A couple of years ago, I was asked by an interviewer to share my five favorite pieces of advice for pet owners. I blogged on that topic, so you can still find that post if you want to read it again (or for the first time!). I was interviewed again this week, and lo and behold, asked that same question! I didn't want to give those same answers because the truth of the matter is, I have lots of favorites when it comes to helping pets and their people. So, here are five pieces of advice I love and that I shared with the interviewer this time around:
1. It's okay to sleep with your pets on your bed. As long as you doing so isn't unsafe for you or for them, that is. If you are living with an aggressive pet, it simply isn't a good idea to have them on your bed, and it may in fact not be a safe idea to have them in your bedroom at all. You don't want to risk bumping them, rolling over on them, or stepping on them, for example, if doing so could trigger an aggressive or defensive response. For dogs and cats who bite their owners, being out of the bedroom is just a good safety measure. For some senior pets, extra precautions need to be put in place to make sure that they can safely remain on the bed with you. You may need bed bumpers to keep them from falling out or jumping off, or it may be safer to crate them in your bedroom so that they can still be near you, but not risk falling or startling them when you move in bed at night. And even if the aggression isn't directed at you, if it's directed at a spouse, that's still a problem. Dogs who resource guard their owners or their owner's beds do not belong on the bed at all!
2. Dogs need more than daily walks to be happy. It's true that in the 70's and 80's, dog owners were told that walking their dogs twice daily (in addition to their daily meals) was all that they needed to be happy and healthy. We now know that simply wasn't true. Dogs can and do lead active lives filled with social experiences, opportunities for problem solving, sniffaris, and play time. Frankly, I think those dogs of my childhood were bored out of their minds. It's no wonder they ran off if someone left the door open! Dogs do need daily physical exercise, that's true. But they also need lots of mental stimulation including opportunities to solve problems (think food puzzles here), chew on bones (they have the teeth for it), and play with toys that you rotate to maintain interest and enthusiasm.
3. Cats need more than a full food bowl to be happy. We've come a long way in our understanding of what our feline friends need to be content and well-adjusted too. They certainly need to be fed, but that food doesn't need to be provided in a never-empty-food-bowl. Cats are predators who like to hunt, so let them hunt for food you've hidden, or use food-based puzzles designed for cats to feed them their meals. Cats need perches, climbing opportunities, and scratching options. While you might feel that one vertical cat tree is enough, your cat begs to differ. They want shelves, cubbies, and cat trees that go all the way to the ceiling, incorporating hiding areas and different scratching and rubbing opportunities. They also want more litter boxes! The rule of thumb is one litter box, per cat, plus one, all cleaned daily, and fully cleaned weekly.
4. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I never had pet insurance on any of my pets until I got Henley. I decided that he would be my first collie to have it, affording me a better understanding of the pet insurance market and how having insurance for him might be helpful for his long-term care. Well, boy am I glad I did! Henley has had a ton of issues related to his serious allergies and once we got through the initial period of time establishing his allergic conditions, most of his care related to his allergies has been covered by his insurance. Whew! My wallet is grateful for that. Now, when asked, I always recommend that pet owners look at pet insurance for their new additions and use Henley as an example!
5. Dogs do dream and they dream about YOU. The vast majority of a dog's memories are about you, so make the most of their short time on this planet. Make sure their dreams are beautiful, their experiences enriching, and their lives filled with love, opportunities, and plentiful delicious snacks.
Yeah, you're right. Ozzie and Henley made me throw in that part about the snacks. Go figure.
And, as always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.
