Tips for adopting an adult pet
Recently, I have been fortunate enough to rescue a llaso apso/cocker spaniel that is about 3 1/2 years old. Because she is not a puppy, they were immediately going to put her down I was told, which broke my heart. So, obviously, I whisked her away from her horrible living situation and she has been living with me for a week now. She is just happy as a clam! But, just like getting a puppy or kitten, adult pets do require a different kind of upkeep.
First things first, check the teeth! Ruby has pretty bad dental calculus, she will definately require a dental from my vet. If I choose not to take care of this serious issue, the tarter would continue to build up and the pet would be swallowing bacteria on a regular basis, which weakens the immune system. So! Get the dental. While they are under, see if they need their nails clipped-its much easier to do that while they are under anesthesia.
Also, is the pet overweight? The older they get, the easier it is for them to pack on weight- especially if they are with an owner who can’t walk them because of an ailment, etc. This was Ruby’s situation, she was a therapeutic pet for a very sick owner who recently passed. Because of this, she is about 3 pounds overweight tops, maybe a little less. I know she hasn’t been taken on a walk in a couple of years, but she is so excited every day when I take her! She is such a gift.
Now, what about flea control? I have no way of knowing if Ruby was ever given any, and its better to be safe than sorry. I also wanted to change her food, because the previous owner fed a food that wasn’t very healthy. To change the food, make sure to do this over a period of a few days, slowly introducing the new food with the old food to avoid stomach upset in your pet. Also, if you have a vet history (which I really recommend trying to get your hands on) you need to check to make sure the pet has been spayed or neutered, because if they aren’t, thats your job!! And you thought getting a puppy was work!!
I hope these tips have helped you…I know they are helping Ruby! She is such a wonderful addition to our home. Since foreclosure pets is such a serious issue, people will be rescuing older pets, just like me. This should be enough to get you started- make sure to see your vet as soon as possible!
Grooming for health!
Everybody knows, you have to look good to feel good!! This definately goes for your pet! Maintaining your pets health is imperative, and by doing so you ensure that your other pets as well as your home are healthy and clean. Keeping up with flea control is also a large part of your pets health regimen- and regular grooming should go hand in hand with it. You want to make sure that you are feeding healthy food as well, so that everything that goes inside your furry friend is as healthy as everything you do on the outside! Oatmeal based shampoo seems to have the most success with pets, it tends to calm the skin and avoids irritation. So if you feel that paying the groomer is too much for you with prices of everything else going up, you can do it yourself, and your pet will be just as happy and healthy! And don’t forget, lets brush those teeth! Make sure you are using pet friendly toothpaste, this will ensure that your pet is smiling and tarter free. It just takes a little extra time, but you can have your pet shining sooner than you know it.
Avoiding sun burns
If your pet is in the sun with you, and has light hair, or even bald spots-depending on the breed, you should really consider using sunblock! Its not just for people anymore, and pets DO get sunburned. If you are taking your furry friend to the lake, look into getting some sunblock that is safe for your pet! There are brands out there available, make sure to check with your vet because you definitely don’t want your pet to have a skin reaction to the sunscreen. Even on these cloudy/hazy days, its important to remember sunscreen!
Training helps curb problem behaviors!
Well, if your going to have a pet, don’t you think both of you should be happy about it?!! Its not all one sided!! Anyone can see a happy dog. And a dog that exercises with its owner is much less likely to have behavior problems. Maybe its the one on one attention they get from their best pal, the one with the treats! Or maybe its because they are just too pooped from all of that fun exercising they’ve been doing- but while they are laying down tired, they AREN’T getting into the garbage, or into your food, etc. Another benefit is that these activities can be a big energizing boost for owners and their dogs. I always have a smile on my face when I walk a pet. What else is more simple, and yields such great results?:D
No smoking allowed!!
As a vet technician, I ended up seeing quite a lot of pets suffering from the effects of secondhand smoke. These pets lived in a smoking household, and x-rays would often show that the pet had cancer in the nose or throat areas, and short nosed dogs tended to suffer more from lung cancer. Lets keep this in mind folks: Your pets DON’T smoke!! In order to protect your pet, if you aren’t going to quit and protect yourself, you should have a specific area to smoke, preferably outdoors. Trust me guys, there is nothing worse than a pet suffering needlessly.
