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Pet New Years Resolutions – part 3

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Image: Pixabay

Pet New Years Resolutions – part 3

Your pets can be healthier and happier in 2024 with some or all of these pawsome pet new year’s resolutions!

A new year brings new goals and more than 300 days of opportunity for you and your pet to bond, develop healthier habits and discover new ways to live a full life. Your pet can live a better tomorrow with your help. An important first step is to avoid becoming overwhelmed thinking you need to make big changes overnight. Baby steps in the right direction are the way to go. The important thing is to make a plan and move steadily forward.

Re-publication: Originally published 18 January 2023

CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT & A SPACE THAT IS ONLY THEIRS

  • Keep toxic substances like medications, cleaning or gardening products, alcohol and toxic plants out of reach.
  • Just because a pet shop or vet sells something, doesn’t make it safe. Buy safe bedding and toys made of natural material without strong smells.
  • Clean their food and water bowls daily. We prefer stainless steel bowls to plastic.
  • Be careful about cleaning products, non-stick pans, air fresheners, or perfumes and candles you use that can affect your pets.
  • Resolve to take the time to safely secure your dog in the car on all car trips, regardless of the length of the journey. Never leave them alone in a car!
  • Start firework preparation before the festivities catch you unprepared.
  • Secure your yard so it is safe and so that pets can’t escape or get poisoned from the street.
  • Keep your cats safe in your yard.
  • Make sure there is proper shelter from all the elements.
  • Have a safe space in your home that belongs to them.

CREATE A PET-FRIENDLY GARDEN

Since our pets spend the most time at home or in the garden, we should do our best to build them safe, entertaining places to rest and play. Make sure all potentially harmful plants or substances are out of reach. Create some nice hiding places and vertical territory for your pets to enjoy and explore. Learn more about zoopharmacognosy, which allows your pet to self-select remedies that best soothe them, especially during periods of anxiety.

OPEN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR PET EMERGENCIES OR GET PET INSURANCE

Be better prepared for the unexpected. This is a healthy habit and can save you a lot of worries later. Pet owners can now choose from a variety of pet insurance plans that meet their needs and fit every budget.

WRITE A BUCKET LIST FOR SENIOR PETS

What do you think your senior pet wants to do before crossing the Rainbow Bridge? You can make the last phase of your pet’s life memorable by compiling and completing a list of activities that will have their tail wagging and your heart soaring. Prepare in advance to navigate the Rainbow Bridge journey and making the tough but kind decision to euthanize your pet.

Pet

Image by The Paw Company

DO SOME COMMUNITY/PHILANTHROPY WORK FOR ANIMALS IN NEED

  • adopt or foster a pet
  • donate to a rescue or shelter
  • donate pet products like beds, towels, bowls, leashes, collars or food
  • volunteer at a shelter
  • say thank you to rescuers (and a vet)
  • take a shelter dog for a walk
  • sign a few petitions to help us save more animals
  • share lost and found animal posts to improve their chances of being reunited with their owners
  • join a specific cause like “stop fireworks”, “say no to the circus” or sterilizations campaigns

BALANCE YOUR MOOD (ENERGY)

Animals can pick up on our energies. We see how sensitive animals are to our emotional state. They get excited when we are or try to comfort you if you are down by climbing on your lap. If you’re continuously agitated or angry when you come home, this could negatively affect your pet’s emotional state. Maybe a good New Year’s resolution idea this year is to learn how to have balanced energy before coming home to see your furry family. Even though a walk might do you good, maybe not attempt it on a day that you are angry or frustrated or not in the mood because you might ruin the experience for your pet.

Keep in mind that barking, humping and digging for example are natural behaviours, but don’t allow your pet to do things if it frustrates you as this will not be good for either of you. There are alternative and healthy ways to deal with such natural behaviours.

FIND A GOOD PET SITTER

Identify what type of pet sitter service you need. Start your search as soon as possible, ask for referrals and interview potential sitters. For us, a big factor (apart from being trustworthy) is someone who has training in pet first aid (behaviour and grooming are a bonus) and who has professional documentation (forms and terms & conditions). List your pet sitter at your vet.

ADOPT DON’T SHOP

If you are planning to get a new pet, please do your homework in advance about the specie and their needs. It is important that the animal and breed you choose fit with your family’s energy levels and lifestyle. Please do not support breeders who fuel this massive overpopulation crisis, so opt to adopt from reputable organizations that include home checks, a contract and sterilization.

Pet

Image by The Paw Company

LIVE KINDER

Only visit True Sanctuaries and say no to those that offer animal rides, interaction, walk with, pet, or taking of photos with the animals.

  • Use your birthday to raise donations for a reputable animal shelter by asking friends and families to donate or let your wedding registry be donations to an animal shelter.
  • Organize a community clean-up because plastic and other trash are harmful to the environment and animals.
  • Support the life in your backyard like the small ecosystems, and animals and insects that live around your home.
  • Say no to pesticides and poisons because poisoning rats and other animals influences the natural food chain.

Choose to wear it kind by buying and wearing clothing ethically. Avoid leather, fur and wool and try sustainable, animal-friendly alternatives because their lives matter! Don’t buy products that are tested on animals. You can find the approved beauty brands on the Humane Guide.

EDUCATE & ADVOCATE

This is one we really want you to help us with! Try and share an educational post about animals regularly to help others learn more about animal care and welfare. Advocate for the voiceless and the unheard, especially about topics like breeding, selling, petting farms, the circus and fireworks.

FINALLY, CREATE A PLAN

Almost done. You have your pet and you have decided to make some pet-positive changes in the new year. You even have some great ideas now for pawsome resolutions. To execute these resolutions though, there needs to be detailed goals and an easy plan to follow every day. It is important to create a plan that you can stick to. Consider asking a friend to check in with and make sure you are keeping to those resolutions. Maybe start a calendar and write down the days and the goals. The most important part…..get excited!

Do you have a New Year’s resolution for your pet? Are you sticking to them?

WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER!

Source: The Bulletin

Senior pet tips

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Tips

Senior pet tips

Handy tips to help your senior pet

  • The following senior-specific tips will repay the loyalty and companionship your pet has shown over the years:
  • Help them reach their food better by raising their bowls off the floor.
  • Give your pet the opportunity for regular exercise to help preserve muscle tone and to keep bones and joints strong. Remember, your senior pet is slowing down, so make sure the exercise is less strenuous – easy relaxed walks are great!
  • Consider using a ramp to help them get into difficult areas, for example the car.
  • Be on the look out for new inventions such as paw gel pads or booties which help provide traction for unstable dogs or slippery floors.
  • Because senior pets are often less active, inspect your pet’s nails on a regular basis and trim them when necessary.
  • Don’t overlook your pet’s dental health. Have your pet’s teeth cleaned by your veterinarian when advised as bad teeth can have serious health consequences for older pets.
  • Keep your pet’s bed in an easily accessible spot. Ensure it’s easy to climb onto, warm and comfortable
  • Give your senior pet a massage! Great relaxation therapy for your pet…and you!
  • Consider using holistic treatments to supplement your pet’s health such as acupuncture – a needling treatment method which uses your pet’s body’s own ability to heal itself.
  • Don’t forget to give your pet plenty of love and attention – the keys to a healthier and more fulfilling life for your best friend!

Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Vet Checkups & Blood Work for Senior Cats

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Vet Checkups & Blood Work for Senior Cats

Although it might be tempting to skip regular trips to the veterinarian when your aging cat appears healthy, however, appearances can sometimes be deceiving. Blood work on your cat needs to be done regularly in order to screen for common diseases in older cats. Here’s why it’s so important to take your older cat to the vet.

Wellness Checks for Senior Cats

Cats age much more rapidly than humans. Although the rate varies somewhat cat to cat, depending on factors such as body weight and lifestyle, generally speaking, a cat is considered middle-aged by the time she’s 6 years old. By the age of 10, cats are considered geriatric. At some point between these ages, typically around 7 years old, cats should begin having biannual senior wellness exams and testing to check for diseases and other health issues that cats are more prone to develop as they age. Getting your senior cat checked and having her blood work done every six months will provide her with the best chance of early detection. This could make treatment easier and more effective in many cases. In some cases, it could even save her life.

Common Diseases in Older Cats

While cats can get sick at any age, there are a number of health conditions that cats become more susceptible as they age. The most common is chronic kidney conditions that affect 3 out of 10 cats, says Pet Health Network. Other conditions common to aging cats include the following:

  • Hyperthyroidism
  • High blood pressure
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Cancer
  • Organ failure
  • Arthritis and other joint issues
  • Feline dementia and other cognitive disorders

Cat Blood Work

Wellness checks for senior cats will typically include comprehensive blood work to test for these common diseases. Typically, this will include a complete blood count to check the number of red and white blood cells as well as platelets. A biochemistry profile will be done to check organ function and detect whether your cat has diabetes. Your vet will also conduct a urinalysis to check kidney function and screen for urinary tract infections, certain types of cancer and other illnesses, and a separate thyroid test to check thyroid function. Your cat may also be given the symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) test to screen for kidney disease. This is a newer test that can detect kidney disease months to years sooner than standard methods of kidney screening, says Pet Health Network. An SDMA test could vastly improve your kitty’s outlook if she’s diagnosed with kidney problems. Check with your vet to see if this test is included in your cat’s routine wellness testing. If not, you might consider requesting it.

Caring for Cats With Health Conditions

If your kitty is diagnosed with a chronic illness, be prepared for her routine care to change. Depending on the condition, she may require more frequent visits to the vet to treat and monitor her condition. In addition to medications, your vet may place her on prescription cat food to help manage her condition. You may also need to make changes to her environment. For example, for an arthritic cat you may need to switch her litter box to one with lower sides so that it is easier for her to climb into, and provide steps up to her favourite sunny spot. Whether or not your older kitty is diagnosed with a health condition, it’s important to keep a sharp eye on your aging cat and report any changes in weight, mood, behaviour, or bathroom habits to your vet. Such changes could be symptoms of illness. Don’t wait until your cat’s next routine checkup to have her checked out by your vet.

Some cats sail through old age with few or even no significant health problems. Still, schedule regular checkups and blood work to help catch diseases early, helping to hopefully lengthen your cat’s lifespan and improve her quality of life as she ages. Please, check with your veterinarian regularly to insure proper care.

Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition