The most common pets in US households today are of course dogs and cats. But birds, house rabbits, and even reptiles are becoming increasingly popular. Much of what follows applies to all pets but for other specific species it would be prudent to consult with your local veterinarian. That said, let’s begin.

That All-Important Identification Tag. It is imperative that you get an ID tag for your dog or cat as soon as possible. Tags are readily available at pet stores, through offers made by pet food manufactures, and of course online. You will want to include your pet’s name, along with your phone number, and address (if space permits). Because a collar and tag can become lost it is also recommended that you have a microchip ID embedded just under your pet’s skin in the ruff of the neck between the shoulder blades. It is inexpensive, virtually pain-free and is done in a few seconds at the vet’s office. Most animal shelters in the U.S. routinely scan for microchips when an animal is picked up so it is additional insurance that if lost, your pet can be recovered. Remember that animals have no voice to tell anyone who they are or where they live. The ID is that voice. Many pet owners argue that their pets never go out so an ID isn’t necessary. Well, anything can happen, such as a door left open, a fire, or other emergency, and animals can and do get out.

Collars and Leashes. People would be surprised at how many dogs and cats come into an animal shelter with their collar actually embedded into their necks. While it is horrible to contemplate, it happens all too often. Neglectful owners think that once a collar is put on a pet, that’s it. Well, kittens and puppies grow. Collars need to be periodically inspected as to fit. They shouldn’t be too tight (for obvious reasons), or too loose or they can get caught on a branch, hook, etc. and the pet can’t get free. Many people like a break-away collar but then any visible ID is lost. The best procedure is to use a “two finger” rule to check a collar’s fit. Simply slide two fingers between the collar and the pet’s neck. This is the recommended collar clearance and will ensure a comfortable, safe fit. With regard to leashes, they come in all sorts of colors, fabrics, lengths, etc. It is mostly a personal choice. But a word about leashes and cats. Never hook a leash to a cat collar. A cat’s neck is not like that of a dog. A quick pull by a startled cat can seriously injure the neck. If you must use a leash with a cat, make sure it is always hooked to a cat harness that fits around the body and shoulders – not the neck.

The Safety Check. Be sure to check your home, yard and neighborhood so that your pet will have a safe and healthy environment. If you have a dog, make sure that your hard is fenced and gate to prevent it from escaping. And remember, dogs like to tunnel so how your fence is installed is important. With regard to cats, if you have one that likes to go in and out, it will probably wander, although usually not too far (especially if they are either spayed or neutered). But they can and do get into fights with other cats, annoy neighbors, get accidentally locked into someone’s garage, get hit by cars, etc. So be sure to check your neighborhood for these possible hazards. They best thing is to keep a cat indoors and only let out on a leash and harness or under personal supervision. When it comes to your home, keep in mind that puppies and kittens are especially curious. Puppies like to chew on everything in sight and kittens climb into everything. This checklist should be helpful in making your home a safe place for your pet:

• Don’t leave garbage cans open.
• Check to be sure doors to washing machines, dryers, freezers, ovens, microwaves, and refrigerators are securely closed (before and immediately after use).
• Make sure all medicines and household cleaners are locked up with tops in place.
• Watch out that hot irons or pans or heavy objects are not precariously placed so that they might easily fall on a pet.
• Some innocently looking plants are toxic to cats and dogs. They should not have access to: Philodendrons, Dieffenbachias, True Ivies, Elephant’s Ears, Poinsettias, False Jerusalem Cherrys, Oleanders, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Cherry Laurels, and Mistletoe
• Don’t give any medications to pets not prescribed by a vet. Don’t ever give aspirin to a cat.
• Be sure you have a fireplace screen.
• Be cautious about keeping burning candles around cats.
• Rubber bands and small soft rubber objects could cause your pet to choke.
• Exposed hot surfaces should not be left unattended.
• Don’t let your pet chew on electrical cords.
• Large plastic bags should not be left out.
• Don’t allow your pet to have access to anti-freeze-contaminated water in your garage, e.g. a puddle under your car.
• Don’t leave sharp objects such as knives and razors out.
• Always close drawers when not in use.

Veterinary Care. It is important to take your pet to a veterinarian on a regular basis. Fortunately medical care for animals is quickly approaching the sophistication of medical care for humans. Chemo, CT scans, ultra sound, micro surgery, etc. is all available as are 24-hour emergency clinics, and fully equipped pet hospitals. Make sure your pet is current on shots and vaccinations. Seriously consider having your pet either spayed or neutered. There are already millions of homeless animals all across the country so adding more would just be adding to this tragic situation. When selecting a vet, make sure you are in a facility where they really love the animals. You can tell this quickly just they way the staff handles and talks to pets. You don’t want just a “clinical” surrounding. Also, check to see if the receptionist is friendly. Are the charges fair? Can you get an appointment easily? Does the vet spend time to explain things clearly? Is the office and medical area clean? Do any of your pet-owning friends or colleagues know this vet? The bottom line is that you should have a positive feeling about the vet, his or her staff and the office.

Common Ailments / Emergencies. Fleas, worms, and bites and scratches, are common problems. Your vet will advise the correct treatment. But you should be prepared for emergencies. It would be wise to visit a nearby bookstore and pick up a book on pet care. Also, your vet will probably have several free brochures provided by pet food manufacturers. You might also want to find nearby emergency clinics recommended by your vet just in case you need quick care for your pet after hours.

Feeding Your Pet. Pet food is BIG business. In fact, today more money is spent on pet food purchases annually than on baby food. Your pet will probably do much better eating commercial pet food, rather than table scraps. There are so many types and varieties of pet food and for the most part you will find it well-balanced and nutritious. There are even special types of pet food for those who are overweight, seniors, etc. Check with your vet or other pet-owning friends to see what they buy. A trial and error method will also probably be needed to see what brands your pets enjoy most. Pet treats and snacks are also available. Keep in mind that chocolate is particularly bad for pets. By the way, don’t forget to always have plenty of fresh water available.

Traveling With Your Pet. As a rule, dogs love going in cars, and cats don’t. If you have a dog, make sure it is on a leash when you leave your car. A cat should be kept in a pet carrier (not one that cramps its space) when going to and from a car – and perhaps in the car as well. Cats, as a rule, don’t care about looking out windows. The quick movements of other cars confuse them. They would rather sleep. If you’re transporting a dog in the back of a pickup truck, use dog restraining belts so it can’t fall out in case of a sudden stop or noise. When parked, be sure your vehicle is not in a sunny, hot place. Some people think that leaving a pet in a car with the windows down a little on a hot day is OK. It isn’t. A pet’s body temperature can rise quickly and can result in death in just a few minutes. Too many people have rushed into a store for “just a minute” and returned to find their pet dead. If it is a hot day it is best to leave your pet at home. And in car travel, use your A/C. Your vet will advise on preparing your pet for air travel. Some airlines allow a small dog or cat to come aboard and be tucked under your seat and several companies make pet travel cases. It is best to double check with your airline to be sure of their pet policies.

Kennels and Pet Sitters. Most of the time when people take a vacation or are away from home on business, they don’t take their pets. This is probably harder on a dog than a cat because they can suffer from separation anxiety and they require almost constant attention from their owners. Cats seem to do much better on their own. It is common to have a friend or relative stop by on a daily basis to feed and check on a pet but people these days are very busy as a rule and can’t spend much time doing this. Even though well intentioned, it is usually a quick in-and-out visit. It is recommended that you consider a kennel or pet sitter. A professional, bonded pet sitter will spend considerable time with your pet in the home, playing with it, brushing if necessary, changing litter boxes, walking dogs, etc. And the daily charges are reasonable. To be assured you’ve got the right pet sitter, ask for references. The other alternative is a kennel. Today’s modern kennels offer vet care, spacious enclosures, and have a qualified staff that genuinely likes pets. Kennels should be clean, should not smell, and should welcome your inspection. Again, charges are usually reasonable.

Adjustment Time / Play Time. A key to having a happy relationship with your pet is to give it time to adjust to its entirely new world. This is especially true of puppies or kittens. Mistakes and accidents are bound to happen so be patient. Cats and house rabbits are by nature very clean and will use a cat box with very little training. Make sure, by the way, that the box is cleaned daily otherwise a fastidious cat may elect to go elsewhere. With a dog, take it outside on a regular basis to relieve itself. Don’t make it painfully wait for too long a period. After a while a dog will usually let you know when it is time to go out. Both dogs and cats love to play so indulge them. Some owners can be bothered but this is the wrong attitude to take. Dogs love to run and fetch and they especially like their walks with their owners. Cats like to chase things around the house. You can get something as simple as a string or rolled up piece of paper. Or there are plenty of cat toys you can purchase. A word about disciplining your pet. Do it with your voice, not with your hand or other object. That is just plain cruel and the pet doesn’t understand. Your pet does not need to be beaten into submission. Again, be patient and spend time each day loving, playing with and interacting with your pet.

Introducing a New Pet To Those You Already Have. Keeping in mind that animals are territorial and that there will probably be some resistance, the proper way of introducing the new member is to do it gradually. Hopefully you have a small room where the new household member can temporarily have to its own – to feel secure in that space. Then you let the new pet get to know the others, and not the other way around. Those you already have need to feel secure that they are not being pre-empted. The first meetings will probably be awkward and a little hostile. You will always need to be there to offer reassurance all around. Give the situation time. And, keep in mind that there is almost always an “alpha” dog or cat or leader and things will eventually sort themselves out.

Grooming. Be sure to groom your pet on a regular basis – even short hair dogs or cats. Your pet will look forward to being brushed and combed. And, they seem to know when they look good. And with dogs you can always opt to take them to a professional groomer. But still, it is a good idea to do some grooming yourself. It bonds you closer to your pet. It is also a good way to pick out fleas, ticks, etc. and allows you to inspect your pet for any bumps, scratches or health problems. Regular grooming is especially important for house rabbits, and for long haired cats – it helps prevent fur balls. As far as home bathing goes – dogs will tolerate and even love it. Cats hate it and since they are always cleaning themselves, most don’t ever need a bath. But consult your vet if you have concerns.

Training. The sad fact is that many dogs who are adopted from animal shelters are brought back because they were unruly or couldn’t be managed. The answer is that the owner didn’t take the time to have it trained. All kinds of training classes are available today – from personal high-end trainers, to low-cost training classes sponsored by such pet store chains as PetsMart and Petco. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or money to quickly train a dog. And he or she will turn out to be a much better family member. And the training doesn’t have to be elaborate – it is doubtful you are training a police dog for example. This also lowers your risk of being sued if your dog were to attack and bite someone.

In Case Of Fire. Be sure to get a rescue sticker for your home or apartment. You can obtain one from your pet store or in some cases from a fire station. It generally adheres to a window. In case of a fire or other emergency when you are not at home, police or firefighters will be able to tell that you have pet(s) at home that need rescuing. It’s a small item that can wind up saving a life.

Wills. This isn’t something people like to think about but it is possible that you could die before your pet(s) do. You have to ask yourself, “does anyone else love my pets as I do and would be willing to care for them?” Sadly, when a person dies and the will doesn’t specify pet care, sometimes a thoughtless relative will just take them to a pound. And perhaps a friend you thought you could count on can’t take on that responsibility. In your will you can set aside both funds and instructions for care of your pets in case you die first. There is even an option to have your pet(s) placed in a retirement center with life-long care. You need to check with an attorney to cover any eventuality. It is tragic enough that they be left behind without you but why compound it with their untimely death as well?

Good luck with your new pet. Thanks for remembering that pets need love and a home too. And what a joy they are to have in a home. It now has been medically proven that pets add years to our lives, and healthy ones as well. And, all our pets want to do is love us unconditionally.