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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Does Your Cat Have a Grooming Problem?
Category: Newsletter Library, Cats
Noticed a sudden change in your cat's grooming habits? Over- or under-grooming can be a sign of trouble.
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August Newsletter: How Spaying or Neutering Your Pet Can Prevent Health Problems
Category: Newsletter Library
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August Newsletter: How Your Veterinarian Can Help with Pet Separation Anxiety
Category: Newsletter Library
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July Newsletter: The Benefits of Daycare Services for Your Pet
Category: Newsletter Library
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July Newsletter: Do Pocket Pets Need Regular Exams?
Category: Newsletter Library
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June Newsletter: How X-Rays Can Help Detect Early Stages of Dental Diseases
Category: Newsletter Library
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June Newsletter: How Often Should Cats Be Vaccinated?
Category: Newsletter Library
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May Newsletter: How to Keep Your Cat at a Healthy Weight
Category: Newsletter Library
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May Newsletter: Pets Have Allergies too!
Category: Newsletter Library
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April Newsletter: Tips on Keeping Your Cat Calm through the Night
Category: Newsletter Library
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April Newsletter: Signs Your Dog May Have Bloat
Category: Newsletter Library
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March Newsletter: Care Tips for Your Pocket Pets
Category: Newsletter Library
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March Newsletter: First Time Pet Owner? Here's What You Need to Know
Category: Newsletter Library
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Caring for Your Older Pet
Category: Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Many of the same problems that affect people as they age, such as arthritis and diabetes, can also affect your pet. Making a few changes to the way you care for your furry friend will help you ensure that your pet stays healthy and happy as the years go by. Look for Common Signs of Illness Changes
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February Newsletter: Weird Things Your Cat Does and What They Mean
Category: Newsletter Library
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February Newsletter: Where to Start When Training Your Puppy
Category: Newsletter Library