Pets are much more than furry, feathered, or scaled roommates: they’re part of the family, and help make our households complete. While providing your animal companion with food and shelter will see to their basic needs, good pet care goes much further than that. Read on as a Pendleton, IN vet lists some common pet care mistakes.

Lack of Veterinary Care

Proper veterinary care is very important! It’s far too common for people to only take their pets to the vet when they notice something wrong. However, when it comes to treating illnesses in pets, an ounce of prevention can be worth several pounds of cure. Follow your vet’s recommended appointment schedule.

Not Enough Exercise/Stimulation

Just like people, pets can get bored and restless just sitting around with nothing to do. Whether you have a gerbil, a cat, a bird, or a huge dog, it’s important to make sure that your animal companion has suitable entertainment options, and is getting enough activity.

Poor Food

Good nutrition is a cornerstone of any proper pet care regimen. Make sure your animal companion is getting the right type and amount of food. Overfeeding is one common issue: far too many of our patients are obese or overweight! Chubby pets may be cute, but, unfortunately, they face elevated risks of developing some very serious medical conditions. Ask your vet for specific nutritional recommendations, including serving sizes, safe and unsafe foods, and suitable snacks.

Punishing Bad Behavior

We know, it can be pretty frustrating to come home and find that Fido ate your shoes or Fluffy scratched up your sofa. However, punishing your pet for misbehaving may only make matters worse. Our animal companions act according to instinct, and don’t really understand the concept of punishment. Just focus on rewarding good behavior.

Forgetting Safety

Make your home safe for your animal companion by removing or securing potentially-hazardous items, such as toxic plants; chemicals; medications; small or sharp objects; wires and cords; and other dangers. If you have a yard for your dog to chase squirrels around in, make sure your fences are secure, and get a self-latching gate. As for Fluffy, keep her safe and sound inside, where she is protected from cars, weather, predators, and other hazards.

Is your pet due for veterinary care? We are here to help! Feel free to contact us, your Pendleton, IN animal clinic, anytime!