17 Ways to Be a Rocking Pet Parent

There’s no doubt that owning a pet is a big responsibility, but it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Need some guidance on how to navigate this wonderous journey? From healthy pet food to pet essentials, here are 17 tips to help you be the greatest pet parent this world has ever seen! ❤️

Take a look at what we’ll cover in this article…

General

TLC

1. As a pet parent, give them lots of positive, appropriate attention. This might be through providing pet essentials like cleaning their crate or hidey home, talking to them, taking them for walks, or just lying together reading.

Desexing

2. Millions of homeless pets are euthanised every year around the world, which shows we have more than we can home! Sterilisation helps reduce these numbers and can lead to better behaved pet/s who are less prone to wandering off and getting into fights to compete for mates.

Read more in our article ‘Spay and Neuter: Should You Desex Your Cat?’

3. ID your pet with a microchip, collar, and tag with their name, your name, and your phone number. Also, consider getting a collar with a bell for cats 🐱 who like to hunt birds. Read these articles for more information:

• How Do Cat Microchips Work?
• The Dog Microchip: What You Need to Know
• Cat Collars: Pros and Cons Explained

Train your pet

4. Teach pet obedience with positive reinforcement training. Boundaries are one of the keys to happiness for all pet/s owners. This is especially true of the most integrated of our beloved pets – cats and dogs. A cat or dog that knows where it stands in the pecking order will be much happier than one that doesn’t.

Check out our tips on how to find a puppy school in New Zealand. There are probably schools for cats in your region, too. Try it. We dare you.

Socialisation

5. If you’re a pet parent with a dog, help him socialise by gently exposing him to other dog friends through playdates. Perhaps even choose a doggy daycare to take pup to once or twice a week.

Pack animals need to learn to live with others of their species on both a permanent and temporary basis, at home and in foreign territories. This way they learn to deal with different dog temperaments and enjoy some time away from the owners.

The purpose of playtime is to establish good friendships with other dogs, just as they do with humans. Playing instead of always being on guard teaches them to release all that puppy energy. However, understand that not all dogs will be keen to play, especially older dogs with toys or dogs who are close to their families.

Keep a close eye on their intensity when playing and make sure they’re in neutral settings. Remember that dogs communicate differently from humans, so it’s okay for one dog to tell another off.

Medical

Pet essential = vaccinations

6. Keep your pet/s vaccinations up to date while ensuring you don’t over-vaccinate. Your vet should keep this on track for you. Read about pet vaccinations and schedules in NZ and ensure you keep your dog and/or cat up to date to safeguard their health.

7. Treat for fleas, and worms regularly (ask your vet how often because it can vary). Read about flea treatment in NZ to kick things off.

Healthy pet food

8. As a responsible pet parent, feed them nutritious pet food that’s right for their life stage, size or special needs.

For dogs, discuss with your vet and potentially try out the following pet food brands:

• Royal Canin
• Eukanuba
• ZIWI

For cats, perhaps consider the following pet food brands:

• Purina
• Catit
• New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co.

We suggest you first read our comprehensive interview with two of the above renowned providers: Pet Food Insights with Royal Canin and Purina.

Pet dangers

9. Know thy pet poisons. You may be surprised what can kill a cat or a dog. Read more in our articles about toxins: Poisonous Plants to Keep Away from Pets and Things That Can Poison Your Pet.

Note: Call the NZ Animal Poisons Helpline on 0800 869 738 if you suspect an animal has been poisoned. Every New Zealand pet owner and subscribed veterinary clinic has access to this helpline. As well as providing a risk assessment, treatment recommendations, and referral advice, they can also assess your pet’s exposure.

10. No pet parent should smoke or vape around pets. A growing number of pets are becoming sickened by e-cigarettes and their components as more smokers turn to vaping, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and Pet Poison Helpline.

It’s common for pets that have consumed large quantities of nicotine to seem depressed, have low blood pressure and a low heart rate, and these symptoms usually precede death.

11. Like people, older pets need annual check-ups – blood, blood pressure, EKG (heart rate). Get to it!

Regular cleaning

12. Keep your pet’s living and sleeping areas clean. Kitty litter and cages especially need regular cleaning.  Blankets and toys gather germs all the time; regular washes with pet-friendly shampoo can help keep everything fresh and fluffy.

Would you like to know more about how to take care of the physical and health needs of your pet? To keep you going on this, here are some of our favourite blog posts:

1. Found or Lost a Pet in a Fire or Flood? Here’s What to Do
2. Heat Stroke in Pets: What It Is and How to Avoid It
3. Karaka Berries and Dogs: Be Aware!
4. How to Achieve Pet Safety on NZ Roads
5. How to Keep Your Pet Safe at the Beach, River or Lake

Emotional

Exercise your pet!

13. This could also go under ‘Medical,’ but the fact that lack of exercise can cause depression is often overlooked. And that goes for mental wellbeing as well as physical health. Just like any pet parent, pets need regular exercise. Otherwise, they may gain too much weight, not only risking pet obesity but becoming bored or frustrated.

Introducing exercise is best done slowly and gently. Let your pet guide you on how much they can do with each new physical activity, then monitor for any aches and pains afterward.

Family activities

14. Include them in family activities that suit their temperament and species, whether involving your human family or your feather and/or furred one. This encourages bonding and your pet’s emotional stability.

Security

Update microchips and tags

15. Update microchip details and tags as they change (e.g., moving, new phone number). PD recently interviewed Dr Imogen Bassett, Principal Advisor for Biosecurity at Auckland Council, who told us that “microchipping of domestic cats in New Zealand has increased from 12% in 2011 to 49% in 2020.”

Why is this a good thing? She goes on to say, “after the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, 85% of microchipped pets were reunited with their owners, compared with only 15% of non-chipped pets.”

Safety barriers

16. Another one of the pet essentials is to put fences/barriers around danger zones in the home, such as stoves, pools, driveways. Read more about pet proofing your home.

Financial

Veterinary cover

17. Take out the financial stress associated with unexpected illness or injury by getting the best veterinary cover for your pet – it’s one of the top pet essentials. Take a look at our affordable pet insurance plans to see how you can better protect you and your furry friend/s. 

For more information, also watch this ‘Why Vets Recommend Pet Insurance with Dr Cath Watson’ video below: