Ask the vet: First, do no harm

Primum non nocere. First, do no harm. You may have heard this tenet of human medicine. It is a good starting point for any medical professional, including veterinarians. It is also crucially important that you, the guardian of your pet, first, do no harm.

I recently saw an emergency where a woman gave her injured and painful kitten an aspirin. Not too much later I saw a man, worried about his uncomfortable dog, who was periodically giving ibuprofen for pain. Both of these medicines are potentially toxic to dogs and cats.

When you want to give your pet something to help with pain or anything else, pause a moment. Don’t look in your medicine cabinet. Consult with your veterinarian. Be cautious of what you find on the Internet. You should also realize that prescription medications for dogs, cats, and other animals are prescribed to individual animals for good reason. If a medication is safe and appropriate for one dog, for example, doesn’t mean that it is OK for any dog.

Your pets are not little human beings, despite the fact that they may act that way on occasion. A common error I see people make is to take a medication made for people, and reduce the dose and give it to their pet.

Further, there are many foods and food additives that are highly toxic to pets. Do not assume that because something is commonly taken by people, or is available without a prescription, that it is safe. ASPCA.org is a good resource to check if you want information on things that are toxic to pets.

I have written previously about how even treats and toys that are made for pets can be harmful to them. For example, jerky treats, bones, and tennis balls, to name just a few.

If you are in doubt about something, check with your veterinarian. In reality, pets need a healthy diet but don’t need a huge variety of treats. Typically, there are a few select types and brands of toys that are appropriate for pets, depending on their species.

Many pet guardians are unintentionally but significantly harming their pets by overfeeding them. I can not overemphasize the degree of harm this can cause, and it is the most common problem I see. You must learn to judge your pet’s body condition. This is best taught to you by a veterinarian at your pet’s annual physical exam. Most people do not understand what their pet is supposed to look like. Some even think it’s “cute” to have a “chubby” pet. Nothing is further from the truth. Research has shown that obesity in pets reduces not only the length but also the quality of their lives. Obesity even increases the risk of pets getting cancer, among other diseases!

Overfeeding your pet is somewhat different than other common problems of neglect because you are actually doing it to your pet. It is your responsibility to make sure that your pet gets both the right type and quantity of food. While other areas might be lacking, such as adequate exercise and dental care, as a baseline you must first, do no harm.

I urge anyone with a pet to be deliberate with your choices when it comes to trying to help, entertain, feed and indeed love your pet. Primum non nocere.