Dr. John Josephs, founder of Noah's Ark Veterinary Clinic, describes the different types of animal food that specifically target different diseases. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
There was a time when you said, 'it's a dog's life', or 'mi bruk like dawg', that signified a bad thing; but these days, there is a complete turnaround. Dogs, cats and pets of all sizes, shapes, colours and species are living relatively charmed lives, in relation to many of us humans. Yes, pet care has definitely evolved.
Long gone are the days when most pets (dogs especially), just got whatever was left after the masters of the house had had their meal. Now we live in a world where animals are given special brands of food just for their species or if the animal is diagnosed with a condition such as diabetes. From visits to immunisation shots, animals are getting the royal treatment. One of the main reasons is that people's circumstances and their attitudes to pets, especially dogs, have changed.
"Before, people owned mostly big dogs like rottweilers and German shepherds. Now the bigger homes are becoming town houses and people are going for smaller dogs, like poodles and shih-tzus," explained Dr. John Josephs, founder of the popular Noah's Ark. "Owners are very bonded to their pets. The animal sometimes serves as a surrogate child, especially for the emptynesters whose children have all moved out," he explained. The 'ark' caters to all kinds of pets, including what Dr. Josephs calls 'the exotics'. These include snakes and monkeys. But the taste of Jamaicans with regard to pets has also changed and we see more and more families having what are called 'pocket pets' which are usually guinea pigs and hamsters.
Pets now have medical records, appointment dates (let's say for a tooth cleaning or something), special leashes and special shampoos. Once, you merely threw a canine or feline a ball and let them tire themselves out. Now 'chew toys' come in a variety of shapes, everything from bones to hamburgers and hot-dogs. As the accessories have become more sophisticated, so has the science. For instance, heartworm and tick disease, two of the more painful diseases that dogs suffer from, can now be detected with a simple test, and all it needs is one drop of blood from the animal into a small tube that looks like a birth control tester.
"The diagnosis ability has definitely improved so much, it's almost on par with that of humans and in some cases, even ahead," Dr. Josephs revealed.
Pet Day Care
More and more owners are taking the grooming of their pets seriously. Events like the Doggie Fashion Show hosted by the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals demonstrate just how much these animals are taken care of. - Winston Sill / Freelance Photographer
Since the treatment for pets has become more sophisticated, owners want to ensure their 'little ones' are taken care of when they're away. Many veterinary clinics, and even a few affiliates who aren't clinics, offer boarding facilities. So if 'mummy' and 'daddy' have to go away for the weekend and want to make sure the little ones are all right, they merely book a cage and the animal will be cared for. But this practice has become so popular, that whenever festive holiday periods are coming up, you had better call early.
"The Easter weekend has become very popular. I recommend you book a spot two or three weeks before. If you wait until Holy Thursday, you're not going to get in," says Dr. Josephs.
Grooming is serious business
Grooming has also become serious business with pet owners and events like dog fashion shows merely increase the requests for this service.
"You will see a lot more grooming because the pets are no longer 'outside'. The pets are in the homes: on the furniture, in the kitchen even in their beds; so, these animals have to be clean," Dr. Josephs reasoned. More and more owners are also learning about their pets behavioural tendencies as well, so as to better understand why the animals do what they do. The belief that you can lock a dog in a house for 10 hours a day with no toys or anything to amuse himself and expect him to not chew the furniture is changing.
"You can't just go out and get one. You have to remember you're getting a living, breathing thing with an intelligence and needs, and it has to interact with its environment," he pointed out.
GENERAL TIPS FOR PET CARE
Dr. Matthew Brown (left) and technician Fabian Rockhead, tend to a Yorkshire terrier at Noah's Ark Veterinary Clinic, Hope Road. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
Before you get a pet, you'll want to consider where you live, how much space you have and what your lifestyle is. All the animal experts agree that you should carry your pet to the vet at least twice a year. Don't delay with cuts and bruises; even if they seem mundane, have them looked at by a vet. Some pets (like cats) live for a long time, so you should be prepared to make a long-term commitment. Rabbits prefer 'gentler,' quiet environments, so if your lifestyle is hectic, it might not work. - Additional source: www.bestfriends.org.
LIFESTYLE LIST
Weird pet accessories
A glow-in-the-dark pooper scooper. Plush animals with battery operated hearts that your dog can snuggle up with. An automated kittie litter box. When the cat is finished, the dome-shaped machine rotates, emptying the little clumps into the waste drawer. A USB Pet Flash Drive - basically a memory stick with all your pets important medical information. Cyberpuppy Dental Soother - like a gum soother for your pet. Extra large WATERPROOF dogbeds.Sources: www.gearlog.com, /www.furbabies.co.uk
Cats, like Cleopatra, live mostlyindoors; her favourite activities include drinking straight from the bathroom tap and chasing birds in full flight. She stays at Noah's Ark when her mom has to be away from home for extended periods. - file
All 'dogged' up, shall we say? - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
