3 minute read
Do you have a plan for your pets?
The Pet Plan
Tips to consider when caring for your furry friends
BY » Renee Roberson
Pet ownership can bring great joy, as there’s nothing quite like the love and devotion of a pet, but it also requires dedication and commitment to providing the best possible care for your furry friend. We reached out to local expert Dr. Dick Hay, DVM, Co-Owner and Medical Director at TotalBond Veterinary Hospital in Davidson, for some things to keep in mind over the course of a pet’s life.
Make a plan
It’s not a fun thing to think about, but one thing to be mindful of is having a plan for your pet should something unexpected happen to you. If you look closely at pets available for adoption at area shelters and rescues, many of them are pets whose owners passed away or had an unexpected life event, such as a move or prolonged illness. Dr. Hay recommends that you have conversations with family members or friends about temporarily or even permanently caring for your pet(s) should something happen that would prevent you from caring for them. “Pets add so much to our lives, and we want to make sure they are cared for as well,” he says. “Some people even put a small stipend into their wills to help pay for on-going food costs and veterinary care for their pets.”
Pet insurance
How important is pet insurance? At what point should you consider investing in it to help with preventative care or emergency issues that may arise with your pet? Dr. Hay recommends getting insurance on young and healthy dogs or cats before they have any pre-existing issues. However, he also says specific insurance that covers routine care can be costly, so be selective about the plan you choose and what it will cover. He does believe insurance for catastrophic events (such as broken bones, intestinal foreign bodies, bladder stones, etc.) is good to have, especially when the pet is young because it is less expensive. If you wait to purchase insurance when your pet is older, the insurer may look closely through old records to see if there is a way to deny payment due to previous health issues.
As your pet grows older
There will come a time when you start noticing changes in your pet. Has their appetite changed? Are they drinking less or more water than usual? Do they look like they are having a hard time walking, or getting comfortable when trying to rest? Dr. Hay advises paying close attention to these types of behaviors, as pets cannot tell us what is bothering them. Switching to a diet more suited to a senior dog or cat can help with these types of issues, and exercise is still important, as it keeps the heart and other muscles toned and can help a dog from becoming overweight. For dogs with arthritis, short more frequent walks are better than longer walks. “Any time they have questions or concerns for their older pets, they should reach out to their veterinarian as it could be the first sign of a serious problem,” says Dr. Hay.
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