It’s not easy being a pet owner because you will literally be like a parent. Only your child won’t have to be watched 24/7 because it can manage on its own, provided that you can give it everything it needs to survive. So, you’ll be a full-time parent, but without the stress from crying babies and the costs of childcare.
Don’t misunderstand; you will still have to spend on pet care because your pet needs to eat and live healthily. For that, you will have to bring your pet to the doctor if it gets sick and make sure to give it the right medications at the right times. This means that choosing pet ownership is not the easy way out of parenthood.
Your pet will depend on your ability to love and care for another being besides yourself to survive. If you fail to provide your pet with its necessities, then you can’t expect it to live a long life. Therefore, you need to do your best as a pet owner because you have assumed the responsibility from the moment you brought it home. Here are the three pillars of pet care that you must remember:
Healthy Food and Clean Water
Just as human beings need food for sustenance and water for hydration, pets need to eat and drink too. But you have to know what your pet’s nutritional needs are before you can do that. It’s also possible that your pet can have allergies or digestive sensitivities, which means you need to be careful about what you feed it.
For instance, if you own a dog that has a sensitive care diet, then you’ll need to give it hypoallergenic dog food instead of the usual kibble formula. This is because the regular kibble that you buy in supermarkets may not provide it with the nutrients it needs to grow, and it may trigger its allergies in the process.
It’s also important that you don’t overfeed your pet, as doing so may lead to obesity and other serious health problems. Most pets are more similar to people than you may think, so if you’re unsure what your pet’s needs are, it’s better to approach someone who will, such as their veterinarian.
Aside from providing nutritious sustenance, your pet will also need to have access to clean drinking water. Pets usually drink throughout the day, so you have to make sure that you refill your pet’s water bowl at least twice or thrice a day. And if you have a pet that lives in water, remember to clean its home at least once a week.
Safe Space to Rest and Grow
Even animals need a roof over their heads to protect them from the natural elements, such as rain, snow, wind, and sunlight. External factors also affect their behaviors, like other aggressive animals in the vicinity, passing cars, approaching strangers, and whatnot.
For example, if you have a cat, it’s better to keep your cat indoors because it doesn’t do well out in the open. And unlike dogs, you can’t keep cats on a tight leash because they prefer having the freedom to walk around independently. So, get your cat a soft bed and a scratch post that you can keep inside.
On the other hand, if you have a dog, you need to have the space to let it run around to catch its tail or play fetch. Dogs also need to be walked every day because it’s their main mode of exercise, which means you need to have safe sidewalks and streets for your pet to walk on.
Regular Trips to the Vet’s Clinic
Lastly, pet care will never be complete without a regular trip to the vet’s clinic. No matter what kind of animal you have as a pet, it’s important that you have the right source of information and guidance for everything that it may need. That’s why even if you think you won’t need it, you’ll need to have a vet.
If you have a pet that can’t communicate with their bodies like cats, dogs, or even horses, then you’ll need to have access to a vet that can help you deal with any signs of sickness and unease. As the pet owner, it’s your job to ensure that your pet lives a comfortable life and is not in any pain or discomfort.
Pet ownership is not as easy as how other people make it out to be. You’ll constantly be on the lookout for any signs of distress because your pet won’t be able to tell you where it hurts. But on the bright side, you’ll have someone by your side at all times to give you companionship and love. So, it’s still a win.
