The Abandonment Of Pets With Special Needs
Sometimes pets with special needs can be difficult to care for. Sadly, the current situation has put many of them in the spotlight.
As a result of the pandemic and all the consequences that it entails, it has been observed in recent months that pets are being abandoned again. Furthermore, some of these neglected animals have special needs.
Unfortunately, we can’t say that pet abandonment is little-read news. Can you tell what needs can lead to the abandonment of pets and how could it be avoided? Here we answer this question and many more.
The Lasagna case: abandonment of pets with special needs
In October 2020 a news item was published that talks about a cat that has been abandoned in Philadelphia, USA. Sadly, so far we cannot say that this is anything surprising.
So what is special about this news? What is striking is the reason why the cat has been abandoned. As a first clue, we will say that this feline has been named Lasagna, with the intention of honoring Garfield’s favorite food , a famous cartoon and comic cat cat.
As many of you may have already guessed, after its abandonment there is a very striking increase in weight. Apparently, during the period of confinement, the animal exceeded 10 kilos of body mass in a very short time.
Although people may find it endearing to see an overweight cat, it has serious consequences on their health. Normally, excess weight leads to other problems, which in turn translates into certain expenses that not all tutors want to face.
In turn, this state of overweight in the animal implies that visits to the veterinarian are increasingly frequent. Directly, this ends up having an impact on the pockets and routine of obese cat owners, especially if immediate measures are not taken.
The simplest solution is to abandon the animal, as has happened with Lasagna. Luckily, thanks to Twitter and her protector, Lasagna has been adopted by a family that is committed to promoting the recovery of her health.
Caring for Pets with Special Needs
The moment an animal becomes part of the guardian’s life, he or she commits to it. This not only involves the fun and educational part of having a pet, but also fulfilling the ethical and medical responsibilities of the new family member.
Therefore, when you adopt a pet from a shelter or shelter, you must fill out a form. In it, they ask you questions that you may not take into account when adopting.
Among them, questions such as the economic cost involved in keeping a healthy animal throughout the year are formulated. Likewise, you should also understand that you have to dedicate considerable time to it each day.
A pet is a long-term commitment, especially if it has some psychological or motor dysfunction. Next, we are going to see how to care for pets with special needs.
Daily exercise
Exercise is essential in all life stages of animals, not just when they are growing. Thanks to physical activity, all animals remain healthy and happy.
However, it is true that games or exercise routines must be adapted to each pet. For example, cats are very curious and playful, since they love to explore the different corners.
With this in mind, you can look for toys that attract their attention. However, it must also be said that cats are very happy only with a cardboard box. Sometimes simplicity is the key.
On the other hand, dogs need daily exercise for an hour or two. Thus, the tutor must go for a walk with his dog or propose different family activities in which they can participate.
The same goes for other pets, like hamsters or rabbits. Depending on the animal, the tutor must look for different games that motivate him and allow him to exercise at the same time.
In addition, the market offers numerous ideas to encourage exercise in elderly pets. An example is wheelchairs for dogs, thanks to which dogs with difficulty in movement can move.
Be careful with your diet
Also, another important aspect in the life of an animal is its diet. Therefore, their diet must be balanced and adapted to the health status of each pet.
In addition, it is essential to remember that, depending on the age and circumstances of the animal, the diet will vary. This is because a puppy will feed more frequently than an elderly dog.
On the other hand, we cannot forget that food is an essential ally against diseases. A good diet helps fight the effect of some diseases, such as being overweight.
Therefore, it is recommended to go to a veterinarian if you want to make changes in the pet’s diet. In this way, you can advise the tutor which foods should not be missing.
Routine and Responsibility
For all the above reasons, it is essential to have a well-established daily routine with the animal. This is a significant involvement on the part of the owner and, unfortunately, some people cannot reach it and realize late.
Thus, it is necessary to understand that, just as animals and pets help us, we must also help them. For this reason, before having a pet, it is necessary for each guardian to be aware that they are adopting a responsibility.
As we have seen, a pet is not only fun and games, but it can also be essential in the lives of different people. A clear example is guide dogs or dogs trained to be with the deaf.
Therefore, we must provide them with the same care and affection that we receive from you. Thus, we can avoid reading such sad news as the abandonment of pets such as Lasagna for their special needs.
