Balancing Work & Pet Care: Suggestions for Busy Pet Owners
Busy people who love to care for pets can find it challenging to balance their responsibilities and pet care. Some may suggest you should stop owning a pet if you’re too busy, but that doesn’t have to be the case.
Here are some helpful tips on how busy people can successfully care for their animal companions:
1. Create a Pet Care Schedule and Stick to It
Planning ahead is key when it comes to balancing work and pet care. Create a schedule that outlines your pet’s needs, such as feedings, walks, grooming, etc. Also, write down (or set reminders) of upcoming vet visits, dog and cat vaccinations, or other activities. Having everything written down will make it easier to stick to your plans and take better care of your pet.
2. Find Pet Care Services or Resources
Take advantage of the pet resources and services available to help lighten the burden. If you don’t have enough time for daily walks, consider hiring a dog walker or doggy daycare service. You may also find pet boarding to look after them while you’re away.
If you don’t know any, ask for recommendations from friends, family, or some people you trust. In addition, looking online by searching “pet boarding near me” is a good way to find pet boarding facilities within your community. Just ensure to read reviews, ask questions, or even inspect the facilities before committing.
3. Delegate Pet Care Responsibilities
If you have a family, delegate responsibilities to other household members whenever possible. Even if it’s just once a week, having someone else take on some pet care duties can be a great relief. In addition, keep a list of reliable friends willing to look after your pets in case of emergencies. This will give you an assurance that your pets are taken care of when something urgent arises, and you cannot do so.
4. Choose a Vet Clinic with Complete Services
If possible, choose a vet clinic as your go-to pet care provider that offers all the necessary services for your pets. You should be able to get all the essentials, such as food and nutrition advice, parasite control products, health checks, vaccinations, and pet wellness exams.
A vet clinic with complete services, such as www.eastcowetavet.com, should also provide surgery, radiology, and diagnostic tests. This saves you time, energy, and money as you can have all your pet care needs taken care of in one place.
5. Spend Quality Time with Your Pet
When you’re not busy, spare some time to spend quality bonding moments with your pet. Take your dog for a leisurely walk, or cuddle up on the couch. Spending time with your pet will make them feel happy and loved, and it doesn’t always involve activities requiring a lot of effort.
Also, don’t neglect training your dog when you’re with them, even for at least 10 to 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a week. Training your dog will help you build a strong bond with them.
6. Look for a Playmate for Your Pet
If you can, find a playmate for your pet so it has someone to socialize with while you’re away. Dogs, in particular, will enjoy having another furry companion to keep them company and play around with.
If you’re worried that they might be destructive when you leave them alone at home, leave them with something to do, such as chewing toys, hiding treats around the house, or playing a game of fetch. This will help them stay entertained and keep their mind active.
In addition, make sure that there are no toys or objects that can be easily destroyed or swallowed when left unattended. If you can, walk your dogs before leaving the house so they will feel tired and less likely to be destructive.
The Bottom Line: Should You Get a Pet When You’re Busy?
In the end, it’s up to you to decide if getting a pet when you’re busy is the right thing for you. But the most important factor you should consider is what’s fair for your pets. Though having an animal companion can bring great joy and companionship, owning one also comes with responsibilities that require time, effort, and dedication.
Caring for a pet could be the perfect addition to your life if you’re confident that you can make time for proper pet care while juggling your career or studies. With careful planning and organizing, there’s no reason why someone who leads a hectic lifestyle can’t successfully care for their beloved dogs or cats.
