Making New Year’s resolutions is a purely human phenomenon. Nevertheless, I’ve come up with 10 resolutions I’d like to see pet owners add to their lists this year.
- Purchase pet insurance or start an emergency medical fund for your pet. Alternatively, apply for a CareCredit account.
- Keep the number of your local veterinary emergency hospital on your refrigerator or by the phone.
- Store your pet’s medical records, including rabies certificate, in an easy-to-access place. They may be helpful if your pet needs emergency treatment.
- Pet-proof your house. Keep food, trash, plants, and medications out of reach of your pet. If necessary, confine your pets to a crate or small room when you are away from home or cannot supervise them.
- Recognize uncommon signs of illness in your pets, such as hiding, inactivity, increased thirst, and increased urination.
- If you go on vacation, be sure to leave emergency contact info for the person(s) taking care of your pet. Let your pet-sitter(s) know what you expect them to do in case of emergency, especially if you might be unreachable during your trip.
- Don’t give pets over-the-counter medications (such as aspirin) unless prescribed by a veterinarian. Some human medications can be fatal to pets.
- Make sure pets are supervised or on a leash when they go outside.
- Help your pet maintain a healthy weight.
- Schedule regular check-ups with your veterinarian. Prevention and early disease detection lead to healthier, happier pets.
Have a happy and healthy 2011!
