Be a Responsible Pet Parent with These 7 Tips

September 14, 2025

By Dan Barner

Be a Responsible Pet Parent with These 7 Tips

September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month, an excellent time to reflect on how we can be better pet parents so that our dogs are happy, healthy and safe. Our pets bring us joy, companionship and so much more. Let’s do everything we can to return the favor.

Exercise: Regular exercise is very important for happy, healthy dogs. Exercise not only keeps them in good physical shape, it also keeps them mentally stimulated. Discover what kind of exercise your dog enjoys most by trying activities such as walking, running, hiking, playing, swimming and agility exercises.

Veterinary care: Regular veterinary checkups are critical to your dog’s health. This is an opportunity for your dog to be thoroughly checked by your veterinarian; to receive any necessary vaccinations; to address dental-care issues; and to answer any questions you might have. Your veterinarian can also recommend flea and tick preventatives for your pet.

Wellness: In addition to regular exercise and visits to the veterinarian, there are additional steps you can take for your dog’s wellness. Regular nail trims, baths and tooth brushing are all important. Spending quality time with them is also essential to their emotional well-being.

Healthy diet: A well-balanced diet that is appropriate for your dog’s age, size and breed is very important. Ask your veterinarian for their thoughts on which pet food and feeding schedule is best for your dog. It is also important to not feed them any human foods that are unhealthy or unsafe for pets, and to not over feed them with their pet food or treats.

Training: Proper training helps your dog stay safe through basic commands such as sit and stay, as well as through recall in the event that you need them to return to you. Training is also a great way to bond as well as provide mental enrichment. The Animal Protective Foundation Canine Academy offers several training classes in the Capital Region.

Safety: Inside the home, baby gates and doors are ideal for keeping pets out of any areas that might not be safe for them. Food and drinks should be kept out of reach of pets. Garbage cans should be covered so that pets cannot get into them. If anything is a danger to your pet, it should be inaccessible to them. Outside the home, keep your pets safely where they should be with a secure fence. Your pet should also be microchipped in case they become lost, and your contact information in the microchip database should be kept up to date.

Emergency preparedness: When creating an emergency plan for your family it is important to include your pets. Make sure you have ample pet food and water. Have all of your pet’s important paperwork in a safe, accessible place. Put contact information for your regular veterinarian and a local emergency veterinarian in your phone. Create a pet first-aid kit that stays wherever your pet may be.

Taking these steps will help keep your pet safe, happy and healthy. Let’s all do our best to be responsible dog owners. Our pets deserve it.