Be an awesome ‘paw ’- parent in these 9 ways

Following a few steps and being prepared to expect a few things can make your journey of being a pet parent easier and more fun. Here, I have listed down a few concerns you might face and should expect as a new ‘paw’-parent and how you can deal with them.

Get ready for happy and responsible pet parenting

Having a pet is no less than having a child. Single handedly parenting a pet can be difficult, make sure you have the time, energy and will to look after them.

Furry friends and their fur fall

We all know that dogs shed but nobody warns you about how much they shed. It’s like having your own personal cloud that rains down fur all over the house. Be prepared to find fur all over your floors, furniture.

However frustrating this may be, remember that shedding is an essential process for dogs. It is through shedding that they get rid of old and damaged fur to maintain their hair and skin health. here’s what you can do –

• Fur-proof your house as much as possible. Get pet friendly fabrics like microfibers and velvet, for your bed, furniture and curtains. It is easy to clean these fabrics.
•  Brush your pet regularly. This ensures their skin health and also reduces shedding.
  Keep lint brushes and hand vacuum cleaner handy, you may have to use them once before leaving home so that not every stranger on the street can tell that you’re a ‘paw’-parent.

Inevitable vet visits

Nothing can prepare you for the number of times you have to visit the vet. Pets can fall sick often and if you’re new to this it will be difficult for you to tell when your pet is suffering from common health issues, like a cold, and how to treat it. You will require constant supervision from a vet. Even if your pet does not seem to get sick a lot, regular health check-ups are important.

Drooling – Love it or hate it, you cannot ignore it

While drooling is common for certain breeds like Bulldog and Great Dane, other breeds can also occasionally drool while anticipating delicious food. Irrespective of how much you love your pet, you’d rather not walk around in drool-stained clothes or seat your guests on stained furniture. To avoid this, simply keep a handkerchief handy to wipe the drool whenever required.

Poop and pooch always together

Potty training may seem challenging initially but educating yourself is the key to get it done successfully. Here are a few tips –

•  Until you have potty trained your pet, constrict his movement within a room or two so that you can keep an eye on him at all points of time.
•  Look out for certain behavior like sniffing and scratching the floor. This can mean that they want to go to do their business.
•  Take them out frequently, after a nap and every meal.
• Feed, walk and nap at the same time everyday to set their body-clock.
•  Take them to excrete in the same spot every day and award them with treats and compliments like “good boy” every time they do it in the right place.
•  Talk to fellow pet parents and get to know how they trained their pets and see which method works best for your pet.

‘Paws’itive reinforcement goes a long way

Always use positive reinforcements while training. Using negative reinforcements has scientifically proven to make dogs more aggressive and scared. It is less effective altogether. Whereas positive reinforcements are likely to make your pet repeat the good behavior.

Pupflix and Chill

Be prepared to have multiple cancelled plans and forget about going out, especially in the puppy period.

Food is a complete mood

You may think that these babies have a black hole in the name of a stomach, only until you see them lying around after their feast with stomachs fluffed to a size bigger than their adorable faces. It is very important to understand how much and what to feed your pet since it has a direct impact on their health. Ensure that you ask the breeder or the person you have adopted the puppy from, about their existing diet. You can gradually shift them to a new diet if required. Puppies have specific nutritional requirements therefore make certain that their diet consists of those nutrients. Depending on the age of your pet the diet will vary and so will the number of times he needs to be fed.

The power of the puppy eyes

Do not, I repeat, do not give into those puppy eyes you receive from your pet when you’re enjoying a snack. I know how difficult it is to say no to those eyes! Be prepared to be enslaved by them into doing things you don’t really want to, like going out to walk on a rainy day. But you must resist those eyes when it comes to snacks. This is because certain food items are toxic for dogs even though they seem to enjoy having them very much. Some of these foods are –

• Chocolate
• Caffeine
• Grapes
• Dry fruits and nuts
• Milk and dairy products
• Seeds of fruits
• Lemon/lime

Almost all of the above mentioned food items cause dehydration, diarrhea and even kidney failure. So be weary of what you feed your pet.

Being a pet parent is a magical journey, every day is a new experience. Cherish the moments with your pet and enjoy them to the fullest to make happiest memories!

– by Pratibha Singh