Is Your Pet Thriving?

Animals are truly amazing. They provide us with unconditional love, companionship, emotional support, and they never expect anything in return. Which is why we owe them the best lives possible.

Animals are living, breathing beings that are deserving of all basic necessities and it is our responsibility to ensure that they are getting the daily requirements to not only survive, but to thrive.

I have worked in the animal care industry since 2017 and have graduated from the Animal Care program at Sheridan College. Animal ethics and welfare is of great importance to me and I would like to share with you, what I feel are the bare essentials that pet owners should be willing to provide their pet.

Know Your Breed

This goes for both dogs and cats. In specific regard to dogs, each breed has been bred to preform a certain job or task, therefore different breeds have different drives, energy levels, and behaviours. Being knowledgeable on your pet's breed will not only help you better understand your pet's behaviour, but it can be a great tool in learning how to train them.

Routine Vet Visits

Animals cannot verbally communicate their problems to us, therefore illnesses can be difficult to detect. It is imperative that pet owners take regular trips to the vet, as routine physical exams and vaccinations help ensure that our pets are staying happy and healthy. It's also a great opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your pet.

Unfortunately, many cat owners avoid regular vet visits, as it can be an extremely stressful experience for the animal and it can be difficult getting cats into their carriers. However, cats use hiding their pain and illnesses as a natural defense against predators, which is why it is crucial that they see their vet regularly.

Vaccines & Protection Against Endo/Ectoparasites

Staying up to date with your pet's vaccinations is essential. Animals that remain unvaccinated are susceptible to potentially deadly viruses and illnesses like rabies and distemper, which can be transmitted by coming into contact with infected animals.

Protecting your pet against internal and external parasites is just as important. Parasites like heartworm, tapeworm, tics and mites could pose serious health risks to your pet, so using preventative medication not only keeps your pet safe, but it highly reduces the chances of your pet transmitting these parasites to you. Thankfully, only certain parasites are considered zoonotic (disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans).

Spaying & Neutering

I advocate spaying and neutering for many reasons. It not only eliminates your pet's chances of experiencing certain serious health issues like ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, pyometra, and testicular cancer, but may have a positive effect on their behaviour as well (especially in male cats).

Many veterinarians suggest spaying and neutering dogs at around six months of age. However, recent studies have suggested that waiting until a dog is fully developed may have a more positive impact on their overall health.

Many animal shelters are at full capacity and the sad reality is that hundreds of healthy animals are being euthanized everyday to make space for newcomers. There are so many animals in need of a good home and pets having unexpected litters is a major contributor to overpopulation.

High Quality Pet Food

Choosing a high quality food is extremely important for your pet's overall health. It usually has a higher nutrient content and is less likely to  contain harmful fillers and preservatives. This will improve the way pet looks, feels, and functions, and will help to prevent serious health issues later in life.

Raw diets have also become a popular choice for pet owners. Feeding your pet raw food can be a great alternative to kibble, however I only recommend going this route if you can ensure that your pet will recieve the correct balance of nutrients.

Regardless of how you choose to go about feeding your pet, I highly recommend doing your research on different pet food brands beforehand.

Be Aware of Toxic Foods, Plants & Products

Pet parents should always be aware of foods, plants, and products that could be potentially dangerous to their pets.

It's pretty common knowledge that chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats, but what many people don't realize is that foods like grapes, raisins, and xylitol (natural sweetener) can be just as fatal. If you're ever unsure, either look it up online or withhold feeding the item to your pet. Avoid sharing meal leftovers with your pet as well, as they may contain ingredients that are toxic or indigestible.

When buying house plants, be mindful of which plants could be toxic or poisonous to your pet, especially if you have a puppy or cat in the home. A few common house plants that dogs and cats should never have access to are lilies (which cause kidney failure in cats), poinsettias, monsteras, ivys, and aloe.

Lastly, pet owners should seek out products that are labeled as pet-friendly, such as cleaning supplies and candles. Products that are not pet-friendly may cause symptoms like vomiting and drooling, and could have negative effects on your pet's oveall health.

Exercise & Enrichment

Animals not only need enough daily exercise, but they need a lot of mental and physical stimulation. Giving your pet toys and activities that present a challenge will keep their mind active and healthy. It helps curb boredom, lower stress levels, and reduce unwanted behaviours. Silicone lick mats and puzzle feeders are examples of great enrichment tools, and activities like hide-and-seek and learning new tricks are not only great for stimulation, but they are also opportunities to bond with your pet.

Training

Finding resources to train your animal can be overwhelming. There are many different types of specialized training, such as obedience, behavioural, and socialization, and every trainer has their own approach to dealing with animal behaviour. However, making sure your pet recieves proper training is crucial in ensuring that they are confident and secure in their environment. This, in turn, will help reduce fear, anxiety, stress, and unwanted behaviours.

You will need to decide whether you are going to contact a professional trainer, or do the training yourself. If you cannot afford a trainer, there are tons of resources available online and there are lots of reputable trainers on social media that are willing to share their insight. Regardless of how you choose to approach training your pet, it requires a lot of personal involvement and should be as much of a learning experience for you, as it is for your pet.

Unfortunately, animals with serious behavioural issues will likely need guidance from a professional trainer.

Grooming

Lastly, we will get into grooming. Grooming your pet is essential for their overall well-being. It entails bathing, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing.

Brushing your pet's coat should be apart of your regular routine, especially if their coat is long or thick. It helps prevent painful matting, controls shedding, and distributes the skin's natural oils, which promotes a healthy coat. If your pet has a continuously growing coat, and you would like to keep it short, I recommend having a professional groomer trim their coat for you.

If possible, tooth brushing should be done daily to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Some animals are more likely to tolerate dental wipes, as they are softer and less invasive, however they are not as effective at reaching smaller spaces as a toothbrush.

Understandably, a lot of pet owners are not comfortable trimming their pet's nails in fear of hurting them, and that's totally fine. However, it does need to be done regularly, so if you are unable to do it yourself, consider booking an appointment with a groomer or your veterinarian.

With specific regard to trimming cat's nails, it not only helps protect you and your furniture from unwanted scratches, but it prevents overgrowth of the nails themselves. When a cat's nails are overgrown, they begin to curl under and grow into the paw pad. This is not only extremely painful, but will likely lead to infection. Some cat owners prefer not to cut their cat's nails, as they are used for self defence and for climbing. However, if you choose to take this route, just be sure to check for nail overgrowth regularly. I, personally feel that both are acceptable options. Declawing your cat is not.

If your pet is unaccepting of nail trims, desensitizing them to paw handling as early and often as possible will help decrease their stress and anxiety during the procedure.

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Always remember that animals have less time on this planet than we do, and they deserve to enjoy their lives as much as possible while they're here.

I hope you found this article helpful and that you're able to share this information with fellow pet parents. Thanks so much for reading ♡