pellets too quickly and without chewing. Feeding smaller meals will not solve the problem. So yes, I feel a slow feeder is necessary. You may also provide air-popped popcorn and unsweetened carrots as treats. It is very important to restrict other treats, even dental chews, as Lab Retrievers are prone to gaining weight, which can worsen potential hip and elbow dysplasia. Other conditions that can result from eating too quickly are gastric reflux and bloat. Both are extremely painful, even if transient.
Besides ensuring that only weight-friendly treats are given, it is important to provide a nutritious diet. That does not mean the most expensive food, but does mean foods with adequate nutritional benefit. Your veterinarian will be able to advise based on the list of ingredients. Your dog`s coat, body condition, energy levels, and lack of food seeking will indicate to you if this is adequate.
You are correct to assume that eating large amounts too quickly is dangerous, especially when drinking large amounts of water and then running at the same time.
Q:
We recently adopted an older rescue cat who seems anxious and hides most of the day. How can we help her settle into our home and feel more comfortable around people?
– MC, Stellenbosch
Most cats should settle after a few weeks, but if this persists, she may be a cat with a shy demeanour, which is neither strange nor abnormal. The anxiety, however, is of concern and does need to be addressed. There may be several factors causing the anxiety. Loss of security in familiar surroundings, people and animals, and / or fear of the new surroundings, people, and other animals.
It is important to ensure that the cat is microchipped and secure within your property.
These cats are prone to fright and consequently getting lost during an anxiety attack.
Unfortunately, she is not a young cat, so she will likely require some form of medication to ensure that she is relaxed. You may begin with over-thecounter products containing L-tryptophan. New formulations allow for the product to be applied as a paste on the paw for the cat to lick off. There are even foods that contain this calming compound.
Another product to consider is a collar colloquially known as“ good behaviour cat collars”. The synthetic pheromones impregnated within these collars are better, in your case, than the stationary mobile diffusers of synthetic pheromones. These collars typically last for approximately 30 days and are quite effective, but like any pet care & health
collar, they must be correctly fitted so that the cat does not become stuck on objects.
So, now that there is some calming effect, it is important to allow her to initiate all contact; do not force contact. When entering a room, knock slightly to prevent her from encountering a negative experience. Dedicate a feeding area where she may come and go as she pleases; this is the same for her litter tray.
A reputable behaviourist should be sought, but with the anxiety present, a veterinarian needs to remain involved. Scheduled psychogenic medications may become necessary, just as they are in humans. Being overly anxious is a disorder that causes distress, which requires intervention to eliminate it. I have many feline patients on psychiatric medications used for human anxiety or behaviours.
Meet Dr Bryce Marock
Dr Bryce Marock has spent the past decade serving as a Consulting Veterinarian at the National Council of SPCAs( NSPCA). Dr Marock’ s deep compassion enables him to recognise the“ silent suffering” of animals. He is involved in combating cruelty in animal sports, agricultural practices, the use of service animals, working animals, and illegal hunting of wildlife. www. petpals. co. za 19