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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9 Reasons Your Cat May Be Losing Weight
Category: Newsletter Library, Cats
Does your cat look thinner than usual? One of these nine reasons may explain why your cat is losing weight.
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Category: Newsletter Library, Visiting the Vet
Have you ever looked at your adopted dog with its short legs, shaggy hair and brown spot encircling one eye, and wondered what dog breeds are in there? Now that science has decoded the DNA of dogs, science can tell us many things. Harvard and MIT programs unraveled the canine DNA sequence in 2006, which
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Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness
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Euthanasia: Saying Goodbye
Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness
It's not easy to say goodbye to cherished pets, even those that have lived long, happy lives. Although you may hate the thought of life without your pet, euthanasia can be the kindest decision you can make when your friend is suffering. Making the Decision If your pet has been seriously injured in a
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Category: Newsletter Library, Seasonal Topics
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Managing Pet Allergies in Kids
Category: Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
Are you concerned that your child's allergies may mean that you will have to give up your pet? Although rehoming a pet may be necessary if allergies are severe, most children can live with pets if you are willing to make a few changes. The Problem About three in 10 people who have allergies are allergic
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Category: Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
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Cat Food Labels: What Nutritional Facts and Ingredients to Look For
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First Aid Basics for Pet Owners
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What You Can Do to Protect Your Dog from Worms
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How to Pet-Proof Your Home
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Does Your Cat Need a Bath?
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How Healthy Are Your Pet's Teeth?
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What Your Cat's Eyes Can Tell You
Category: Newsletter Library
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The Best Dog Breed for Your Personality and Lifestyle
Category: Newsletter Library
If you're looking for a dog breed that has the temperament to match yours, these tips will help you find a great match in your new pet.
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Signs That Your Cat is Experiencing Pain
Category: Newsletter Library