I saw a few people going into the gym this past week, some of
them dedicated to their New Year’s resolution for 2008. They tell
their friends they’ll work out, get in shape and take better care
of their physical health in the New Year.
I saw a few people going into the gym this past week, some of them dedicated to their New Year’s resolution for 2008. They tell their friends they’ll work out, get in shape and take better care of their physical health in the New Year. Whether or not they can stick with it remains to be seen. Resolutions are a good thing but they can be difficult to fulfill.
How about resolving to improve the quality of life for your pets? What can you do to make life better for your furry companions? Here are some suggestions, a few simple tasks that might make a real difference in your dog or cat’s life.
First, forget about that health club membership. Instead, set up an exercise routine for you and your dog. Walks are easy and healthy, and exercise is good for the mind and body. Walking your dog “blows off” some of his pent-up energy and can make him a better-behaved companion. Dogs that are diggers and chewers behave better if they have a regular exercise routine. Heck, if you do enough walking with your dog, you won’t need to drive to that gym.
You might want to think about behavior training classes with your pooch. This is a fun way to spend time together. After all, your dog’s number one goal is to make you happy. He craves that pat on the head, and the sound of your voice telling him what a good boy he is. Behavior training teaches him how to respond to you so that he gets more of these rewards. He’ll be happier and a better behaved companion.
Second on the list, take a tour of your home and look for hazards and escape routes. Maybe that old fence has a few places where your dog could sneak out. Repair it now, before something bad happens. And why not put a lock on that cabinet in the garage where the garden chemicals are stored? Keep all those poisons out of reach of your children and your pets. Do a few little things now that might prevent big problems later on.
Here’s another idea: Put together a first-aid kit for your pet. Look in your favorite pet store for one of these, but plan to add a few things to make it even more useful. At the very least, your pet’s first-aid kit should contain bandaging material, some cotton, an antibiotic ointment, a thermometer and some hydrogen peroxide. If your pet travels with you in the car, pack a small travel kit that can be stored in the trunk.
Proper identification can be a life saver if your cat or dog ever escapes the confines of home. Microchips are a quick and easy way to have peace-of-mind that your buddy is as safe as possible if he gets out on the loose. Microchips ID’s are inexpensive and they help instantly identify a lost pet. If you decide to use collar tags instead, be sure you keep these tags updated every time you change your address or phone number.
And let’s not forget our feline friends here. Is your kitty-cat getting a little chubby? If so, resolve to help him lose a little of that extra girth. First, try putting some catnip on the top of a multiple-level cat tree. Catnip really does make some cats feel silly. It’s safe and inexpensive. And for some kitties, it’s all they need to get them running around, burning off some of those extra calories. Even an inexpensive catnip toy mouse can be helpful.
Cats are healthier if they are brushed regularly. Plan to keep your kitty-cat brushed at least once weekly. And don’t forget. Regular nail-trimming can help eliminate furniture scratching. A weekly pedicure and brush-out can make life so much better for you and your feline friend.
It’s the New Year. Why not try one or two these ideas? I hope you can stick to a few of your resolutions. So make it a good year for your companion pets. Give ’em a hug every day. And do whatever it takes to keep everyone happy and healthy.
Q:
Our vet says we shouldn’t use Ibuprofen when our dog has pain from his arthritis. We’ve used it before and never seen any problems. Why is it a bad drug for dogs?
A:
Ibuprofen is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter pain relievers, including Motrin, Nuprin and Advil. It’s very effective in reducing fever, inflammation and pain in animals and people. But in dogs, there is a very narrow margin of safety. This means that there is a very small difference between an effective dose and a toxic amount. Repeated use can lead to stomach ulceration and even perforation, a very serious complication.
Additionally, some dogs can suffer central nervous system depression, loss of coordination, and even seizures that can be fatal. This is one human drug that should never be given to dogs or cats or any other pets because of its potential serious side effects.
There are so many other NSAID medications available for pets. Ask your veterinarian about those that are safe for use in dogs and your pooch won’t be at risk for other problems.
