Kristin’s Twitter thread went viral and had nearly 11k likes at the time of writing. One thing that it showed us is that, fortunately, not all health emergencies are as bad as they seem. There’s also a subtle hint there that vets have the patience of saints and the sense of humor of stand-up comedians. What would we do without them?

Bored Panda reached out to the PDSA for some advice on how owners can improve their pets’ lives and what mistakes to avoid doing. PDSA Vet Claire Roberts shared her experience with us.

“All pets should have a suitable diet for their species and also for their age and constant access to fresh clean water. Pets should be the correct weight—not too fat or too thin! Owners can use body condition scores to check their pets are the correct size,” she said that you can check out how this works for your pet over here.

According to the vet, pets need to be allowed to behave in ways that are natural to them. That’s where owners come in: they can help by providing a good environment.

“Allowing plenty of exercise will also help, for example, walks for dogs where they can sniff, run and explore. Cats can be encouraged to exercise and show their normal behaviors through interactive play with toy,” she shared.

“Rabbits and other smaller animals will also like toys or enrichment like cardboard tubes to chew or hide in. Socialization and training from a young age will be helpful in preventing many behavior issues later in life,” Claire told Bored Panda.

The vet noted that when it comes to companionship, a lot depends on what pet you have and their character as an individual, as well.

“Some need the company of their own species (like rabbits or guinea pigs), while others prefer to be on their own.”

“Generally, dogs are likely to want company with other dogs, while cats prefer to be alone, but this can be very individual and it’s best to watch their behavior with each other to see if they get along,” she said.

Claire pointed out that owners have to remember that more pets require more resources. They have to have the means available to take care of all of their furry friends. “When you have multiple pets, make sure to provide them with their own resources such as food bowls, water bowls, beds, and litter trays for cats.”

There’s nothing wrong with loving animals. In fact, it's wonderful. However, we all have to understand that love also means responsibility, not just cuddling pets 24/7. Some folks rush into pethood without thinking things through. And that ends up hurting everyone in the long run.

“One big mistake that pet owners may make is to get their pet without learning what owning them may involve. There is so much to think about to give our companions the best life that we can, so it’s a great idea to plan ahead and do lots of research before getting a pet,” the vet suggested.

“This can allow you to choose the right type of pet that fits in best with your lifestyle, understand their needs, and to make sure you get your pet from a reputable source. Remember to think about which pets are better for households with children or other pets, their exercise requirements, costs, and any likely health issues,” Claire said, adding that you can find a handy quiz to help identify your perfect pet right over here.