February is Responsible Pet Ownership Month

One of the challenges we face in animal welfare is seeing animals whose families do not provide the best practices for their pet’s health and happiness. Being a responsible pet owner is crucial to ensuring proper care for your pet.  Responsible pet ownership means ensuring that your pet leads a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life. February is National Responsible Pet Ownership Month. Here are the key responsibilities every pet owner should be aware of and prioritize:

Adopt, Don’t Shop

There are wonderful pets in need of new homes at animal shelters and rescue groups around the country. Purchasing a puppy or kitten online or in a retail pet store not only robs a shelter animal from the opportunity for a new life with a loving family, but it also supports unethical “puppy mill” breeding practices. Responsible pet breeders never sell their puppies and kittens through these venues. Poorly bred, these innocent victims often carry genetic faults that will appear as they mature. These can be extremely costly over the lifetime of the animal. Further, supporting this trade condemns the parents to a lifetime of neglect in the puppy mills.

Selecting the Right Pet

Before adopting, research and choose a pet that fits your lifestyle. Consider factors like energy level, space requirements, allergies, lifespan, and  cost – larger dogs are more expensive than smaller ones, long-haired pets require grooming services. Some pets, like parrots and reptiles, have long lifespans and require a long-term commitment or plans for care when you are no longer able to do so. Hamsters are nocturnal; they are most active at night, running on wheels, exploring, and foraging. Hamsters typically sleep during the day, so they require a quiet environment during their resting hours.

Veterinary Care and Preventative Health

Regular veterinary visits are crucial for your pet’s overall health and well-being. Here are some key benefits of maintaining a consistent schedule with your veterinarian:

1. Early Detection of Health Issues: Routine check-ups allow veterinarians to spot potential health problems early, sometimes before any symptoms appear. Early diagnosis of conditions like heart disease, kidney failure, or cancers can greatly improve treatment options and outcomes.
2. Preventative Care: Regular visits ensure that your pet stays up to date on vaccinations, parasite prevention (e.g., flea, tick, and heartworm treatments), and other preventative health measures. This reduces the risk of common pet illnesses and diseases.
3. Monitoring Weight and Nutrition: A veterinary visit is an opportunity to assess your pet’s weight, diet, and overall nutrition. Obesity is a common problem in pets and can lead to various health issues like diabetes, joint problems, and heart disease. Your veterinarian can provide personalized advice on diet and exercise.
4. Dental Health: Just like humans, pets need regular dental care. Dental care is important for pets because it helps prevent periodontal disease, which can lead to pain, tooth loss, and even serious infections affecting vital organs like the heart and kidneys. Poor oral hygiene can cause bad breath, difficulty eating, and systemic health issues. Regular brushing, dental chews, and professional cleanings ensure a pet’s teeth and gums stay healthy, contributing to their overall well-being and longevity. A veterinarian can check for dental issues and recommend appropriate cleaning or care routines to prevent these problems.
5. Vaccinations and Boosters: Regular veterinary visits help ensure your pet is up to date on necessary vaccinations. This helps protect them from diseases like rabies, canine bordetella, canine parvovirus, feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia, and distemper, which could be potentially life-threatening. DACC provides free vaccines through its Vet@thePark events, which can be found on our website at www.animalcare.lacounty.gov.
6. Behavioral Insights: If you’re noticing changes in your pet’s behavior, such as increased aggression, anxiety, or lethargy, a veterinary visit is a good way to address those concerns. Behavioral changes can sometimes be linked to underlying health issues, and the veterinarian can offer guidance or refer you to a specialist if needed.
7. Senior Pet Care: As pets age, they become more susceptible to certain conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and cognitive dysfunction. Regular veterinary visits are especially important for senior pets to ensure they receive the care they need to maintain a good quality of life.
8. Parasite Control: Regular veterinary visits ensure that your pet is on an appropriate schedule for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. These parasites can cause serious health issues if left unchecked, and consistent prevention is key to keeping them safe.
9. Bloodwork and Diagnostics: Routine check-ups often include blood tests or screenings to evaluate internal organ function and detect early signs of illness. These tests are essential for identifying potential problems like kidney disease, liver issues, or infections.
10. Peace of Mind: Regular veterinary visits provide peace of mind for pet owners, knowing that their pets are being thoroughly checked and that any health concerns are being proactively addressed. Keeping up with your pet’s health can save money to prevent disease progression and reduce stress about potential problems down the road.

Grooming

Whether it’s a professional grooming session or a regular routine at home, grooming is an important practice that contributes to your pet’s health, comfort, and quality of life. It can also be a great bonding experience for you both! Here’s why grooming is essential:

1. Maintains Healthy Coat and Skin: Regular brushing helps remove dirt, debris, and loose fur from your pet’s coat. It also prevents matting, tangles, and knots, which can cause discomfort or even skin irritation. Brushing stimulates natural oil production, which helps keep your pet’s skin and coat healthy and shiny.
2. Prevents Hairballs: Especially for long-haired pets like cats and some dog breeds, regular brushing reduces the formation of hairballs. Hairballs can cause gastrointestinal issues, and regular grooming helps manage this problem by removing excess fur before it’s ingested.
3. Reduces Shedding: Grooming helps reduce shedding by removing dead hair from your pet’s coat. This can help keep your home cleaner, as well as prevent fur from accumulating in places like furniture and clothing.
4. Improves Circulation: Brushing your pet’s coat not only helps with fur maintenance, but it also promotes good circulation in the skin. This improves overall skin health and can contribute to the healing process if there are any minor skin issues.
5. Ear and Eye Health: Regular grooming includes cleaning the ears and eyes. For some pets, such as dogs with floppy ears or breeds prone to eye discharge, cleaning these areas can prevent infections and irritation. It also allows you to spot potential health issues early, such as ear infections or conjunctivitis.
6. Nail Trimming: Regular nail trimming is vital for your pet’s comfort and mobility. Overgrown nails can cause pain, difficulty walking, and even lead to joint or bone problems. They can also get caught on fabric or carpet, leading to injury. Trimming nails regularly ensures your pet’s paws stay healthy and pain-free.
7. Prevents Parasites: Grooming allows you to check your pet’s skin for parasites such as fleas, ticks, or mites. Finding these pests early means you can treat your pet before an infestation occurs, which is especially important for preventing the spread of diseases they might carry.
8. Promotes Bonding: Grooming can be a positive bonding activity between you and your pet. The process of brushing, bathing, or massaging your pet helps to build trust and strengthen your relationship. It also offers an opportunity to check for signs of distress, pain, or injury.
9. Improves Behavior: Regular grooming helps your pet become accustomed to being handled, making it easier for them to stay calm during veterinary exams, travel, or other activities that may require handling. It’s also a great time to check for any changes in behavior or physical appearance that could indicate underlying health problems.
10. Prevents Skin Issues: Regular grooming allows you to spot any skin problems early, such as rashes, cuts, or lumps. Early detection and treatment of these issues can prevent them from worsening or causing more significant health problems.
11. Hygiene and Odor Control: Keeping your pet clean, especially with regular baths, helps control odors and maintain good hygiene. This is particularly important for pets that spend time outdoors or have oily coats, as it helps prevent unpleasant smells from accumulating.
12. Increases Comfort: A well-groomed pet feels more comfortable, as they’re less likely to have mats, dirty paws, or uncomfortable nails. Grooming helps them feel fresh and healthy, improving their overall happiness.

Nutrition and Hydration

Providing a balanced diet tailored to your pet’s species, age, and health needs is crucial. Nutritional needs will change as your pet ages or develops medical conditions that require a special diet. Fresh, clean water should always be available to keep them hydrated and healthy. Washing pet food and water bowls is crucial for maintaining your pet’s health. Dirty bowls can harbor harmful bacteria, mold, and leftover food particles that may lead to digestive issues, infections, or even more serious health problems. Regular cleaning prevents the growth of pathogens, ensures fresh and safe meals, and encourages hydration.

Pet Health Insurance

Pet health insurance is important for several reasons, offering both financial security and peace of mind for pet owners. Here’s a breakdown of why it’s worth considering:

1. Financial Protection for Unexpected Costs: Veterinary care, especially in emergencies, can be expensive. Pet health insurance helps protect you from large, unexpected bills for surgeries, emergency care, diagnostic tests, or treatments that could otherwise strain your budget.
2. Affordable Routine Care: Many pet insurance plans cover regular wellness visits, vaccinations, flea/tick treatments, and dental care. This makes preventative care more affordable and helps ensure your pet stays healthy, potentially preventing serious (and expensive) issues down the line.
3. Access to Better Treatment Options: Insurance helps you avoid tough decisions about your pet’s care based on cost. With coverage, you’re more likely to opt for necessary treatments, specialty care, and even experimental therapies when needed, knowing it won’t break the bank.
4. Chronic Conditions and Long-Term Care: Some pets develop chronic conditions (like arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease) that require ongoing care and medications. Pet health insurance can help cover the cost of managing these conditions, giving your pet a better quality of life over time.
5. Emergency Coverage: If your pet has an accident or sudden illness, you won’t have to decide between your pet’s health and your finances. Insurance provides a financial safety net, so you can focus on getting your pet the care they need without worrying about the costs.
6. Peace of Mind: Knowing that you’re covered for both emergencies and routine care allows you to feel more confident in your ability to provide the best care for your pet. It helps reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with unexpected medical bills.
7. Variety of Coverage Options: Many pet insurance plans offer a range of coverage options, including accident-only, comprehensive wellness care, or more specialized treatments. This allows you to choose the plan that best fits your pet’s needs and your budget.
8. Behavioral and Alternative Therapies: Some insurance plans cover alternative treatments (like acupuncture or chiropractic care) and behavioral therapy for pets with anxiety, aggression, or other mental health concerns. This can open up more treatment options for pets facing behavioral challenges.
9. Specialty Care and Specialists: For pets with more complex medical issues, insurance helps you access specialists (like cardiologists, dermatologists, or orthopedic surgeons) who can provide more advanced care, which can sometimes be out of reach financially without insurance.
10. Helps Manage Pet Aging: As pets grow older, they are more likely to develop health problems that require frequent veterinary visits and expensive treatments. Pet health insurance can help manage these costs and ensure that your senior pet gets the attention they need without financial strain.

Obedience Training

Obedience training is a key element in creating a healthy and harmonious relationship between pets and their owners. Here’s why it’s so important:

1. Safety: One of the main reasons for obedience training is to ensure the safety of your pet and others. Proper training can prevent dangerous behaviors like running into traffic, jumping on strangers, or eating harmful substances. It also helps keep your pet under control in risky situations, like when they encounter other animals or unfamiliar people.
2. Improved Behavior: Training your pet helps curb undesirable behaviors like excessive barking, chewing, digging, or jumping. Obedience training establishes clear expectations, making it easier for pets to understand what is acceptable and what is not.
3. Stronger Bond: Training creates a stronger bond between you and your pet. It’s a time of mutual communication, trust-building, and positive reinforcement. As your pet learns, they’ll begin to understand that following commands leads to rewards, reinforcing their connection with you.
4. Mental Stimulation: Obedience training offers mental stimulation for your pet, which is especially important for dogs. It provides a sense of purpose and can tire them out, preventing boredom, which can often lead to destructive behaviors.
5. Socialization: A well-trained pet is more likely to be well-socialized. Obedience training can expose them to various environments, people, and other animals in a controlled and positive way, helping them become more confident and less anxious in different situations.
6. Enhanced Communication: Training helps you communicate more effectively with your pet. When they understand basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” it’s easier for you to direct them, keep them safe, and guide them through different situations.
7. Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Dogs, especially, feel more secure when they understand their boundaries and their owners’ expectations. A structured routine and clear commands can help reduce anxiety and confusion in pets, making them more relaxed and comfortable.
8. Easier Handling in Public: A well-trained pet is easier to take out in public spaces, whether it’s for walks, to the veterinarian, or to a pet-friendly gathering. They’ll be more responsive to commands and better behaved, making outings enjoyable for both of you.
9. Less Strain on Relationships: A poorly behaved pet can create tension in the home, especially if they’re causing damage or getting into trouble. Obedience training prevents frustration by teaching your pet good habits and making them more predictable and easy to manage.
10. Improved Quality of Life: Obedience training improves your pet’s overall well-being by giving them structure and helping them behave appropriately. This can lead to a happier, more fulfilling life for both you and your pet. It helps them be more confident, secure, and integrated into family life.
11. Prevention of Future Problems: Training your pet early can help prevent behavior problems in the future. Puppies, for example, are much easier to train and teach good habits when they’re young. Early obedience training also helps prevent aggressive behavior or anxiety issues from developing as they grow older.
12. Increased Social Acceptance: Well-behaved pets are more likely to be accepted in social settings, whether it’s visiting friends and family, going to dog parks, or traveling with you. Training helps ensure that your pet’s behavior doesn’t cause stress or discomfort for others.

Preventing Barking and Noise

Excessive barking can be a nuisance and indicate underlying issues such as boredom, anxiety, or lack of training. Providing proper training, mental stimulation, and exercise can help reduce unnecessary barking. Understanding your pet’s needs and addressing any potential triggers can lead to a quieter and happier home environment. Uncontrolled noise can result in complaints to animal control agencies, resulting in fines or other enforcement actions for the pet owner.

Spay and Neuter

Spaying and neutering are essential parts of responsible pet ownership for several important reasons. Here’s why it’s crucial to spay or neuter your pets:

1. Prevents Overpopulation: One of the main reasons to spay and neuter is to reduce the number of unwanted animals. There are millions of pets in shelters waiting for homes, and spaying or neutering helps prevent more animals from being born and contributing to overpopulation. This reduces the burden on animal shelters and helps prevent euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals.
2. Health Benefits:
   • For Females: Spaying eliminates the risk of uterine infections (like pyometra) and greatly reduces the chances of mammary cancer. It also prevents unwanted pregnancies, which can be physically taxing on a female pet.
   • For Males: Neutering reduces the risk of testicular cancer and can help prevent prostate problems. It also reduces the chances of developing certain types of aggression and territorial behaviors.
3. Reduces Behavioral Issues: Neutering male pets can help reduce behaviors such as marking territory with urine, mounting, and aggression towards other males. Spaying females eliminates the behavior associated with their heat cycles, such as restlessness, vocalizing, and attracting male dogs or cats.
4. Less Risk of Stray Animals: Unspayed pets are more likely to roam in search of mates, which increases the risk of them getting lost, being hit by cars, or getting into fights with other animals. Spaying and neutering reduce the likelihood of pets running away or engaging in risky behaviors related to mating.
5. Improved Pet Lifespan: Pets that are spayed or neutered tend to live longer lives. The risk of certain diseases and complications is lower, and they’re less likely to get into dangerous situations or accidents related to mating behavior.
6. Less Aggression: Spaying and neutering can help reduce aggression in both male and female pets. Neutering males can lower testosterone levels, making them less territorial and aggressive toward other animals. Spaying females eliminates the hormonal fluctuations that can lead to aggressive or anxious behavior during heat cycles.
7. Cost Savings: While there’s an initial cost for spaying or neutering, it can save you money in the long run. By preventing accidental pregnancies, you avoid the cost of caring for puppies or kittens and dealing with the potential health issues that come with unplanned litters. Pet licenses are less expensive for spayed and neutered pets.
8. More Focused Pets: Spaying or neutering can make pets more focused on their human families rather than being distracted by mating instincts. This can improve their behavior, training success, and bond with you.
9. Prevention of Certain Health Problems: Spaying and neutering can help prevent certain reproductive cancers and infections, contributing to your pet’s overall health and well-being.
10. Supports a Stronger Community of Pet Owners: When more pets are spayed and neutered, it contributes to healthier pet populations and responsible pet ownership. It also helps ensure that more animals can find loving homes without adding to the overpopulation problem.
11. Promotes Social Responsibility: Spaying and neutering show a commitment to the well-being of animals and can help promote a more compassionate society that prioritizes responsible care over allowing pets to reproduce indiscriminately.
12. No Need for Mating: For most pets, the urge to mate doesn’t benefit them in any way that improves their health or happiness. Spaying and neutering help eliminate this natural instinct, making pets more comfortable and content in their environment.

Microchipping, ID Tags, and Licensing

Millions of pets become separated from their families every year, and those that are not properly identified often never see their families again. Losing a beloved pet and never knowing what happened to it is heartbreaking and can be easily avoided by using a combination of microchipping, identification tags, and licensing. If a microchip fails to be read (due to equipment issues, animal aggression, or other reasons), the identification tag provides an immediate way for someone to contact the pet’s family.  A license is required by law, proof of ownership, and verification of your pet’s registration in your local area. Together, these three forms of identification create a safety net for your pet, ensuring they can be easily tracked back to you if they stray too far from home.

Flea and Tick Control

Flea and tick control is essential for preventing infestations that can lead to skin irritation, allergic reactions, and the transmission of dangerous diseases such as Lyme disease and anemia. These parasites can also spread to your home, affecting other pets and family members. Using veterinarian-recommended flea and tick preventatives, conducting regular checks, and maintaining a clean-living environment can help keep your pet protected year-round. Regular flea and tick prevention is essential to protect your pet from infestations that can cause discomfort and transmit diseases. Use veterinarian-recommended treatments and check your pet regularly for signs of parasites.

Exercise and Mental Stimulation

Regular physical activity and mental enrichment keep pets happy and prevent behavioral issues. Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, strengthens muscles, and reduces stress, while mental stimulation prevents boredom and destructive behaviors.

For dogs, activities like daily walks, running, hiking, fetch, and agility training provide great physical exercise. Mental stimulation can come from interactive toys, puzzle feeders, obedience training, and scent work. Socializing with other dogs and exploring new environments can also help keep them engaged.

Cats benefit from interactive play sessions with toys that mimic prey, such as feather wands and laser pointers. Climbing structures, scratching posts, and puzzle feeders provide both physical and mental engagement. Regular playtime strengthens the bond between owner and pet while ensuring they stay active.

Small pets, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, need space to explore, tunnels to run through, and toys to keep them mentally stimulated. Birds require interactive toys, foraging activities, and out-of-cage time to stretch their wings and exercise.

Providing a variety of activities tailored to your pet’s species, breed, and individual personality ensures they stay happy, engaged, and well-behaved.

Emergency Preparedness

As we have seen from the devastating January 2025 wildfires, preparing for emergencies is something that should be done and practiced prior to the emergency. Being prepared for emergencies is essential to ensuring your pet’s safety during unexpected situations such as natural disasters, fires, or medical emergencies.

1. Pet Emergency Kit – Assemble a kit that includes food, water, medications, a first-aid kit, extra leashes, a blanket, and comfort items. Keep a copy of vaccination records and important documents in a waterproof container.
2. Evacuation Plan – Identify pet-friendly shelters, hotels, or friends and family who can accommodate your pet in case of evacuation. Practice emergency drills to ensure a smooth evacuation process.
3. Identification and Microchipping – Make sure your pet has an updated ID tag and microchip information to increase the chances of a reunion if they get lost during an emergency.
4. Emergency Contacts – Keep a list of emergency contacts, including your veterinarian, nearby animal hospitals, and local animal shelters.
5. Training and Familiarization – Train your pet to be comfortable with carriers or crates to make transportation easier during emergencies.
6. Shelter-in-Place Strategy – If you must stay home during an emergency, designate a safe area for your pet with enough food, water, and supplies to last at least two weeks.

By taking these precautions, you can ensure your pet’s safety and well-being during unexpected events.

Cleaning Up After Your Pet

Picking up your pet’s feces on walks and in public areas is not just courteous but also essential for public health. Dog waste can contain harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses that pose risks to both humans and other animals. If left uncollected, it can contaminate water sources and spread diseases. Additionally, many communities have laws requiring pet owners to clean up after their pets, and failing to do so can result in fines. Always carry waste bags and dispose of pet waste properly to help keep the environment clean and safe for everyone. Don’t be that pet owner that is despised in the neighborhood!

Keeping Pets Indoors and Safe

Pets should live primarily inside the home with their families for the following reasons:

1. Safety: Indoor pets are less exposed to dangers such as traffic, predators, and diseases that can be contracted from other animals. Stray dogs, wild animals, or even other pets may pose risks of injury or transmission of diseases like rabies or parasites.
2. Health: Outdoor environments can expose pets to harmful toxins, allergens, or parasites like fleas and ticks. Keeping pets indoors helps protect them from these potential hazards. Additionally, pets may be at risk of eating something toxic, like certain plants or food they shouldn’t have.
3. Longevity: Indoor pets tend to live longer because they are less likely to be involved in accidents, suffer from extreme weather conditions, or experience health problems related to outdoor exposure.
4. Behavioral and Emotional Well-being: Pets, particularly dogs and cats, can get overstimulated by the outside environment. Keeping them inside can help prevent anxiety, stress, or aggression that may result from interacting with other animals or unfamiliar situations. Indoor environments also provide more controlled conditions, such as proper food, exercise, and mental stimulation.
5. Environmental Protection: Keeping pets indoors also helps protect wildlife. Free-roaming cats, for example, can pose a threat to local bird populations and other small animals. By keeping pets inside, you’re helping preserve the natural ecosystem.
6. Bonding Time: Indoor pets are usually more involved with their human family members. They tend to form stronger emotional bonds because they spend more time interacting with their owners, which can lead to better socialization and overall happiness for both the pet and the owner.

Making Them Part of the Family

Treating pets like members of the family is important for several reasons:

1. Emotional Connection: Just like family members, pets offer companionship, unconditional love, and emotional support. Pets thrive in environments where they feel loved and valued, and when they’re treated as family, they often form stronger, more trusting bonds with their owners.
2. Well-being and Care: Treating pets like family encourages owners to take a more holistic approach to their health and happiness. This includes providing regular veterinary visits, nutritious food, exercise, mental stimulation, and a safe living space—just as you would care for any loved one.
3. Respect and Compassion: Pets, like humans, have feelings and needs. Viewing them as family members promotes empathy, kindness, and respect. It helps people better understand their pets’ behaviors, body language, and emotional states, leading to a happier and healthier relationship.
4. Reduced Loneliness and Stress: The presence of a pet as a family member can help reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness. Pets are known to provide comfort and emotional support, offering a sense of security and companionship, which is especially beneficial in tough times.
5. Accountability and Responsibility: Treating pets like family means being fully responsible for their care and well-being. This mindset encourages pet owners to commit to their pets for the long term, ensuring they receive proper care throughout their lives, including during their later years when they may need special attention.
6. Social Benefits: Pets can enhance family dynamics, teaching children about compassion, responsibility, and empathy. Pets also have a unique way of bringing people together, creating shared experiences and memories that strengthen family bonds.
7. Improved Quality of Life: When pets are treated as family members, they are likely to have a more enriched and fulfilling life. This includes being included in family activities, receiving more attention, and having a consistent routine that caters to their physical and emotional needs.

Are you meeting your pet’s needs, or know someone who can benefit by reading these recommendations? Make every February a time to check in on this information and determine what changes, if any, should be made to keep your pet happy and healthy. By following these guidelines, you can be a responsible pet owner and provide a happy, healthy life for your beloved companion. A little effort goes a long way in ensuring your pet’s well-being and strengthening the bond you share.

 

Marcia Mayeda

You can subscribe to Marcia’s blog here: https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/directors_blog/

The Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 charity that raises money to support DACC in its mission of saving animals and keeping pets and families together. Learn more at www.lacountyanimals.org.