Be Their Best Friend!

Do you have a new puppy or kitten in your family? Or perhaps you have an adult dog or cat. Either way, you should make every effort to be your pet's best friend. Remember, they rely on you to take care of them! Being a best friend means more than providing food and water for your pet. It means keeping them safe with a collar and ID tag. It means spending time with them and getting them proper medical care. Remember, your pet will be with you for 10 to 20 years. That's a lot of responsibility, but nothing that you can't handle.

Does Your Pet Know Your Name and Address?

Does your pet have a collar? Does he or she have a name tag? How about a tattoo? Pets give us love and companionship, but in return for their loyalty, they need your care and attention. Collars, rabies tags, and licenses are required by law for dogs in most places and for cats in some. Cats need "breakaway" or elastic collars to keep them from getting choked if their collars get caught while they're climbing. If your pet gets away from you, an ID tag and tattoo will help get it home.

Patience, Patience...

Young pets must be housebroken and given other training, beginning with your first day home together. Pets generally want to please their owners and will learn good behavior if you show them what to do gently, consistently, and patiently. A loud "no!" with a clap of your hands will discourage the wrong behavior, but you must show what the right behavior is and then praise your pet for that behavior. Always remember that you must correct the animal while it is doing something wrong or immediately after for it to understand. And never hit your pet. Hitting a pet won't get you a well behaved animal -- only a frightened, nervous one.

Health Care

Pets must have vaccinations and yearly boosters to keep them healthy. Make sure you take your new pet to a vet as soon as possible. And make sure they go every year for a checkup. They will need medical care if they get sick and should have a regular veterinarian who can help in an emergency. Most pets at one time or another will have to be treated for fleas, ear mites, worms, or other bugs, and this should be done under a veterinarian's supervision. There are now several easy ways to help prevent fleas.

That loving touch

Pets get lonely when you go away, so be sure to give them lots of love when you return. Dogs and cats need grooming. It is especially important for long-haired pets to be brushed regularly for comfort and health as well as appearance. Dogs must be exercised daily by their owners for good health. Leaving a dog chained in the backyard or confined in the house day in and day out is cruel. Cats are safer if kept indoors and don't miss anything by not being allowed outside.

For Health and Happiness

One of the most important parts of being a responsible pet owner is having your pet neutered. Neutering your pet will substantially reduce their risk of cancer and other diseases, and make your pet happier. It also helps reduce the terrible pet overpopulation problem. Click here for more info on this terrible problem .

A Pet is Not a Toy!

Finally, keep in mind that your puppy or kitten is not a toy, he or she is a living being who needs your love and care for the rest of its life. They need food and water and a safe place to sleep. And a young pet is especially vulnerable to broken bones and other injuries, so handle with care. Remember, you are their best friend!