Botetourt Veterinary Hospital
Living With Your Pet
Your pet relies on you everyday for its happiness, health, and well-being. Brushing, bathing, nail and teeth care, and attention to your pet's nutritional needs are important parts of daily pet care. And what do you do when you are thinking about taking your pet on a trip? Some pets travel better by car, whereas others travel better by air. Still other pets are better off remaining in familiar surroundings. In any case, advance planning and preparation are necessary when traveling with your pet.
Here's some practical advice: keep your veterinarian's phone number handy with your other emergency numbers, just in case! Taking care of your pet is a job that lasts all year long. As the seasons change, preparations should always be made for the change in weather and climate.
Bringing Your Pet Home
Prepare your house for your pet's arrival. A special place should be designated for it to eat, sleep, and eliminate. Obtain any necessary accessories (eg, collar, leash, ID tag, crate, cage, aquarium and dishes) before you bring your pet home. For most pets, you will need to pet-proof your home just as you would child-proof your home to avoid accidents. Harmful cleansers, plants, electrical cords, and breakable objects should be kept out of reach. Open windows should be screened.
Most pets are strictly indoor pets and are perfectly content, as long as they have access to food and fresh water at all times. AVMA strongly recommends that for a healthier, happier pet you consider keeping your pets indoors only. If your pet must go outside, make sure you know where it is at all times, that the pet is old enough to manage on its own, that it is identified in some fashion (microchip ID or breakaway collar and tag), current on vaccinations, and not outdoors in extremely cold, hot, or inclement weather.If you don't want your pet in certain areas of the house, start training it immediately to avoid those areas. When choosing where your pet will sleep, keep in mind some pets are nocturnal animals and will be active at night. Placing soft bedding materials in secluded corners will help your pet to feel at home.
Traveling With Your Pet
Going on a trip doesn't mean that you have to leave your pet behind.
Are you planning a trip, but can't decide whether to bring your pet? Going on a trip doesn't mean that you have to leave your dog behind. That's right! Bringing your dog on a trip is a great way for them to get exercise, experience new sights and smells, and spend quality time with you.Although vacations are fun for both you and your pet, you should be aware of the responsibilities as well as precautions involved with bringing along your furry friend. In this section you will find information that will help you and your pet have a fun and safe trip.
Saying Goodbye
A decision concerning euthanasia may be one of the most difficult decisions you can ever make regarding your pet.
If your pet is extremely sick or so severely injured that he or she will never recover normal health, perhaps the kindest thing you can do for your pet is help induce its death quietly and humanely through euthanasia. Your decision to have your pet euthanatized is a serious one, and seldom easy to make.
