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For animal lovers, thinking about the millions of pets languishing in shelters across the country is heartbreaking, especially around the holidays. Ideally we would save them all, but for many of us adopting even one pet is out of the question right now. 

Fortunately there are plenty of ways to help shelter animals without making the commitment to adopt. Everyone has a skill or a few hours to offer, and every little bit makes a difference in the lives of animals in need!

A quick stroll through any store will reveal the majority of holiday gifts are, unfortunately, disposable. While there are definitely meaningful or useful holiday presents out there, we mostly just enjoy them a few times before they’re relegated to a closet or donation pile.

So, where do pets fit in with all of this? In an effort to spread love and goodness, people commonly like to get a pet this time of year. However, it’s important to keep in mind this doesn’t always have a happy ending. Many people find pet ownership just isn’t a commitment they can make right now (or ever). In other words, adopting a pet is a serious endeavor that requires much consideration before taking the plunge.

So, you’re considering adding a four-legged, tail wagging, best friend to your family, congratulations! Adopting a dog is an amazing and life changing experience, and before you enter into this special relationship, your friends at All Creatures Veterinary Hospital want to help you make sure you’re ready for all the responsibilities and joys that accompany a new pet.

A New Family Member

Before adopting a dog or any other pet, it’s important to take an honest look at your lifestyle, daily and weekly schedules, and energy level. Do you have the time necessary to devote to the daily care, exercise, training, and entertainment of a dog? If you have other people living in your home, how much or little will they be involved in your new pet’s care?

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If dogs could use napkins or their sleeves to wipe away drool, they probably wouldn’t. They don’t care about being neat and tidy. Dog slobber is a characteristic that dog lovers tend to (begrudgingly) overlook. In trade, dog people get an abundance of affection and loyalty. That’s worth every bit of slobber!

Our pets are exceptionally loveable and have a way of entertaining us with their antics. Most of the time, these antics are nothing more than the usual instinctual behaviors, but other times they can cause problems in the household. 

The good news is that many common cat and dog behavioral problems can be corrected through positive rewards training and socialization.

While it may not be the most comforting thought, Americans are not alone in our attempts to make sense of our upside down world. People around the world are struggling to cope with the immense challenges of COVID, and social unrest has reached a boiling point in global and local communities. 

But where do our pets fit into this new paradigm? Pet safety is always a priority, but there are new threats to their normal city-living routines.

Ordinary Living’

There are easily a million pets living in NYC homes, and more than half of them are dogs. In fact, the rate of pet adoption is higher in urban areas than anywhere else – for good reason. City dwellers are keen on providing the best possible lifestyles and living conditions for our pets. 

The last couple of months have been unbelievable in many ways. The good news, for pet owners anyway, is that they didn’t have to shelter in place by themselves, and the companionship offered by their sweet pets really hit the spot in these times of shock, despair, fear and sadness. But now that we’re approaching going back to a semi-normal way of life, pet separation anxiety may be just the beginning of our challenges.

Helping Pets with Transitions

Many pets relished in all the extra time their people spent at home, doting on their every need. This is especially true for pets that were adopted shortly before or in the midst of sheltering in place.

Mandatory quarantines and stay at home orders created a different way of life for pets and their people alike. Despite relaxing restrictions we cannot expect our pets to simply accept roll with these particular punches. In  other words, don’t be surprised if your pet suffers from separation anxiety.

We all know it’s inevitable, but that doesn’t make it any easier to cope with pet loss. Whether sudden or unexpected, the death of a beloved pet is never easy – and the path to healing can seem never ending.

Sadly, our society doesn’t take pet loss, and the associated emotions, as seriously as it should. This leaves grieving pet owners with few avenues for support as they process their sadness.

At All Creatures Veterinary Hospital we empathize deeply with the loss of a pet, and we hope to connect you to resources and ideas that can help you cope and begin to heal. 

In a perfect world, we would have as many pets as our hearts desire and they would all get along. Sure, many animal cohabitants are open to new experiences and friends, and fluidly go with the flow of the household. Unfortunately, adapting to a routine change can be a hard-fought battle with far-reaching consequences for deeply territorial pets. 

While it’s true that a peaceful, easy-going vibe is attainable in a home with multiple pets, adding a second pet must be done in a gentle, deliberate fashion.

The holidays are here, a fact that has most Americans racing the aisles, planning delicious feasts, and getting ready for visitors and family gatherings. Some of us celebrate with the golden light of Hanukkah, some take pride in a perfect Christmas tree. And almost all of us celebrate New Year’s Eve with parties, fireworks, and lots of friends.

Unfortunately, the holidays pose some unique hazards for pets and are associated with some very common pet emergencies. We’ve gathered our time-tested holiday safety for pets tips to keep your furry friends safe and healthy all season long!