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Primary Pet Care

October 17, 2016 by Mary Telesz

primary pet careWhether you have a dog, cat, bird, gerbil or any other type of pet, knowing how to take care of them properly can be challenging. Knowing what is best for your animal companion can be difficult, particularly if you are a first-time pet owner. This article explores the basic fundamentals of primary pet care, so that both you and your pet can enjoy each other’s company for a long time!

Providing the Right Environment

No matter what type of pet you have, giving it the right living space is key to its overall health and well-being. The type of environment that your pet needs will depend on what type of animal it is. Researching the specific breed’s living requirements is an important step to take before purchasing a pet.

For example, if you live in a small city apartment, buying a high-energy dog that needs lots of space to roam is probably not a good idea. If you do not have the space for a large aquarium, then consider only fish that can thrive in a small tank or bowl. Carefully considering a pet’s needs will help to make sure that they are both happy and healthy.

Beyond the right kind of environment, primary pet care should also include providing an enriching environment for your pet. This could include scratching posts and toys for a cat, a wheel or ball for a hamster, or long daily walks for a dog. Providing physical and mental stimulus for your pet will strengthen your bond with your pet — and help them stay in good shape.

Regular Check-Ups and Vaccinations

Most people would not rely only on their own skills or judgement for their health care. When it comes to pets, you should seek out regular medical care from a veterinarian. Look for a veterinarian who specializes in the particular type of pet that you have; some veterinarians work primarily with household pets like dogs and cats, while others specialize in horses and farm animals or even exotic birds.

Yearly exams are the foundation of primary pet care. An annual visit can help prevent medical problems, or catch small issues before they become much more difficult to treat. As needed, vet appointments should also include vaccinations, dental exams, parasite control, a discussion of nutrition and weight control, and a general health screening. Vaccinations can protect your pet against common issues like rabies and distemper, or more rare illnesses like feline leukemia. The vet will recommend vaccinations based on your pet’s age, lifestyle, health, and risks.

While at your pet’s yearly examination, ask the veterinarian about the need for spaying or neutering your pet. In addition to reducing the number of unwanted animals at shelters across the country, these procedures can protect your pet from certain illnesses, including cancer. Your vet can also provide medication or treatments for parasites such as fleas or heartworms. If you are concerned about a particular type of parasite, talk to the doctor about options for protecting your pet.

Beyond annual exams, if your pet suffers an injury or illness, it may be necessary to take them to a veterinarian for immediate medical care. Keep the number of an emergency veterinarian service in a convenient location, or ask your pet’s vet if they provide after-hours services. Seeking prompt medical attention is incredibly important in any sort of emergency, or when your pet is acting differently from usual and you suspect that it may be sick.

Attention and Grooming

While some pets don’t require much in the way of grooming, others will need frequent attention to ensure that they stay healthy. Every pet owner should understand the essential grooming needs of their pet, as it is a necessary component of primary pet care.

The type of grooming and care your pet requires will obviously depend on the type of animal that it is. Fish don’t need grooming, but they do require clean tanks and water. Birds may need bathing, in addition to having their wings, claws and beaks trimmed. Dogs and cats often love to be brushed, and care should be taken to not allow their fur to grow too long, which can present a health hazard.

The Right Diet

One of the most important parts of primary pet care is providing your pet with a proper diet to help them maintain a healthy weight and good health. A veterinarian can provide guidelines based on your pet’s age, weight and lifestyle, and many pet store employees will also be able to point you towards the right food for your pet.

Be sure to not overfeed your pet, as this can lead to health problems and even premature death. Avoid giving your pet “people” food or medications. Both can be toxic to animals, or can cause health problems because their bodies were not designed to digest that type of food or medicine. Take advantage of online resources for your type and breed of pet — you will likely find a wealth of information on the best options for food for your pet.

Learn More About Primary Pet Care

Primary pet care does not have to be complicated. With some education, common sense, and regular trips to the vet, you can help your pet live a long, happy, and healthy life. Contact Paw Pals today if you’d like to learn more about primary pet care!

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
4.9
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
4.9
Taylor Smith
Taylor Smith
21:22 03 Oct 21
I never worry when Mary and team take care of my dog!
Michæl Silva
Michæl Silva
21:38 01 Jul 22
Mary at Paw Pals Pet Sitting is the greatest! She has helped me train my pooch Chico how play nice with other dogs and for that I am extremely grateful! A+A+A+A+A+A
Kwi Kim
Kwi Kim
22:37 17 Jun 22
I hired Paw Pals based on my sister’s referral. Meet & greet was very thorough and detailed. I was surprised that my finicky cat came to check the sitter out. Subsequently, a sitter watched my cat over several separate visits, and it was clear through the visit reports that my cat loved the sitter. All the visits were completed having followed my directions & with professionalism.I would highly recommend Paw Pals to anyone who’s looking for a dependable, personable, & professional sitter.
Joseph Walter
Joseph Walter
19:55 13 Jun 22
Paw Pals provided a large number of photos of our pets along with a personalized message on how our pets were doing with every single visit. I would highly recommend using Paw Pals, we'll be continuing to use them whenever we go on vacation.
Ashley Manning
Ashley Manning
09:50 11 Jun 22
Highly recommend as pet sitters!Initially, a sitter from the company will visit the house to meet the pets and learn where everything is. Tatiana took careful notes and we got her some spare keys.While we are away, Paw Pals sends sitters to come and look after our boys. They feed them, scoop litter, bring in mail and packages, and they will even manage trash, recycling, blinds and lights so that everything is comfortable for our kitties. Each time they check in, we receive an email message with updates and pictures, which is so comforting when we are on the road.Also, if you don’t let Paw Pals know when you are home, they assume something has happened and will continue to care for your babies. If something were to happen, I know they would be okay.Five stars for Paw Pals!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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