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› articles by michael goldberg, dvm
Holiday Season and New Pets The holiday season arrives and gift giving becomes imminent. It is the time of family members getting together and celebrating the holiday. It is also a common time for gift giving to include pets. It is this time of year that most of the veterinary community sees an influx of new pets to the family. This is all fair and good. The problems associated with this behavior are many-fold. Often the gifts of a cute furry pet are a spontaneous one. There are pets at many local pet stores, which tend to capture the hearts of those who are window-shopping. There are also those that at times of holiday and family suggest the time is right for a replacement of a dearly departed loved companion. These common reasons must be weighed properly before the impulse is realized. There are many people who may do this for the right intention but the practicality of the addition to the family may not be right. We must realize that often small children are the target of the gift of a pet and the reality is that they must somehow be cared for properly. This include appropriate exercise, feeding and medical care. Often, there is initial excitement but it is the parents who will befall the entire responsibility of ownership. If this is the case, it must be understood and planned on before the actual purchase or adoption of the new family member. With new pets, there are many recommendations I discuss with the new owners. Firstly, there are the nutritional questions. What is the right choice of food for my new pet? I generally recommend raw feeding or a very high quality commercial preparation, which are not found in the supermarket or the pet mega store due to the cost and the profit margin of the food. There are a great many; specialty stores which have owner operators who are very familiar with proper nutrition and familiar with excellent quality that they will pass on to there customers. Some pets may require vitamin supplements depending on their condition and may require other treatments at the outset in order to maximize their health. Exercise is another aspect that is often overlooked when choosing a new pet. Some need very little and some need a high level of both physical and mental stimulation. Often it is the specific breed that is important as opposed to the size of the animal. An example of this is that a Great Pyrenees which often grow to be over 100 pounds will need less exercise that a Jack Russell terrier who may eventually weigh twenty pounds. Most often people may assume that size matters but specifically is the breed that dictates the requirement. This must be considered when we look at pets to adopt. Once you have decided on which pet you chose to have as a new family member, the question is how to integrate them into the family in the least disruptive manner. Do you want a puppy or a kitten; should you adopt an older pet? There are a number of obvious advantages to having a brand new baby pet in the house, firstly is the fact that there will be a certain bond as a baby with the family and they seldom come with any previous problems which may be the reason that older animals are put up for adoption in the first place. As well, young animals are generally more work and take more supervision as they need both behavior training as well as bathroom training and are more likely to get into mischief. This does not have to be a daunting task and there are very good trainers and books available in order to help you out. Some logical puppy or kitten proofing is often indicated, as they tend to start their lives at the curious "I'll get into anything" stage! An older animal may have preexisting behavior issues or health issues that you may not find out until you have had him/her checked out by your veterinarian. Often though, these are not overly difficult to deal with. Again, a good trainer or your veterinarian may very easily be able to help with these problems. Another important factor is the health issue. Vaccination questions are very frequently encountered in my practice; as are questions as to how to control parasites and generally how to institute treatment. The costs of veterinary care can be daunting to some and there are currently some companies who will insure your pets for homeopathic and naturopathic care as well as conventional care. A new pet is a rewarding and long-term wonderful experience. The unconditional love they add to your household is worth its weight. If you consider the situation carefully, the relationship will forge ahead and be wonderfully worthwhile. Read more Articles by Michael Goldberg, DVM... |
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105 east broadway |
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vancouver animal wellness hospital Michael Goldberg, DVM; Sue Hughson, DVM 105 e. broadway, vancouver, bc v5t 1w1 / phone: 604.738.4664 / fax: 604.738.4694 Hours of Operation: Monday, Thursday & Friday: 9am - 6pm, Tuesday & Wednesday: 9am - 7pm, Saturday: 9am - 5pm © Copyright 2004-2006. vancouver animal wellness hospital. All rights reserved. › Contact Us › Privacy Policy › Sitemap › Home |
