I’m sure we’d all like to believe we’re responsible pet parents, but what exactly does this term mean? Certainly, being a responsible pet parent means giving your fur pal the time and commitment he or she needs to grow into a happy and healthy adult.

It also means going the extra mile to educate yourself on your pet’s nutritional and physical needs—as well as discovering your local council’s rules and regulations when it comes to pets. As an awesome pet owner, you also have a responsibility to others— such as your neighbours and the local wildlife.

Indeed, there are lots of balls to juggle when being a responsible pet parent. Find out if you’re a dependable dog owner or a conscientious cat owner.

QUIZ: Are you a responsible pet parent?

Take our quiz to see how you rate when it comes to being a responsible pet parent. Simply answer YES or NO to the questions below. Tally up your score and find out how you rank. Easy!

1. Does your pet behave well around other animals and people?

YES | NO

As a pet owner, it’s your responsibility to socialise your animal. This is super important for helping your puppy or kitten grow into a happy, friendly and well-adapted pet. Socialisation is also essential to help keep your pet safe, as it’s less likely to get into fights with other animals.

2. Does your pet know basic commands?

YES | NO

Cats and dogs can learn all manner of different training commands. However, teaching your pet basic commands to keep them safe is vital. For example, your cat should be taught a simple command that will see him return home at curfew. It might be coming to his name or returning when he hears his bowl being tapped.

For dogs, it’s essential they respond to basic commands such as sit, come, stop or stay. These commands help ensure the safety of your dog and those around him.

3. Do you have pet insurance?

YES | NO

Sure, just because you don’t have pet insurance this doesn’t make you an irresponsible pet owner. Yet, by having insurance you can plan for the future; it means you are thinking ahead about the health and wellbeing of your furry friend. It also means that should your pet become injured or sick you are able to get him or her the best treatment, rather than the only treatment you can afford at the time.

4. Do you allow your pet to jump up on others?

YES | NO

We all know we shouldn’t encourage our pets to jump up, but sometimes they’re just too cute to tell off. However, allowing pets to jump up on people can be dangerous — for your pet and the person involved.

Just imagine your dog jumped up on a little girl at the local dog park; I’m sure her parent would be less than happy! Likewise, if an animal jumps on a frail or senior person, they can become seriously injured.

As a responsible pet parent, it’s important to teach your pet not to jump up on people and to reward all four paws on the floor!

5. Do you give your pet scraps from your plate or allow them to sit under your table while you eat?

YES | NO

Feeding your dog or cat from your plate is a bad idea. Firstly, some human foods are toxic to dogs. Secondly, feeding pets from the table can encourage bad behaviour. And lastly, feeding your cat or dog scraps can lead to weight gain.

6. Does your pet get daily activity/exercise time?

YES | NO

Just like some form of daily activity is important for us humans, it’s also essential for our fur babies. Daily exercise reduces boredom (and the associated bad behaviour). It also strengthens your pet’s muscles and helps keep your four-legged friend healthy. It’s important to find out how much exercise your dog needs, based on its breed, age and health status.

7. Do you ensure your pet enjoys a healthy, nutritious diet?

YES | NO

Food and health are intrinsically linked. Feeding your pet a high-quality, nutritious diet will help ensure your pet receives all the nutrients it needs to live a long and healthy life. Thus, as a responsible pet parent, it is up to you to make good food choices for your barking buddy and purring pal.

8. Does your pet have an identification tag?

YES | NO

Ensuring your pet is wearing an ID tag means that if your pet gets lost, the person who finds them can easily reunite you and your fur pal. Of course, it’s the job of a responsible pet parent to also ensure the information on your pet’s ID tag is up to date.

How did you rate?

So, how did you score in our responsible pet parent quiz? If you answered yes to most questions then you are indeed a great pet owner. Well done you!

If you answered mostly no, then you may need to make a few changes to ensure your pet receives the care and training it needs to live a happy and healthy life.

Indeed, if you couldn’t easily answer yes or no, and ‘sometimes’ was your typical response then you’re heading in the right direction. Keep up the good work and perhaps spend a little extra time reading up on how to be a responsible pet owner.

Ultimately, it’s important to recognise that pets bring a lot of pleasure, but they also bring responsibility. Our meowing mates and barking buddies rely on us to do the best by them. It’s our job to keep them safe and to ensure their health as best we can.