National Pet Week | From selecting the perfect pet to staying safe outdoors!
Published on May 6, 2025
National Pet Week honors the bond between pets and people while also encouraging pet owners to assess their pets' health for a lasting relationship.
Topics include:
- Selecting the perfect pet for you
- First veterinary appointment
- Change over time
- Tips for staying safe outdoors and
- Activities to share with your pet
Selecting the perfect pet for you
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When picking the perfect pet for you and your family, it’s important to consider your lifestyle and living environment. This will help guarantee that the pet you choose will flourish in your home and feel happy with your way of life.
Remember to research the species and breed you plan to welcome into your home.
First veterinary appointment
Bringing a new pet home is exciting but comes with important responsibilities, including scheduling their first vet visit. This appointment is essential to ensure they receive the best care from the start.
Preparation is key for a smooth first vet visit for you and your pet. It is recommended to take stool and urine samples with you to all appointments, especially if your pet is sick. Be sure to keep track of essential information, including birth date, breed, medical history, observations, questions, and any records from the breeder, shelter, or previous owners.
Considerations for your pet’s’ vaccinations:
Understanding the required vaccinations in your state, their dosages, and their duration of effectiveness is important. Be sure to ask about vaccine titers and gain a clear understanding of which vaccinations are needed based on both legal requirements and your lifestyle.
What is a vaccine titer?
A vaccine titer is a blood test that measures antibodies. A titer test can tell you if your pet is still protected to avoid unnecessary vaccines.
During your veterinary visit, a thorough physical examination will take place, providing an opportunity to discuss your pet's care. Preparing questions in advance can improve the appointment's effectiveness. Remember, no tests or treatments should occur without your consent unless specifically requested.
Establishing a partnership with your trusted vet will provide an opportunity to monitor health and guide preventive care. Open communication ensures that your goals and expectations are met, leading to a personalized health plan for a happy and healthy pet.
Change over time
As our beloved pets grow older, various changes occur in their lives. Let’s dive into some of the most common changes our furry companions experience as they age.
Calcium intake
Younger pets require more calcium and phosphorus for skeletal growth, but calcium needs decrease with age. Balancing calcium and phosphorus can be as easy as including raw meaty bones into a species appropriate diet.
Continuously monitor stool and mix boneless muscle meats and organs with raw meaty bones to help balance bone content as needed.
Activity level
Similar to calcium intake, our pets’ activity levels may decline as they age.
Engage in gentle exercise and mental stimulation that aligns with their age and health condition. Also, consider incorporating supportive foods that alleviate inflammation and chronic issues likes arthritis.
Hormone balance
Over time, your pet's hormonal balance can shift, and imbalances can manifest as changes in appetite, weight, and activity level.
Noticing these changes can be important for maintaining their health and wellness.
Providing a diet that includes like foods can help support hormonal health. Consider incorporating a balance of secreting organs such as the kidneys, pancreas, brain, thymus, testicles, and ovaries.
Tips for staying safe outdoors
Pets benefit from outdoor time, as fresh air and exercise improve their physical and mental health. Being outside stimulates their senses, prevents boredom, and promotes a happy life as long as they are safe.
- Keep them hydrated; Keeping your pet hydrated outdoors is important for cooling, especially during hot weather. Always provide clean, fresh water while outdoors.
- Provide shade from the sun; While pets may enjoy sunbathing, prolonged exposure can be harmful, so ensure they have access to shade.
- Avoid hot asphalt or concrete; Pavement can get very hot, posing a threat to your pet's paw pads. Walk your pet on grass or use booties. Remember, if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them.
- Create a safe space for outdoor playing; Considering the unpredictability of outdoor animals, it may be helpful to utilize a playpen or a fenced yard. Fencing can assist in maintaining a clean and safe environment for their space, free from potential hazards.
- Routine checks for fleas and ticks;
Even if you provide your pet with a preventative, it's important to take a moment to inspect them for any fleas or ticks after they come in from being outside.
Let’s take a look at all-natural flea and tick preventatives.
Woof Creek’s Flea & Tick Defense naturally repels fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and more. Their dog-specific food topper can improve skin and coat health while minimizing or eliminating the need for harmful toxins found in synthetic monthly flea and tick treatments or collars. Additionally, the Repel & Protect Spray provides an extra layer of protection for extended outdoor activities and in higher-risk environments.
Prevention is better than cure, and that is precisely what FleasGone Flea & Tick tag is designed to achieve. When attached to your pet’s collar, the tag creates a protective shield that repels fleas, ticks, and other parasites. FleasGone tag is the original and only non-toxic natural anti-parasitic preventative tag in the world backed by scientific studies and reinforced by irrefutable customer testimonials spanning 20+ years. The effectiveness of FleasGone tag is guaranteed within 1-2 months of use, and is by far the safest, longest lasting, and most cost-effective repellent available for fleas and ticks.
Activities to share with your pet
Engaging and playing with your pet is so important for fostering a strong and enduring bond. Let's explore some enjoyable activities you can share with your furry friends.
Activities to do with your dog
Outdoor:
- Take a walk
- Play fetch
- Go to the dog park
- Take them to a dog-friendly festival
Indoor:
- Teach them new tricks
- Play tug-of-war
- Cuddle on the couch and watch a movie
- Have a puppy playdate
Activities to do with your cat
- Play with toys
- Food puzzles
- Play a cat game on your phone or iPad
- Play with a laser toy
- Create vertical spaces for a safe climb
Activities to do with your ferret
- Teach them tricks
- Set up a tunnel obstacle course
- Let them play in a shallow tub of water or toys
- Allow them to play with other pets supervised
We always love hearing about and seeing how you celebrate your pet, share on our social media or tag us @hare-today!
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