By Ken Byrer A counterpart to the joy we get from our fuzzy companions is constant worry about their safety and well-being. In addition to accidents caused from our pets’ curiosity and goofiness such as eating string on the floor or a bone found in the trash can, we also must manage the health of creatures who age much faster than ourselves. Like human medicine, veterinary care can be extremely expensive, given a seemingly endless train of miraculous treatments and drugs. Humans have access to insurance to help fund those miracles when needed – should your pets, too? A Pawlicy Advisor brief asks what would you do if your dog or cat had an unexpected $5,000 vet bill? It’s a troubling question for many if not most people, who have a median bank balance of not much more than that sum. The group cites a provider saying they have “difficult discussions” every day with pet owners who cannot afford the cost of their animals’ care and asserts that one in three pets will need emergency care each year. $34.3 billion in medicine and treatment make up about a quarter of the $123.6 billion Americans spent on pets in 2021. In an industry roundup by MarketWatch, more than 90 million Americans have pets, and about 13% of them have pet insurance as of 2022. From 2017 to 2022, insured dogs increased from 1.5 million to 3.25 million, and cats from 290,000 to 727,000. So, more Americans are buying pet insurance. Should you be one of them? What it is: Pet insurance uses the same familiar terms as other insurance: premiums, co-pays, deductibles, and so forth. It presents the same choices between cost and coverage that concern consumers of health, auto, and life insurance. Available underwriters include national insurance brands like Nationwide…
By Steph Selice Fostering the Human-Animal Bond – research on the human-animal bond is booming. Scientific data confirm that being with a companion animal helps keep humans healthy and happy. Many species of pets give unconditional love, encourage touch and physical expressions of affection, and bolster their human’s emotional and physical health. Our dynamic relationships with pets even help us learn to love and be loved in return, promoting empathy and friendship with other humans. In recent years, people have found new ways to encourage caring relationships with animals that foster good health, even for humans who don’t or can’t live with pets. Animals are now widely trained to offer us help in therapeutic or supportive ways. Three of these are as service, therapy, or emotional support animals. Service Animals Service animals are defined as dogs under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines (https://www.ada.gov/topics/service-animals/), though miniature horses have been exceptions (https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements/#miniature-horses). They are trained to perform specific tasks or work for people identified with a physical, psychiatric, sensory, or intellectual disability under the ADA, the Fair Housing Act, and the Air Carrier Access Act. These animals are chosen because they are gentle, don’t react randomly in various situations, and stay focused on and attentive to their human’s needs. They include guide animals for people with sight loss and hearing or signal animals for humans with hearing loss. Other service animals help people with autism, seizure disorders, anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other psychiatric diagnoses. Service animals are often trained through an animal service agency or nonprofit organization, though there are no official U.S. licensing requirements. State and local governments may ask for voluntary registration of service animals. Through U.S. federal regulation, they are allowed in all public areas and in all housing, even where other animals aren’t. The…
By Cindy McGovern Predicting winter’s anticipated snowfall is an annual tradition. Will the D.C. metro area receive any measurable snow? If so, when, and how much? The Capital Weather Gang is predicting a mild winter with little snow accumulation with January temperatures in the normal range, disappointing many. But that doesn’t mean you can write off winter and if you are a pet owner, you still need to plan for the cold with its freezing temperatures and chemically treated roads and sidewalks. Just like people, every animal reacts differently to the cold and it’s important to know your pet. If you have an arthritic or older pet, they will likely feel the cold more than a younger animal. They may also have problems walking on snow and ice and be more prone to slipping and falling. Pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances may have a harder time regulating their body temperature and thus be more susceptible to problems from temperature changes. If it’s cold outside for you, it’s cold for your pet. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, a common misconception is that because an animal has a fur coat, they’re immune from the cold: they’re not. Just like people, cats and dogs can get frostbite and become hypothermic and should be kept inside during cold weather. Some long-haired dogs breeds, such as Huskies, are more cold tolerant, but they’re the exception, not the rule. In fact, short-haired breeds feel the cold faster because they have less protection and short-legged pets even more so because their bellies and bodies are closer to the cold or snow-covered ground. Know the signs of hypothermia: whining, shivering, seeming anxious or weak, slowing down or not moving are all possible indications. Get the animal back inside quickly and if…
By Jaime Stephens December is the most festive time of year, with Hanukkah, Christmas and the promise of a new year ahead, but did you know that December is also National Cat Lover’s Month? It’s an excellent time to think not only about your own health, but the health of your pets, and to get the New Year off to a good start. The number one most preventable health issue for both cats and dogs in the United States is obesity. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention’s 2018 clinical survey, 55.8% of dogs and 59.5% of cats were classified as clinically overweight or obese by their veterinary healthcare professional. Obesity is said to occur when an animal’s weight exceeds an additional 30% of their ideal weight. Forty to forty-five percent of dogs aged 5 – 11 years of age weigh in higher than they should. Only 39% of dog owners and 45% of cat owners, however, consider their pets overweight. Common conditions of both overweight dogs and cats include diabetes, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, lameness and limping and, in cats, kidney disease and congestive heart failure. Cats, in particular, are very adept at hiding their discomfort and pain. In addition to having a healthier pet, maintaining an acceptable average weight provides a higher quality of life, a longer life expectancy, and lower veterinary costs. As with humans, maintaining a healthy weight requires a commitment to both a healthier diet and an active lifestyle. To help keep your pet trim, first consult with your vet about the best diet based on your pet’s particular needs. Before you visit your vet, there are a few ways to determine whether your pet may need to slim down. Does their stomach sag? This is a clear indication that your dog is overweight,…
By Steph Selice Americans may be traveling more this holiday season than they have in the last 3 years. Many of us will be hosting family and friends for the first time since COVID lockdown began in March 2020. Others will be visiting their folks again, and even bringing their pets. Vets and other animal care professionals have some useful suggestions to share as you think about how you want to host and visit this season. Their insights may help you and your loved ones decide how to safely enjoy the coming months together, and how this will work best for your pets. Being (Safe) Hosts with the Most If you’re hosting this year, the rules for safely caring for your pets and for theirs remain much the same as before COVID. It’s important to prepare your pets for hosting people and animals they don’t see often or may not know. Make sure your pets feel safe and at home. Do what’s needed to make them know that even with new (or familiar) visitors, your place is still their place. Talk with guests about your house guidelines before they arrive. No one likes to be unpleasantly surprised during a visit. If you want guests to leave their pets at home, tell them, and give them enough time to find a petsitter, kennel, or pet hotel. Decide whether to welcome kids and other pets. As with other hosting-related decisions, do what works for your family. If saying no is best for your humans and pets, you can always make other arrangements to see loved ones outside your home. If you decide to host, a couple of weeks before a visit, prepare a sanctuary space for your pets. This can be in a bedroom or quiet area of your home. Include food,…
By Cindy McGovern Pet costumes can be as simple as a scarf or cape, or as complex as elaborate outfits with helmets and wigs. There are themed costumes like Star Wars and Disney characters, as well as other movie and television favorites. Americans spend almost $500 million on Halloween costumes for their pets according to the National Retail Federation. Pet costumes comprise 15% of the $3.2 billion spent on all costume sales. On average, more than 30 million people purchase pet costumes. A quick internet search shows an angel costume with set of wings and halo for about $12 to a Yoda costume complete with light saber for $40 to $70, depending on the size of the dog. Not surprisingly, a pumpkin is the top pet costume: hot dogs and bumble bees take the second and third place, respectively. While it may be cute to see your furry friend dressed up to celebrate the holiday, is it a good idea? Wearing a costume can cause stress for some animals. You should only dress up your pet if you know they enjoy it. If you do opt for a Halloween costume, be sure to try on the costume before Halloween, ensuring it doesn’t limit movement, sight, or their ability to breathe, meow, or bark. Make sure it isn’t dangerous or simply annoying to your pet and check for small, dangling, or easily chewable pieces that could present a choking hazard. Ill-fitting costumes can get caught or twisted on external objects or on your pet, leading to injury. Pets who are wearing a costume should always be supervised by a responsible adult so if something goes wrong, it can be addressed immediately. If your pet seems distressed or shows abnormal behavior, remove the costume and try a festive collar or bandana instead….
By Steph Selice Over the last 2 1/2 years, animal service organizations around the world have stepped up to meet the unique challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with help from millions of devoted professional staff and dedicated volunteers. Though many U.S. shelters and rescues cut back on their public hours to meet CDC guidelines, they continued to adopt animals out to pet lovers. And they still offer ongoing care for all their animals, day in day out. Just as animal rescue groups face even greater strains on their staffing, finances, logistics, and supplies, many folks who love pets still want to help. If you volunteer during this pandemic, what options do you have, and what should you be aware of? Animal Rescues Are Thinking Outside the Box The unprecedented use of virtual meetings and events and online training since March 2020 has helped many animal rescues manage tasks from training staff and volunteers to fundraising and marketing. Rescues have adapted their volunteer offerings, from asking pet lovers to come in and comfort their animals during Fourth of July celebrations, to running fundraisers (even galas) online using virtual resources, to finding new ways to pair dog walkers with potential pets who need exercise. Check on your local rescue websites for their current volunteer opportunities, which may keep evolving along with the pandemic. Most organizations will ask you to fill out an application form online and interview or attend an orientation and training sessions, virtually and/or in person. Some kinds of volunteer work that involve contact with children or special-needs groups might require further training and a background check. Much of the latter can be done online, except for in-person interviewing and fingerprinting. Fostering and Ongoing Pet Care Are Always in Demand One of the most promising improvements in animal rescue since…
By Carolyn Cockroft “This is the medicine for Marigold’s condition,” the veterinarian informed me. She held up a package of pills as I stroked my cat reassuringly after a stressful checkup. Handing me another bottle, she continued, “And this is for you once you try giving Marigold her medicine.” Yes, this is a joke. But the reality, where Marigold is concerned, is NO joke. Dosing a pet can be challenging. Having someone to assist you is ideal but going solo can be stress-free if you apply a few tricks, lots of patience, and stay calm. Preparation is Key Before administering medicine, consult with your veterinarian for any tips (some will even demonstrate for you and let you practice in front of them with your pet). Have at hand a towel, gloves (if needed), and a proper applicator, if required. Most importantly, have some yummy treats—a special delicacy your pet gets only at the time of medication. Delectable Disguises Hiding a pill in tasty food can turn medication into “treat time”. Check with your vet first since some medications shouldn’t be taken with food. With dogs, a spoonful of peanut butter (with no xylitol), a chunk of meat or cheese, or ice cream can work. Commercial pill pockets or paste mask the taste of medicine when wrapped around the tablet. Try a bait-and-switch approach. Give your pet a treat (or two) that’s not laced with medication. Then offer one that contains the pill. Follow up with a treat without medication. Open a capsule or crush a pill into powder and mix it into a small portion of your pet’s food. Monitor your pet’s eating to make sure all the food is consumed. Cats have an uncanny ability for knowing when they are being tricked. Their sense of smell can detect medicine even…
By Ken Byrer Recently, Maryland joined New York in outlawing cat declawing, a procedure also known as Onychectomy. In addition to those two States, several localities have also said “no more” to this operation. Should Virginia and Alexandria consider similar laws? For most our centuries with cats, we wanted them fully armed and operational to eliminate vermin and varmints. A declawed cat made as much sense as a dog that couldn’t bark or herd, or a horse that couldn’t bear a rider or pull a wagon. But when cats moved from mainly coworkers to mainly companions, humans established procedures to reflect that change. Some of these practices, like spaying and neutering, remain valued by experts, while declawing has come to be increasingly seen as harmful. People only developed declawing sometime around 1948, and possibly as part of dogfighting as much as keeping the family wing chair intact. As spaying and neutering countered natural cat behaviors of yowling and spraying, declawing addressed the natural cat behavior to scratch – now inside, in homes with stuffed sofas and lacquered wooden chair legs. A joke in the declawing ban discussion holds that upholsterers, at least, support cats having claws. The American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AMVA) brief on declawing thoroughly discusses the issue. The strongest pro-declaw argument holds that human guardians who cannot get their cat’s scratching under control may relinquish them, although a study in British Columbia from 2021 found no significant increase in owners giving up their cats after that province’s ban. Despite its appraisal that the issue needs more hard scientific evidence to reach a definitive conclusion, the AVMA “recommends that the procedure only be performed after exhausting other methods of controlling scratching behavior or if it has been determined that the cat’s claws present a human health risk” and also…
By Alberta Frost June is a month with many commemorations ranging from Flag Day to National Flip Flop Day. Two of the most notable are Father’s Day and Adopt a Cat Month. I pair these two recognitions because when I was about three my father got me my first cat. This creature was a tiny puff of black fur that my Dad brought home in his pocket. It must have been a winter day because one of the first pictures I have of Fluffy (original name, right?) is of this little face peeking out from halfway up our Christmas tree. I don’t remember what instructions my parents gave me about handling this little dynamo or if I was given any responsibility for his care, but I do remember the intense feeling of companionship I carried with me as my family and Fluffy moved from place to place over the next few years. Long after he was gone, he engendered in me a devotion to animals, especially cats. Admittedly, I am biased regarding whether families with young children should adopt a pet – or more specifically, a cat, and there is lots of research that supports my experience. According to Catnip (Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine), pets make all of us – from the youngest to the most senior – healthier in mind and body. Children living with pets not only learn a sense of responsibility, but they also develop stronger, healthier immune systems. Other sources suggests that pets contribute to the development of compassion, language skills and a feeling of competence. In an article published in Practical Parenting, Dr. Jo Righetti identifies several benefits from cat ownership. Among them: cats help children nurture and learn respect and patience; and cats are quiet listeners and give unconditional acceptance. A benefit to…
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