Pet ownership is big responsibility. We usually get a pet for selfish reasons. We want companionship, we want protection and we want  something wonderful to own. What should be expected of us as pet owners?

When you first get the notion to get a new pet make sure you are ready. Is this just a pet for the "kids" , will your pet be a passing fancy or do you take on this new companion with full responsibility? You need to answer this question honestly before you get a pet. What level of care will you provide? Often people say "It's not really our cat. It's just a stray we are feeding". Wrong! If you have started to supply food for the cat it is yours now. The first thing you should do is have a health exam performed. What if the cat carries the Leukemia virus and you have other cats. Don't you have a responsibility to your cat family to make certain the "stray" is healthy? You are expected to provide the basic necessities such as shelter, food , water and at the very least care if the animal is ill.

Let's say you got a dog at animal control. You made the initial effort to get vaccines done and licensing. What kind of care does your pet receive now. Is the haircoat matted,  are the eyes clean and do you offer the balanced food it deserves? This time of year I see animals that have been chewing the back end to the point of mutilation and  have maggots in the sores. I will ask the owner when they first notice the problem. They comment  he was fine a couple days ago. Wrong. It takes 3 days for maggots to develop and the sore was there before that. These people have not even looked at there dog in 3 days? You have to agree that this is a poor deal for the dog.  If he could choose an owner you can bet it wouldn't be this folks.

A milder neglect is one of ignorance. Sometimes an older pet has been neglected for a few weeks. The family is busy and they aren't sure if Bozo got fed this morning. No nice walks like in the good old days. So this weekend Bozo is going to get a great run. A run until he's pooped. That will make up for the guilt, right? So, on Sunday he got a hard run. It is monday morning and Bozo cannot walk . He cries when he tries to get up. He is out of condition and now he is paying for it. This was supposed to make up for the neglect but that is something Bozo doesn't understand.
 

What your pet needs is consistent care. Regular exercise. Regular diet. Clean food and water bowls. Regular attention. You should have 3 minutes of eye contact with you dog daily. Touch base. A long haired cat or dog needs to be groomed. One mat is understandable. Two mats your "Out". Do something about it. Some simple changes can be made.

For example, your pet has dietary requirements that change with age. A senior cat/dog needs less protein, salt and more fiber as they get older. Purchase a senior diet. An older dog may need more bedding to make a soft resting area for those old bones. Maybe your old kitty cannot jump as high as she used to so keep the food bowl lower to the floor.  Take your dog through a refresher obedience class to sharpen those commands. Spend a few minutes every day just brushing or petting you pal. The one thing your pets want most is your attention. Let's face it- that's free. I would challenge you to ask yourself this question,"if your pet could choose an owner would it be you?"