Discussing The Week Long Holiday That Promotes And Celebrates Responsible Pet Ownership
May is finally here! As we move into the final month of Spring, there is a lot to celebrate and be thankful for. This includes the fantastic week-long pet themed holiday known as National Pet Week. National Pet Week occurs annually during the first full week of May. This year, 2023, the holiday will occur from May 7th to May 13th. Not familiar with National Pet Week? Don’t worry because Cool Cats Professional Cat Sitting has you covered. This article will cover everything you need to know about National Pet Week, the meaning behind the holiday, and how you can celebrate.
What Is National Pet Week?
National Pet Week is a week-long holiday that celebrates the beautiful relationship between pets and their owners. It was originally founded by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in 1981. The overall goal of the holiday is to remind, encourage, and promote responsible pet care. While most pet owners do a great job of caring for their pets, some pet owners fall short of that mark. National Pet Week is the stepping stone for some pet owners to take their pet ownership more seriously and do right by their furry, scaly, and feathery friends.
The Importance Of The Holiday
Being a pet owner is an absolutely wonderful experience and the bonds we build with our pets is truly unique. Pets aren’t simply animals we care for, their companions that we love unconditionally. Our pets enrich our lives in a way that makes us better, more compassionate people overall. Essentially, our pets tend to bring out the best in us and we think that’s something worth celebrating.
Themes Of The Week
The A.M.V.A. has designated a different theme for every day of the week during National Pet Week. This gives you a different goal/agenda for you and your pet to accomplish together everyday. We will briefly cover each daily theme of National Pet Week.
Day 1: Choose Well, Commit For Life
Not every pet is suitable for every family situation. When choosing a pet, be considerate about its needs and its compatibility with your family/household. Pets aren’t like clothing where you can easily return it if it’s not a good fit. When you take on the responsibility of caring for a pet, commit to caring for that pet for the rest of their life.
Day 2: Behavioral Health. Habits For Happy Pets
The best way to keep your pet healthy and happy is to maintain positive interactions. Create a positive environment for your pets and engage them with fun activities like playing with interactive toys.
Day 3: Nutrition & Exercise Matter
Pets (especially dogs) need routine daily exercise in order to stay happy and healthy. Alongside exercise, your pet’s diet plays a huge factor into their physical health. Your pets deserve the best and their diet and exercise should reflect that.
Day 4: Love Your Pet? See Your Vet!
Don’t wait until your pet is visibly sick or ill before taking them to the veterinarian. Annual checkups at the veterinarian are essential for maintaining your pets health and catching a medical problem before it gets out of hand.
Day 5: Travel With Care
Pet transportation can be dangerous if not done properly. Be sure to take all of the necessary precautions when traveling with your pet. Whether it’s by car, train, boat, or plane, be sure to invest some time and effort into transporting them properly and safely.
Day 6: Emergencies Happen. Be Prepared
Some emergencies are unavoidable and unpredictable. As a pet owner, you should always have an emergency plan in place for when your pet becomes ill, injured, or poisoned. Always keep a pet first aid kit on hand as well as emergency contact info such as local veterinarian and the pet poison hotline.
Day 7: Plan For Their Care. Give Them A Lifetime Of Love
As pets get older, they often require more attention and care. This includes medications, procedures, and treatments. Thanks to modern medicine, pets are living much longer than in previous generations. Take the time, effort, and money to give you pets a long, happy, and fulfilling life.
How You Can Celebrate
We encourage all pet owners & pet lovers to celebrate National Pet Week this first full week of May (5/7 to 5/13). Here at Cool Cats Professional Cat Sitting, we consider our pets to be family and they should be treated as such. We hope you take the time to observe and appreciate this holiday and celebrate the spectacular bond between pets and their owners. Being a pet owner is a huge responsibility, but that’s what makes it so worthwhile. Happy National Pet Week to you and your pets!
