PET HEALTH
How To Be a Responsible Pet Owner
Being a pet owner is a privilege that benefits both our pets and ourselves. After all, they’re members of the family, too. However, pet ownership is a big responsibility — it’s a commitment to the ongoing care of your pet for their entire life. Keep reading for 10 key aspects to help you be the most responsible pet owner you can be.
What Does Responsible Pet Ownership Mean?
Pet ownership looks different depending on the type of pet you have, their temperament, any ongoing health concerns, your home, and more.
Generally, responsible pet ownership goes beyond giving your pet food, shelter, and water. It requires an investment of your time, energy, and — perhaps most importantly — love. Being a responsible pet owner means maintaining a healthy, safe, and stimulating lifestyle and environment for your pet.
We Can Help Cover Vet Bills While You Focus on Your Pet’s Care
10 Key Aspects of Responsible Pet Ownership
There are steps you can take — whether once or on an ongoing basis — to help ensure your pet is happy, healthy, and well-cared for. These are some of the biggest responsibilities of a pet owner.
1. Consider your lifestyle and home
Before getting a pet, research the breed you’re looking to bring home and how they might fit into your living space and your overall life.
Does the dog breed you want need lots of space to run? Then maybe they’re not the right match for your small apartment. Do you travel often for work? Perhaps it’s not the right time for a pet who needs your time and attention to maintain appropriate stimulation.
Additionally, ensure your home is pet-friendly, including removing any common pet poisons that may be in your home, keeping wires and breakables out of reach, and blocking off high-risk areas like stairs.
2. Get them spayed or neutered
Even if you have no plans to breed your pet, accidents can happen. Additionally, spaying and neutering can potentially extend your pet’s lifespan and improve some behavioral issues.
Whether you’re spaying your dog or neutering your cat, these procedures can help prevent unplanned litters or health issues later in your pet’s life.
3. Prioritize training
Training your pet can make your life easier as a pet owner and help them better handle social situations.
Potty training a puppy and litter box training a cat might be the first type of training you deal with, but they don’t have to be the last. You can train your dog to obey basic commands that can help avoid misbehavior in public and teach your pet to listen to and respect your commands.
4. Follow local ordinances
Depending on where you live, there might be rules regarding pet ownership. One of the most common is registering your pet or getting them licensed.
Beyond that, some municipalities might have other, more specific ordinances. For example, you may be required to clean up your front lawn of dog messes or keep pets leashed in public or on walking or hiking trails.
5. Keep them up to date on vaccines
Vaccines can help your pet fight off disease-causing agents they might encounter. They may also be required if you plan to take them to a boarding or daycare facility.
Dog vaccinations can protect your dog from the bacteria that causes Bordetella, a contagious respiratory infection, among other illnesses. Cat vaccinations include one for feline distemper, which is also highly infectious.
6. Attend regular wellness checkups
Preventive veterinary care, such as annual wellness checkups, can help avoid or catch health issues that could become more severe and expensive later on.
During these checkups, your vet can spot issues you might not see, as well as alert you to any concerning changes in your pet, such as a sudden weight gain or loss. You can also usually take care of necessary routine vaccinations during these exams.
7. Invest in parasite control
Parasite prevention medications help your furry friend avoid common parasite infections that can make them sick or worse, such as heartworms in dogs.
MetLife Pet has a Preventive Care plan add-on that may reimburse you for covered preventive medication for many parasites that can affect pets — like heartworms, fleas, and ticks.
8. Feed them a balanced diet
Sure, you know you need to feed your pet. But are you sure you’re feeding your dog what’s best for them or giving your cat the diet they need? Nutrition is a key factor in keeping your pet healthy and happy.
The right diet can help pets build strong muscles, keep their teeth in good condition, and maintain healthy skin and shiny coats. Look for foods with high-quality ingredients, and if you’re unsure which option is best for your pet, consult your veterinarian.
9. Provide them with exercise and enrichment
All pets need regular exercise and mental stimulation.1 Even if you have a dog breed not known for their excessive energy levels, it’s good to ensure they get ample play time and walks. And cats can benefit from play time as well.
Those activities provide both physical and mental benefits. Petting them, making time to play, and showing your pet you love them are important to their overall well-being.
10. Be prepared for the unexpected
Even the most responsible pet owner can be blindsided by emergency vet visits. If your pet sustains an injury or becomes ill, vet bills can add up quickly. To lessen the blow, you could set up a dedicated savings account or get a pet insurance policy.
For example, if your dog eats something they shouldn’t and it gets lodged in their stomach or intestines, intestinal blockage surgery can cost between $2,000 and $8,000. Having a pet insurance policy can make these unexpected costs more manageable, so you can focus on your pet’s recovery and care.
Pet Insurance Can Be Part of Responsible Pet Care
A pet insurance policy can help with several aspects of responsible pet ownership, including helping you pay for unexpected bills and, sometimes, routine care you’re already paying for.
MetLife Pet policies can reimburse you up to 90% of covered costs — and so can our Preventive Care plan when you add it to your policy.2 Plus, if you have multiple pets, you can save even more money with our family plan and enroll up to three pets on one policy with a shared deductible.3
Get a free quote today for a custom price, and see what’s covered for your furry friend.
