There is lots to consider when it comes to being a good, responsible pet-parent. We all want to do our absolute best for our beloved companions, so to make it a little easier for you, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on the essential aspects of pet-parenting.

A special thanks to Dr Cooper, our vet at Absolute Pets, for assisting us with this article and sharing her expertise with us.

1. Health and hygiene

The foundation of a happy pet is a healthy one.

• Regular vet check-ups | We recommend an appointment with your vet every six months. Preventing any health issues in advance is more effective (and cheaper!) than only visiting the vet when serious and painful issues arise. Besides, it’s important for your cat or dog to get used to the vet and enjoy the experience without fear.
• Up-to-date immunisations | Don’t get caught out by not having your pet’s vaccinations at the right time. Download our Routine Care Guide which outlines what you need and when.
• Tick, flea and de-worming treatment | Treatment should be given all year round, not just when symptoms appear, as consequences of bites or infestation can be serious, including allergy dermatitis and the transmission of blood borne parasites. Plus tick, flea and deworming treatment is SO easy and budget-friendly. Here is what you need to know.
• Basic cleanliness | Make sure pet bowls are washed properly and regularly to keep them germ-free. This also applies to toys, especially toys made to be stuffed with treats. Make sure your cat and dog get fresh water each day, throw out the old before adding the new.
• Litter best-practice | A cat will not use a dirty litter tray. Remove dirty litter every day and give the litter tray a good wash at least once a week. We recommend though that you don’t use strong smelling or perfumed products to clean the litter tray as cats have a very acute sense of smell. Here are some more in-depth notes on hygiene and grooming for cats.
• Routine Care Guide | Get all the fundamentals of pet heath care in one place and download our Routine Care Guide. This will help you track what treatment and when so don’t miss one.

2. Pet insurance

We believe the day you welcome a new cat or dog into your family, is the day you should sign up for a pet insurance policy.

• The importance of pet insurance | Unless you are 100% financially stable and can weather any storm that may come your way, we recommend you sign up for pet insurance. Pet medical costs add up and arise unexpectedly and you always want to be able to pay for the required care. From cruciate surgery to dentistry, you can’t predict what might be required.
• The options | At Absolute Pets, we have three options to choose from: Accident Cover, Classic Cover and Premium Cover. Accident cover is from as little as R90 a month and the Premium Cover from R300 a month.
• Key things to note | Exclusions do apply to pet insurance and the most common one is regarding pre-existing conditions. This is why it’s important to sign up for pet insurance at a very early stage when your pet is young and healthy. Be sure to also check if any age limits apply. For example, with most pet insurance offerings, once your pet turns 8 years old you cannot apply for pet insurance.

3. Nutrition and feeding

A balanced and high-quality ingredient diet can drastically improve your pet’s health and well-being, and even lengthen their lifespan.

• Key considerations | Diet should be specific to your pet’s age, breed and any conditions. A puppy or a kitten has different requirements to a senior dog or cat. A puppy needs the right nourishment to sustain rapid growth, while a senior dog is at risk of gaining weight and may need more support for joints and loss in lean muscle mass. Top pet food brands like those we stock online or in store at Absolute Pets cater for every life stage. There are also options to support joint care, skin conditions, weight management and the like.
• The range | We stock a huge range of top-quality vet-recommended pet food. See all dog food here and all cat food here. A great budget-friendly option is the Lokuno range but we also stock the hugely popular Hills, Acana, Royal Canin and so many more. You will certainly find the right option for your dog or cat.
• Transition well | To change from one diet to another, do it slowly so as not to cause an upset stomach. By following a transition process you allow your pet’s digestive system time to adjust and to adjust well. For example, you could start with 80% current food and 20% new food for about 7 days, then adjust to 60 / 40 for a few more days, then 30 / 70 and then 100% new food. If you are concerned, chat to your vet about the best way to make the change.
• Good practice | Read our comprehensive guide to Pet Nutrition here. From how to stop your pet guzzling their food too quickly to key pointers like making sure you properly seal food to keep it fresh for longer, you’ll find everything you need.

4. Exercise and stimulation

 The right amount of exercise will help keep your pets at their ideal weight (overweight pets are prone to health problems and conditions), but exercise is about so much more too.

• The benefits | Exercise isn’t just about keeping your pet’s weight down, it’s about stimulating their minds, preventing frustration and boredom, and it’s an excellent opportunity for pet socialisation plus one-on-one bonding time.
• How often | Read our comprehensive guide to pet exercise here. It all depends on factors such as age, medical conditions, breed and fitness levels. Puppies will need lots of free play with a focus on teaching good manners, like how to walk politely on a lead; kittens will need time to figure out toys they love; dogs between one- and seven-years old need at least a 20-30 minute walk daily and cats need at least 10 minutes of interactive play a day.
• Playtime and toys | Toys, balls and games help inspire more playtime and exercise which are so important for bonding and exercise. Some toys even help keep teeth in good condition! Find out more about the importance of play here and shop for cat toys or dog toys.

5. A happy environment

Just like all members of the family, pets thrive when they feel confident and comfortable in their surroundings.

• A sleep space | Your pet needs a warm, safe and quiet place to sleep, away from cold draughts – their fresh water can be kept here too. Keep their sleep space in the same place every day so they know where they can retreat to. If you are welcoming a cat into your home, and already have a dog, find a safe sleep space for your cat that is higher up and out of reach of your dog.
• Boundaries | Our pets love to know what is expected of them and when. This can be in terms of where their litter tray is kept, or the behaviour we want to see (i.e. are they allowed to sleep on the bed, jump on the couch etc.). Clear communication and consistency leads to happier pets. If you have two pets or perhaps a cat and a dog, keep their feeding areas separate (you cat may need to feed on a higher spot, off the ground). 
• Routine | Dogs and cats LOVE routine as it creates stability. Try to keep walking, feeding, playtime and bedtimes the same, especially if you are welcoming a new pet into your home. Read more here about welcoming a new pet into your home.

6. Training and socialisation

The ultimate goal for any pet parent is to establish a great bond and good understanding with your pet. You’ll also want them to be friendly towards other animals. The best way to achieve this? Training and socialisation.

• Don’t wait to start training | Making the most of the first weeks and months is like finding gold when it comes to training your puppy or kitten – many animal behaviourists consider there to be a ‘window’ of up to four months when it is far easier to ensure your puppy or kitten will be well socialised (i.e. able to be around other cats or dogs happily) and able to grasp key commands and behaviours.
• Never too old | That said, it is never too late to teach a cat or dog new commands and behaviours! So if you haven’t invested time in training yet, we encourage you to do so as there are benefits for both you and your pet.
• Using treats for training | High quality, healthy treats are considered essential by many vets and animal behaviourists. When used as a tool to communicate with your pet and reward good behaviour, they are a super effective training aid. The key to training with treats is to reward the behaviour you are looking for immediately, so that your pet learns the positive association at the time the behaviour is happening. 
• Get social | If your pet is not able to safely engage with other animals early on in their lives, they may develop fear and anxiety which could reflect in aggression. Start early (make sure vaccinations are up-to-date) by taking your dog to training, introducing them to other pets who you know are friendly or taking them to the park. You don’t want them to have any bad experiences so be ready to intervene and stop any play that appears too rough or where one dog is far more dominant than the other.
• Types of training | The most common type of training is about teaching your dog to behave well, to socialise and to be part of the family. If you want to take dog training to the next level (which is a lot of fun for both dog and owner), there are many options available including competition obedience, agility and dog jumping, flyball, working trials, dog dancing and even carting.
• Find out more | For all dog training questions and answers, read this article.

7. Grooming

Grooming your pet improves your pet’s condition and hygiene. It helps to ensure your cat or dog's coat and skin are healthy and that any nooks and crannies are clean, thereby preventing any nasty infections.

• Groom regularly | If your cat or dog has an odour or has been out and about playing in the dirt and it feels like he or she needs a bath, then it's probably time! This can be every month for some dogs, or a few times a year for a cat – it shouldn’t be too often as this can affect the skin’s natural oils and condition. Here are some great shampoo products for cats and dogs.
• Brush it out | Regularly brushing your pet’s coat is good for blood circulation and essential for good coat condition. It removes dead skin cells, aerates the coat and unclogs pores. For long-haired dogs, de-shedding helps to prevent mats which can be painful, difficult to remove and can lead to infections; for cats, grooming prevents hairballs. Here are more in-depth guidelines to grooming your pet.
• Check paws and nails | Check there are no thorns or any stubborn dirt lodged in their paws which could lead to other problems. If your dog’s nails seem too long, then you can also give them a clip but we recommend chatting to your vet before you do so as it can be technical.
• Don’t forget the teeth | Dental problems are one of the most common problems vets see and one that can have serious implications. The good news is that any dental problems are almost entirely preventable if a good routine is established from the time your pet is a puppy or kitten… and it is never too late to start! Here is the low-down on dental care for pets.
• Get professional help | If you aren’t comfortable grooming your pet or perhaps it’s a very big job, then seek the help of professionals who know exactly what they are doing. Find an Absolute Pets Spa near you.

Get in touch

A huge thank you to our Absolute Pets vet, Dr Cooper, for sharing her expertise with us and helping us put together this article.

And remember, we are also here to help so visit your local Absolute Pets store or get in touch with us online, or on Facebook.

Happy & Healthy

Absolute Pets