30 Things Pet Owners Should Know, According To Vets

PDSA Vet Claire went into detail with us about getting pets used to being handled. She drew attention to the fact that some animals will naturally be scared of people picking them up.

“Some pets, including rabbits and guinea pigs, are naturally prey species which means they will be nervous of larger animals such as us humans!” she warned. “They will generally not enjoy being picked up high in the air, so try sitting on the floor with them in a secure area or in their enclosure, where they can choose to come to you. As they become more comfortable with you, you can groom them, or even carefully lift them onto your lap. Children should always be supervised when with animals.”

However, when it comes to larger animals, it’s best to help them get accustomed to being handled, touched, and groomed from a young age. It’s a great way to bond with them. What’s more, you can slowly make them get comfortable with being looked at by a vet.

“When you go to the vet, a check-up may include the vet or nurse looking at your pet’s ears, mouth, and feeling over their body for lumps and bumps—if they are used to being touched in these areas, it will be a less stressful experience for them,” Claire told us.

According to the PDSA, the “most important thing owners can do to improve their pets’ lives is to make sure they are meeting all their welfare needs correctly.” There are five needs that we as owners need to meet for our companions like cats and dogs, and these include environment, diet, behavior, companionship, and health.

“All pets should have the right environment with warm and comfy spaces to rest, exercise, and play. They also need areas where they can behave naturally. For example, cats like to have some higher spaces where they climb and can look down on us, and areas to scratch. Rabbits will need a large space with room to lie down, stretch, stand on their back legs, and areas to hop around and dig. Smaller animals like hamsters and gerbils will also have their own requirements including space and materials to burrow and nest,” PDSA Vet Claire shared with us.

What’s more, she stressed the fact that we, as owners, need to protect our animal buddies from pain, injury, suffering, and disease. “Preventive care will help to keep pets healthy, including vaccinations and treatments against parasites like fleas. If a pet gets ill or becomes injured they should receive prompt veterinary care. And don’t forget about their dental health!” she said. Meanwhile, here is a useful video on how to brush your dog’s teeth.

Earlier, Bored Panda spoke about the health of our pets with Dr. Ernie Ward, the founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. He said that vets overwhelmingly agree that obesity is the biggest health threat to dogs and cats.

“Dogs suffering from obesity have a much greater risk of developing arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. Studies also show that dogs with obesity live about 2.5 years less than those at a healthy weight,” he told us.

“More recent research proves that overweight or dogs with obesity have a lower quality of life, as reported by their pet parents. To put it bluntly, the fact is that dogs with obesity aren't able to live and enjoy their best lives, and we must do better,” Dr. Ward said.

“When people ask me if it's better for a dog or cat to have obesity, I tell them ‘neither.’ Obesity is a disease and, as a veterinarian, I swore an oath to prevent animal disease and suffering. My goal is to prevent pet obesity and I've spent the last twenty years researching and teaching nutrition and weight loss methods to committed veterinary professionals and concerned pet parents.”

Dr. Ward noted that we’re very similar to dogs when it comes to our health and weight loss journeys. Humans and dogs are omnivores and benefit from aerobic activities.

“For dogs and humans, the weight-loss equation is about 60% to 70% diet and 30% to 40% physical activity. For cats, a species with different physiology and metabolism, it's about 90% diet and only 10% exercise,” the animal health specialist said.

“The first step toward a healthier weight for your dog is to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They will first determine your dog's Body Condition Score (BCS), establish target weight loss goals and ideal weight, and calculate the number of calories you should feed each day,” he said that some pets may need special diets. Others can get away with a reduction in their caloric intake.

“Your veterinarian will also make sure there isn't an underlying medical condition or disease causing the weight gain and that it's safe to begin an exercise program. In general terms, a dog (and their pet parent) needs about 30 minutes of aerobic activity each day,” he said.

Going for a walk is the best way to get your pet to exercise, according to Dr. Ward. That’s because it’s very quick, efficient, and easily accessible.

“I prefer it to most other exercises because that's what dogs were designed to do best and most naturally. Plus, it's free! When walking, be sure to use a walking harness and not a neck or choke collar to prevent injury to the trachea or windpipe region of the throat and neck,” he said.

According to the expert, dogs can lose from 3 to 5 percent of their body mass each month, safely. However, this has to be a vet-supervised diet and exercise program. “Younger and more active dogs may lose a little more, depending on the amount of exercise the pet parent can provide. The most important thing to do is to monitor the weight each month. If your dog isn't losing the appropriate amount of weight in three months, you need to change the strategy,” he said.

“Weight loss is a dynamic and adaptive process, and dog parents must constantly evaluate what's working or not. The great news is that, unlike cats, most dogs can reach their target weight within six to nine months. Cats can only lose about a half-pound per month, meaning losing four pounds will take about eight months if all goes well.”