Thinking of owning a pet? You’ll want to check out the next few paragraphs to cover the basics first. Taking in a cat or a dog is a massive responsibility and one millions of Americans fulfill every day of the week. You need to take care of them both emotionally and physically, keeping them company when you get home from work and taking them to an animal hospital if they show signs of lethargy or appetite issues. Pet care is only becoming more and more astute in the country as information becomes more readily accessible and people get acquainted with common issues dogs and cats face. Do you have what it takes? Let’s take a look below.

Dogs

Let’s start off with one of the most popular pets around! The average annual cost of owning a dog is around $1,130, according to recent studies, and nearly 46 million households own at least one dog. Larger families will often have two or three so they can keep each other company, since dogs are highly social creatures and can easily become depressed and anxious just like humans do. Some of the most popular breeds in the United States are the golden retriever, the Labrador retriever, the German Shepard and the dachshund.

Cats

Dogs aren’t the only ones enriching the lives of human beings — cats have been beloved household pets for centuries, dating back to ancient Egypt and earlier! Studies have shown the annual cost of owning a cat reaching nearly $800, with around 39 million households owning at least one cat. Due to their small size and fastidous nature, cats are widely considered to be a little less involving to take care of than dogs. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, however! Some dog breeds are considered to be very cat-like, such as the Basenji, while some cat breeds are very social and talkative, like the Siamese.

Common Diseases

Now for a look at the most common diseases that cats and dogs face in any given year. Periodontal disease is the number one most common condition in adult dogs and adult cats, with the majority of pets showing some evidence of the disease by the time they’re three years old. Due to the high cost of many animal hospitals, some owners give up their pets to local shelters — according to the Humane Society of the United States, there are nearly 70 million feral and stray cats roaming the streets on a daily basis.

Common Pitfalls

It’s not simply about taking your pet to an animal hospital when they’re sick. You need to keep them healthy and active all days of the week to reduce their chances of developing a disease in the first place! Remember that, despite dogs’ voracious appetite, they can’t eat everything they see — commonly toxic or difficult-to-digest food for dogs include avocado, chocolate, onions, raisins and coffee. Puppies between eight to 12 weeks old need around four meals per day to support their growing constitution, while both puppies and cats should be spayed and neutered to avoid unwanted litters.

Taking Good Care Of Your Pet

Your cat or dog is a part of your family. They make you smile when you’re feeling down, give you an exercise companion when you’re going on your morning jog and provide your children with a playmate while you’re busy. Studies have shown pet owners exhibiting greater self-esteem and higher physical aptitude than their peers without pets, which is nothing to say of additional surveys showing healthier interpersonal relationships! If your cat or dog is too sick for conventional treatment, taking them to an animal hospital or emergency vet is imperative. When you take care of your pet, you take care of yourself.