The first 4 months of your puppy’s life is the most important time for them to meet many people and see many things. Introduce your puppy to as many types of people, sounds, and situations as you can and they will have less anxiety. Wait until they are fully vaccinated to take them to the dog park or where other dogs are or have been to prevent them from catching diseases.

Providing proper socialization and basic obedience training for your dog will help you and your dog learn to live together with fewer problems and trips to the vet. Training AND careful attention when dogs are around toys and people-food will help avoid the need for emergency surgery. Dogs can eat toys, bones or trash and this can get stuck in their stomach or intestines.

The best way to keep your pet healthy is to develop a relationship with a veterinarian or clinic. Vaccinating, spaying, neutering, microchipping, and regular visits make a big difference in your pet’s health and can avoid expensive trips to the emergency clinic. Vaccinating your pet can prevent costly and/or deadly diseases and should be started by eight weeks of age. Free and low cost vaccination clinics are in every county. Contact your local SPCA for low cost services in your area. A detailed list of resources can be found here.

Spaying your dog and cat is not just for population control, it prevents sickness. When female dogs and cats are not spayed, their uterus can become infected (pyometra) and surgery is the only remedy. Pyometra is painful, life-threatening, and expensive. Neutering male pets prevents disease and roaming behaviors that can lead to accidents. Neutering male cats will often stop them from fighting with other cats, so they're less likely to be injured or catch diseases. It may also stop pets from urinating in the house. Free and low cost spay and neuter clinics can be found throughout the Bay Area.

Walking dogs on a leash will prevent many accidents. Retractable leashes look like they give your dog more freedom but they can actually be harmful - your dog can still chase after a cat or squirrel and get injured.

Microchipping is an identification tag your pet can't lose and can increase the chance that your missing cat or dog will be returned to you. A microchip is inserted under your pet's skin using a needle, similar to a vaccination, and can be done when you vaccinate, spay or neuter your pet.

Lastly, consider purchasing pet insurance when you first get your pet. If your pet is healthy, this should cost between $30-60 a month. Most pet insurances now can cover 80-90% of the bill when your pet gets sick.