Did you know that 57% of Canadian households own pets? According to statistics from 2017 that means that Canada is home to roughly 5.9 million dogs and 7.9 million cats and we can only assume those numbers have increased for 2020. Responsible pet ownership means
that you are responsible for your pet for its entire life, so choosing a new member of your family should not be taken lightly or on impulse. Make sure you take into consideration your lifestyle. For example, if you are an active, energetic and physical person, find a dog breed that will fit this lifestyle. If you like to stay in, cuddle on the couch and read a book, consider a cat, or a dog that requires less exercise. Don’t forget the mental stimulation that pets require. A ½ hour training session, with your animal using his/her brain is equally beneficial as an hour-long walk. Dogs and cats can turn destructive if they get bored and have no mental simulation.
Owning a pet requires time and money. You need to be ready to spend time on training, behaviours, health and wellness. Average yearly vet bills for a dog can range between $90 – $200 a year, and that does not include unexpected injuries or illness.
No matter how much we love the company of pets in our life, it is important to only choose the type and number of pets that you can provide for. Taking on more 4-legged companions then you can provide food, water, shelter and health care for is not good for you or the pets. Also, check local licensing and ownership requirements. Some regions limit dogs and cats to 2 per household, unless you have a kennel license or register as a cattery. It is always wise to ensure your pet is properly identified with tags, microchips or tattoos. If your pet should ever get lost or stolen, this helps to ensure your baby comes home safely.
Often, we don’t think about the impact a pet in our household will have on the houses or apartments around us. A responsible pet owner ensures that their pet does not negatively impact people, animals or the environment around them. This includes making sure your dog does not bark incessantly, you scoop poop when out walking and your animals don’t stray into neighbours’ yards. Cat poop in your neighbour’s children’s sand box is a sure way to ruin the relationship between you and your neighbour.
Take the time to find a safe and reliable place for your pet to stay while you are on vacation or unable to take care of them. Hurricanes and floods have taught us that pets need to be included for your planning for emergency or disasters and kibble should be included in your evacuation kit. Over 15,000 pets were rescued during hurricane Katrina but nearly 90,000 New Orleans-area pets have never been accounted for, and some reports estimate that 600,000 animals died or were left without shelter as a result of the hurricane. A member of the CanEVA family, Dexter, is a rescue from the hurricane in Texas and we were lucky to place all the puppies in caring homes.
And finally, recognize the quality of life in your aging pet and make decisions with your veterinarian as your pet ages and their health declines. CanEVA PET is a supplement for senior and aging dogs and cats to assist in quality of life as they age.