By Dr Olufemi Oboye
Today is St. Valentine’s Day. It is a day
that is attended by display of love, affection, celebration, wining and
dining. You may want to show your pet some love this season by giving
it some of these treats. However, for your pets to join the fun and stay
safe, you need to bear in mind that some foods which are edible for
humans can pose great hazards to pets.
Some foods may only cause mild digestive
upsets, whereas others can cause severe illness and even death. Here are
examples of food items that you should avoid feeding your pets this
season and beyond.
They include: chocolates, bones of
chicken, turkey and fish, fat trimmings, remnants and leftovers, raw
meat and fish, large amounts of liver, sugary foods and drinks, grape,
yeast dough, tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, caffeinated beverages such
as energy drinks and more.
You can show your dog some love this
season by giving a ‘meal treat.’ Try out a special recipe for your pet.
Ensure that a balanced diet (meal that contains all the essential food
nutrients such as protein, carbohydrate, fats, oils, minerals and
nutrients in the right proportion) is hygienically prepared. If your pet
has a favourite meal, canned meat or dry food brand, please show some
love by making it available for it this season.
Another way we can show our pets how much we love them is by ensuring that they are in good health.
This Valentine season, you can show your
pet some love by booking an appointment for it with the veterinarian.
This will give your veterinarian an opportunity to detect medical
challenges early so that they can be nipped in the bud.
Remember the saying, “a stitch in time,
saves nine.” If there are no medical challenges, your pet’s veterinarian
can administer any outstanding or relevant vaccination. This will help
to protect your pet from preventable illnesses.
The veterinarian may also examine your
pet for any ectoparasites (parasites that live on the body of an animal)
such as ticks, fleas and lice. It is necessary to get rid of these
ectoparasites during this season because they do not show any love to
your pets, as the direct health implications of their infestation is
more than skin deep and can have deleterious consequences.
If your pet is infested with any
ectoparasite, you can apply veterinary recommended parasite control
products that are safe, extremely effective and easy to use.
In this season, you may also want to
ensure that your pet’s house is in good condition. Your pet’s sleeping
area should be comfortable and not be shared with piles of washing bowls
or storage boxes. It should be well disinfected and be located in a
secluded area that is out of way of people who walk through and other
annoyances.
The roof should also be properly fixed
and soft bedding material can also be provided to ensure that your pet
feels warm, loved and special.
You can keep your pet’s smile pearly
white this love season by brushing its teeth with a pet-safe toothpaste,
and by providing dental toys and treats to help keep their teeth clean,
healthy and free of tartar.
Raw-hide dog chew is an example of a good
treat that you can provide for your pet. However, please note that when
it comes to providing treats for your pets, moderation is an essential
requirement for consideration.
If your pet has dietary restrictions, always discuss with your veterinarian before feeding it something new.
Another way to show your pet love in this
season is to make out some time to take it for a walk. This will serve
as a great treat to your pet, especially if it is an activity that you
do not usually engage in. Pets love to go for a walk.
They come back happy, fulfilled and
healthier. This is because walking a pet helps to exercise their
cardiovascular and respiratory system. It also helps to burn out excess
energy and fat.
Pets that go on regular routine walks are
usually less destructive and more physically and mentally fit than pets
that do not take routine walks.
Pets also want to be loved. In fact, the
truth is that they deserve to be loved. These great non judgmental
companions can be shown some love this season by gently stroking their
fur for a few minutes.
Stroking a pet also gives a soothing
effect that is accompanied by a very calming and therapeutic feeling
that helps to lessen our blood pressure and reduce heart rate.
A healthy pet is a happy pet; and a happy pet can also help us enjoy fuller and more rewarding life.
I wish you a happy St. Valentine’s Day celebration, and a love-filled weekend.
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