Common Pet Poisons In and Around Your Home

By Lauren Lee

Pets give us endless love and bring smiles and joy to our everyday lives. They teach us to be kinder and more compassionate. They are our loyal friends and fearless protectors. So it is worth remembering that pet ownership comes with great responsibility. After all, we are their guardians, leaders, and protectors, although it may not always feel that way.

February is Responsible Pet Ownership Month, an appropriate time to look at what it means to be a responsible pet owner.

There is no one definition of a responsible pet owner. However, we have assembled some tips to help you create the best possible environment for a happy, healthy pet.

1. Evaluate Your Lifestyle Before Adding a Pet

If you are adding a dog to your family, think about your lifestyle, hobbies, habits, and schedule. Make sure you have the time to devote to a pet before bringing a new pet home.

Consider your family’s routine:

Will someone be home to walk a dog?
If you are getting a puppy, will someone be around to housebreak and train the puppy?
Is your family active, and do you plan on taking your new furry family with you on outdoor adventures?
If you are away from home for extended periods, who will be available to care for your new pet?

Research breeds or mixed breeds that best fit your lifestyle.

2. Commit to a Lifelong Relationship with Your Pet

Please recognize that you are making an emotional and financial commitment to your pet for his or her lifetime.

Pet care costs money. Therefore, you need to be aware that you are making a financial investment. Just like people, pets get injuries and health issues that require doctor visits and treatment.

3. Expect to be Questioned When Looking for a Pet

Whether you adopt a pet from a shelter, rescue organization, or a breeder, be prepared to fill out a detailed application and answer extensive questions about your home and lifestyle.

Any reputable organization cares as much as you do about finding the ideal match between the pet and prospective home.

4. Plan Ahead

We all know that life can throw unexpected curveballs. Responsible pet owners take this into account and carefully plan, so their pets will be cared for if something happens to them.

This means making sure you have someone reliable whom you can contact if you are sick or hospitalized and cannot care for your pet. Also, consider what you would do if you are traveling and communication is unreliable? Is there someone you can count on to check on your pets, and would that person know how to care for them in your absence?

5. Provide the Necessities for a Healthy Pet

By taking a pet into your home, you are committing to provide safety, food, water, shelter, health care, and companionship.

Food, water, and protection from the elements are necessities. However, animals also have emotional needs. These include the need for companionship and interaction. If given a choice, most pets would prefer to be indoor pets, living side-by-side with their human companions.

Pets live more fulfilling lives when they are treated as family members.

6. Know the Laws

Abide by state and local ordinances regarding pets.

This means:

Knowing the number of pets you can have on your property.
Making sure your pets are properly registered and licensed.
Knowing and obeying all leash laws.

7. Increase the Likelihood of Your Pet’s Safe Return

No one wants to risk their beloved pet becoming lost. According to the ASPCA, one-third of all pets in the United States will become lost once in their lifetime.

Thankfully, you can significantly increase the likelihood of your pet’s safe return by doing the following:

Make sure your pets have proper identification, including visible pet tags.
Have your pets microchipped.
Keep your pet’s information in all registration and microchip databases current.
List a cell phone number on your pet’s ID tag if he becomes lost while you are away from home.
8. Do Your Part To Curb Pet Overpopulation
Pet overpopulation is a serious issue. Being a responsible pet owner includes preventing your pet from reproducing by having him/her spayed or neutered.
Millions of healthy, adoptable pets enter shelters each year because there are not enough loving homes for them. Less than half of those animals are adopted out. Sadly, many are euthanized each year because shelters lack space and resources.
Until all pets have loving homes, do your part to prevent additional litters.
9. Provide Physical Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Pets need regular exercise to stay in shape, just like people do.
Some statistics indicate that up to half the dogs in the United States are overweight. Regular exercise helps prevent pet obesity and provides necessary mental stimulation.
10. Train Your Pet
Training your pet to understand basic obedience commands is part of ensuring his safety. In an emergency, commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come” could save your pet’s life.
11. Socialize Your Pet
The world is a big place with many people to meet, places to see, and things to smell. Meeting new people and having different experiences improves the confidence of your pooch. A well-socialized dog is less fearful, calmer, and happier.
12. Provide Your Pet with Regular Veterinary Care
Regular veterinary care is essential for the dog’s health and wellbeing. You should develop a relationship with your veterinarian as soon as you bring your new pet home.
Your pet will need yearly examinations, vaccinations, and checkups. Your vet will get your pet started on a regular vaccination schedule and will recommend options for preventative parasite control treatments.
And last but not least,
13. Always Give Your Pet Lots of Love
You are your pet’s favorite thing in the whole world. So don’t forget the little things because to him, they are huge:
- Praise him for good behavior.
- Talk to him - he loves just hearing the sound of your voice.
- Buy him (safe) toys.