Learning to Take Proper Care of Your Pet

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     Taking proper care of your pet is very important. When you adopt a pet, you are saying that you are taking full responsibility for them.

You are saying that you will provide them with shelter, food, and other needs. You will show them love and make sure they are being taken care of.

Temperature is not something you have control over unless your pet is an indoor pet. However, you can make adjustments that can help your pet stay cooler or warmer depending of the day.

If it is summer and the temperature is really high, try placing the dog house under a tree so it is in the shade. This simple move can make the summer heat much more bearable for your pet.

In addition, make sure that your pet has access to water and shade during the summer. Sometimes pet owners forget and tie their pet up in a location where they cannot cool off.

However, if it is winter and very cold you may want to move the dog house into the sun or near the house. Make sure that the door faces away from the wind as well.

It is also important to mindful of when you walk your dog. In the summer you will want to walk your pet early in the morning or late in the evening.

It is much cooler during these times and your pet will be less likely to develop heat associated illnesses. During the winter, you will want to walk during the hottest part of the day if possible.

It will also be important to keep in mind where you are walking. In certain areas pests like ticks and fleas are very common.

These pests can be very irritating to pets. If you walk through one of these areas make sure that you check your pet and pull off any ticks before they attach themselves to your pet.

Ticks like warm areas. The ears, back legs, "armpits" and groin areas of your pet are the ideal homes for these pests to make their own.

Make sure that you treat your pet for fleas as well so that they will be more comfortable. Fleas can be very irritating if your pet brings them into the house as well.

To avoid picking up these kinds of pests, avoid walking through tall grass or thick brush. There are also many flea and tick shampoos and other products available that you should treat your pets with.

Your local veterinarian should be able to recommend several quality products. Groom your pet as often as possible up to once a day.

A pet is much happier and more comfortable with a clean coat. Pets also love the brushing because it feels like you are petting them.

Brushing gives you the opportunity to check your pet for rashes he or she may have developed, insect bites and other ailments. If you see a rash or other ailment, take your pet to the vet immediately.

In addition, make sure that your pet's vaccinations are up to date. You will also want to make sure your pet is protected against heart worm medication.

Heartworm is a disease that cannot be detected in the early stages, but will develop into a deathly disease. Medicine intended for one animal should never be given to another animal.

Dogs should never be given cat medicine, and cats should never be given dog medicine. In particular, cats are very sensitive to ticks, fleas and treatments.

They are much tenderer than dogs and need to be cared for in the right way for them. You will especially need to watch small children around them.

Small children can be a threat both to themselves and the animal if they are not being properly supervised. Keep cleaners, poisonous houseplants, and cosmetics away from your pet as this could threaten their life.

Pets like to chew on things and do not depend on them to know what will hurt them and what will not. They do not always know what is good for them and they depend on you to know and watch out for them.

When you are traveling with your pets make sure they do not escape from you. Do not let them ride in the back of the truck because they can jump out and get hit by other traffic.

You will not be able to stop them until it is too late. Take preventative measures to keep your pet safe.As you care for your pet, you will find that the relationship is invaluable to you.