Healthy Pets & People with Dr. Patrick: “Moving in” With Your Pet
by Dr. Patrick Mahaney
Moving residences is considered to be one of lifeʼs top stressors; enough to put an affecting strain on oneʼs personal relationships, emotional well being, and physical health. I recently sold my condo and moved in with my partner. Fortunately, my dog, Cardiff, was equally welcomed into my partnerʼs home. Stress from moving not only affects the humans involved, but our pets similarly can endure potential negative health consequences.
Your pet will sense the change occurring in your home and can exhibit behavioral or physiologic changes as a result. Take precautions and preparatory measures to help ensure that your move goes smoothly for you and your pet.
Maintain normal habits: If possible, maintain your petʼs feeding, exercise, and sleep schedule. Feed your pet their normal diet at consistent intervals to ensure regular digestive habits. If your pet is tired from play, they will be more likely to permit your pack and move process. Cardiffʼs inquisitive terrier nature motivates his involvement in all my household activities,therefore he often gets underfoot. He is most cooperative and permissive of my need pack when appropriately fatigued and elects to lounge on the couch rather than runaround my feet. Lack of rest from irregular sleep patterns or overstimulation can potentially lead to suppression of the immune system or incidences of inappropriate behavior.
Identification: Make sure your pet wears proper identification, such as a cervical (neck) collar with up to date tags. Information on tags should, at a minimum, include your pets name and the phone number at which you can best be reached. Some owners elect to not put their address on their dogʼs tag for privacy reasons, however, including it can expedite the return of your pet. Collars and tags can be lost or removed, so I recommend your pet be implanted with a microchip, which a veterinary hospital or shelter will scan for upon your lost petʼs arrival. Keep your information up to date with the microchip manufacturer and your veterinary hospital.
Confinement: If needed, confine your pet to a crate or small room to prevent possible escape through a door (or window) kept open during the moving process. If needed, give a veterinary prescribed sedative (such as Acepromazine) or natural stress relieving supplement (such as Pet Rescue Remedy). Exercising or playing with your pet before they are confined can improve their tolerance of the confinement.
Adjusting to home life with your partner: As you adjust to your shared space, be considerate of your petʼs needs to have their own space as well. Designate areas for your pet to eat, drink, play, and sleep. Additionally, specific and appropriate locations for urination and defecation are essential. Use food treats, praise, and repetition to ensure your pet understands and maintains the newly designated behavioral patterns.
Moving in with a partner is a process that requires some degree of adjustment for all parties involved including your pets. Plan ahead and reduce potential incidents that could be detrimental to you and your petʼs physical and emotional health.
* * *
About Dr. Patrick Mahaney of TLC West Hollywood: Dr. Patrick Mahaney, VMD graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. In 2000, Dr. Mahaney completed an Internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C., and has since practiced in a variety of hospitals, doing both general and emergency practice.
Dr. Mahaney moved to Los Angeles to join the TLC Pet Medical Center team in early 2006. His practice philosophy is to improve the quality of life for both pets and their owner’s by establishing client relationships with open lines of communication and providing optimum care within his capabilities.
Dr. Mahaney completed the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society basic course in 2006 and is now a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA). He is especially interested in chronic pain management and uses a variety of modalities, including acupuncture, to improve the comfort level of his patients. Dr. Mahaney strongly believes that many canine and feline diseases can be better managed by incorporating both Western and Eastern treatments. In 2008, Dr. Mahaney incorporated his own small business, California Pet Acupuncture & Wellness (CPAW). CPAW offers in-home acupuncture and musculoskeletal therapy, pet appropriate environment consultation, veterinary supervised exercise sessions, and euthanasia.
Dr. Mahaney will be taking the Canine Rehabilitation Institute physical therapy course in 2009. He is currently in the initial stages of creating a veterinary physical therapy and wellness facility.
Having lived in Philadelphia, DC, and Seattle, Dr. Mahaney feels as though Los Angeles’ mix of city, nature, and culture make it the ideal place to establish both personal and professional roots. Dr. Mahaney resides in West Hollywood with his Welsh Terrier, Cardiff. He and Cardiff enjoy canyon hiking, urban trekking, running on the beach. Dr. Mahaney also enjoys working out, playing tennis, doing yoga, going to museums, cosmetically improving his home, propagating plants, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Random Posts:
- Healthy Pets & People with Dr. Patrick: Spring Pet Workouts
- Healthy Pets & People with Dr. Patrick: Representing the LGBT Community As A Practicing Veterinarian
- Healthy Pets & People with Dr. Patrick: Bedroom Pet Dangers
- Healthy Pets & People with Dr. Patrick: “Moving in” With Your Pet
- Healthy Pets & People with Dr. Patrick: Choosing Barack Obama’s “First Puppy”
-