Holiday Pet Tips, Gifts for Pets and Pet Owners
This
information is not meant to be a substitute for veterinary care. Always follow
the instructions provided by your veterinarian.
While it’s easy for us to enjoy household parties with friends and
relatives, don’t overlook pets at this time of year. For the person who
has everything, yet owns a pet, there are plenty of good options out there
for you.
Here are some key suggestions offered by the Community Practice faculty
at Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine that
will make your pet happier, provide you with a few gift ideas and will
help avoid frustration for a gift recipient.
"Don’t purchase a pet on impulse," advises Terri Schneider, a
veterinary clinical instructor at WSU. "Whether it’s for yourself
or a friend, owning a pet is a lifetime commitment, meaning 10-15 years in
most cases," explains Dr. Schneider. "And it can be up to 70 or
80 years if it’s a bird. Pets are not a material item that can be
discarded. They have feelings, too. Many shelters find themselves
overloaded with ‘surprise’ Christmas gifts that become instant
mismatches with people who don’t have the time or environment to care
for the animal."
If someone is considering the purchase of a cat or dog but is uncertain
what breed, purchase a book on breed selection to help them make the right
choice. Activity level, shedding, size, economics (cost of feeding and
veterinary care) and space requirements are just a few of the basic
priorities that should be addressed. Also, a person has to consider their
lifestyle carefully before bringing a pet into their home. Those books
written by respected behaviorists are the best, since these individuals
deal with day-to-day problems, are familiar with the nuances of each breed
and usually don’t contain breed-specific prejudices.
For the responsible pet owner, a veterinary home-care volume is a good
bet. "While it might buy the owner some critical time in the case of
emergencies, a book should never be used for diagnosis," stresses Dr.
Schneider. "In that respect, they can create more problems than they
solve. But they do contain good basic information that can be helpful and
cost-effective in many cases."
If your or a friend’s pet doesn’t have positive identification,
consider a tag or license, microchip or tattoo. Positive pet
identification is the best life-insurance policy you will ever purchase
because they are the key to reuniting a lost pet with its owner.
"Purchase a spay-neuter certificate from a local veterinarian for
an unaltered pet. Not only does this safe and common surgery help reduce
pet overpopulation, it prevents many age-related disorders like ovarian
and prostate cancer from occurring in most animals," says Dr.
Schneider.
Finally, Dr. Schneider also lists several gift ideas for pets, all
oriented toward the animal’s physical health and well-being:
A toothbrush and toothpaste -- for your dog, that is. Regular brushing
will help reduce periodontal problems in cats and dogs. "Veterinary
medicine is beginning to realize more and more the essential role of good
dental health to a pet’s overall health and longevity."
Enzyme-treated rawhides stimulate the gums and help minimize doggie
dental ailments.
Kitty condos are those wooden structures covered in plush carpeting one
sees in pet stores that serve as a haven year-round. They are particularly
well suited for your favorite feline during the holiday season when they
might be trying to escape the rush of visitors.
In the spirit of the season, make certain your pets are well winterized,
says Dr. Schneider. This means having fresh water—not ice—always
available for outdoor animals. This may involve keeping it heated to avoid
freezing or breaking ice and making more frequent changes.
Because a dog’s metabolism speeds up during cold weather to help
maintain warmth, outdoor pets burn up more calories than in the summer.
Hence, add a small amount to its daily diet to compensate for potential
weight loss, taking caution not to increase it too much and fatten your
pooch like many do. "Obesity in companion animals is the number one
medical issue veterinarians have to deal with in otherwise healthy animals
and it is completely preventable," says Dr. Schneider.
Dr. Schneider adds, "Animals can suffer from hypothermia just like
humans. For those living outside, make certain they have warm, dry,
well-insulated shelter faced away from the direction of the most wind and
rain. In these cold 20-and-under-degree nights, they would certainly
appreciate being allowed inside a warmer area like a garage. That could be
the nicest Christmas present they will receive." Blankets, wood
shavings or straw all serve well for insulation so long as they are
cleaned and replaced regularly. Add a door flap and your dog will be
eternally grateful. It does wonders for reducing the wind-chill factor.
"Your favorite horse will benefit from a windbreak and overhead
shelter, too," says Dr. Schneider’s colleague, Dr. Melissa Hines,
who cares for many of the public’s horses that come to WSU’s
veterinary college. "The windbreak is particularly critical, since
wind will chill the animal faster than snow. Clean water needs to be
available at all times without icing over. Lack of proper water
consumption and the resulting dehydration is a major cause of colic in
horses. When a horse doesn’t consume enough water, the feces harden and
impact, presenting a greater risk for colic."
Contact: Charlie Powell, WSU News Bureau, 509/335-7073 or 208/882-1134,
cpowell@vetmed.wsu.edu
December 8, 2000
Washington State University assumes no liability for injury to
you or your pet incurred by following these descriptions or procedures.
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Last Edited: Dec 21, 2007 10:58 AM
