Overfeeding –
continued
We had begun dealing with this last week. We had mentioned that humans seem to have this fixation with overstuffing themselves during the festive season.
Actually, there are many who see Christmas as a bacchanalian rite and a heathen splurge that have nothing to do with the birth of Christ. But it seems that we feel that our pets too must participate in this food-eating revelry and must gorge themselves full with all the spiced-up food (or residues therefrom). Well, that is wrong. Dogs and cats couldn’t care less if there is no gift box on Boxing Day and no garlic pork/beef on Christmas Day and Pepperpot on New Year’s Day. They would be just as happy if they received their usual bland fare.
I’ll share with you something of interest that I was taught at a Refresher Course/Further Education Series in which I participated some time ago. The lecturers from the largest pet food manufacturers in the world and who work at the foremost companion animal nutrition research institute on the planet, advised us that over 50 per cent of all ailments among pets stem from incorrect nutrition. Well, that figure must be 80 per cent after Christmas. The problem is that the vet holds the sticky end of the stick when ‘Rover’ develops ailments associated with overeating or an incorrect diet. Of course, since no veterinarian (well, with some few expectations) can tell the flustered client (with a dog suffering from a ‘life-threatening’ malady) to go to hell on a Christmas Day, the vet is forced to deal with the product of the owner’s careless feeding habits. Anyway, let me use the Sunday Stabroek’s ‘Pet Corner’ column to tell all my old, new and potential clients that (i) I need rest and will be using the next two days to catch up on some needed sleep, (ii) I am getting more crotchety as the Christmases go by (this will be my 38th Christmas as a vet), so I am quite prepared to bite/scratch anybody who brings a dog/cat to me late today or tomorrow or on New Year’s Day – unless it is a genuine emergency.
Scaring pets with explosives
I know that it wouldn’t be a great New Year’s eve if we don’t throw squibs at each other and set off firecrackers. Sometimes I feel that all humans are inherently pyromaniacs.
When I was young – in Jurassic times – we used a piece of carbon and an Ovaltine tin to produce a loud noise at Christmas. There were no squibs in those days; if there were, we either had no money to buy them or, simply, we found more fun creating the bang with the spit-upon carbon. Often, the cover of the tin was aimed at a hapless animal.
Dogs and cats do have sensitive ears. The noise from the explosions disorient and traumatize them. They don’t know what to do, they run indoors and hide in secluded places where they think there is security (bathrooms, under beds, in cupboards, etc). They jump off verandahs. They hurt themselves. They run away from home (you can see them wandering around our roads lost and like vagrants), and are struck down by uncaring motorists. The idea of tying firecrackers to dogs’ tails is an offence under the law. One can be charged and, if the GSPCA gets involved, the offender could be incarcerated. Terrorizing dogs and cats is not a joke. If a friend wants to commit such acts of barbarism, distance yourselves from her or him. He/she must not be a friend. Such a person is certifiable and needs psychiatric help. Simply put, exposing pets to squibs, firecrackers and to any type of explosive devices is one of the greatest cruelties one can administer to an animal.
Just say “No!” Christmas baths dogs should not be bathed often. Cats (who groom themselves constantly) hardly ever need baths. I’ll deal with this theme in more detail later. It seems that pet owners, having cleaned up their houses totally for Christmas, feel compelled to remain in the cleansing mood during the first week in the New Year.
The cleansing frenzy continues and ‘Rover’ and ‘Felix’ get dunked in the big basin or under the stand-pipe.
Of course, the drying might pose a problem – especially during the December rains. The animal may then be placed in a draught – and a ‘cold’ results. If you feel that something must be done to your animal’s coat during the first week of the New Year then brush it.
Enough for today.
Allow me to wish you and your family, pets included, all the very best throughout 2008.
Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.
