There are many things we as pet owners can do, to show our furry friends we care about them. The first thing is a visit to the Vets Office. Our dogs and cats need those shots to protect their health, just like our children do. And they need that first exam for parasites, teeth and potential genetic issues like arthritis and hip problems too.
Another way to show we care is to have our pets tagged for rabies, and get those City tags if required. In many instances, the tags are used to help reunite owner and missing pets. Also, if an animal is properly tagged, there is a good chance your pet may returned home instead of taken to the pound.
Our pets come to depend on us for their daily needs, just like our children do. They need ample food & clean water daily, and adequate shelter from the elements at all times. Check the areas where you keep your pet tied up, to ensure they can reach those items when they need them, and to be sure they can't suffer injuries from things which may become entangled in their leads. Fido will also be very grateful if you haven't tied him up next to any ant hills or wasp nests!
And most important, socialize with your pet. Spending time with your dog or cat everyday will pay dividends later if they escape the safety of their home & yard. Well socialized animals will not have a fear of people, and will make their capture & return home much easier later if needed. With dogs, it will also help curb aggressive behavior towards strangers. Your postal delivery person will thank you too!
Another thing to remember - and one of the most important - is that our dogs NEED to be loved. They are not called our "best friends" for nothing. They want to be near us, petted by us, and yes...even told they are loved by us. While they may or may not understand what we are saying, they understand the emotions, the tone & inflection of our voices, and the gentleness of our touch. Dogs that are confined outdoors bark and howl because they are lonely, scared, bored, hungry, thirsty or any combination of these. They can't ask for what they want, so they bark & howl. They need us to be the smart and attentive ones, who will try and figure out how we can help them feel better and more secure. And more loved.
Finally, show your pet you care by having them spayed or neutered. Dogs & cats that are not spayed or neutered have a much greater risk of either testicular cancer for males, or ovarian cancer for females. And the risks gets greater as they older. Also, many studies have shown that animals that are fixed tend not to wander so far from home, if at all. This is because they do not need to be searching out that female in heat, or their potential suitor if they are female. Additionally, having your pet fixed can help eliminate much of their aggressive behavior, since studies have also shown that most aggressive behavior comes from fighting over potential mates.
We spend a lot of our time as parents trying to teach our children to be good and responsible citizens. As part of the greater community in which we live, this also means being a responsible pet owner. Having our pets properly tagged and vaccinated, and not letting them run wild throughout the neighborhood defecating on our neighbors finely manicured lawn, should be part of that teaching. It also has the added bonus of helping keep our furry loved ones from being attacked by angry neighbors, pursued by wild predators like Coyotes, or run over by speeding cars.
Our pets need us...probably more than we need them. They depend on us for those basic needs everyday, and suffer greatly when those needs are not being met. So love your pets as you would have them love you. They need training so they will know boundaries, just like our kids. They need to know when they do good, not just when they do bad. They need to be socialized so they will be friends to all, not just to you. Because whether you have thought of it or not....they share your home, and thus, they too are a part of our community. Like our children, they will turn out to be what we help make them.
Show them you care, and help make them a part of our community we are proud of!
Another way to show we care is to have our pets tagged for rabies, and get those City tags if required. In many instances, the tags are used to help reunite owner and missing pets. Also, if an animal is properly tagged, there is a good chance your pet may returned home instead of taken to the pound.
Our pets come to depend on us for their daily needs, just like our children do. They need ample food & clean water daily, and adequate shelter from the elements at all times. Check the areas where you keep your pet tied up, to ensure they can reach those items when they need them, and to be sure they can't suffer injuries from things which may become entangled in their leads. Fido will also be very grateful if you haven't tied him up next to any ant hills or wasp nests!
And most important, socialize with your pet. Spending time with your dog or cat everyday will pay dividends later if they escape the safety of their home & yard. Well socialized animals will not have a fear of people, and will make their capture & return home much easier later if needed. With dogs, it will also help curb aggressive behavior towards strangers. Your postal delivery person will thank you too!
Another thing to remember - and one of the most important - is that our dogs NEED to be loved. They are not called our "best friends" for nothing. They want to be near us, petted by us, and yes...even told they are loved by us. While they may or may not understand what we are saying, they understand the emotions, the tone & inflection of our voices, and the gentleness of our touch. Dogs that are confined outdoors bark and howl because they are lonely, scared, bored, hungry, thirsty or any combination of these. They can't ask for what they want, so they bark & howl. They need us to be the smart and attentive ones, who will try and figure out how we can help them feel better and more secure. And more loved.
Finally, show your pet you care by having them spayed or neutered. Dogs & cats that are not spayed or neutered have a much greater risk of either testicular cancer for males, or ovarian cancer for females. And the risks gets greater as they older. Also, many studies have shown that animals that are fixed tend not to wander so far from home, if at all. This is because they do not need to be searching out that female in heat, or their potential suitor if they are female. Additionally, having your pet fixed can help eliminate much of their aggressive behavior, since studies have also shown that most aggressive behavior comes from fighting over potential mates.
We spend a lot of our time as parents trying to teach our children to be good and responsible citizens. As part of the greater community in which we live, this also means being a responsible pet owner. Having our pets properly tagged and vaccinated, and not letting them run wild throughout the neighborhood defecating on our neighbors finely manicured lawn, should be part of that teaching. It also has the added bonus of helping keep our furry loved ones from being attacked by angry neighbors, pursued by wild predators like Coyotes, or run over by speeding cars.
Our pets need us...probably more than we need them. They depend on us for those basic needs everyday, and suffer greatly when those needs are not being met. So love your pets as you would have them love you. They need training so they will know boundaries, just like our kids. They need to know when they do good, not just when they do bad. They need to be socialized so they will be friends to all, not just to you. Because whether you have thought of it or not....they share your home, and thus, they too are a part of our community. Like our children, they will turn out to be what we help make them.
Show them you care, and help make them a part of our community we are proud of!
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