Owning a pet requires a lot of responsibility. You must feed and provide clean water to your pet daily. However, the care goes beyond that. You are also responsible for providing companionship, medical care and preventing overpopulation of your pet. You must get them medical care, when needed. You also need to provide them with the necessary vaccinations and even spay and neuter is important in preventing an overpopulation of cats and dogs.
Overpopulation is already a growing problem with the cat population in our country. You have probably noticed at least a few stray cats, just in your neighborhood. People fail to spay and neuter their cats, which leads to additional cats being born. There are not enough homes for the cats that are already present. Many cat clinics and dog clinics may adopt out pets who are already spayed and neutered. If they do not, they may have an on sight pet spay clinic that will provide the spay and neuter services at a discounted price. It is important to spay and neuter your pet for many reasons.
There are differences in spaying and neutering cats and dogs. Although both are necessary, the procedures are different. Both are relatively safe, as they are routine medical procedures. Generally, it is cheaper to neuter a cat or dog, because it is an easier process than spaying an animal. However, the exact costs will depend on the clinic, the services and on your individual pet.
Spaying and neutering are not the only important vaccinations that a pet needs. They also need routine vaccinations, like rabies and parvovirus vaccines. This prevents common illnesses from occurring in your pet. They should also be on a monthly heartworm and flea prevention medication. The American Heartworm Society reported that cases of heartworm disease have been found in all 50 states, at all times of the year. All it takes is one bite from an infected mosquito to infect your cat or dog. Heartworm prevention is also necessary for both cats and dogs. Many cat owners may not provide heartworm medication to their cats, because they do not go outdoors. However, mosquitos do make it in indoors and many cats do get outside from time to time.
Your pet may also have its own medical things to address. Some pets may have allergies, just like humans do. Pets will allergies must take daily medications and their food and diet may need to be changed. It can also be difficult to pinpoint the exact allergy, but it is important to do so. However, 66% of all dog food allergies are caused by beef, dairy and wheat.
Another often forgotten part of owning a pet is also arranging for their care when you are working a lot or when you are out of town. They are unable to stay in the home for long periods of time, when you are away. Some pets may have separation anxiety, making it even more difficult to find care for them when you are gone. Separation anxiety in dogs and cats is generally worse during the first 15 minutes your pet is alone, but can persist during the entire time you are away.
Most people are not fully aware of everything required to properly care for a pet. Owning a pet is not simply about providing food and water for them. There is much more to it. The pet also needs to receive regular vaccinations and needs to be on monthly heartworm and flea prevention medications. They may have their own individual medical concerns, like dietary restrictions and even separation anxiety. You will also have to arrange for care of your pet, when you are working a lot or when you are out of town. You must also entertain and train your pet. Owning a pet requires a lot of responsibility and it should be carefully considered.