Prepare your house for your pet's arrival. A special place should be designated for it to eat, sleep, and eliminate. Obtain any necessary accessories (eg, collar, leash, ID tag, crate, cage, aquarium and dishes) before you bring your pet home. For most pets, you will need to pet-proof your home just as you would child-proof your home to avoid accidents. Harmful cleansers, plants, electrical cords, and breakable objects should be kept out of reach. Open windows should be screened.
Roaming pets are prime candidates for fights with other animals, traffic accidents, and communicable diseases from other animals. Their life span can be expected to be considerably shorter as a result.
Most pets are strictly indoor pets and are perfectly content, as long as they have access to food and fresh water at all times. AVMA strongly recommends that for a healthier, happier pet you consider keeping your pets indoors only. If your pet must go outside, make sure you know where it is at all times, that the pet is old enough to manage on its own, that it is identified in some fashion (microchip ID or breakaway collar and tag), current on vaccinations, and not outdoors in extremely cold, hot, or inclement weather.
If you don't want your pet in certain areas of the house, start training it immediately to avoid those areas. When choosing where your pet will sleep, keep in mind some pets are nocturnal animals and will be active at night. Placing soft bedding materials in secluded corners will help your pet to feel at home.
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May Newsletter: Items That Should Be Included in Your Pet's First Aid Kit
Category: Newsletter Library
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April Newsletter: The Benefits of Dental Chews for Dogs
Category: Newsletter Library
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April Newsletter: At What Age Should You Spay or Neuter Your Pet?
Category: Newsletter Library
Not sure when to spay or neuter your new pet? Take a look at the latest surgery recommendations.
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March Newsletter: Tips to Prevent Your Cat from Overgrooming
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Is your cat's overgrooming habit causing hair loss or irritated skin? Find out what you can do about the problem.
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March Newsletter: How and When to Introduce Solid Food to Your Kitten
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February Newsletter: What Causes Nausea in Cats?
Category: Newsletter Library
Think your cat may be nauseated? These conditions, illnesses and diseases could explain why your pet doesn't feel well.
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February Newsletter: The Benefits of Proper Nutrition for Pets
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January Newsletter: How Veterinarians Treat Arthritis in Dogs
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January Newsletter: How Your Veterinarian Can Help with Lameness
Category: Newsletter Library
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December Newsletter: What Causes Stomatitis in Dogs?
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Does your dog have sores in its mouth? Stomatitis, an oral health condition, could be to blame. Dental cleanings and home dental care can help ease your pet's painful symptoms.
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December Newsletter: What is the 3-3-3 Rule When Adopting a New Pet?
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November Newsletter: What Causes Cataracts in Cats and How Are They Treated?
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November Newsletter: How to Celebrate National Senior Pet Month
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October Newsletter: The Importance of Daily Dog Walks
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October Newsletter: How to Care for Your Pets When They Are Teething
Category: Newsletter Library
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September Newsletter: The Importance of Core Vaccines for Dogs
Category: Newsletter Library