Everyone knows keeping a pet enhances the emotional well-being of the owner. But how many of us really make sure that our hamsters, cats and dogs are emotionally secure? Depression, anxiety and aggression are just a few symptoms of an emotionally unstable pet.
Dr Pavan Kumar, a vet says that most pets are sensitive and emotional and need some play time with their owners. “Be it dogs or parrots, they need more than just food and water to keep them comfortable. One must spend at least half hour of quality time with them.”
Vet Lohith says that the emotional well-being of a pet should start when they are still young in order to maintain their individuality. “Generally, we see pets shying away from their owners when a new born baby or a new pet comes into the house. Therefore, we ask the owner to raise their pets in such a way that they do not feel neglected and can handle themselves on their own.”
It is easy to recognise restlessness among dogs and cats. But what happens, if you have smaller animals like hamsters and turtles? Saroma S, who had a hamster named Lorelai says that they are independent animals. “Lorelai was extremely content with the play wheel in her cage. I bought her a toy, called a hamster ball. I would put her in that ball and she would run around the house with glee.”
However, Dr Kumar says that even smaller animals need the same love and care. “If hamsters, guinea pigs or even birds are not taken out of their cages for 30 minutes a day, they have behavioural problems. They feel isolated and restless.”
Abhishek V. says that jealousy can be very bad for animals. “I have adopted two stray dogs. For a very long time, I had only Ozzie. Trouble started when I got the second one. Ozzie got very agitated and immediately attacked her. But the key is to give equal amount of time to both and if possible to play with both together.”
Dr Lohith gives an example of a turtle that followed his owner everywhere he went. “This is the kind of dependence I am talking about. The owner must make sure that his pet retains his independence. The turtle would follow him even to the bathroom and would wait outside till he came out. The only solution for such kind of behaviour is to introduce other people to him.”
Swaraj B., says his mice loved playing with anything! “I took them out to restaurants and let my friends play with them.”
Dr Kumar says, “For extreme cases’, they either have to get counselling from their vet or prescribe mood and anti-psychotic medications. In extreme cases, we suggest neutering,”