Did you know April 11th is celebrated as National Pet Day around the world? This day is dedicated to acknowledging the joy and happiness our furry friends bring into our lives. We all want to make sure that our pets get the love and attention they deserve as pet owners.
Considering this special occasion, we’ve put together insights to help you take good care of your pets.
Here are 6 simple tips that can help you while looking after your pets.
1. You let your pets eat human food
It’s easy to imagine that healthy food for humans would be a healthy treat for our pets at times. But that’s not true. There are a ton of food items that can be harmful to our pets. Eating foods like raisins, chocolate, avocados, and so on could lead to digestive issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and food poisoning. A study shows that some dogs died after having a handful of raisins[1,2].
2. You don’t deworm your pet
You should consult a vet about regular deworming schedules for your pet. This is important as some parasites such as roundworms are common in dogs and cats, and are a health threat to humans as well. They can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and other serious illnesses[3].
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3. You don’t pay attention to ticks
Don’t forget to check for ticks on your pet regularly, especially after walks outdoors. Tick bites can lead to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, etc. in pets, apart from putting the rest of the family at risk. When you identify a tick on your pet’s skin, try to use tweezers or a plucker to remove it. You may also refer to your vet about tick control methods and medication[3,4].
4. You don’t bother to groom them
Grooming is also an essential part of pet care, but it can be challenging if the pets are anxious. Start slowly and use positive reinforcement to make them comfortable with the process. Trim your pet’s nails regularly to avoid any nail disease or mobility issues. Brush their teeth to prevent any dental disease. Brush their fur regularly to help prevent matting and remove dead hair[5].
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5. You never exercise much with them
Just like humans, keeping pets at a healthy weight lowers their risk of chronic conditions diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory disease, kidney disease, etc. Some breeds can be prone to obesity without exercise, thereby increasing the chances of joint issues and respiratory problems. It’s recommended that pets get at least 30 minutes of exercise or playtime per day[6,7]. However, depending on the breed and size of your pet, the appropriate amount of exercise or playtime may vary. Additionally, jogging in the park with your pet can get you both in shape together.
6. You don’t spend time with your pets
Leaving pets alone for extended periods can develop separation anxiety in them, which leads to destructive habits such as attention-seeking, demanding, digging, and chewing[7,8]. Instead of leaving them alone in a crate or outdoors, consider choosing a daycare for pets, getting another pet companion, or a mid-day visit from a pet sitter, etc.
Final takeaway
On this National Pet Day, let us revisit how important our pets are to us. Having a pet is a privilege and every privilege comes with duties. Since our pets are unable to speak for themselves, it is our duty to provide the right assistance and resources they require to lead happy, healthy lives.
(The article is reviewed by Dr. Swati Mishra, Medical Editor)
References
1. N M Sutton 1, N Bates, A Campbell. Factors influencing outcome of Vitis vinifera (grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas) intoxication in dogs. Vet Rec 2009 Apr 4;164(14):430-1. doi: 10.1136/vr.164.14.430. Available online: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19346542/
2. Natália Kovalkovičová, Irena Šutiaková, Juraj Pistl etal. Some food toxic for pets. Interdiscip Toxicol. 2009 Sep; 2(3): 169–176. Available online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2984110/
3. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Keeping Pets and People Healthy. Available online:https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/keeping-pets-and-people-healthy/index.html
The Anti-Cruelty Society. Dog, Cat & Small Animal Care. Available online:
https://anticruelty.org/pet-library/canine-distemper
4. Shelby E. McDonald, Jessica Sweeney, Laura Niestat et al. Grooming-Related Concerns Among Companion Animals: Preliminary Data on an Overlooked Topic and Considerations for Animals’ Access to Health-Related Services. Front Vet Sci. 2022; 9: 827348. Available online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8907591/
5. Jesus Soares, Jacqueline N. Epping, Chantelle J. Owens et al. Odds of Getting Adequate Physical Activity by Dog Walking. J Phys Act Health. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2016 Jun 16. Available online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4535333/
6. Giacomo Riggio,Carmen Borrelli,Patrizia Piotti et al. Cat–Owner Relationship and Cat Behaviour: Effects of the COVID-19 Confinement and Implications for Feline Management Available online:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9324668/
7. Naomi D. Harvey, Robert M. Christley, Kassandra Giragosian et al. Impact of Changes in Time Left Alone on Separation-Related Behaviour in UK Pet Dogs. Animals (Basel). 2022 Feb; 12(4): 482. Available online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8868415/