May is National Pet Month! The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria celebrates pets every day, but this month is extra special.
Over the past 35 years, the percentage of pet owners in the U.S. has increased. As of 2023, 66% of U.S. households (nearly 8.9 million homes) own a pet.*
Dogs are the most popular pet (65.1 million U.S. homes own a dog), followed by cats (46.5 million homes) and finally freshwater fish (11.1 homes).*
Pets bring us so much joy, companionship, and unconditional love. In honor of all they provide for us, we’re celebrating National Pet Month with a checklist to help you make sure you keep them as happy and healthy as possible.
- License and Identification, Please: While no one wants to think their pet will go missing, accidents happen. Properly identified pets ensure a quicker reunion when they’re found. This means making sure your pet has a registered microchip, pet ID tag with up-to-date information and is licensed according to your city or county’s requirements.
- Microchip Tips: Microchips can be used to quickly contact you if your pet is brought into a shelter or veterinary clinic. If you’re unsure about the status of your pets’ microchip, here are a few things you can do. First, if you don’t know if your pet is chipped OR what the number is, any veterinarian or shelter can scan your pet for a microchip and, if they have one, provide you with the microchip number. From there, you can use the number to look and see if the microchip is registered (and with what company) using universal pet microchip lookup websites, like the one here. Once you determine the registration status, you can login to an existing account or register the microchip for the first time. There are a variety of companies that offer registration. While some do offer paid subscriptions (with extra benefits), basic lifetime registration with companies like 24Petwatch are free. Remember to keep the login information, so you can easily update the microchip if you move, change phone numbers, or if the pet’s ownership changes. Just a note, not all rescues, shelters, or veterinary offices register your pet’s microchip for you at the time of implant, so it’s important to double check that the microchip is registered and that it is registered with the correct information.
- Note: Microchips do not function like GPS devices. They cannot be used to track the location of your pet, however if your pet has a propensity to escape, adding this additional tool can be useful.
- Prioritize Prevention and Vaccines: To keep your pet healthy and protected from illnesses, diseases, and parasites, they must stay current on vaccines and preventions. Visit with your veterinarian about which ones are suitable for your pet.
- Mind, Body and Soul: All pets require certain levels of daily activity, whether that’s a game of fetch, playing with a feather wand, or a long hike or walk. Senior pets usually do not need the same level of activity as youngsters, but regardless of age, all pets benefit from mental and physical exercises. Dogs, especially, need physical exercise and are usually entirely dependent on their owner to provide them with it. Besides physical exercise, inexpensive, DIY treat and food puzzles and games can keep pets mentally active and beat the day’s doldrums.
- Nutritious Food and Treats: Determining what is best to feed your pet can be – at best – confusing. The two biggest things to consider is whether what you’re feeding your pet is nutritionally balanced and whether you’re feeding your pet the right amount based on their size and weight. From there, different pets may require different things due to age, allergies, nutritional deficiencies, or other reasons. It’s best to check with your pet’s veterinarian for recommendations and do your research on any specialized diets you may be considering.
- Grooming, Training, and More: Pets are as unique and special as the people who adopt them. It’s important to remember your pet’s individual needs, like grooming and training, when required. Grooming is more than making sure they look their best. Improper or inadequate grooming can result in discomfort for your pet or – in more serious cases – pain, sores, and infections. Training is also a key part of making sure your pet lives a happy, healthy and well-balanced life. Training can improve and modify your pets’ behavior for a peaceful and harmonious coexistence with other pets and people. Make sure to seek out trainers who use positive reinforcement methods.
Find more tips about pet care and ownership.
By Erin Shackelford, Marketing and Communications Specialist