 Introducing a new pet to a senior pet in your household requires patience and attention, and when your efforts pay off, it’s so worth it!
Take Ana for instance, who receives regular help from Phinney’s. Scooby, her senior Chihuahua mix, gets vet care, prescription food, and heart and thyroid medications paid by us. After suffering a recent heart-breaking loss, when her other Chihuahua, Ciquina, passed away, Ana adopted a spunky, young Dachshund/Yorkie mix named Archie. The introduction couldn't have gone better! Little Archie is playful and careful with Scooby, and plays on his own when Scooby needs to rest, given his achy back from old age. Archie has brought happiness and light to Ana and Scooby. We wish Ana, Scooby, and Archie all the best, and rest assured Phinney's will be here for them when they need our support. Ana tells us she’s so appreciative of the help she gets from Phinney’s for her two precious furry friends. And we are thrilled to see this fur family thrive! So, how’d they do it? Fortunately, we’ve got some valuable tips below to help answer that question. Many are the benefits to getting another pet, including companionship for your first pet, like in Scooby’s case. And perhaps filling the void when a beloved pet passes on, just like Ana did. Whatever the reason, adding a new pet to the family that already has a more senior dog entails some evaluation to ensure a smooth introduction and continued harmony in the household. According to the American Kennel Club, the key to introducing a new pet member is to not disrupt the status quo. By slowly introducing the pets to one another and keeping the daily routine, the new pet can get used to the old pet’s habits. That way, it's less likely the pets will experience anxiety or jealousy. Sometimes it may be best to introduce them on neutral ground rather than at home to avoid territorial behavior. It is also important to understand ahead of time the temperament of your new pet and if he or she will mesh well with your current pet’s demeanor. When introducing a new pup to an older dog, it’s very important to socialize them slowly. Observe any play that may be too rough or aggressive. Once you are confident that both dogs get along, set the ground rules for your new pet by setting quiet time aside for your senior pet and vice versa. Constant contact may cause some conflict. Finally, Scooby and Archie have this additional piece of advice: Be sure to give each pet some alone time to give them each a chance to relax.
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 Folks, cancer can be common with pets such as dogs and cats. But the good news is there's a lot you can do to prevent cancer and catch it early!
By becoming familiar with early warning signs, we can protect our furry family members. Some warning signs include an enlarging or changing lump. If your pet’s belly becomes rapidly enlarged, this may suggest a mass or tumor in the abdomen. Other warning signs may include chronic weight loss, chronic vomiting or diarrhea, a dry cough, or unexplained lameness. Many times, to diagnose cancer, the vet will need to do a thorough exam along with a radiograph or a CT scan. That will help the vet determine the causes of some of the symptoms your pet may be experiencing. These tests will lead to a more accurate diagnosis, and this may rule out many diseases, even cancer. In addition to recognizing warning signs, some simple and very effective things you can do to help your pet are regular vet visits, so you may catch any disease in its early stages, as well as creating healthy habits. Examine your pet regularly, feeling his belly, the skin, the whole body, and your chances of catching any changes will be way higher. Also, remember that cancer is not the end of the line! Today, pets have a better chance of being successfully treated for cancer thanks to advances in early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment. We always want the best for our pets, so make sure to note any strange behavior in your pet and check in with your vet regularly! |
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Phinney's is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps people keep their pets. Phinney’s Friends is a - U.S. federal tax ID 94-3475924. All content on this website is the property of Phinney's Friends, Inc. unless otherwise noted. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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