Top mistakes pet parents make

A wagging tail, a rumbling purr, an affectionate cuddle or a funny gesture… If you share your life with pets, you know they’re an important part of the family. They offer affection, amusement and companionship — and in return, we’d like them to be as happy and healthy as possible.

However, sometimes even the best intentions can lead to trouble. Watch out for these mistakes that pet parents often make.

Adopting without planning. It’s hard to resist a pair of sad eyes, but adding a new member to the family is one decision experts warn shouldn’t be made on a whim. There are many things to consider before adopting a pet — like the needs of the pet versus the lifestyle of the owners, proper care and training, the costs and time commitment. Researching pets, breeds and breeders will take some work, but it will mean a better fit.

Research is also an important step if you plan to bring home an exotic or unusual pet. Every year, people buy pets they aren’t prepared to care for — like Easter chicks that aren’t so cute as adults.

Skipping the training. No matter what the species, youngsters need to be taught how to get along in the world — especially when their family has different rules. Pets don’t know human etiquette, so it’s up to parents to teach the behaviours they’d like to see, like stopping a bird from biting or keeping the cat off the counter. Also, pets who know some basic commands like “off”, “stay” and “come” can also avoid harmful situations, like a dog who escapes the yard. Talk to the breeder or vet about care and training, and consider obedience classes for puppies.

Providing too little exercise and play. Like their humans, pets need plenty of exercise, attention and stimulating activities to stay happy and healthy. Overweight pets face the same health risks as humans — like heart disease and diabetes — and boredom can lead to destructive behaviours like chewing, digging and scratching.

How much exercise is enough? While the optimal amount of exercise will depend on the animal and the breed, there are some rough guidelines for physical activity, according to the Canadian Veterinary Association. For instance, dogs should have a brisk walk at least twice daily for 15 to 20 minutes and cats should get at least two 15-minute play times each day. A variety of toys can also help to keep them active and interested.

Not spaying or neutering your pet. Listen to Bob Barker. Every year, countless unwanted animals are euthanized because there aren’t enough homes for them — but it’s a problem that can be fixed. Spaying or neutering your pet not only helps control the pet population, it helps prevent reproductive cancers and alleviates sexual anxiety. Pets who are “fixed” are less likely to run away and they are calmer and less aggressive — particularly the males. Experts also note that if you’ve got more than one pet at home, they’ll get along better if they’re neutered. (Visit the British Columbia SPCA website for more information.)

Sharing kitchen scraps. True, pets will eat just about anything — but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Many foods are toxic for pets (like chocolate, red grapes and garlic) and animals can also be affected by food-bourne illnesses due to spoilage or improper storage.

Also, don’t give your dog a bone — a real bone, that is. According to experts at the Food and Drug Administration, bones can splinter and get stuck in the gums and tongue or, worse yet, lodge in the digestive tract or windpipe. If you’re a cat lover, skip the saucer milk — many cats are lactose intolerant.

Riding without restraints. It may be fun to have your furry friend riding shotgun, but unrestrained animals won’t fare any better in a crash than people who don’t wear seat belts. Even in a minor collision, pets can be seriously injured and even hurt their fellow passengers.

In addition, animals can cause drivers to lose control — like jumping in their lap or limiting their ability to steer or brake. A harness and pet seat belt, crate or pet divider for large vehicles can help keep everyone in the car safer. (See Tips for travelling with your pet for details.)

Leaving children and animals unattended. Pets make great babysitters on TV, but in real life they need some supervision around children. The majority of scratches and bites don’t come from strays or aggressive animals — they come from the family or neighbour’s pet during play. Even the gentlest pets can get over-excited or over-tired, feel threatened or afraid, react if hurt or just plain lose their patience.

Also, children need help learning how to act around pets. An adult can show them how to treat pets gently and with respect and avoid behaviours like shouting, hitting and teasing that could upset an animal.

Skipping the preventive measures. Vaccines and medications can add up, but they’re still less costly than risking an illness for your pets and your family. Many hazards like fleas, ticks and parasites like ringworm can affect humans too.

To keep your pet and your family healthy, find out what medications and vaccinations your pet needs and stick to the schedule recommended by your vet. (See Your checklist for healthy pets for more information.)

Ignoring the warning signs of illness. They can’t tell us what’s wrong, so it’s up to pet parents to keep a close eye on their pets’ health. The American Society for the Protection of Animals (ASPCA) recommends giving your pet a weekly once-over to look for any bumps, lumps, flakes, scabs, irritation or discharge, and keep an eye out for any changes to your pet’s usual routine. Also, don’t overlook some simple steps like checking your pets for dog for Lyme-disease carrying ticks after they have been out in the woods.

Some ailments can be treated at home, but certain symptoms should always receive expert attention — like pain, difficulty breathing and unusual hair loss. (See Pet symptoms you shouldn’t ignore .)

Excluding your pet from your emergency plans. Everyone should have a disaster plan, but pets often get overlooked. Remedy the situation by setting aside provisions like food, water, medications and pet supplies, and make sure you have an evacuation plan for your pets too. Add the vet to your list of emergency phone numbers, and check to see what hotels and shelters in the area accept pets. Also, find a friend or neighbour who can take your pets if you’re unable to care for them.

Pets should also be part of your emergency fund — that stash of cash you set aside for unforeseen circumstances. Pet insurance won’t cover all the costs, so experts advise having money set aside to deal with an injury or illness.

Sources: American Society for the Protection of Animals, British Columbia Society for the Protection of Animals, Canadian Federation of Human Societies, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, MSN.com and WebMD.

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