What do you wish more pet owners knew?

RE: What do you wish more pet owners knew?

jenni99 — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 18:57:29 GMT

That a Malamute/ Old English Mastif / American Bully/ GSD mix probably isn't the best choice for the 12th floor city centre flat with three children under 5. That spaniels aren't born without tails and that hairless cats are mega high maintenance

RE: What do you wish more pet owners knew?

Sal the 1st — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 20:38:51 GMT

after the day I have just had - my wish would be for owners to just understand that harassing staff and ringing up every 10 minutes for blood results will not make the results come any faster in fact there is a good chance it will delay results because whilst we are talking to them on the phone we aren't running bloods.Also the lady who came into surgery tonight with another cat after vowing she would never use us again it is clear we can't provide the service she demands (last week it was a home visit) she doesn't like us, we aren't thrilled by her, she still manages to get a nasty little dig and a turn of the knife every single time in the waiting room. So for me I would wish more pet owners had a few more manners. I took a days holiday yesterday, not because I had anything special to do but just because it was a day where I wouldn't have to deal with them.

Client education is important - clients should have some idea how a practice works and why we can't always provide instant answers

RE: What do you wish more pet owners knew?

therainyj — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 09:05:51 GMT

Agree with James.
The PSDA PAW report identifies some key issues in owner education that we keep on seeing year after year. Behaviour, especially in dogs, particularly stands out.
Thanks to the puppy 'boom' we've all seen during COVID and the subsequent reduced socialisation of pets because of social distancing, and people not researching pets needs before acquisition, I imagine we'll see a steep rise in behavioural issues ongoing. Paraprofessionals in pet behaviour certainly play a major part in supporting vets and nurses, and educating pet owners, and I think we'll need them more than ever.
On a side note we may see more sign-overs into pet rescues over the coming months and beyond as people can't cope with under-socialised puppies, or as the reality of the responsibility (/cost) of owning a pet sinks in, or as people return to the workplace. I wonder if there's more we could do as a profession to try to support the prevention of pet relinquishment where possible (I'm sure many practices already do these but pre-purchase consults, ongoing owner education, payment plans?). I digress! :)

RE: What do you wish more pet owners knew?

James Colver Cert. Ed, RVN — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 21:07:30 GMT

BOAS, pain recognition, what consitutes an emergency, animal behaviour, appropriate training.. The list goes on. In fact I think hardly anyone should be allowed to have an animal. But then we would be out of a job :)