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Responsible
Pet Owners Month presents an opportunity to take a fresh
look at how we are caring for and treating our pets.
Beyond our own home boundaries, February is an occasion
to set an example, or pass on to others the essential
aspects of being a responsible pet owner. Among them:
Set an
example when out in public with your dog. Keep your pet
on leash and under control, and don't allow him to
interact with others without an invitation; not
everybody is a dog lover. Always have a bag to pick up
waste.
Providing
your pet a nutritious diet is essential to his health.
The market is saturated with various pet foods, but not
all of them are wholesome. There is plenty of
information available to help you find and provide the
best diet for your pet. Talk to the veterinarian or a
pet professional, learn to analyze pet food labels, and
make smart choices when determining your pet's
nutritional needs.
Early
training and socialization is crucial when raising a
puppy to become a shining example of how great having
dogs as pets can be. Without proper socialization, dogs
often grow to be nervous, shy, fearful or aggressive
around people. Proper training helps to solidify the
dog's status as a true family member; a well-mannered,
smart and gentle pet is a pleasure to be around. A
primary reason that dogs end up in shelters is because
of behavioral problems. This is especially frustrating,
as most behavioral issues are a direct result of a lack
of early socialization and training, and can easily be
avoided.
A pet
cannot be considered healthy unless its coat is in good
shape. Many short-coated pets require little grooming
care — an occasional combing or brushing, flea control
and a nutritious diet for a glossy, healthy coat. But
our long-haired or heavily coated pets require much more
attention. Without frequent brushing and coat
maintenance, your pet's fur can become tangled and
painfully matted, resulting in skin irritations and
secondary infections. Know what your grooming
limitations are, and choose a pet with a coat type you
can manage, or find a reputable groomer to gently and
properly care for your pet's coat.
It is
vital that we all do our part to reduce the number of
homeless animals that end up in shelters, which the
Humane Society
estimates to be 6 million to 8 million per year. There
is no logical reason to abstain from spaying or
neutering; low-cost surgical options are available, and
your pet will live a longer, healthier life.
Owning a
pet is as much a responsibility as it is a pleasure.
Your pet doesn't have the option of selecting his
caretaker, and when you choose to become a pet owner,
it's on you to be the best you can be. Your pet is
counting on it.
———
(
Lisa Moore's
pet-behavior column appears once a month on the Weekly
Pet Page. Write to her in care of LifeStyles,
The Modesto Bee
, P.O. Box 5256,
Modesto CA
95352.)
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