As a pet parent, you must have read about many things you should do for your pet, but have you ever wondered what is not correct? You must be making a tonne of these mistakes without even being aware of it. Especially if you are a first-time pet parent, it is easy to make mistakes, so we have listed a list of mistakes you should avoid.
- You Let Your Dog Walk You:
If you do not walk train your dog correctly, your dog may walk you instead. This is a hazard, especially if it is a large breed, as you will no longer be controlling the dog. This is dangerous for people walking past the dog too. Obedience training is a must to avoid any accidents. This is why it is recommended that elderly people stick to manageable dog breed size like miniature doodle dogs that has an excellent temperament and is also easy to walk due to their size.
- You Do Not Deworm Timely:
Roundworms are really common in cats and dogs that can cause diarrhea and vomiting and can lead to serious illness. They can threaten people, though an infected pet can spread the egg on soil that the kids can swallow when they play in the sand and put their fingers in their mouths. These worms can hatch inside people and can cause severe damage, which is why deworm your pet regularly.
- You Do Not Neuter or Spay Your Pet Timely:
Many owners choose to neuter or spay their dogs. Well, this is a personal choice, but you should not rush into decision-making. It is always good to wait till your dog is an adult. The hormones that the reproductive organs produce can aid in their remarkable growth. Also, spaying or neutering early can cause joint issues, hence wait for the dog to become an adult before taking this decision.
- You Do Not Remove Food from Food Bowl:
This is a common mistake that many pet owners make. They leave the dog’s food in the bowl so that the dog will eat when hungry. The main issue is that if the food is always available, the dog may intake more calories and become obese. Even if you measure the food right, still your dog always has access to it. Hence it can become a picky eater. Remove the food bowl after 15 minutes, so the dog understands that food is available for a short duration where it needs to finish its meal.
- You Force Your Pet to Become Vegetarian:
Vegetarian people often want their pets also to be vegetarian. Well, that is a lifestyle that may suit you, but not your dog. Dogs are carnivorous and obviously need non-veg food. A well-balanced diet is much needed for their prolonged good health.
- You Exercise Them Less:
Pets need exercise just like humans. Without exercise, they are prone to obesity. This will further increase issues, such as joint problems. The amount of activity depends on the breed size, of course. You also need to monitor their weight to understand if they need more exercise or not.
- You Do Not Understand Your Dogs Body Language:
You love your dog for sure, but do you understand what they are trying to communicate? Obviously, when they wag their tail, it means they love you, but you also need to understand your dog’s body language when it feels threatened by someone. They usually hold their tail high and wave it stiffly. You can easily mistake this as being playful, and someone can get bitten. This is why understanding your dog’s temperament and body language is essential.
- You Do Not Socialize Your Pets When They are Young:
During the first few months of their lives, dogs need to socialize as much as they can with people as well as other pets. A reputable breeder will definitely do this from the start. You need to keep it up as you bring the pet home to be less anxious when they meet new people and other pets.
- You Give Them Less Attentions:
Dogs are attention seekers, which means they always want to play with you. Obviously, you cannot spend that much time with your pet but at least keep an hour aside to connect with your dog and give it the much-needed attention. When you are busy, you can make things interesting for your pet by hiding treats. Also, play fetch and tug with your dog at home, as they enjoy these the most.
- You Overlook Ticks:
When you take your dog for a walk in the wood, you should always check for ticks in your dog. They can really cause an infestation soon. They can also impose the dangers of Lyme disease on humans. You should get prevention treatment done because, honestly, it is tough to prevent.
- You Don’t Set Rules:
Every household should decide to set rules for the pets which should be implemented on the first day. Dogs do not understand the human language, which means they will not know what is right and what is not. Jumping on people, damaging furniture, and peeing on the carpet is a big no. Be consistent with your rules and reward your pet for their good behavior.
- You Give Bones to Your Dog:
You may have seen cartoons where dogs love their bone which is why you feel it is ok to feed your dog some bones. Well, it can be potentially dangerous as bones can injure your dog’s teeth and mouth. If they ingest sharp edges of the bone, then it can get stuck in their digestive tract that may require surgery to remove. There are safer chew choices that you can opt for.
The Bottom Line:
It is quite human to make a few mistakes for sure. You need to read more and more to understand what is right and what needs to be avoided. Pet care is a process that you will learn slowly. You may make a few wrong choices along the way, but that is part of the learning process. As you figure out the mistakes made, jump into rectifying them and make it a habit to follow these valuable tips for your pet’s well-being.
