They are living beings that feel and have specific needs. If you live with a pet or want to have one, these recommendations are basic to keep these beings that give us their unconditional love in the best conditions.

• Am I ready to take on the responsibility of caring for him for fourteen years, in the case of dogs, or twenty in the case of cats?
• Do I have enough money to take care of him/her properly: vaccines, food, veterinary care, among other unplanned expenses?
• Do I have enough space in my home to have a pet?
• Do I have enough time to protect him?
• In my family, is everyone okay with having a pet?
• Why or what do I want it for: company, I don't know what else to give my son because it's trendy?

If you've made the decision, the next step is to define what type of pet is best for you. For example: if you enjoy exercising, doing outdoor activities and have plenty of space at home, your ideal pet is a dog. If you're more of a sedentary type and are at work all day, you'll find a cat to be the right companion.

If you are ready to have a pet, keep these recommendations in mind so that both you and this new companion have a very good coexistence:

My house, my territory

From the moment your new pet arrives, give it space to enjoy its new territory: an animal that is happy in its environment has a lower risk of developing behavioural problems. However, it is very important to set limits and educate.

Good nutrition, good health

Whatever you invest in food, you will save on veterinary expenses. New trends in care lean towards natural feeding; that is, meat for dogs and cats; seeds for hamsters and mice; and vegetables for rabbits and ruminants. If you definitely want to continue along the line of concentrates, choose the best quality ones.

Hygiene is health for your pet and your family

If you have a cat, you should only bathe it if it is covered in mud or sticky, as they clean themselves and distribute oils and substances on their body that repel fungi, bacteria and protect their skin.

If you have a dog, give it baths regularly, as when you go outside, your dog can pick up unwanted material on its paws or fur.

It is important that your pet's hygiene routine includes nail trimming and brushing to keep their fur clean and shiny. In addition, you should provide oral prophylaxis at least once a year.

Vaccines, dewormers and flea repellents

As with children, follow the vaccination schedules recommended for each species. It is the responsibility of the caregiver, both towards their furry friend and towards the community. Fleas, ticks and parasites are transmitters of diseases.

Internal and external dewormers are applied regularly, as larger bug populations make them harder to control. Keep in mind: for every flea you find on your pet, there are ten more in its environment.

A life worth living

A bored pet may become grumpy or depressed. Dogs need exercise, walking, and exploring their surroundings. So if you can't take your dog for a walk, find someone else who can. When choosing a dog walker, ask your family or friends if they have any recommendations. When you take your dog out for a walk, see if he is happy and shows signs of affection for the dog walker. If so, then this is the right person for you.

In the case of cats, although they don't need someone to take them outside, they do need to be entertained: a window to look out, a space where they can sunbathe, toys with which they can pretend to hunt and a caregiver who spends some time playing with them. Hamsters and mice also need exercise on a rotating wheel that you can put inside their box.

Never mistreat them

Hitting does not educate or change behavior. Just like in humans, it creates fear, can turn your pet into an aggressive animal, and breaks the bond of affection between the animal and its caregiver. Much more can be achieved with so-called “positive reinforcements,” such as rewarding behaviors that we like.

To the vet when your pet needs it

A health problem that is treated in time can prevent a lot of suffering for your pet and great expense for you. Keep in mind that cats do not complain and, often, the disease is only detected when it is very advanced. If your cat stops eating, does not groom itself, hides or isolates itself, it is best to take it to the vet.

If your dog does not want to go for a walk, has a downcast head, does not want to eat, has vomiting, diarrhea or problems with his bowel movements, it is also important to have him examined by a specialist.

Your responsibility to pets and others

When you take on the responsibility of owning a pet, you also take on responsibilities towards the community in which you live. To avoid problems and have a good coexistence, remember:

• Take your pet out on a leash to avoid confrontations with other dogs, risk from vehicles or an attack on someone they consider “unwanted.”
• If your dog tends to bite, take him out for a walk with a muzzle appropriate for his size and build.
• Pick up after your dog.
• Avoid leaving your dog alone at home for long periods of time. They resent being left alone, they suffer and their howling makes the whole neighbourhood uncomfortable.
• Spay your cat. When she is in heat, it can be a nightly torture for an entire neighborhood.

• Civil liability to cover damages to third parties in the event of an attack, bite, material damage to gardens, windows, among others.
• Veterinary and medication expenses.
• If your pet is lost, stolen or disappears, we can help you find it, for example by placing an advertisement in the newspapers.
• Funeral or euthanasia expenses, if diagnosed by your veterinarian.

• Grooming, bathing, dog walking and home delivery of medicines.
• Transporting your pet in cases of emergency.
• Daycare, in case of hospitalization or travel of the owner.
• Pet vaccination reports.
• Sterilization.
• Anti-flea pipette.
• Dental emergency.
• Nutritional guidance.
• Psychological guidance for the owner in the event of the death of their pet.
• Reinforcement of the hexavalent and anti-rabies regimen every year.

The content is part of the magazine 5 Sentidos and was produced by: Sandra Saldarriaga Álvarez, veterinary communicator at Interespecies. María del Pilar Begué Hoyos, analyst at Soluciones Patrimoniales Seguros SURA.