May is National Pet Month and to share some petcare tips, here is a piece from guest blogger, Neil Brogan, from Life With Dogs.

With Mother’s Day right behind us and Father’s Day just around the corner, spring is the perfect time to celebrate the parents in our lives. While there are all different types of parents out there, we all want the same for our little ones, even the four-legged type, to keep them healthy, happy and safe. To help celebrate May as National Pet Month, I have a few tips that will help both new and veteran pet parents do just that.

• Say it with love. New to pet parenting? Patience, love and a kind, yet firm tone reassures your pet that he is safe and can count on you. Similar to potty training children, training pets requires a lot of patience and consistent, positive reinforcements.

• Get regular check-ups. Just like with babies and children, it is important to take your pets in for regular check-ups. Schedule wellness visits at the vet to help keep Fido healthy and pest-free. Avoid bringing your pet to dog parks or other pet-social places until your little one is fully vaccinated.

• Make time for play time. Schedule some quality time with your pet each day. Run outside or play fetch to give him the physical and mental exercise he needs. This is a great time for you to de-stress, and an opportunity for you and your pet to bond.

• Mark the territory. Make sure your pet feels that the feeding area is his personal space.  Keep it away from the litter box and the trash and always make sure it is clean. To help kill potentially harmful bacteria, sanitize your pet’s food and water bowls by washing them with a mild detergent, rinsing well, and filling the bowls with a solution of 1 tablespoon of Clorox® Regular Bleach per gallon of water. Let stand two minutes, drain and air dry.

• Share your love. If you’re not a pet parent now, I encourage you to consider becoming one. Every community has a shelter with pets in need of a warm home. You’ll be surprised how quickly those puppy dog eyes can melt your heart.