HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR PET?

Most owners will answer, “I know him better than anyone!” but do you really know what is normal for your pet and would you spot early signs of illness?

Some symptoms such as coughing, limping or vomiting are easy to spot but what about more subtle changes?

INS AND OUTS…

A good pet owner will notice how their pet normally eats and drinks, and how much. Eating more slowly or becoming more hungry can be symptoms of illness. Chewing on one side of the mouth could indicate dental pain as could dribbling in small herbivores. With small pets such as hamsters check they aren’t simply storing the food and not returning to eat it. A good pet owner will also know how much their pet normally drinks. If drinking increases think about causes such as hot weather, drier food or a leaky water bottle for small pets. A great pet owner will measure water intake if they think it has increased and this information can give the vet a lot of information.

Good pet owners also monitor what comes out, taking note of how often and how much their pet urinates and noticing any changes in smell or colour. Some changes can be normal, for instance rabbit urine can turn bright orange with some foods! Good owners also observe their pets poop as consistency, frequency and even the shape can change in some illnesses. Seeing soft faeces in the rabbit hutch is a particular worry as this in uneaten caecotroph which can be a symptom of serious dental or gut disease.

Toiletting in diferent or innapropriate places can also be a sign of physical as well as behavioural problems.

BEHAVIOUR

Changes in behaviour can be the most subtle indicators of illness and wellness, especially in herbivores and cats (who can behave like a prey animal as well as being a predator).

Some behaviour changes may be very obvious, such as a dog not wanting to go for a walk or a rabbit becoming aggressive when handled but others such as a cat changing their sleeping place from the window ledge to the rug could easily be missed. Behaviour can change with medical problems as well as ‘behavioural’ problems so a check-up from your vet is advisable before embarking on any behavioural treatment or training.

Become a great pet owner and take the time to REALLY know your pet inside out!