How many times has your pet cheered you up when you’ve hit rock bottom? How many times has your pet stood guard and protected you and your family? The emotion and loyalty offered are incredibly fulfilling.
Food and shelter – are these the only things you’re giving to your pet animal? It’s a member of your family now. In return it deserves your love (and lots of it).
Besides providing them with necessities, you also need to attend to them, as you would a human. Veterinary hospitals do this as long as your pet is in their hands. But beyond that, the responsibility totally rests on you.
Here are 4 ways you can care for your pet as its master, friend, and companion.
Cool Pets For Cool People
Fur and scorching heat don’t really go well together. Unlike humans who perspire and cool down, pets counter heat through their paws and by panting.
However, these natural processes are hindered when your pet’s snout is flat. For instance, pugs and Persian cats have flat faces which don’t let them pant efficiently, which increases the risk of heat strokes.
So, you need to give them access to cold, fresh water and ensure that they stay indoors during the hottest time of the day.
Flea Control
Parasites and insects thrive at the expense of your pets. Fleas, ticks, and summer insects find a nice, cozy spot in the fur and settle in. It’s up to you to play the angry landlord.
What’s scary is that they breed quickly, carry diseases, and could shift to humans to explore greener pastures.
Where do these pesky critters come from? Grass, and other animals that harbor them.
Well, you can’t really keep your pets from stepping onto the grass or interacting with other animals, but you can use shampoo and talc to control pests recommended by pet care professionals to drive out the freeloaders.
On The Highway
Cars are simply metal boxes moving at extraordinary speeds. They save you a lot of time and effort but invite mishaps as well. People inside cars are always at risk, and so are the animals. Besides, safety norms for automobiles only cater to humans.
Let your pets get used to traveling in cars by taking them for shorter drives. This helps them get ready for longer journeys that can be stressful. A well-ventilated and strong carrier can be used to secure your pets in place. However, you must ensure that it has plenty of room for your pet to stand and turn around. Moreover, it needs to be cushioned so that bumps on the road don’t hurt your pet.
Also make it a point to pull over at regular intervals in order to let your pets stretch and relieve themselves. While you’re taking this break, feed and water them as well.
What’s On The Menu?
The overall health of your pets will depend on what you’re feeding them. A bag of pet food you just purchased from the supermarket might contain low-quality grain, wheat gluten, and artificial ingredients like propylene glycol, and BHT—stay away from these if at all possible.
Instead, buy a product that contains natural animal protein: fish, turkey, beef, lamb, and chicken. Even if you’re a vegetarian, you need to feed your pet what it needs to stay healthy.
You can also mix herbs like rosemary, thyme, dill, sage, peppermint and cinnamon with the food to raise its antioxidant content. But do make sure that whatever you add to your pets’ food isn’t poisonous to them.
Caring for your pet can seem a bit overwhelming in the beginning. Like humans, they too have preferences and throw tantrums. But whatever the hiccups, stick to your plan and care for them at all times. The rewards are many and endless.
