Pet Home Health

Many of us have lived through a significant change in how and where our pets live. The last decade shows our pets leaving the barn haystack for family bed comfort. The human animal bond is alive and well as pets all over become integrated into the human pack. Nowadays, we can actually shop or dine with “Fluffy.”

But it’s only been a tiny shred of time since these animals left the jungle or prairie; what a quick change of environment we have asked them to thrive in. You can probably guess the consequences– obesity and boredom are the top two. We (consciously or not) impose our fast- food, sedentary lifestyle on our pets! Currently 54 percent of dogs and cats in the United States are overweight. Boredom, another dilemma, often leads to anxiety and other behavioral problems. These consequences often result in commonly diagnosed diseases such as diabetes, fatty liver disease, anxiety disorders, skin, gastrointestinal to name a few.

Let’s review some health saving suggestions that are being shared by veterinary behaviorist gurus:

1. Food puzzles fight boredom: What’s the best part of the day for a pet….. FEEDING TIME! The way we do it now, mealtime is under two minutes. Cats and dogs alike (not to mention pet birds) can burn more calories and have more fun actually foraging for food. Hide food in dispensed toys, dispense them around the house. Turn every bite into a game.

2. Think vertically: Cats and dogs love looking out the window – if they can get to it! Position a chair, table or shelves under the window. Place a bird feeder outside the window so they can watch TV!

3. Exercise together: We all know that exercise burns calories. Our pets need some kind of movement, depending on temperament and species, every day. Some pet owners can run or ride a bike, most can walk, even those in a wheelchair can get our pets outside to burn more calories. How about throwing a ball or Frisbee? Cats love chasing laser lights, they are a great option for bedridden pet owners.

4. Water: In the wild, cats don’t drink water in the same spot where they feed. Place the water bowl far from the feeding bowl. Add a second bowl. Encourage better hydration by feeding more canned food which has a higher moisture content. Check out the new products that feature running water – cats love these, plus the sound of gently flowing water is an added bonus.

5.. Retreat Space: Don’t forget to provide a quiet place for pets to retreat to. Just like humans, dogs and cats need a break from each other and us. It can be as simple as designating a favorite chair or pet bed. And it’s all theirs. Don’t forget to place the litter box close by!

6. The nose knows: Dogs and cats have super sensitive smell detectors. If you use strong smelling agents, some pets may find them repulsive. Consider changing to odor free cleansers with enzymes that break down and remove the odors rather than covering them up.

Ask us for more ideas!

Dr. Dawn Mehra is a veterinarian at North Idaho Animal Hospital in Sandpoint. www.idahovet.com

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