Many of us have some pet that we love in our homes, we try our best to take care of them and make the house a nourishing and safe environment for them, however, at the end of the day, we are only human, and sometimes, we can unknowingly make mistakes that can put our beloved pets in danger. But
Now, that is nothing to be ashamed of, we all make mistakes, but as long as we acknowledge them and try our best to avoid them in the future, everything will be alright. I have noticed that most of the mistakes that are made by people are the direct result of unawareness.
Therefore, today I am going to tell you about seven common mistakes that can be detrimental to your pet. Keep reading to learn more, and keep your pets safe.
Mistake 1. Not scheduling regular visits to the vet.
Most people have the idea that they only have to go to the doctor when they are sick. This concept is wrong, you should have regular annual checkups to keep an eye on your overall health, and you need to do the same with your pets.
You should take your pet to a vet for a routine checkup at least once a year, if not after every six months. These checkups don’t cost much, and they can help you ensure the health and longevity of your pet. Regular checkups can help you discover any diseases or disorders in time; moreover, they can help you fine-tune the diet and activity of your pet to ensure that they are getting all the nutrients and exercise that they need for a long and healthy life.
Furthermore, if you have a pet puppy or kitten, make sure that you get them vaccinated for common diseases.
Mistake 2. Keeping poisonous food items lying around:
Did you know that many household items and human foods are poisonous for your pets? In fact, according to statistics, the home environment is the most common source of accidental pet poisoning. Many people make the mistake of leaving such poisonous items lying around, and as cats and dogs have a curious nature, they can accidentally ingest these toxic items.
Here are some everyday food items that you should keep away from your pets:
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
- Grapes
- Onions and garlic
- Candies and sweets with Xylitol
- Chewing gum
- Raw meat can also be dangerous in some cases.
- Caffeinated drinks
Apart from these foods, everyday cleaning materials like soap and detergent can also be harmful if ingested, and certain scents and essential oils that are commonly found in scented candles can also be dangerous. So, learn more about accidental animal poisoning and keep these items away from your pet’s reach.
Mistake 3. Going outside without a collar:
A collar is an essential item for a house pet, as it can be beneficial if they get lost. Therefore, whenever you take your pet outdoors, you need to make sure that it is wearing a collar.
Another important thing that you need to keep in mind is that the collar should not be uncomfortable for your pet, the standard rule is that two fingers should fit between the collar and neck of the big or medium-sized dog, and for a small dog of a cat, one finger should fit.
If your pet is continuously bothered by their collar, it can have a horrible effect on their mind, which can translate into physical problems as well.
Mistake 4. Leaving a pet closed in an apartment:
Though most people leave their pets with a friend or family member when they are traveling, some still leave their pets in a closed home or apartment. Even if you get a friend to check up on your pet now and then, staying indoors for too long, with minimal interaction, can be very bad for them.
Maybe cats can stay alone for a little longer, but for dogs, fresh air and exercise are vital. If a dog stays pent up in a home or apartment for too long, without any attention from you, it can start to act up. It may damage your items to use its extra energy, and staying alone can also lead to stress and separation anxiety in dogs, which can reduce their lifespan.
Mistake 5. Avoiding sterilization surgeries:
Sterilization surgery is a very usual and utterly painless procedure; however, most pet owners are afraid of these surgeries and try to avoid them. Studies have shown that sterilization does not have any negative impacts on the health of your pet; in fact, sterilized pets live longer than those who aren’t.
Sterilization can also help you avoid many problems, and make taking care of your pet a lot easier. However, one thing you need to be careful about if you have a pet cat is that they tend to get lazy after sterilization surgeries, and they can sometimes get overweight. Therefore, you should encourage your cat to play and watch its diet.
Mistake 6. Not keeping up with their hygiene:
Apart from eating harmful foods, another main reason for health problems with your pets is improper hygiene. Moreover, inadequate hygiene can also put you at a higher risk of catching certain diseases from your pet.
You should bathe your pets regularly and more important than that you should brush their teeth and fur as well. Though it may be a little confusing at first, eventually, your pet will get used to it.
If you have a pet cat, you must clean their litter box regularly. You should also make sure that you are using the right kind of litter because sometimes it can be harmful to cats with problems like asthma. There are more options for all natural or more eco friendly litter solutions for cats every year. Check out the link to get the best litter for cats with asthma.
Mistake 7. Not giving your dog enough attention.
Unlike cats, who are a lot more independent, dogs need more affection and love from their owners. And if they don’t get the attention that they need, dogs can get depressed and develop problems like separation anxiety.
These problems can take a severe toll on their health and can effectively take years of their life. In short, you should follow the rule that “a happy dog is a healthy dog,” so make sure that you take care of your pets and show them how much you love them.
Author’s bio:
This post is written by Taylor Starc, who is an animal behaviorist and a certified pet trainer. He has been working at Animal Training Academy in Montreal for ten years now. Apart from his professional life, he likes to read and write blogs in his leisure time. You can read some of his best pieces at https://obeymycat.com/.
