What in the world is a "Paw Plan"?

Dear Riley,

I just overheard my owner talking about how she enrolled me in  a "Paw Plan" at Care Animal Hospital. She seems pretty excited about it, but I'm not so sure. What are these Paw Plans? I think my paws are just fine, and I really don't see any room for improvement. Can you please advise?

Signed,
What's a Paw Plan and Why Do I Need One



Dear What's A Paw Plan,

Have no worries, my friend. These Paw Plans have nothing to do with your purrfectly fine paws and are actually a very good thing. "PAW" actually refers to "Pet Annual Wellness", and these newly released plans are designed to make providing high quality health care for dogs and cats easy. Our veterinarians are always here to help sick pets, but they also enjoy keeping pets healthy. Preventive care allows them to identify underlying health issues as soon as possible, making treatment more successful and keeping critters healthy.

These Paw Plans offer discounts on preventive services (examinations, vaccines, blood tests, etc.) and allow your human to spread the cost of care over 12 months. While we pets never have to worry about money, apparently our humans get very excited about the opportunity to save money on our veterinary expenses.

So, there is no need to worry. You're a lucky cat to have an owner who cares enough to plan ahead for all your wellness needs!

All the best from Care,
Riley

Thanksgiving Troubles...

Dear Riley,

 

The neighbor dog got really sick last year right after Thanksgiving and, the word on the block was that he ate a lot of turkey skin and a few bones. He spent several days at the vet's office, which was actually a nice break for me. I was wondering if you could explain why eating turkey skin and bones might have sent him to the hospital and if this is something I can plan on again this year.

 

Signed,

Needing Neighborly Advice

 

 

Dear Needing Neighborly Advice,

 

I know how enjoyable it is to have a break from the pesky antics and noise of these neighborhood dogs, but what you describe actually sounds very concerning. I've seen it happen here at Care Animal Hospital. Humans tends to go a little overboard during their holidays, wanting to share their holiday feast with their dogs. We cats are a little more discerning, but some dogs just have no sense about what they eat. They'll eat skin, bones, even the grease right out of the pan. Sometimes this "dietary indiscretion" just causes some vomiting or diarrhea, but I've also seen dogs wind up hospitalized due to a serious condition called pancreatitis. The dog pancreas is apparently not well equipped to handle a rich, fatty meal. The resulting inflammation of this abdominal organ sets off a chain reaction, which ultimately results in vomiting, diarrhea, pain, dehydration, and worse. A mild bout can sometimes be treated with pills, but more serious episodes require hospitalization, intravenous fluids, and intense treatment.

So, have a little compassion this holiday season and please encourage the dogs in your life (pesky as they may be) not to overindulge in the human food that may be offered to them. If nothing else, I really could do without a hospital full of sick dogs.

Your furry feline friend,
Riley

 

Feline nutrition

Dear Riley,

I've been trying to talk my owner into feeding me shrimp for every meal. She insists that cat food is much better for me, but I really doubt the wisdom in that. Could you weigh in on the pros and cons of commercial cat food versus a home made diet (especially one with lots of shrimp!)?

Signed,
Starving for Attention


Dear Starving for Attention,

Oh, how I understand your plight! I too have struggled with the humans in my life. They say they love us, but then deny us the yummy morsels they put on their own plates.

However, I have gained some wisdom in my time living at Care Animal Hospital, and I have learned that feline nutrition is a very complex topic. As much as I would love to indulge in those exotic foods of our human servants (I am particularly fascinated by Dr. Garnett's Bacon Soda, which she keeps in her office), I know that my exquisite feline physiology is best maintained on a food specifically formulated for me. There are actually teams of nutritionists involved in designing our cat foods. As much as I enjoy their company, this is not something I would trust to my humans. There is a troubling statistic that 90% of "homemade diets" are unbalanced for our feline needs. I don't know about you, but I don't want to take my chances with those odds.

So, stay strong my feline friend. Though not always "exciting", commercial cat food is really the best food for you. However, I wholeheartedly support a daily cat nip snack!

All the best from Care,
Riley