Living with pets with special needs

Animals are the most precious companions we can choose to share our lives with. They bring so much to us, and sometimes it is hard for us to conceive that sometimes they might have or develop special needs too.

 

Any pet  or animal companion may develop a special need at any time in their life, some of those needs aren’t always visible. It can be a physical or emotional need. It can be from injury, illness, fear, or old age.

 

Aging is probably the most common special need as they age things don’t work as well, for example a loss of sight or hearing, and perhaps bladder control issues.

 

Just because your companion might develop or already have a special need doesn’t mean that you have to “let them go” or euthanize them because it might be uncomfortable for you to watch or it seems overwhelming to deal with. You need to know that your animal companion can still have a very happy and fulfilled life with a little help from us. Just because they perhaps can’t jump anymore, or see/hear as well, or they require daily medication needs like insulin, or joints don't work as well and they have a harder time getting up and around, they do adapt well and just require some assistance from us.

 

For example your pet may develop diabetes and require insulin injections daily. This is not insurmountable, taking the time to learn to manage it at home is well worth the investment and the pet does very well and can still give you many more years of companionship.

 

Should your companion develop physical limitations from injury, etc., there are some simple things we can do to help make things more comfortable or easier for them:

•             Situate their food and water close to their resting area or be consistent with it’s location.


•             Make steps or ramps for them to get onto the furniture more safely, if you allow them on the furniture.
  


•             Put down carpets on slippery floors.


•             For a cat, add more litter boxes, especially in a house that has more than one level so they can reach a box when needed.


•             For a dog, use people bed pads for "accidents".
  


•             If it is visual impairment, try not to move furniture or their habitual feeding and watering areas. Try to make as few changes as possible in their environment.

Remember they have feelings too. So be encouraging, loving, and patient. Help them live their lives to the fullest, pay back some of what they shared with you, joy, compassion, and love most of all.