Little Big Ways to Love Your Pets
Happy National Pet Day!
Family pets are an integral part of American culture and you know it. Maybe it’s because I’ve always romanticized the notion of the family dog (thanks, Lady & The Tramp), but the love I have for my dogs and cats is completely unconditional. It’s also endearing to see old high school friends gushing over their pets on social media, treating them like they would a human child.
We take solace in the bonds we create with our furry companions. There are likely times where you feel that you could be doing a better job of taking care of your pet, but they’re not exactly picky. There are several little ways to show your cat or dog just how much you love them in a very big way.
Pay attention to what’s in their food
Humans are creatures of convenience—we can just throw a giant bag of budget-friendly pet food in the shopping cart with the rest of our groceries. But pet foods that are carried in grocery stores and supermarkets are often not the best option. Although the amounts may be minuscule, many popular brands may contain “natural preservatives” like arsenic, which can become harmful over time.
Resources like PawDiet and Dog Food Advisor can help you pick the right food for your pet. Just like you should make conscious decisions about what you eat, it’s important to keep your pet’s unique needs in mind, like age, breed, and weight. The wrong food can have a negative impact on your pet’s health later in life. For instance, our vet advised us to limit our pug Minnie’s protein intake to lessen the possibility of kidney and liver failure.
Invest in quality supplies
So you bought a puppy/kitten. And the adoption fee was the only big expense you have to take care of, right? Absolutely not. Don’t let those big adorable eyes distract you from the fact that bringing a pet into your life is EXPENSIVE. Make a checklist of what you need for the new pet before bringing them home, as well as what you might need for them as they get older.
Thanks to the internet, there are a vast number of resources available for you to read up on the best pet supplies. It can be tempting to opt for a more budget-conscious solution, but from experience, cheap price usually means cheap quality. Make reasonably sound decisions on things like beds, food, and medication.
When it comes to toys, you should also consider whether the toy is tough enough for your pet. Soft plush toys tend to be inexpensive, but if you have to keep replacing them because of your chew-happy German Shepherd, you might as well just hand her the money to rip apart. The same goes for cats—providing them with cat furniture that they are allowed to scratch saves the rest of the furniture in your home.
Keep up with their health
I hate thinking about this, but our pets won’t live forever, as much as we really want them to. As doctors are to us humans, veterinarians are to our animals. Since pets age at a more rapid rate than us, being proactive about their health makes a big difference.
Vet care should be a critical section in your budget when you have a pet. Much like our own human medical expenses, vet bills can add up very quickly. Consider choosing a veterinarian office that offers a wellness plan, which is sort of like a membership. For a monthly fee, your pet has access to benefits like free office visits, comprehensive exams, and dental cleanings. Many regular insurance companies like Progressive even offer pet insurance, which can help cover the cost of major veterinarian expenses.
Pearly whites, shiny coats & trimmed nails
Good dental hygiene can drastically improve the quality of life for your pet. It’s estimated that 80% of dogs develop periodontal disease—inflammation of the gums—by three years of age. Left untreated, dental issues can lead to more serious infections and heart damage.
A pet who’s healthy on the inside will show it on the outside with its coat. Diet will play a big part in this, but don’t forget to bathe them (yes, even cats). You have your favorite shampoo, so find one that works best for your pet. Minnie has a few allergies and her skin gets very itchy and irritated, so we use fragrance-free, soothing shampoos.
Your vet will likely dig this into your brain: trim your dog’s nails often. If nails get too long, walking on hard surfaces can actually become painful. They could also damage their skin or eyes when they scratch an itch.
Avoid breeders
I know, I know, English bulldogs are SO cute with their infinite rolls and precious underbite and heavy breathing. I wanted one all my life, but with a $2000 price tag it remained a dream. Plus, the rolls and underbite and trouble breathing create health complications for brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs, boxers, and pugs.
You should also consider what breeds would best fit in with your lifestyle. Once you’ve identified a few compatible breeds, pay a visit to your local animal shelter or rescue organization. If you’ve got your heart set on a specific breed, try searching for a rescue operation that specializes in that breed.
When you rescue a dog or cat from a shelter, you will typically save more money than if you bought from a breeder. In our case, Minnie cost $425 with only one round of shots and was not spayed. For $125, Molly came home fixed with a basic suite of vaccinations and free heart worm treatment. Adopted animals will usually go home with basic vaccinations, and many shelters will not allow animals to be adopted without being spayed or neutered first.
Rescuing a dog or cat is arguably the best way you can love them. Pet overpopulation in America, and around the world for that matter, is a crucial issue that can only be solved if we spay and neuter our animals. We can’t possibly rescue them all, but skipping the breeder altogether is a start toward solving the problem.
Ironically, we ended up buying a pug from a breeder. In our defense, we were 18 and impulsive. But in our years as pet parents, we have learned much about how to take the best care of our babies. As the saying goes—they’re here for a good time, not a long time. So we will keep giving Minnie, Molly and the rest of our animals all the love we possibly have to give.