After the excitement of bringing home a new pet, many owners find themselves at a loss as to what to do next. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the newfound responsibility of having to care for another living thing. If you find yourself wondering what to do, here are 5 simple steps to care for your new pet.

Microchipping

It’s every pet owner’s greatest fear; coming home and expecting to be greeted at the door by your faithful companion, only to realize they are nowhere to be found. Pets, no matter how domesticated or comfortable with their environment, will sometimes run away. Whether it’s an interesting smell or even the mailman, keeping your dog or cat within the safe confines of home can often seem like an impossible task.

Microchips have helped eliminate much of the anxiety of a missing pet by allowing animal care professionals at La Habra Animal Hospital to see all the pet’s pertinent information: owner, phone number, and even home address. Dogs with a microchip are almost 2.5 times as likely to be returned home than those without, and at a price of only $10, provides valuable piece of mind at minimal cost. La Habra Animal Hospital & Pet Motel will even install the chip on your pet, and services the Brea, Fullerton, La Habra and La Mirada areas.

Vaccinations

Like humans, pets are susceptible to a wide range of diseases and illnesses. Highly contagious and fatal diseases such as the parvovirus can cause vomiting, dehydration and even death. For those who own puppies, the virus can prove especially fatal, often progressing to a lethal stage within 72 hours.

Fortunately, parvo and many other diseases are completely preventable through regular vaccinations. Dr. Sam Shenouda can administer the relatively painless treatment in a matter of minutes, ensuring that your pet remains healthy and disease free.

Spay and Neuter

Each year, millions of cats and dogs are euthanized as a result of over-breeding and lack of available homes. In the United States alone, some 3.7 million dogs and cats were put to rest in 2016 as a result of the inability to find them long term living solutions. Spaying and neutering helps reduce this burden on animal shelters by ensuring that pets don’t create unwanted offspring that can’t be cared for.

Spaying and neutering also has the added benefit of reducing the risk of cancer and uterine infections, allowing your pet to live longer, happier lives. If you’re interested in having your animal spayed and neutered, contact your local animal hospital or shelter. They can provide you with additional information regarding cost and length of procedure.

Diet

Few things will influence your new pet’s overall health quite like their diet. From dental health to the appearance of their coat, what you feed them makes all the difference. Start by purchasing food that is formulated for your pet’s age and lifestyle. Avoid feeding them scraps from the table or the garbage. And, never overfeed. Too much food can lead to obesity, putting additional weight on their joints and potentially leading to painful arthritis.

Get Plenty of Exercise

When life is full of stress and a seemingly never-ending list of responsibilities, it can be very difficult to find time for the gym. Add in the need to exercise your pet, and it can seem almost impossible. However, taking your dog for a run is a great way to help you stay in shape, and keep your animal at their healthiest. Regular jogs or walks help improve cardiovascular fitness, sleep and prevent restlessness in both you and your pet. Taking your dog to the park will give them, and yourself, a chance to make new friends and experience new adventures. After all, that’s what owning a pet is all about.