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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Managing Pet Allergies in Kids
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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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How to Tell A Pet's Age from Its Teeth
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Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
How old is your pet? Taking a look at your furry friend's mouth can provide some clues.
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Cat Food Labels: What Nutritional Facts and Ingredients to Look For
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Newsletter Library
Need a little help making sense of cat food labels?
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First Aid Basics for Pet Owners
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Celebrate Pet First Aid Awareness Month by brushing up on your first aid skills!
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What You Can Do to Protect Your Dog from Worms
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Do you know how to keep your dog safe from worms?
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How to Pet-Proof Your Home
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Is your home safe for your pet?
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Does Your Cat Need a Bath?
Category:
Newsletter Library
Are you wondering if your cat can benefit from a bath?
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How Healthy Are Your Pet's Teeth?
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Do you know the facts about pet dental health?
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What Your Cat's Eyes Can Tell You
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Could your cat's eyes offer information about its moods?
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The Best Dog Breed for Your Personality and Lifestyle
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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
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Do you know when your cat is in pain?
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Holiday Pet Safety Tips
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Do you know how to prevent pet holiday mishaps?
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Does Your Dog Have a Sleep Disorder?
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Wondering why your dog seems tired during the day? A sleep disorder could be to blame.
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Can Pets Get Food Poisoning?
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Newsletter Library
Food poisoning could be the reason for your pet's sudden illness.
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Could Your Cat Have a Neurological Disorder?
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Newsletter Library
One of these neurological disorders could be to blame for your cat's unusual behavior.
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How to Make Your Rescue Pet Feel Comfortable in Your Home
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Newsletter Library
Planning to welcome a new dog? These suggestions will help your rescue pet adjust to a new home.
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