Two Of The Most Common Mistakes Pet Owners Make When Their Pets Are Sick
Having a sick pet can be a pretty rough experience for both of you. Obviously, animals can't really care for themselves, so it's up to owners to provide proper care. Unfortunately, there are several common mistakes that pet owners make when their animals are feeling sick - mistakes that can actually end up making things worse. Here's a look at two of the most common mistakes pet owners make when their animal is ill.
Giving them special treats to make them feel better
It's pretty common for most pet owners to slip their furry friends a treat from the table every now and then. But especially when the pet is sick, many owners are inclined to give them a little treat to make them "feel better" or slip some medication inside of table food to make it easier to digest. It's pretty common knowledge that changing a pet's food can lead to digestion issues, so don't complicate an illness with more problems by changing foods. Really make a point to avoid common "treats" like dairy, raw meat, or bones.
Trying to make them be active
When many pet owners see their pet being a little more "lazy" than usual, their first reaction is to "get them moving" with a little fresh air on a walk outside. But if your pet is trying to rest more than usual, there's a reason for it. Just like people, pets need a little more rest when they're sick. A sick pet likely has a weakened immune system, and overexertion could make things worse. Keep an eye on your pet if they're sick; there's nothing wrong with letting them rest.
When you have a sick pet, the best course of action is to stay attentive, but to try to keep things as calm and normal as possible. Drastically changing diet can impact your pet's health, and trying to make them be more active than they want to be could make their sickness worse. If you have a pet that's obviously not feeling well, don't wait it out to see if it gets better, and don't try to "help" them with treats or fresh air. Get your pet a checkup from a veterinarian or animal hospital as soon as you see something that's out of the ordinary. Properly caring for your furry friend the first time around will not only help them feel better as quickly as possible, but it will also likely avoid return trips to the vet.