Mullins Farms In Valley Springs

Widely celebrated throughout the United States from May 6th to May 12th, National Pet Week is dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership, while honoring the human-animal bond, and supporting the public’s awareness of veterinary medicine.

There are many great responsibilities that come with pet ownership, perhaps the most important of which is having a good veterinarian to oversee your pets care and health.

When choosing a veterinarian clinic in your area, here are a few things to keep in mind:

– The clinic you choose should have hours that are compatible with your schedule.
– The staff and vets should treat your pet well and exceed your expectations.
– Does your chose clinic offer payment plan options if you need one?
– How does the clinic handle referrals to outside specialists?
– If you have a non-traditional pet, does the vet at your chosen clinic have proper experience?
– If you have friends or family in the area with pets, ask them who they would recommend.

While it’s a wonderful gesture to consider your pet an invaluable member of your family, we must remember that they are not of human kind and therefore cannot ingest much of what we can.

Below are 7 foods you should avoid feeding your cat or dog. If for some reason you are unable to prevent ingestion, contact your local pet hospital immediately.

– Products containing Xylitol, like sugar-free gum and candy

– Chocolate

– Onions

– Grapes and raisins

– Fatty and fried foods

– Macadamia nuts

– Avocados

The folks at National Pet Week want you to be a Responsible Pet Owner and offer these great tips:

Commit
– Avoid impulsive decisions when selecting a pet.

– Select a pet that’s suited to your home and lifestyle.

– Keep only the type and number of pets for which you can provide appropriate food, water, shelter, health care and companionship.

– Commit to the relationship for the life of your pet(s).

– Provide appropriate exercise and mental stimulation.

– Properly socialize and train your pet.

Invest
– Recognize that pet ownership requires an investment of time and money.

– Make sure your pet receives preventive health care (vaccinations, parasite control, etc.), as well as care for any illnesses or injuries.

– Budget for potential emergencies.

Obey
– Clean up after your pet.

– Obey all local ordinances, including licensing, leash requirements and noise control.

– Don’t allow your pet to stray or become feral.

Identify
– Make sure your pet is properly identified (i.e., tags, microchips, or tattoos) and keep its registration up-to-date.

Limit
– Don’t contribute to our nation’s pet overpopulation problem: limit your pet’s reproduction through spay/neuter, containment or managed breeding.

Prepare
– Prepare for an emergency or disaster, including assembling an evacuation kit.

– Make alternate arrangements if you can no longer provide care for your pet.

– Recognize any decline in your pet’s quality of life and make timely decisions in consultation with a veterinarian.