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How to Provide Responsible Pet Care

December 12, 2016 by Mary Telesz

Responsible Pet CareYou love your pet and want what’s best for them. But to provide responsible pet care, you need more than just a desire to do right by them. Understanding your pet’s’ specific needs is critical to making sure that your pet lives a long, healthy and happy life. So whether you have a dog, cat, snake, fish, bird or other pet, read on to learn how to provide responsible pet care.

Getting a Pet

Before buying or adopting a pet, think carefully about whether you’ll be able to provide the right kind and level of care for them. Don’t get a pet on an impulse; remember that you are making a long-term commitment and act accordingly.

Choose a pet that is well-suited to your home and your lifestyle. If you work long hours and live in a small apartment, an active dog is probably not your best bet. If the idea of cleaning out a tank or a litter box grosses you out, then you should not select a cat or a fish. Think realistically about what you can provide for a pet, and make your decision based on what you are actually able to do for a pet, not what you think the pet will provide for you.

Next, commit to the relationship for your pet’s lifetime. While there may be situations where you have no choice but to rehome your pet, you should only buy or adopt a pet that you plan to keep. Provide exercise and mental stimulation for your pet, and make sure that your pet is socialized and trained (when appropriate). This may mean taking your dog to obedience school, or getting a hamster out of the cage to interact with people. Whatever type of pet you choose, make sure that you are providing what is needs to live safely and happily in your environment.

Investing In Your Pet

Pet ownership involves an investment of both time and money. You invest your time each day in taking care of your pet’s basic necessities, from food and water to grooming and exercise. You invest your money in any number of ways, from buying the equipment that your pet needs to making sure that they have the appropriate medical care.

Take your new pet to the vet as soon as possible after bringing him home. Get the required vaccinations and preventative health care, such as heart worm treatment or medication for parasites. Make sure that you have money set aside for any illnesses or injuries, or purchase pet health care to cover any unexpected expenses.

You should also purchase the items that your pet needs to be happy and healthy. This could include brushes for grooming, toys for playing, shelter for outside pets and leashes for walks. Consider all of your pet’s needs, and buy the right equipment to meet those needs. If you have a dog, you may want to buy frisbees and balls for playing catch. A cat might require a scratching post and small toys to bat around. Make sure that you groom your pet appropriately, or take them to the groomer for regular baths, trims or other maintenance. These items are not just cosmetic in nature, they are a part of your pet’s overall health needs.

If your pet will be outside, make sure that he/she has the right identification tags. This will protect your pet in the event that she runs away, and it may even be required by your state’s law.

Responsible Pet Care

Every pet has certain daily needs, from food and water to exercise and affection. Responsible pet care includes providing for those daily needs, no matter what.

Start by buying the right kind of food for your pet. In most cases, that will not include human food. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations on the best brand or type for your pet, and make sure to follow recommended serving sizes. In addition to food, make sure that your pet has plenty of water. A dehydrated pet can become sick quite easily, so be sure to keep their water dish both clean and full.

Next, focus on your pet’s need for exercise and stimulation. Take a dog for a walk at least once a day, or spend time every day playing with your cat. Give your pet plenty of love and affection, if your pet is a cuddly animal, and be sure to interact with her regularly. You’ll soon find yourself looking forward to this time every day, and your pet will as well.

The Payoff

Having a pet can be a lot of work, but it is incredibly rewarding. There are few things more incredible than the unconditional love of a pet. Contact your veterinarian to learn more about how you can provide responsible pet care to your newest addition to the family. For more information contact Local Paw Pals today!

Filed Under: Pet Care

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

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Office Location

Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

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Office Hours

Monday
9am - 5pm
Tuesday
9am - 5pm
Wednesday
9am - 5pm
Thursday
9am - 5pm
Friday
9am - 5pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Areas Served

Centreville – 20120, 20121
Chantilly – 20151
Clifton – 20124
Fairfax – 22030, 22033
Fairfax Station – 22039
Manassas – 20109, 20110, 20111
Reston – 20191, 20190

Google Rating
5.0
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
5.0
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
Alexandra Hill
Alexandra Hill
22:43 23 May 21
I was a nervous mommy to leave my cats with a sitter service for the first time. Paw Pals went above and beyond to care for my cats and ease a nervous mommy. I already made a reservation to use them again!
Katie McCune
Katie McCune
19:19 15 Jul 21
I honestly cannot recommend Mary and her whole crew enough! We started using Mary originally about 7 years ago to stop by occasionally when our Aussie Lana was younger. Over the next couple years Lana stayed with Mary and her family for a couple weekends when we went on vacation. When we moved to our new house in Manassas, Lana stayed with Sam, who lives in Manassas, overnight for moving day, and did great. Right before the pandemic, we adopted our second Aussie, Goose, and Mary recommended a fantastic trainer for him.We now have weekly walks for the dogs, and they love all of their walkers! Trevor, Paul, Hazel, Sofie, and probably a couple others have helped Goose get used to more people, and have helped my husband and me when our schedules are crazy.Paw Pals is our go-to for any help with our dogs, so I highly recommend them!
Taylor Smith
Taylor Smith
21:22 03 Oct 21
I never worry when Mary and team take care of my dog!
Julie Shildt
Julie Shildt
17:45 14 Nov 21
It has been a pleasure doing business with paw pals. We have used this company for several trips we have taken over the past 6 months. They have been wonderful caretakers for our 2 cats. Anytime there is ever a question they don't hesitate to give us a call and they leave the best notes and pictures in the emailed report of each visit. We are so glad have found such a great company.
Sebastian Barnes
Sebastian Barnes
01:06 17 Jan 22
I have used Paw Pals for several trips over the last few months, and they have been phenomenal every time! Mary is extremely kind and responsive, and she makes sure that my cat and dog have the care that they need every time I am out of town. All of the pet sitters that I've had have been incredibly sweet to my pets, and they treat them like their own! Will gladly continue using Paw Pals every time I need a sitter.
Lesley Bush
Lesley Bush
13:58 18 Mar 22
We can't rave enough about Paw Pals. They took care of our 18 year old Cat and 20 year old Chinchilla while we were away and when our flight got cancelled, they were so accommodating and available last minute for an extra day. We worked with Jen to coordinate visits from Miko and Danny. I loved the pictures and updates on how our Lil geriatric guys were doing. Thanks a million, Paw Pals!! Our special pets were so well cared for.
Brian Wood
Brian Wood
04:08 22 May 22
We have used Paw Pals for a number of years now and would highly recommend to anyone looking for help with their pets. Great communication from owner Mary and flexibility to make adjustments in schedule as life changes over time. Have had a consistent set of walkers who have gotten to know our pup and the various walking routes around our neighborhood quite well.
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