and they depend on you to provide that exercise. This is one of the best ways to bond with your dog or cat. You can take them for walks, runs or play games but the main thing is that they are getting much needed exercise.
• Veterinarian Care
You should choose a veterinarian that you trust before you bring your pet home. They will need to have a check-up at least once a year until they reach “senior” status when they visit the vet twice each year.
Microchipping your pets is important to reuniting you in the event they get lost

• Proper ID
Microchipping saves lives. It is that simple. Each week as we search for our BFTB NETWoof News, there are always stories of pet being reunited with their families because they have a microchip. Always make sure to update your pet’s information in the event that you move. A collar with proper identification is also very important. You can choose from thousands of collars but I love designing mine from PrideBites.
Bentley Basset Hound and Pierre Westie ride in their kennel inside our car
• Traveling
Never allow your pet to travel in your vehicle without being secured by a pet-friendly seat belt, harness, carrier, or inside a kennel. Left unrestrained, your dog will become a projectile if you are involved in an accident. It doesn’t matter if they are great at riding in the seat; they need to be secured for their safety and yours.
Pet-Proof Your Home
Pets are naturally curious and that can be a very dangerous thing. You need to get down on your hands and knees to explore your home from their viewpoint. Make sure wires, plants, and anything else that can be dangerous or poisonous to your pets are out of their reach. A pet gate can keep them from areas that might pose a problem. Remember, a safe home is a happy home.  
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38 comments :

  1. Pawfect, that's a great list, I is finking of printing it out fur my pawrents!
    (except maybe the training bit)
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  2. Perfect tips for being a responsible pet parent! Thanks for sharing these. Icy thinks you need to add something about treats, lot of treats!
    Love & Biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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  3. those are all great points to follow! We know you boys have a safe home filled with lots of love!

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  4. We reached a perfect score. yay for us

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  5. Great tips, Bayou Boys! Have a great weekend.

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  6. What a great list of responsibilities we must remember. Too many people dog clean the water bowl daily or update the microchip details or even check for poisons or poisonious plants. It's so important to remember our responsibilities

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  7. What great tips!! I've already shared! 💙🐶🐾

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  8. Great post ! And a responsible cat parent will spay or neuter his pet as well. Purrs

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  9. What a great post!! Pierre OMCs you look quite handsome in the towel...real men do wear pink for sure
    hugs madi your bfff

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  10. Ticked, tick, tick....yep, we do all of that!

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  11. Training! I can't say I'm the best at behavior training, but I know so many people with wonderful dogs that have the worst manners. If you want to own a dog, please take the time to teach them basic courtesies and safety, like not running away or jumping on people. It's not easy, but it's part of having a pet. Ok, I'm off my soap box. ~Rascal and Rocco

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  12. I knew about pet dental health month, but had no idea it was also dedicated to responsible pet parenting. I agree with you - I don't like people writing about or referring to themselves as pet owners, it shows that the law is right in viewing animals as property. The more we say pet parents or pet guardians the quicker it will catch on. Great tips by the way, thanks for sharing.+

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  13. Our senior cats go for a six monthly visit. It's a huge help monitoring their general health and wellbeing. They get made in NZ supplements as well - seriously good stuff!

    Food wise. Dusty gets as much good food as we can give him BUT sometimes he insists on slumming it with something inexpensive (son't ask me why!) and the youngsters adore Surfin Turfin as sweets after they have sutffed their faces on Royal Canin *sigh*.

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  14. Excellent tips! We hope all pet parents take these to heart.

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  15. These are good tips. We agree... we like pet "parent" better. Thanks for a great post.

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  16. What a great list of tips - I think you thought of everything!
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  17. We love your TIPS... butt that Grooming one should NOT have any Water or Shame Poo associated with it... just Brushing and Combing. RIGHT???

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  18. I didn't pass the list with flying colours largely because my dog is not well trained nor will he stand for restraints in the car. But we do exercise - full out every day. If we don't ... well, let's not go there.

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  19. Perfect list. Thanks for sharing with us
    Lily & Edward

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  20. This is a great list!
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

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  21. These are great tips - being a pet parent is a big responsibility and not to be taken lightly. It's a about more than food and shelter, it also encompasses health & safety, environment enrichment and most importantly LOVE!

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  22. Great tips, especially for anyone contemplating getting a doggie!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  23. Those are great tips, thanks for sharing.

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  24. These things are all important for pet care! Our house could use more dog proofing but Mr. N is good about leaving things alone.

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  25. Important tips and I always say to people if you going to get a dog make sure you know what it entails as it is not only feeding the dog

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  26. Great tips- We have learned the hard way about dog proofing - Kilo can jump higher than you'd think and open cupboards and get into all sorts of mischief (I love my Furbo as now I keep and eye on him and talk to him if I am not there- gives him quite the start if he is up to no good but he loves that it can throw treats if he is being good). We have made progress on training but still get a few potty accidents and behaviour issues- it requires a lot of patience effort and treats. He is not a fan of grooming or vets - luckily his coat is great and nails and teeth seem OK so far but dreading the next vet visit.

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  27. Thanks for letting folks know about finding a good vet you trust first. That is so key and something we feel strongly about. Cute pics here, too.

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  28. So basic, but so necessary! Thanks for sharing :)

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  29. Having a pet is a lot a of responsibility. But it is so worth it! Thanks for sharing these reminders.

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  30. These are great points! I'm glad you included microchipping. I can't tell you how many times a microchip helped us find the families of lost pets back when I was a vet tech. :)

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  31. These are great tips for pet parents. We aren't microchipped, but there is a medical reason for this. We're going to write a post about it soon.

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  32. I agree, pets are a responsibility in the same way that children are a responsibility. Once you take them into your home, it is your job to meet their needs. This is a great list!
    -Purrs from your friends at www.PlayfulKitty.net

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  33. What a terrific list! Being responsible isn't just for owners. We all need to step it up to keep fur-kids safe. Just yesterday I had to call the police because someone left their two dogs in a parked car in the sun. I also left them a note saying 'shame on them.' They didn't deserve those little fluff balls they left behind.

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