Did you know that the U.S. has over 76 million cats? That means it has more cats than any other country in the world! America loves pets, with many homes having either a dog, cat, or both, or multiple of one or the other.

Pet ownership today isn?t like it used to be. Around 100 years ago, the majority of pets would not have been seen as they are today. Cats were often barn cats, meant to catch mice that were in stables or in the home. Dogs tended to serve useful purposes — they were herding dogs or hunting dogs, etc. Even the average ?house cat? or ?house dog? was seen a bit differently than pets are today — ask an elderly person whether they ever watched a parent or grandparent drown unwanted kittens or puppies, and you might not like the answer.

Today, though, pets are an integral part of our families. We buy christmas gifts for them and include them in our family portraits. For this reason, it?s important to many pet owners that their pet is taken well care of. How can you become an even better pet parent? Here?s a few things you should keep in mind.

1. Buy Quality Kibble

Years ago, there were only a handful of cat and dog food options available, and people would often pick one without really thinking about it. Today, there are literal aisles devoted to all the available choices. What should you look for in quality pet food? Basically, you want to make sure that the food is nutritionally sound, and doesn?t have too many fillers or additives in it. Things like corn and grains are often added to cat and dog dry food, even though these aren?t natural foods for these animals to consume. If the food has too much of them it can lead to your pet gaining weight easily or developing health problems. Do your due diligence in researching the available options.

2. Pet Health Insurance Plans

What happens if your pet develops a health problem despite your best efforts, such as cancer or diabetes? Do you have the available resources to treat them? Without healthcare for pets, the cost of treating these issues can easily extend up into the thousands of dollars. It can put pet owners in an incredibly difficult position — you either have to jeopardize your financial welfare, or accept your pet friend?s demise. For this reason, pet owners today should be investing in cat and dog life insurance. If you?re only learning about pet insurance after a problem develops, chin up — there are some opportunities for pet health insurance for pre-existing conditions. Dog life insurance is a prudent idea especially for purebreds, which often develop health problems.

3. Your Pet is Like a Baby

So “pet proof” your home. Read up on common issues vets encounter with pets — did you know that plastic ribbon common for wrapping presents, for example, has killed cats that consume it? Or if your cat likes knocking over small trash cans, did you know that many cats have died by consuming dental floss that entangles their innards?

So, there you have it. Invest in quality food, dog life insurance or cat health insurance, and remember to pet proof your home. Let us know if you have any questions!