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.