If you are someone who is a huge fan of routine then you should ease well into the role of being a pet parent. So, why do they say that being a pet parent is majorly about responsibility but entirely about fun on the run? Read that again. Because your pet teaches you all that and also tolerates all of you at the end of the day with that cute annoying wag of his tail and happy licks all over your face.

Your pet trusts you, his favorite hooman to take care of all his needs in his lifespan of about 10-14 years and that is why it is crucial that you are armed with a plan, even if you are a new or a seasoned pet parent. If you are getting home a puppy/kitty, an adult dog, adopting a stray or even fostering a pet - you do need to have a few preventive pet care measures in place. Some of them include:

1. Meeting with your Vet: Regular consultations with your vet and getting your pet examined is the first step to pethood. An experienced and trusted vet will guide you step-by-step on your pet’s growth and nutrition plan. Regular vet visits will help a vet spot any dental problem or disease in your pet faster than you.

2. Getting Vaccinations: Your vet will guide you with the necessary vaccines to be given at different age intervals of your pet. He will also advise you on things to keep in mind pertaining to his breed. Recently, the pet care market has been flooded with a lot of modern vaccines, which can prevent much more than just distemper. Your vet will execute a vaccination program that keeps your pet safe from contracting contagious diseases.

3.The Bare Necessities: Make sure that the basic needs of your pet such as his food- a mix of dry and wet food, could be homemade or even from a reputed brand are met. For his accessories - get him a leash, a comfortable harness, a collar with his name tag or even a personalized t-shirt to keep him warm during winter. For his bed - get him comfortable in his own bed or a designated space that gives him enough room to roam free. Ensure that you keep it clean and tick-free.

4. Nutrition & Exercise: Your pet needs a nutritious and healthy diet along with the right dose of vitamins and supplements to take care of his internal and external health. A diet that keeps dental disease, heart, liver and kidney diseases at bay would be the most preferred one. It is also important to ensure that your pet does not get diabetic because of a wrong diet, overfeeding or negligence.

Consult your vet about food allergies, skin problems, vomiting and diarrhea just to safeguard your pet. Ask your vet what kind of food and treats would be suitable for your pet to enjoy a healthy life. When it comes to exercise, you need to match the energy levels of your pet at all times. Be prepared to play fetch, go for long walks,play tug, run and bark after squirrels, cats or crows not necessarily in that order, the bottom line being exercise!

5. Grooming Done Right: It's up to you, you can either call a professional groomer to get your pet’s hair and nails trimmed or you can do it yourself as long as you have the expertise, time and patience to do it without hurting your pet. In case you have a pet who is hairy/long-coated then, regular combing should be practiced to avoid mat-formation.

Cleaning the ears, the eyes, the anal gland, giving him a shampooed bath goes a long way in getting your pet used to a groomer attending to him. Once in a while, you can bathe him or even comb his fur as it helps to strengthen your bond with your pet. Regular grooming also helps to spot anything amiss on your pet’s coat or skin.

6. Investing in Good Quality Products: Your pet is like your baby and just as you wouldn’t use any harsh products on your baby, you should strive to avoid chemical pet products.It is important to opt for products which are safe and pet friendly in reality, with a proven track record. As a pet parent you have lots of options to choose, from Organic Shampoos to Waterless Baths, from Anti-Odour Skin Sprays to Brushless Dental Sprays, from Dewormers to Anti-Tick & Flea Sprays.

Pets tend to have sensitive skin and chemical compounds can damage their fur and the ideal way to care for them is by researching well and investing in good quality organic or herbal products which are also good for the environment.

Pets tend to lick, chew and swallow anything that comes their way, including certain chemicals in products that are not safe if ingested. It is important that you speak to your vet about the product and its application. Dosage differs with respect to breed, age and weight so always better to consult your vet. That advice goes for vitamins, tonics and supplements too.

Also, don’t go by the fancy marketing and packaging of new products that hit the market. Check with your vet if the new innovative pet product on the shelf is as good as it claims to be. It is always better to use safe and good quality products rather than sit regretting the damage done to your pet’s skin or coat.


7. Parasite Control: This is one important aspect of pet parenting and a very strong preventive measure that is talked most often by pet parents all over. Preventive measures to keep your pet safe from internal and external parasites are a must. It's important to choose anti-parasitic products that are pesticide free so that they don’t harm your pet in the long run. Some of these parasites are also harmful to humans so all the more to get your pets dewormed and parasite free after consulting your vet.

If your pet loves to stay outdoors, roam in the pet park or frequents a pet boarding or creche, it is important to get him on heartworm preventatives, regular stool checks and tick and flea control.

8. Spaying & Neutering: If you are a pet parent who wants the next generation in place, surely go for breeding or mating with a suitable pet mate. Once the first litter of puppies/kittens is out, you have the option to spay or neuter your pet. A lot of pet parents are against the idea of spaying/neutering their pets. However, if you compare the health benefits it is the best health decision that you can take for your pet.

Spaying/neutering helps to increase the lifespan of your pets from upto 3-5 years, reduces their roaming, spraying and marking, controls aggression, lowers their risk of various cancers and stops unwanted litters. It also keeps your pets healthier. Do get your vet’s opinion on the right thing to do.

Bringing home a furry bundle of joy is the start of a friendship of a lifetime. Indeed, no one is ever completely ready for pethood, but you can always learn along the way and instil the right preventive care. Having a pet is almost like having a baby to nurture and take care of. Your pet will go through his teething phase, most needy phase, tantrum phase, ‘I don’t want a bath. Period.’ phase, ‘what’s cooking with you hooman’ phase, ‘let me be your confidante’ phase and you will enjoy every bit of it.

Get ready to receive absolutely unconditional licks, barks and wags! And, while you are on this roller coaster, you will end up being a better human, when you do good by them. So, don’t be afraid to take this step, go with the flow and be the best pet parent in the whole world.