8 Things You Should Never Do to Your Pet

There are countless resources available about how to treat pets, how to entertain them, and how to train them. As a responsible pet parent, it’s important to know all the right “to-dos” in order to keep your furry companion happy and healthy. But when we focus on the “dos,” we sometimes forget about the “don’ts.” So, starting with the basics, here are several things you should never do to your cat or dog.

Even if your pet seems normal and healthy, it is imperative that you stick to at least annual visits to the veterinarian. Vets can pick up on symptoms that we don’t recognize, and catch untreated diseases or medical conditions before they become serious (and expensive!).

If you come across any of these symptoms, you should consider taking your pet to the vet right away.

This is important even if your pet doesn’t spend a lot of time outdoors; for example, house cats. But fleas and ticks can still easily enter your home and wreak havoc under your pet’s fur. Thankfully, there are more than enough treatment products available to keep your dog or cat safe from fleas, ticks, and even tapeworms. Talk with your vet to make sure you are giving your pet the right preventative medications.

Neglecting your dog’s teeth is a big no-no. Many pets suffer from untreated infections and diseases in their mouths because of this kind of neglect. For dogs, experts recommend brushing their teeth every day, but at the very least, making sure your vet checks out your pet’s teeth during their annual checkup can do the trick to keep their teeth strong and healthy.

It can be hard to pass up a quick stop at the grocery store because you have your pet in the backseat. But even leaving a cat or dog alone in the car for 5 minutes can be dangerous, especially in extreme hot or cold weather.

It is never, under any circumstances okay or constructive to hit your pet. Doing so will only cause your dog or cat to fear you, which can make them harder to communicate with and more difficult to train. Instead, use positive reinforcement to show your pet which behaviors are welcome and rewarded.

While your chubby pug may be the cutest thing in the world, overfeeding any breed of pet can be detrimental to their health and lifespan. Be sure to talk with your veterinarian to make sure you’re feeding your dog or cat the right type and amount of food. Your pet will definitely thank you in the long run. These tips will also help you keep pet obesity at bay.

Dogs and cats have their own kind of food for good reasons. Food made specially for your pet has a balances combination of all the necessary nutrients and protein that dogs and cats need. Plus, feeding table scraps to your pet can be dangerous to your pet’s health, and there are several human foods that can even be deadly to your pet. To ensure your pet lives a long and healthy life, stick to the food on pet store shelves that experts have recommended for them.

This tip refers mostly to dogs, but it’s important enough to snag a spot on the list. Putting your dog away in its crate as punishment conditions your dog to feel depressed or ashamed when they are in a space that is supposed to make them feel comfortable and safe, and they’ll begin to dread their own crate. If your dog needs to be separated, try placing them in a room alone.