When Adopting, Don’t Forget That Senior Pets Make Great Family Members, Too
Thanksgiving Is a Time to Give Thanks to Your Pets
What You Should Do If Your Pet Ingests a Foreign Object
When Adopting, Don’t Forget That Senior Pets Make Great Family Members, Too
So many people seem to want puppies and kittens. There’s no doubt that they are cute and cuddly. However, senior pets are adorable as well. They have their own way about them. They are lovable and need a great forever home. Overlooked by many who want the younger pets, seniors make great companions who are forever grateful. And there’s no better time to adopt a senior than during November, which is National Adopt a Senior Pet Month.
According to the article, “November Is Senior Pet Month: Consider Adopting an Older Pet,” at the ASPCA website, “Animal shelters across the country are full of animals of all shapes, sizes, breeds and ages, but senior pets are typically the most difficult to place.”
Older pets typically spend more time at shelters and rescues being passed over for younger pets while waiting for homes, “if they find one at all, that is,” according to an article at DogTime. Additionally, the euthanasia rates for those older cats and dogs are higher than for younger cats and dogs.
One of the many great things about adopting an older pet is that there are basically fewer surprises. According to the ASPCA article, many of these dogs and cats are already trained, fully grown, and “their personalities have developed.” Even though they may seem more set in their ways, “that doesn’t mean you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!” the article said. “In our experience, senior dogs are often easier to train than puppies due to their calm demeanor and prior interactions with human companions.”
Older pets are also great family companions for seniors and those who are at a point where they are less active. Seniors oftentimes dote on their senior furry family members, making senior pets feel especially welcome in their new home.
Thanksgiving Is a Time to Give Thanks to Your Pets
We love our pets. They make us laugh, give us purpose, cheer us up when we are down, and keep us active and playful. There are so many things to be thankful for during this Thanksgiving, so make sure to give thanks to your pet, too.
According to The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) in its article, “What Are Your Pet’s Plans for Thanksgiving?” one of the most important things we can do for our canines and felines during the holiday is to keep them safe and healthy. “It’s all too easy for dinner guests to accidentally leave a door open and allow an escape,” the article said. “And your uncle’s goodhearted desire to slip a few leftovers to your dog under the table can actually be dangerous.”
We would never want our pets to become lost and be out alone and scared, or fall ill due to ingesting dangerous foods that bring them to the emergency clinic. Be prepared with the HSUS list of foods your pets should avoid.
Here are some ways to give thanks to your pets:
- Keep your pets in a safe, calm place if you are expecting company. Your pets may get stressed out, so ensure they have their own calm area to hang out.
- Have natural, safe treats on hand and keep your pets away from leftovers that can cause harm.
- Enusre you make time for them during the hustle and bustle of the holiday. Take them on a walk or enjoy extra playtime just for them.
Our pets give us so much joy and make us feel special while they are always excited to see and be with us. Let’s show them some extra love in return this Thanksgiving.
What You Should Do If Your Pet Ingests a Foreign Object
From rocks and socks to clothes and paper for dogs and thread and rodents for cats, some pets want to eat anything and everything they can get their little paws on! Some just seem to be vacuum cleaners who will suck up anything that comes their way. What if that something poses a danger and gets stuck?
In dogs, “Sometimes, objects are too big to progress through the digestive tract, and when this is the case, they cause an obstruction,” according to “Does Your Dog Have an Appetite for Life?” at Pet Health Network. If your dog suffers from symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or lack of appetite, consult your veterinarian as it may be cause for concern. Your vet may want to take X-rays or run bloodwork or other tests. Treatment can vary from inducing vomiting to surgery.
According to the article, “If the object has made it into the intestine, surgery is imminent.” If there is a blockage, it “can cut blood supply to the stomach and intestinal tissue. After a few hours, it is possible for the tissue to become necrotic, or ‘die.’”
Although there are similarities when cats ingest a foreign object, there are some differences, too. In the article “Did Your Cat Eat Something Weird?” at Pet Health Network, watch for vomiting, lethargy and lack of appetite. If a cat swallows thread it can be very life-threatening, “especially if it is attached to a needle,” the article said. “As the cat swallows thread, it can wrap around the tongue and pull against the tongue with each swallow. If that sounds uncomfortable, consider what can happen if a needle is attached to that thread: it may pierce the stomach or intestines multiple times and keep the thread from passing through the digestive tract.”
As with dogs, if your cat has swallowed a foreign object and may be stuck, surgery could be required. Ensure that you consult your veterinarian for the best possible outcome.
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