In honor of National Pet Week, My First Lab would like to introduce you to its history and give you some advice for keeping your pets happy and healthy. Even if you don’t currently have a pet, we hope this advice will help you enjoy spending time with the furry friends you meet!
Teaching pet care to your student is a great way to introduce them to veterinary medicine! STEM learning is about exposing students to real-world applications and career paths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics! Are you interested in learning more about how we aid STEM education? Visit My First Lab’s About Us section!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- History of National Pet Week
- Insure Your Pet
- Learn About Dangerous Foods for Pets
- Enrich Your Pet’s Life
- Improve Your Pet’s Socialization
- My First Lab’s Mission
History of National Pet Week
The American Veterinary Medical Association initially created National Pet Week in 1982 to help educate the public on pet needs, including nutrition, exercise, and mental enrichment.
The American Veterinary Medical Association established this holiday to support increased pet adoption, promote the positive benefits of pet ownership, increase public awareness of veterinary services, and educate individuals about service animals. It is now celebrated in the United States as a holiday for appreciating your pets and continues to be a veterinary awareness holiday.
Insure Your Pet
Pets can have health problems their humans might not predict! Getting health insurance is a great way to ensure a long and healthy lifespan for your pet. Insuring your pet can prevent you from paying out-of-pocket costs when they need surgeries or treatments as they age. Health insurance can also help you pay for necessary vaccines, yearly checkups, grooming, and other necessary health expenses for your pet.
Learn About Dangerous Foods for Pets
There are various toxic items your pets can ingest in your home that you may not know about! Dangerous foods for dogs include:
- Chocolate
- Anti-inflammatory human medications
- Xylitol (Ingredient in sugar-free gum)
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Acetaminophen
- Antidepressant and ADHD Medications
- Soil Fertilizer
Dangerous foods for cats include:
- Lilies
- Alcohol
- Chocolates
- Coffee
- Citrus Fruits
- Coconut water
- Dairy
- Xylitol
- Essential oils
It’s also essential to ensure that your pets have a well-rounded diet. Make sure to regularly check on their water intake to confirm that they are getting adequate fluids. Fluid ingestion can be essential for dog and cat kidney health later in life. Ensuring they do not have access to toxins in your home can help improve their kidney and liver function.
Enrich Your Pets Life
One thing indoor cats and dogs cannot experience is the natural excitement of hunting prey and following scents. A great way to provide enrichment for your pets can be by hiding food in toys throughout the house to simulate a wild hunt.
Providing at least an hour of daily playtime for your pet is essential. This time could include fetching or chasing games for both cats and dogs. For smaller pets like hamsters or hedgehogs, this could be running on a wheel or enjoying time outside their cage.
Improve your Pet’s Socialization
Isolation is just as bad for humans as it is for pets! For dogs, socializing can teach them how to interact with the world without displaying aggression. Aside from being mentally good for your dog, it teaches them how to interact with humans and other dogs in social environments.
Even though pets like bunnies, cats, and hedgehogs are less naturally social than dogs, they can benefit from exposure to different humans. Cats can also improve their quality of life if they have playmates and exposure to the outside world (even if that means harness training or an enclosed patio for indoor cats).
My First Lab’s Mission
Is your child interested in becoming a veterinarian? If so, check out our product line at My First Lab to let them learn more about the outside world. Our Smartphone Inspector is great for exploring natural features on the go!
My First Lab has led in developing STEM equipment for the past 30 years. With products ranging from microscopes and bundles to prepared slides and accessories, we are sure to have any product that a junior investigator, hobbyist, or educational leader could need. Learn how to create hands-on experiments by browsing our blog or checking out our award-winning products.
