Busy individuals who love to care for pets can find it challenging to balance their responsibilities and pet care. Some may recommend that 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 adequately take care of their pet buddies:
1. Create a Pet Care Schedule and Stick to It
Planning is vital when it comes to balancing work and pet care. Create a schedule that details your pet’s demands, such as feedings, walks, grooming, and many more. Additionally, write down (or set reminders) of upcoming vet visits, vaccinations, or other activities.
Having everything written down will make it much easier to follow your plans and take better care of your pet. Meanwhile, if your packed schedule has prevented you from taking your dog in for vaccines or any of the other pet care services, it will require, a simple online search for “dog vaccinations near me” may help you find a vet clinic in your area that can help.
2. Find Pet Care Services or Resources
Take advantage of the pet resources and services available to help lighten the burden. If you do not have enough time for day-to-day walks, consider working with a dog walker or doggy daycare service. You can also find pet boarding to look after them while you’re away.
If you don’t know any, ask for recommendations from close friends, family, or people you trust. In addition, looking online is a great way to locate pet boarding centers 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 family members whenever possible. Even if it’s just once a week, having somebody else take on some veterinary care duties by bringing in your dog or cat for a regular pet checkup can be a great relief. In addition, keep a list of reliable friends willing to look after your pets in emergency situations. This will give you the assurance that your pets are taken care of when something urgent occurs, and you can not do so.
4. Choose a Vet Clinic with Complete Services
Preferably, 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 guidance, parasite control products, health checks, vaccinations, and pet wellness exams.
A vet facility with complete services 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. If you are looking for veterinary clinics that provide comprehensive pet care services, you should check their website first to see what they offer and how they might benefit your pet.
5. Spend Quality Time with Your Pet
When you’re not occupied, spare some time to spend quality bonding moments with your pet. Take your dog for a leisurely stroll, or snuggle up on the couch. Spending quality time with your pet will make them feel happy and loved, and it doesn’t always involve activities requiring a lot of effort.
Also, do not 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 pet 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 your house, or playing a game of fetch. This will help them stay occupied and keep their mind active.
Plus, ensure that no toys or objects can be easily damaged or swallowed when left unwatched. If you can, walk your dogs prior to 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?
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if obtaining a pet when you’re busy is the right thing for you. But the most crucial factor you should think about is what’s fair for your pets. Though having an animal companion can bring tremendous joy and companionship, having one also comes with responsibilities that demand time, effort, and dedication.
Caring for a pet could be the best addition to your life if you can make time for appropriate pet care while juggling your career or studies. With careful preparation and organizing, there’s no reason why someone who leads a hectic way of living can’t successfully care for their beloved dogs or cats.