Second Chance: Pet Parent Prevention Practices

12 May Second Chance: Pet Parent Prevention Practices

Last week Second Chance Pet covered some common pet parent mistakes but since prevention is the best practice for pet parents to follow, I am going to highlight a few simple things (all relative to dietary considerations) you can do to keep your pet healthy and happy.

It is said that for every dime spent in prevention is a dollar saved in intervention and, as my good friend Yogi always said, “standing up river keeping the kittens from falling in is much easier than being down river pulling them out…”

Sparky

So imagine a bowl of dark chocolate covered almonds sprinkled with sea salt sitting next to you as you read this.  Would you eat one? And then another? And suddenly the bowl is half empty so you figure “ahhhh, may as well polish it off …”  Well that is what happens to your pets if you leave our food bowls full and let us graze at will. And then you have porky pets with health issues. Or, preventatively, simply follow the measured feeding instructions of your veterinarian for your pets.

Now imagine you have a pet bunny and you decide to only feed it hamburger and then wonder why it starts looking unhealthy. Well forcing a cat to be a vegetarian has about the same effect. We cats are obligate carnivores and just because you may decide to become a vegetarian does not mean our bodies can adjust in this manner. Feline bodies depend on particular mea- based nutrients to survive (dogs are not as dependent, but check with your veterinarian before eliminating meat from their diets), so if you want a strict vegetarian household – adopt a bunny.

And then there is the famous myth about giving warm milk to cats as a treat. Well unless you want to be cleaning up vomit and diarrhea off the walls, you’d best not mess with our digestive tracts so. Most cats are actually lactose intolerant and yes, even kittens should not be given the stuff. We are felines, not bovines.

As cats have a low thirst drive, sometimes we don’t drink enough to stay hydrated and that leads to urinary tract disorders. Although you would want to check with your vet on this, most cats benefit from a small amount of wet cat food daily as it typically consists of 78% water (and it tastes so yummy!). Also it is cheaper than installing a water fountain for us to play with  – although they to add a calming element in the home and I do find them enjoyable…

Oh dear, I just realized that I have not yet introduced myself. My name is Pansie. I am a 2 – 3-year-young (I live in the now and have lost track of time) girl with a beautiful, long black coat. I am currently residing in one of our communal cat rooms here at the Shelter as I get along so well with other cats. I pretend to be shy when I first meet people, but quickly warm up with great displays of affection (much more than you would find from a bunny). I am seeking a home with parents who are healt- conscious, loving, and fun to be with.

Pansie

PS – if you are more canine inclined, my pal Sparky is a 6-month-young Griffon mix who arrived at Second Chance as a stray with a mysterious past. Sparky gets along well with other dogs and is very affectionate with people. He is starting to learn his basic obedience, but is still very much a puppy, i.e. his adoptive parents will need to continue his training – but he will make it worth the investment.

(Option: Send Sparky to Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel for training. Ted Hoff  – info below – is a dog whisperer.)

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue. Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

Ted Hoff &  Magnificent Mae

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)