Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Prepare your pets for the festivities
THIS time of the year is fun for everyone in the family, but can be one of the most stressful for our pets.
The festive season is also one of the busiest for staff at Valley Farm Animal Hospital; we deal with more emergencies at this time than any other time of the year.
And, food-related problems are among the more common emergencies we deal with at Valley Farm.
During the December/ January holiday period we tend to overindulge and, unfortunately, that extends to our pets.
It is important that you know that foods such as chocolate, onions, grapes and avocados can be toxic to pets, so please don’t feed them any of these.
Braai time can also be a hazard for pets; mealie cobs are a common cause of intestinal obstruction that require surgery to remove. Sosatie sticks can also cause serious problems, especially if they perforate the intestines.
We strongly suggest you do not give your dog bones. Bones can get stuck in the mouth or somewhere in the intestinal tract, again requiring surgery. Bones can also become impacted, causing severe constipation.
Also, be aware that large amounts of fatty food can cause a very painful disease called pancreatitis.
All in all it is best to avoid giving pets human foods.
Dangling decorations, flashing lights, baubles and Christmas trees are great fun to play with and chew until something goes wrong. Be careful they don’t become lodged in your pet’s throat.
With lots of friends and family in the house, the overexcited pet can become frantic, nervous or aggressive. Give them a calm space and warn visitors to let them be alone.
This is especially important if you have pets who are edgy without visitors being around to start with.
The number of stray pets seems to escalate at this time of the year and dog fight wounds, cats bitten by dogs, and dogs hit by cars are common during this period.
If you are going away, please ensure your pet is being taken care of by someone responsible who knows who to contact in case of emergencies.
Inform your vet of your leave dates and who will be taking care of your pets in your absence.
Make sure whoever is looking after your pet knows what to feed them (and the correct amounts) and ensures there is always enough water for them to drink.
Remember it is not acceptable to leave a dog at home alone for more than one night, unless you have someone who can check on and feed the dog twice daily and spend some time fussing and playing with them.
Cats are a little different and many can be left for two or three days as long as you leave sufficient food and water, and a safe sleeping place, but it is still advisable to have a friend or neighbour check on them daily just in case.
If you are sending your animals on holiday as well to a kennel or cattery here are few tips for you:
The best kennels and catteries get filled up well in advance, especially at Christmas and New Year, so be as organised as you can and book well in advance.
If you have not used a facility before, make sure you visit and meet some of the staff before making a booking.
All facilities vary and it is best to get one that will suit your pet’s needs as well as your pocket.
It is always good to ask if there are staff on site 24/7 and how often they visit each pet.
Most pets are happy at a kennel or cattery but some do stress. The younger your pet is when you first leave them the easier it will be.
Try booking them in just for a night or two to see how they cope if you are concerned. To make the place a bit more like home take their bed or “blankie” with, as well as favourite toy or treat.
It is important not to make too much fuss of them when you leave them or when you collect them. Pets are sensitive to our moods so keep things calm and neutral.
Always make sure the staff have as much information as you can provide about your pet and, very importantly, numbers to contact you, or a person who can be responsible for decisions if you are unavailable.
Although most kennels and catteries have a veterinary practice they use, do leave your vet’s contact details as well.
Things the staff will need to know include any medications and doses , special feeding requirements and specific commands you use for eating or toileting.
If your pet has any funny habits let them know so that although it might not be normal for most pets it is “normal” for yours.
All kennels and catteries will require your pet’s vaccinations to be up to date so get these done at least two weeks before checking them in for their holiday.
Heat stroke is a real risk during our hot summers. Travelling with pets, walking dogs on hot days, or playing energetic games, all contribute to heat stroke.
Short-nosed dogs and pets with dense coats, are most at risk. If you think your dog is becoming overheated, use cold water to cool them down and get to a vet as quickly as possible if they collapse.
New Year’s Eve is a time for celebration but for pets this may be one of the most stressful times of the year. Many pets suffer from noise phobia and the sound of fireworks going off (even in the distance) may cause them great anxiety.
Keep your pets inside the house where they cannot jump over fences or run away when they are scared.
Try playing music to your pet to mask the noise or make them a bed under a table with a heavy blanket. This will make them feel safe and deaden the noise.
Another tip is to give your pet a toy or chewy to play with. If you know your pet is especially anxious you can request some calming medication from your vet well in advance.