Common attitudes at home can compromise the well-being of pets
When talking about animal abuse, the most common image is still associated with abandonment or physical aggression. But the signs are not always so obvious. In many cases, they begin silently, at home, and can go unnoticed by those who live with the disease. pet. Unbalanced diet, lack of basic health care, inadequate environment and lack of stimulation are among the most common examples.
This broader look at caring for animals It has also been reflected in the very way of referring to those who live with them. The Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine, for example, started to recommend the use of the term “responsible” instead of “guardian”, reinforcing the idea that the bond goes beyond the company and involves duties related to the well-being and health of the animals. pets.
The discussion gains space during April Orange, a campaign dedicated to preventing cruelty against animals, and can also broaden the understanding of what, in fact, characterizes a situation of negligence.
“There is still a very strong association between mistreatment and just physical violence, but the general well-being of the animal depends on a series of care diaries. When these needs are not met, even unintentionally, this can also cause significant harm to health”, warns Mayara Andrade, veterinarian at Guabi Natural (MBRF Pet).
Food is also a point of attention
Among the factors that most impact the health of pets, There is food, which, in many cases, can be neglected. This includes everything from offering insufficient amounts of food to unbalanced or unsuitable diets for the animal.
“The relationship between people and pets has changed a lot in recent years. Today they are seen as part of the family, and this has made those responsible for them become more concerned about food and better understand the risks of offering leftover food or homemade diets without guidance”, explains the veterinarian.
The exaggeration in food It is one of the most frequent mistakes among those responsible. “At the same time, we still see an important challenge related to excess. Many associate care with offering more food, but nutrition needs to be balanced and appropriate to the animal’s needs, because both lack and excess can harm health”, explains Mayara Andrade.
Effects of inadequate nutrition
According to the professional, the effects of inadequate nutrition are not always immediate. Changes in coat, weight loss or gain, apathy, malnutrition, loss of muscle mass, among other silent signs, usually appear gradually. In more serious situations, it can compromise the animal’s response to treatments and recovery.
A survey by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science at the University of São Paulo, for example, showed that 40.5% of dogs in the capital of São Paulo are overweight or obese, a condition that may be associated with other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, metabolic or endocrine problems and orthopedic disorders.
Basic needs of animals
In addition to food, other aspects of daily life have a direct impact on well-being of animals. Environments without adequate space, lack of physical and mental stimuli and lack of interaction can lead to stress and behavioral changes.
Mayara Andrade explains that a World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) determines that, to care for animals correctly, it is necessary to think about the 5 main needs of animals pets:
- Suitable environment;
- Proper diet;
- Possibility of being housed with or away from other animals;
- Being able to express normal patterns of behavior;
- Being protected from pain, suffering, trauma and illness.
The professional highlights that veterinary care is also on this list: “Vaccination, control of intestinal parasites and ectoparasites, coat care and follow-up Health measures are basic measures that help prevent diseases and guarantee quality of life. These factors are part of the concept of animal welfare, which involves different needs”, he adds.
Reality observed by those who work in the rescue
Animal protection organizations deal with the consequences of this type of negligence on a recurring basis. The Voluntary Support Group for Abandoned Animals (GAVAA), which works to rescue and rehabilitate dogs and cats, receives animals in different conditions — many of them with problems related to nutrition and lack of basic care.
“Most of the animals arrive weakened. Recovery necessarily involves adequate nutrition and an environment that allows them to recover”, says Juliana Valverde, responsible for the NGO.
Today, around 4.8 million dogs and cats live in vulnerable situations in Brazil, according to Instituto Pet Brasil. Although the number is often associated with abandoned animalsthe veterinarian highlights that problems related to care can also occur at home.
For Mayara Andrade, part of these situations is linked to a lack of information: “Many tutors want to do their best, but they don’t always know how to meet their needs. pet. Therefore, seeking guidance and understanding what the animal needs at each stage of life makes all the difference.”
By Roberta Muller