10 Things To Keep In Mind As A 1st Generation Pet Parent

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You are now in your twenties and old enough to move out of your parent’s house. You decide on getting a dog to cuddle to get through quarantine. You were not allowed to have pets growing up and so, you are excited to finally be able to have one. Whatever your reasons may be for getting a pet, it is important to know what having a pet entails and how to take care of it.

1. Your food is not dog food.

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Spices, onions, garlic, apple seeds, dry foods, chocolate, salt, sugar… these are among the several ingredients that can be dangerous for your pet. It is essential to feed your pets customised food.

2. Avoid kibble as much as possible

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We avoid processed foods because of added chemicals, colours and preservatives. The same goes for pet food. Kibble and treats can be given in moderation but should not be the main source of nutrition. A purely kibble diet can cause weight gain in animals.

3. Feed them at the same time everyday

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Feeding your dogs at the same time everyday makes it easier to train them and track their habits. Dogs need to be fed twice a day. Small snacks in between are acceptable as long as you don’t overfeed them. Cats are different and like to eat throughout the day. It is best to feed them in small portions, regularly.

4. Do not trim paw nails by yourself

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Unless you are an expert it is better not to trim them by yourself as it can cause excessive bleeding. Cats have retractable nails and do not wear out easily. Nails are all cats have to defend themselves with. They need them to feel secure, climb trees and protect themselves. A little training and a scratchpad go a long way when trying to keep your furniture intact.

5. Keeping them chained

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Animals need space to be happy. Having them confined to your balcony or chained throughout the day is ridiculous. Feeding them is important, so is spending time with them and talking to them. Also, keeping your dogs chained in the terrace, under the sun can leave them with a brain haemorrhage.

6. Making them a part of your family

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Most people do whatever is convenient for them when it comes to taking care of their pets. It is essential to consider the animal’s point of view and find better solutions.

7. Exercise

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All animals need exercise; they need to move around. You must be willing to walk them every day to ensure that they stay healthy. You cannot stand being under lockdown, neither can they.

8. Leash your dogs

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Imagine walking your dog in public without a leash and some annoying neighbourhood kid starts screaming in fear or tries to touch it from behind. It is difficult to predict your dog’s behaviour sometimes. All animals have their own personalities, so it is best to be cautious.

9. Geriatric pets

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It is hard to imagine but your puppy is not going to stay cute forever. It is going to get old, boring and will probably have some health issues. Before you commit to a dog it is important to consider these factors and not abandon them when the taking care of them gets exhausting.

10. Animals are not your plaything

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Bringing up a dog is no joke. It takes a lot of work and effort. Your reasons for getting a pet should be clear. If you are a student living away from home or your work requires you to travel often then it is probably best that you do not adopt. Dogs and cats can go into depression when they are abandoned. Dogs live for 14 years while cats live even longer.