- Outfit your dog
with a collar and ID tag that includes your name, address,
and telephone number. No matter how careful you are,
there's a chance your companion may become lost - an
ID tag greatly increases the chance that your dog will
be returned home safely.
- Follow local laws for licensing your dog and
vaccinating him for rabies. Check with your
local shelter or humane society for information regarding
legal requirements, where to obtain tags, and where to
have your pet vaccinated.
- Follow this simple
rule - off property,
on leash. Even
a dog with a valid license, rabies tag, and ID tag should
not be allowed to roam outside of your home or fenced yard.
It is best for you, your community, and your dog to keep
your pet under control at all times.
- Give your dog proper shelter. A fenced
yard with a doghouse is a bonus, especially for large and
active dogs; however, dogs should never be left outside
alone for extended periods of time. Dogs need and crave
companionship and should spend most of their time inside
with their family.
- Take your dog to the veterinarian for regular
check-ups. If you do not have a veterinarian,
ask your local animal shelter or a pet-owning friend
for a referral.
- Spay or neuter your dog. Dogs who have
this routine surgery tend to live longer, be healthier,
and have fewer behavior problems (e.g., biting, running
away). By spaying or neutering your dog, you are also doing
your part to reduce the problem of pet overpopulation.
- Give your pooch a nutritionally balanced diet,
including constant access to fresh water. Ask
your veterinarian for advice on what and how often to
feed your pet.
- Enroll your dog in a training class. Positive
training will allow you to control your companion's behavior
safely and humanely, and the experience offers a terrific
opportunity to enhance the bond you share with your dog.
- Give your dog enough exercise to keep him physically
fit (but not exhausted). Most dog owners find
that playing with their canine companion, along with
walking him twice a day, provides sufficient exercise.
If you have questions about the level of exercise appropriate
for your dog, consult your veterinarian.
- Be loyal to and patient with your faithful companion.
Make sure the expectations your have of your dog are reasonable
and remember that the vast majority of behavior problems
can be solved. If you are struggling with pet's behavior,
contact your veterinarian or local animal shelter for advice,
and check out the the HSUS's Pets for Life campaign information.
- Outfit your cat
with a collar and ID tag that includes your name, address,
and telephone number. No matter how careful you are,
there's a chance your companion may slip out the door - an
ID tag greatly increases the chance that your cat will
be returned home safely.
- Follow local cat registration laws. Licensing,
a registration and identification system administered by
some local governments, protects both cats and people in
the community.
- Keep your cat indoors. Keeping your
cat safely confined at all times is best for you, your
pet, and your community.
- Take you cat to the veterinarian for regular
check-ups. If you do not have a veterinarian,
ask your local animal shelter or a pet-owning friend
for a referral.
- Spay or neuter your pet. This will keep
her healthier and will reduce the problem of cat overpopulation.
- Give your cat a nutritionally balanced diet,
including constant access to fresh water. Ask
your veterinarian for advice on what and how often to
feed your pet.
- Train your cat to refrain from undesirable behaviors
such as scratching furniture and jumping on countertops.
Contrary to popular belief, cats can be trained with a
bit of patience, effort, and understanding on your part.
- Groom your cat often to keep her coat healthy,
soft, and shiny. Although it is especially
important to brush long-haired cats to prevent their
hair from matting, even short-haired felines need to
be groomed to remove as much loose hair as possible.
When cats groom themselves, they ingest a great deal
of hair, which often leads to hairballs.
- Set aside time to play with your cat. While
cats do not need the level of exercise that dogs do, enjoying
regular play sessions with your pet will provide him with
the physical exercise and mental stimulation he needs,
as well as strengthen the bond you share.
- Be loyal and patient with your cat. Make
sure the expectations you have of your companion are reasonable
and remember that the vast majority of behavior problems
can be solved. If you are struggling with your pet's behavior,
contact your veterinarian or local animal shelter for advice,
and check out the HSUS's Pets for Life campaign information.
* Courtesy of the Humane Society of the United States |
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