PET MANAGEMENT

Pet keeping may be a pastime for some people or hobby for some others, but Pet Management is much more than keeping pets at home and looking after them. Only a liking for animals and birds or a desire to have pets is not enough. Pet Management involves a lot of management activities ranging from planning, selecting, monitoring to decision making. However, the basic and most important requirement for Pet Care is the love for the pet and ownership by the whole family. Even animals understand the language of love. A mechanical relationship can never give rise to a caring attitude. Animals and birds have a great sense of discerning attitudes and feelings and any indication of not being liked may create a feeling of not being wanted resulting in alienation. Pets own the family they are living with therefore, their sensitivities must be given importance. I still remember the day when my father expired and the way my pet dog Smart behaved. Smart did not eat anything for two days and remained quiet mostly sitting on the floor looking downward chin touching the floor between the two stretched front paws.
Taking love and ownership of pets for granted the following are some other factors which should be taken care of for Pet Care.

SECURITY

Whether it is Maslows theory of needs or basic human instinct of self preservation animals also seem to follow the rule of security / safety first. It is, therefore, essential to provide the most secure place for them where they can spend most of their time. They should feel secure from actual or perceived threats to their lives or bodies. Any indication of fear from their side should be immediately addressed as animals in some cases are found to have a better early danger warning system than the human beings.

HYGIENE /LIVING ENVIRONMENT

To keep the pets in good health it is necessary to keep them in a neat and hygienic condition. Regular washing/ cleaning of the pet is very much required. Similarly, the place where they are kept must also have a hygienic environment for proper care of the pet. The regular supply of fresh air and light are also very important so is the maintenance of comfortable temperature. Safe, comfortable and pet friendly environment goes a long way in enhancing the well-being of a pet.

FOOD

Although it is not necessary to be a nutrition specialist of pets to take care of their nutrition needs, but knowledge of some basic facts relating to the food requirement of the pet in general and the sources of supply are a must in order to keep the pets well fed. It will also be helpful to share information with people who own the same category of pet to increase one’s awareness and experience regarding effects of different food items. Knowledge of homemade food items as well pet drinks are helpful in meeting the pet’s food requirements.

SICKNESS

A close watch on pet’s behavior is the best way get to know about sickness of the pet. A pet cannot speak and the only indication regarding sickness comes from a change in behavior. The change in behavior is the symptom of something wrong. Immediate attention leading to prompt action in the form of referral to the pet doctor for treatment should be resorted to. Food during treatment must be according to doctor’s advice. It should always be kept in mind that well-being of the pet is the responsibility of the whole family, and all are answerable not only to the society, but also to God.







Tasneem Hameed