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6 Common Pet Care Mistakes First-Time Pet Parents Need to Avoid

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about adopting a pet? If you’re like most people, you’ll imagine their cute faces and innocent eyes staring at you. Not to mention the cozy cuddles and snuggles some pets bring with them.

But here’s the thing – bringing a pet home isn’t all about playing with them and posting cute pictures of them on Instagram. While a pet brings immense joy and happiness to your life, it also comes with a huge responsibility. It’s up to you to take care of your pet and ensure their health and wellbeing.

Navigating the waters of pet care becomes particularly challenging if you’re a first-time pet parent. One wrong move can result in your pet becoming aggressive, weak, or overweight. Worse still, they could end up developing a chronic health condition.

If you’ve ever turned to the internet for pet care advice, you’ve likely been overwhelmed with information. That’s why in this blog, we’ve highlighted the most common pet care mistakes that you need to watch out for. Let’s take a look.

brown and white puppy sleeping on human arm

1. Adopting a Pet Before You’re Ready

No. You shouldn’t get a pet just because you’re lonely and bored. You wouldn’t dive right into parenthood just because you want to kill time and entertain yourself, would you? You’d likely spend months contemplating whether it’s the right thing for you to do at the moment. So, why should adopting a pet be any different?

Bringing a pet home is a serious commitment and responsibility that only very few people are ready for. And it isn’t just about being mentally prepared for the challenges of pet care. If you’re contemplating adopting a pet, make sure you ask yourself the following questions:

Why do you want to adopt a pet?

Dig deeper into your mind and identify your real motivation behind this idea.

Can you afford to take care of the pet?

This includes various costs, such as food, medication, checkups, vaccinations, and even insurance.

Do you have enough space at home for the pet to freely move around?

If not, can you afford to move to a bigger home?

Does your daily routine allow sufficient time to play with your pet and look after them?

The last thing you want is to leave them at home with a pet sitter while you slog all night at work.

Are your family members okay with having a pet at home?

Whether you’re living with your partner or a houseful of kids, make sure they’re comfortable around pets.

2. Choosing the Wrong Pet

When it comes to adopting a pet, every person will have their individual preferences. The biggest mistake you can make is to adopt an animal just because everyone else is doing it. Carefully analyze whether you’re even fond of this species.

Also, talk to other people who’ve had similar pets and find out the challenges and responsibilities they bring along. For instance, if you want to keep an exotic fish, you’ll have to maintain a particular water temperature. Likewise, adopting a dog means you’ll need to get them vaccinated and neutered.

3. Giving Medicines Meant for Human Use

Now that you’ve brought your pet home, they’re bound to fall ill at some point in time. Inexperienced pet parents often mistake administering over-the-counter medicines meant for human consumption to their pets.

It’ll do more harm than good. For instance, regular painkillers can cause dogs’ stomach ulcers and kidney problems. While some medicines are safe for pets, make sure you consult your veterinarian before administering them.

It’s always a good idea to stock medicines that have been specifically formulated for animals. In addition to your local pet store, you can buy these medicines online from websites such as PetCareRx.com. However, make sure you discuss your pet’s symptoms with an experienced doctor and ask them to prescribe the right medication.

4. Neglecting Routine Checkups

Your vet’s clinic isn’t just meant for emergencies and accidents. Make it a point to schedule regular appointments with your vet, and don’t forget to follow through. The pet clinic will often send you timely reminders for your appointment.

This is particularly important because most pets don’t express their discomfort and pain. It’s up to you to watch out for any signs of distress and get them the proper treatment. Timely checkups can help detect any underlying health conditions your pet might be suffering from.

5. Dismissing Vaccination

Every pet needs its annual vaccination. Period. Not getting them properly vaccinated can make them vulnerable to many serious and incurable diseases. For instance, skipping your dog’s yearly vaccination makes them susceptible to fatal infections like canine distemper and heartworm disease.

6. Not Getting Them Spayed & Neutered

Depending on the type of pet you adopt, getting them neutered at the right age might be important. Otherwise, your pet has the risk of developing terminal diseases, such as genital cancer and breast cancer. Also, neutering will ensure that your pet doesn’t become overly aggressive and unruly.

Do you have any other suggestions for mistakes that first-time pet parents should avoid? Share your advice in the comments section below.


Resources:

https://time.com/5551937/best-animal-instagram-accounts-2019/

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/dec/15/is-it-worth-buying-pet-insurance

About Julee: Julee Morrison is an experienced author with 35 years of expertise in parenting and recipes. She is the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook. Julee is passionate about baking, crystals, reading, and family. Her writing has appeared in The LA Times (Bon Jovi Obsession Goes Global), Disney's Family Fun Magazine (August 2010, July 2009, September 2008), and My Family Gave Up Television (page 92, Disney Family Fun August 2010). Her great ideas have been featured in Disney's Family Fun (Page 80, September 2008) and the Write for Charity book From the Heart (May 2010). Julee's work has also been published in Weight Watchers Magazine, All You Magazine (Jan. 2011, February 2011, June 2013), Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine (Oct. 2011), Red River Family Magazine (Jan. 2011), BonAppetit.com, and more. Notably, her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" made AP News, and "The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit" was featured on PopSugar. When she's not writing, Julee enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new baking recipes.
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