PET TALK
Pets and the Holidays
By Frances Goodman
A cute, cuddly puppy or kitten is on many Christmas lists this year. But are the holidays a good time to fulfill such a wish?
Really not, say many animal welfare experts.
With the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s difficult to set aside the time a new pet needs during this important adjustment and bonding stage.
This especially applies to puppies, as well as kitties, birds and pocket pets.
Plus, the selection should not be made under the time pressure of “finding one before Christmas.”
New Puppies
For those who are thinking of a puppy, Lisa Peterson of the American Kennel Club has the following wise advice:
(However, if you’re considering a pet of another species, please apply where it fits.)
“The first few months of a puppy’s life are extremely important—he will require your full, undivided attention and will need training, exercise, socialization, trips to the vet and lots of love and care,” Peterson advises.
If a puppy will be right for the family, she recommends surprising your kids by gift-wrapping pet supplies such as a leash, food bowl, training book or a pet-related toy to symbolize the new family member you will add after the holiday, when routines are back to normal.
Meantime, be sure to teach the children about responsible pet ownership as they prepare for the real thing. And discuss with them what pet tasks they will own.
Although nothing tugs harder at the heartstrings, every adorable pet represents years of responsibility.
Depending on the breed, both cats and dogs may have a life span of up to 20 years.
Pet-Harmony
For a successful relationship, matching the right pet to the family’s lifestyle is key. Be sure to research the pet and breed that best suit your family.
With dogs, especially, their energy level and temperament must be compatible with the family’s activity level and the ability to provide for the dog’s needs.
A walk around the block or playing in the back yard will not fill the exercise requirements for a large high-energy dog. (Think a one-mile run per day minimum for adult breeds such as Labs or golden retrievers!)
But a one-block walk will be fine for some, especially toy breeds.
Meanwhile, don’t rule out the possibility of finding the perfect new family member at a local shelter, or through a breed rescue group. Purebreed rescue groups exist for almost every breed of dog as an outreach of their breed clubs.
To research dog breeds and their rescue groups, visit www.akc.org.
Two More Things
Here are two more bits of good advice to parents planning to acquire a pet for their child:
1.) Even with assigned pet care tasks, parental involvement and oversight should always be factored in. For the sake of the pet, children should not be expected to take total responsibility for the animal’s welfare.
2.) Be sure to equate the expected life span of the pet with the age of the child who will be the recipient.
Why? Because pre-adolescent children can be expected to lose interest in pets as they enter the teen years and social life becomes all-important. Teens also graduate from high school and leave home for college.
Which means a new pet, in reality, will ultimately end up as mom and dad’s pet.
For the pet’s sake, that should be acceptable to mom and dad from the outset.
P. S. On the subject of pets as gifts!
PLEASE let me share this advice that has also proven to be important time and again: Even though we think a friend or relative may be lonely, it’s best not to surprise them (or anyone) with a pet as an unexpected gift.
Pets require time, work and expense, and these responsibilities should never be placed on anyone without their willingness and eager anticipation.
Thanks for caring! See you in January, 2010!
Holiday Safety Tips for Pets
Here are some important safety tips for keeping pets healthy and happy at this time of year:
· Food gifts under the Christmas tree put pets at risk. Do keep them put away and safely contained. Paws and teeth can easily open a box of candy or other food gift on the night before Christmas, or any other night!
· Christmas tree glitter, especially icicles and tinsel, are highly attractive to cats, kittens, dogs, puppies and pet birds who may eat them, resulting in life-threatening intestinal blockages. They resemble grass and greenery, but pets don’t know they’re indigestible and dangerous.
· Careful! Don’t let pets drink the fluid in the Christmas tree container. The bacteria build-up and/or toxicity can cause illness.
· Macadamia nuts are now on the known list of toxins for dogs, as they can cause temporary paralysis of the back legs.
· Also keep in mind that chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or alcohol consumption can cause serious problems and even death for pets. Be sure to put food away and “pet proof” your garbage.
· Lilies of all kinds, including a seasonal favorite the Amaryllis, are toxic to cats if they nibble them. Be sure to monitor all bouquets, if you have pets who purr.
Safe and happy holidays to all!
Frances Goodman is a professional dog trainer and pet care writer who lives in Royal Palm Beach. Got a question? Email her at [email protected]. Or click on her ad to visit her website, www.mypetnews.com.
