Is it even possible to love them too much?  We delved deeper into this emotion and found some very interesting outcomes.  Read on...!

As pet owners, we want what is best for our pets. After all, they are valuable members of the household, however, sometimes we are causing more harm than good without realizing it. Can you love your pet too much? There is a fine line between loving or smothering our pets. There is nothing wrong with loving your animals, but at the end of the day, we must still remember that they are animals and not humans.

Just like our children, animals need rules and routing. For them to live a fulfilling life, they need boundaries. For instance, dogs without boundaries develop negative behaviours like becoming demanding, aggressive, or possessive over things and their humans. This sort of behaviour can spiral beyond your control to the point where it becomes impossible to control him. Many animals end up at shelters as a result of owners not wanting them anymore.

It is essential not to overlook or reward behaviours that will become a problem. Wrong behaviour must be corrected appropriately. Loving a pet means developing a healthy relationship between yourself and your pet. A relationship with a foundation of mutual trust and respect. A dog sees you as his pack leader, therefore it is up to you to teach him what is right or wrong.

Love Your Pet Too Much – Pet Owner Behaviours That Could Negatively Impact Your Animal

Pets Should Not Eat Human Foods

By feeding your pet from the table, you’re not only cultivating bad behaviour, but you might be making them seriously ill. Human foods contain toxins that their bodies cannot digest properly. Our foods are also fatty and rich and do not provide them with the same nutritional value as specially formulated animal foods. Many pet owners give their dogs chocolate or sweets that they love. However, chocolate is a dangerous treat that should not be given to animals, especially certain cat and dog breeds.

Pets Should Get Some Exercise

Just like us, pets need exercise to stay healthy. It is essential to ensure they get some form of activity. Even if it is just walking around the block a few times during the week or playing ball in the backyard. Inactivity can lead to a weakened heart and obesity in animals.

Over Feeding Your Pet

Some pet owners sometimes love their pets so much that they are worried they might be overfeeding their pets out of fear of them staying hungry or starved. Every time a dog bows or a cat meows does not necessarily signals they are hungry. Some pet owners use food as a sign of love, which is completely understandable, but not recommended. As pet owners, it is our duty to feed our animals to ensure they get the necessary nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. However, overfeeding can have some dire health consequences.

• Diabetes
• Short life span
• Skin issues
• Arthritis
• Worsened fatigue
• Respiratory issues
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating and gas
• Liver disease in cats
• Increased anesthetic risk

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Keep sweets and other snacks in tightly sealed containers where pets cannot access it. Never leave food in the open as a welcome invitation for pets to snack on. Also be mindful about giving bones to dogs, in particular chicken bones that can result in severe internal injuries. Rather buy him appropriate rubber toys to chew on which is a safer option.

Try To Maintain Constructive Reinforcement

Animals react to the sound of your voice. While it's sometimes difficult to fight the urge to yell at them, you might be reinforcing bad behaviour without realizing it. Positive reinforcement is key here and you will thank yourself in the long run.

Don’t Forget Annual Health Check-Ups

Some pet owners neglect to take their pets for annual check-ups to the vet because they know their pets don’t like it or out of fear that it might cause them some pain. However, taking your pets for their annual health check-ups is essential. Most health conditions can be managed and treated when caught in the beginning before they become serious.

Conclusion

We hope you’ve found this post about “Can you love your pet too much” insightful. We know that you love your pets and only want the very best for them. We don’t judge – we’re pet owners too. There are plenty of ways how you can show your affection in a positive way. One of the best things you can do is by keeping them healthy and free from illness. Always keep in mind that animals are not human and what may be good for us is not necessarily good for them. There is nothing wrong with loving your animals, but try to remember that some behaviours are not allowed and you’re not doing yourself or them any favours by rewarding bad behaviour.