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Having a pet in the family is a joy, but it’s also a responsibility. You need to take care of your pet and provide them with the best care possible if you want to keep them happy and healthy. Whether you have a cat, dog, bird, rabbit or perhaps something more exotic, it’s important to know how to care for your pet day-to-day, as well as what to do when you think that they might be ill. Knowing where to get advice to help you care for your pet and treat any illnesses or injuries will help you to look after them in the best way possible.

 

Talk to Your Vet

 

When you need advice about caring for your pet, your first port of call might be your own vet. The vet you use is hopefully someone who you can trust to give you advice when you need it. You don’t need to wait for your pet to be ill to ask for advice. You can also ask them for any tips they may have during routine checkups, or some veterinary surgeries might allow you to phone them and ask questions if necessary. Many vets also have useful resources on their website or in the form of brochures and other materials.

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Get Advice from Other Vets

 

When your vet isn’t available, or you don’t want to bother them, there are plenty of other places to get advice. Other vets are available, of course, and plenty of them provide advice online and in other ways. Vets like Jennifer Perusek have blogs offering useful articles on a range of animal care issues. Just be sure to check the vet’s credentials so that you know they’re qualified to offer advice. You can even find some online “ask a vet” services that will allow you to ask any questions that you might have.

 

Use Animal Charities and Nonprofits

 

Another useful resource can be charities and nonprofits that help animals. These organizations usually have vets and other animal experts on their teams. They can provide advice in person, online or over the phone when you need help. For example, some animal shelters might offer information about caring for your pets. One example is The Humane Society, which has a website with plenty of resources. You can also find organizations for specific species or even different breeds of animals to help you discover the right advice.

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Consider Behavioral and Other Experts

 

Your vet might know how to care for your dog’s coat or what vaccinations your cat needs, but what do they know about animal behavior? While they likely have some fundamental knowledge, they’re probably not an expert in the behavior of all types of animals. When you need help with training or other behavioral issues, you may find that it’s helpful to seek out a behavioral expert or animal trainer who can offer you the right advice. They can often work with you and your pet.

 

When you need advice about your pet’s health, seek out experts who know what they’re doing. Make sure you don’t take advice from just anyone.