Responsible Pet Ownership: Celebrating National Pet Week
This week is National Pet Week. While it technically ends tomorrow, it’s not too late to celebrate your furry companions! National Pet Week was created in 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Auxiliary to the AVMA. It is celebrated each year during the first full week of May to encourage responsible pet care and to celebrate the bond between pets and their people.
National Pet Week Themes
Each day of National Pet Week has a specific theme that relates to responsible pet ownership:
- Sunday: Choose well: Commit for life
- Monday: Socialize now: New doesn’t have to be scary
- Tuesday: Nutrition and exercise matter
- Wednesday: Love your pet? See your vet!
- Thursday: Travel with care
- Friday: Emergencies happen: Be prepared
- Saturday: Plan for their care: Give them a lifetime of love
You can read about each theme and find pet owner resources here.
The Cost of Pet Ownership
While responsible pet care has many facets, one important factor to consider is the financial aspect of owning pets. Recently, it has come to light that many pet owners underestimate the cost of pet ownership. In a survey of 1,200 pet owners and 100 veterinarians, nearly half of the pet owner respondents admitted they had underestimated the lifetime cost of their pet(s). Additionally, approximately half of the pet owners thought they were financially prepared for unexpected pet expenses and realized they were not.
Routine Veterinary Care
Another factor of responsible pet ownership is routine preventative veterinary care. On this blog, we frequently talk about diseases and ailments which may prompt visits to the vet. But routine care is very important to maintaining your pet’s health. Preventative care, such as regular wellness exams and routine tests, can lead to the detection and diagnosis of problems that may otherwise go unnoticed until it is too late. If a problem is detected in its early stages, it is more likely to be treated and resolved with less expense, less difficulty, and better success.