(1) Incorrect feeding
Humans seem to have this fixation with over-stuffing themselves during festive season (perhaps that’s why it’s called a festive season); and we then carry our gourmand self-indulgence over to the pets.
Actually, there are many who see Christmas as a bacchanalian rite with heathen pleasure splurges that have nothing to do with the birth of Christ. I am not going to get into that theological debate, but I am convinced that many of us believe that the festive season must extend to animals also. So we feel that our pets must gorge themselves full with all the junk food (or residues therefrom).
Well, that is wrong. Dogs and cats couldn’t care less if there is boxing on Boxing Day and no garlic pork/beef on Christmas Day. They would be just as happy if they received their usual bland fare. (I say “bland,” because the food that we give our companion animals should be free of spices, since some spices can trigger an allergic reaction.)
As I have written before, the lecturers on a course I attended, who came from the largest pet food manufacturers in the world and who worked at the foremost companion animal nutrition research institute on the planet, advised us that over 50 per cent of all ailments among pets stemmed from incorrect nutrition. Well, that figure must be 80 per cent during Christmas. The problem is that the vet has to prise himself/herself up from a favourite chair or recliner to look after a pet which has “just” developed a “life threatening” malady, which is, in truth, just a reaction to a piece of chocolate or some such incorrect bit of feeding. The moral of the story is that there is absolutely no need to over-feed or extra-feed ‘Rover‘/‘Felix’ during the holiday season. Feed your companion animals the same normal, everyday diet, as usual!
Of course, since no veterinarian (well, with some few exceptions) can tell the flustered client to go to hell on a Christmas Day, he/she has to deal with the product of the owner’s careless feeding habits.
So, let me use this week’s Pet Corner column to tell all my old, new and potential friends that
(i) I need rest and will be using the ‘season‘ to catch up on some needed sleep.
(ii) I am getting more crotchety as the Christmases go by (this will be my 43rd Christmas ‘ ‘helping out‘ as a veterinarian), so I am quite prepared to bite/scratch anybody who brings a dog/cat to me late on Boxing Day or New Year’s Eve, unless it is a genuine emergency.
I should have entitled this article ‘What not to do to vets during Christmas.’
(2) Scaring pets with explosives
I know that it won’t be Christmas, if we don’t throw squibs at each other to the see the scared reaction.
When I was young – in Jurassic times – we used a piece of carbon (with the appropriate amount of spittle) and an Ovaltine tin to produce a loud noise at Christmas. There were no squibs in those days, or, if there were, we either had no money to buy them or, simply, we found more fun creating the bang with some spat-upon carbon.
Well, dogs and cats have sensitive ears. The noises from the explosions disorient and traumatize them. They don’t know what to do; they can’t cope with the unexpected and loud sounds. They run indoors and into doors, and hide in secluded places where they think there is security (bathrooms, under beds, in cupboards, etc). They jump from verandahs; they hurt themselves. They run away from home (you can see them wandering around our roads lost and with anxious/frantic looks), and are struck down by uncaring motorists. Last year, a German Shepherd from Kitty was picked up by a good Samaritan in South Ruimveldt.
The idea of tying fire-crackers 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 yourself from him or her. 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 is one of the greatest cruelties one can administer to an animal.
(3) 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 house totally for Christmas, feel compelled to remain in the cleaning mood. God help ‘Rover’, the cleaning frenzy is on. ‘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 Christmas, then brush it. End of story.
Enough for today. When shopping, there is really no need to buy any toy for your pet; but if you must, please purchase something that (i) he can’t easily destroy, (ii) if ingested, will cause him no harm, and (iii) must not be electrical (to be plugged into an electrical outlet).
Enjoy your Christmas preparations.
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 do not wish your pet to have puppies or kittens, you may exploit the GSPCA’s free spay and neutering programme. 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.
