“Having a pet is not a status symbol. They are living beings and need constant care and attention,” says Dr Deepak Patil, Director of veterinary research at Kamdhenu University in Gujarat.
Deepak was in the city to address a programme about pet care organised by city-based Paws N Tails. Speaking at the event, Deepak listed the various factors that need to be considered before adopting a pet.
“Every city has a different climatic conditions, hence it is necessary that we study the habitat of a pet before adopting them. For instance adopting a Siberian husky in Visakhapatnam would not be a very wise decision as Siberian huskies have thicklyfurred double coats which helps them survive in extreme cold,” he said. For a coastal city like Visakhapatnam, he suggested that small-haired dogs would be an ideal choice.
- Keep their paws dry: Constant exposure to moisture makes the pets susceptible to pododermatitis. Wet streets and floor leads to skin inflammation in paws.
- Keep them at bay from dirty stagnant water: Like humans pets too fall prey to water-borne diseases. Vomiting, diarrhoea and loss of appetite are common symptoms of gut problem.
- Check for ticks: Monsoon is the breeding season for ticks. Hence the chances of your pet becoming infested with ticks or fleas are high.
- Ensure their coat is dry: You will have to wipe your pet dry every time they get wet to avoid damp coats and accompanying odour.
- Keep their ears clean: The rainy season increases moisture in the pet's ears which could lead to ear-infections. Wipe off the wax to avoid the infection.
Patil adds that it is not just the climate of the city but also the size of the apartment that needs to be taken into consideration before adopting a pet. “For farmhouses and bungalows, big-sized dogs like the hounds are acceptable but cramming them in tiny apartments is unfair as these breeds have a tendency of hunting and need open spaces. For small apartments one could go for breeds like beagle or dachshund,” he says.
Apart from that a person’s routine is also a major factor that needs to be considered before adoption.
“If you are not a person who can commit to taking a dog for walk every day, it is better to adopt pets that remain indoor. In the recent days, people’s busy schedules have led to the increase in adoption of smaller animals like cats, guinea pigs and hamsters,” he says.
Like humans every pet is vulnerable to several allergies and medical conditions. Hence, Deepak advised the pet parents to always have a family veterinarian for their pets.
“Like humans, if the pets have a doctor whom they are visiting from their early days, it becomes easier for the doctor to treat them. When a veterinarian treats a pet for years, they are aware of their medical history inside out. That helps in making accurate diagnoses or watching out for red flags while prescribing medication and they also monitor the changes in your pet’s health through the years,” he adds.
