Pet Care Tips
Understanding the golden rules of responsible pet ownership is an essential part of caring for your pet.
Much of being a responsible pet owner is understanding what your pet needs and also being aware of what your responsibilities are to the community. Following are some basic rules for pet care:
- Learn about your pet's special needs - dietary, health, housing and general care
- Provide appropriate housing and shelter for your pet
- Provide your pet with an adequate balanced diet and ensure it has access to clean, cool drinking water at all times
- Provide appropriate housing and shelter for your pet
- Regularly exercise your pet according to its needs Train your pet using kindness and positive reinforcement
- Provide appropriate housing and shelter for your pet
- While unsupervised, keep your pet safely and securely confined to your property at all times To minimize boredom, provide your pet with sufficient companionship and a stimulating environment
- Protect your pet's health by taking it to a vet whenever health problems arise and by ensuring all necessary vaccinations and treatments are up-to-date
- To help prevent disease and illness, ensure your pet has a clean environment
- Microchip your pet (where appropriate) and where required register it with your local council to increase the likelihood of return when lost
- De-sex your pet at an early age to prevent unwanted offspring
- If your pet requires grooming, do so on a regular basis
Many pets need to be socialised with other animals and people, particularly at a young age - give your pet appropriate opportunities for mixing with others - Teach your family, friends and children how to interact with your pet
- Find suitable boarding facilities for your pet whilst on holidays
- Respect the rights of non pet owners by keeping your pet under control while in public and by disposing of any droppings made in public areas
- Provide your pet with love and attention and commit to caring for it for its entire life
Pets and Excerise
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"Eufloria": Catnip Isn’t the Only Plant Scent Cats May Love
27 April 2017A recent study revealed that catnip isn't the only plant cats tend to enjoy. From silver vine to honeysuckle, learn which plants your feline friend may go crazy for.
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Want to Take Your Cat on a Walk? How I Do It
27 April 2017Taking your cat for a walk isn't impossible... even if your kitty isn't comfortable on a leash. Here's one editor's experience with her cat, Trixie.
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Lyme Disease: What Dog Owners Should Know
25 April 2017In certain parts of the U.S., up to 90 percent of dogs may test positive for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Here's how vets tend to treat the disease.
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Why Does My Dog… Dig in the Carpet?
21 April 2017There are many reasons why dogs dog in carpets. Our veterinary behaviorist shares a few theories behind the common dog behavior — and what you can do to stop it.
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A Letter to My Dog Rudi on Her 10th Birthday
19 April 2017Our editor's Lab mix, Rudi, just turned 10 years old. In this personal essay, the editor shares a few lessons she's learned from her dog over the past decade.
Pet Food Recalls & Safety
Stay up to date with Petfood Industry’s list of US and international cat and dog food, pet treat and companion animal feed recalls. According to FDA, pet food can be recalled by a manufacturer to remove product from the market, by FDA request or by FDA order under statutory authority.
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IcelandicPlus recalls dried-fish pet treats for size
25 March 2020IcelandicPlus of Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania, USA recalled Capelin Pet Treats because some of the fish have exceeded the FDA compliance guideline for fish larger than 5 inches.
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Happy Hounds recalled raw dog food in UK for bacteria
20 February 2020Sampling undertaken by Happy Hounds has identified elevated levels of bacteria indicating a potential risk. A withdrawal and recall have been actioned by the company.
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FDA warns of Salmonella in Aunt Jeni’s frozen raw pet food
18 February 2020A sample collected from a store in the District of Columbia tested positive for Salmonella.
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J.M. Smucker recalls cat food over unspecified ingredient
06 December 2019Ingesting affected product may cause nausea with excessive salivation, diarrhea or vomiting to more severe symptoms including difficulty walking, seizures and, in extreme situations, death.
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Go Raw recalls Quest raw beef cat food over Salmonella
17 November 2019No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.