Update 9/4/19: BAARK (Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness), the Bahama Humane Society, Veterinary Medical Association of Bahamas and Ministry of Agriculture have selected IFAW to be the lead international agency to lead the relief efforts for animals affected by Hurricane Dorian.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is on the list to take in animals when they become available and must be removed from the Island.
For people that want to volunteer services or give donations they should email doriananimalrelief@gmail.com. The subject line should say “volunteer”.
Read Humane Society of Grand Bahama’s official statement HERE
If you’re a Florida resident you’re very familiar with hurricane season, which runs from June 1st through November 30th. Florida is projected to experience six hurricanes this season, two of which will be major hurricanes. We’re already in the midst of this time frame and it’s crucial to be proactive rather than reactive. While we usually receive some sort of warning before a hurricane reaches us, we should not wait until a disaster is approaching to prepare. The best protection from a natural disaster is a plan! Hurricanes can be scary and there’s a certain four-legged family member who’s counting on you to keep them safe and secure – your pet.
Storms are a leading cause of pets becoming lost and hurricanes unfortunately bring the possibility of evacuation, which heightens this problem. If you have to evacuate, don’t leave your pet behind! Pets left behind are at risk of being injured, lost, or killed. If it’s not safe for you to be in your home, then it isn’t safe for your pets either.
Below are our tips for what you can do – both now and during a disaster – to ensure your pet stays safe during the event of a hurricane.
What To Do NOW
ID your pet! In the event that your pet does get lost, identification will strongly increase your chances of being reunited with them. Microchipping is highly recommended, and you’ll want to be sure that the microchip registration is in your name and updated with current contact information. The average person doesn’t have a microchip scanner, however, so it’s a good idea to also have a collar ready to go with an ID tag securely attached. Putting your phone number on your pet’s ID tag makes it easy for someone to contact you right away.
Visit our shelter to pick up a FREE Disaster Bag to help you prepare. You can also easily create your own disaster kit.
Either way, include these items for your pet to bring if you need to evacuate:
– All current medications, including heartworm, flea and tick preventatives
– Current medical and vaccination records
– A minimum of 7 days’ worth of food and water – don’t forget a can opener and/or scooper!
– Food and water bowls
– Microchip ID number information
– A collar with rabies and ID tags and leashes (it’s never a bad idea to have backups)
– Pictures of you with your pets and of your pets alone, to prove ownership and help others identify them if you are separated
– List of unique markings your pet has
– Pet first-aid kit
– Poop bags
– Trash bags
– Toys and treats
– Litter boxes and litter
– A secure carrier or collapsible crate for each pet, large enough for them to stand comfortably and turn around
– Bedding and blankets
– Small container of disinfectant and paper towels
Find a safe place to evacuate to ahead of time. Ideally, this would be a friend or relative’s house, but it could also be an emergency shelter. Call your local office of emergency management before a disaster hits to see if you’ll be able to bring your pet to an emergency shelter – don’t assume! Pet-friendly shelters likely won’t be an option either as most of them will have extremely limited space in the event of a disaster.
Hillsborough County Emergency Info – 813.272.5900
Consider lining up a caregiver in your absence. If a hurricane hits while you’re away from home, have a contact who lives close to you, is comfortable with your pets, knows the location of your pet evacuation kit, and has access to your house.
What To Do THEN (During a Hurricane)
If you are evacuating, bring your pet and their disaster kit with you!
If you find yourself unable to go to a friend or relative’s house, locate pet-friendly hotels or shelter in the area you’ll be evacuating to and secure reservations.
If you’re staying at home, identify a safe area of the house where your family and pets can stay together, and put your emergency supplies in that room immediately. Bring pets indoors as soon as authorities say trouble is on the way and make sure they’re wearing identification. Close off any unsafe nooks and crannies where frightened cats may try to hide, and don’t let your pets roam loose!
Again, we urge you to recognize the importance of preparation! The last thing you want to do is be scrambling to keep your pet safe while you’re trying to figure out your own safe evacuation. Our pets cannot prepare for themselves in situations like this. It’s our job as pet parents to protect them, prepare for them, and be patient with them. If you are traveling with your pet make sure to keep them safe. Read how to keep you and your pet safe in an auto emergency here.
A detailed, downloadable emergency preparedness document covering the needs of dogs, cats, horses, swine, cattle, birds, reptiles, and rabbits during a disaster. Checklists and contact log included.
Updated during disasters to show shelters accepting pets. It is very important that your pets are up-to-date on their shots as shelters will not allow pets to enter without proof of current vaccinations.
Mayor Jane Castor adopted Cookie from us this week and we couldn’t be more thrilled! She came to us as a owner surrender and Mayor Castor heard about her story and fell in love with her.
Stay tuned with us on our social media accounts to hear updates on how Cookie is enjoying her new role!
Want to help Mayor Jane Castor re-name Cookie? Leave your suggestion on her puppy poll!
AAHA stands for the American Animal Hospital Association. AAHA is the only veterinary hospital association in America that provides accreditation to companion animal hospitals. The accreditation process for veterinary hospitals is voluntary, that means that a veterinary clinic has to want to become AAHA accredited because they want to be the gold standard for medical care for their four-legged patients.
To become accredited takes rigor and a serious investment of time and money. There are more than 900 standards that are evaluated in person every three years.
AAHA has outlined specific protocols, checklists, and guidelines that every accredited hospital must abide by. These protocols, checklists, and guidelines describe the way to practice medicine at the highest level. To become an AAHA accredited hospital, a complete practice audit is performed by the association to evaluate everything from the practice’s medical record keeping to surgery protocols to ensure that the hospital is following these AAHA guidelines and are, in fact, practicing the highest quality of medicine.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay Animal Hospital has been AAHA accredited for five years (since June 2014). We were the first animal hospital in Florida to receive/maintain this prestigious accreditation and only 15{7745412d95a2321b406eae40e1de3a46791e79f925cd769a0bc2e92f1240c8bc} of animal hospitals in the United States are AAHA accredited.
Standards
AAHA accreditation ensures accredited hospitals are using the most up-to-date technology and requires that veterinarians that work at accredited hospitals stay up-to-date with the latest developments in veterinary medicine through continuing education.
AAHA is continuously updating their standards to meet the changes and updates in veterinary medicine. To stay accredited, a veterinary hospital must pass an audit every three years to show that the practice has updated their practice protocols to meet these changes as well.
Examples
Some examples of practices that AAHA accredited animal hospitals are required to use that some non-accredited animal hospitals might not have include:
– Aggressive handling or restraint is prohibited
– An oxygen delivery system for critical patients that cannot breathe
– Dental X-Ray to better be able to identify and treat dental disease since 90{7745412d95a2321b406eae40e1de3a46791e79f925cd769a0bc2e92f1240c8bc} of dental disease is hidden below the gums
– Designated surgical suite
– Designated treatment area
– Pain assessment is considered part of every patient evaluated
Why we decided that we wanted to become AHHA accredited?
We believe that pets are an important part of the family and if accreditation is required for human hospitals than it is just as important for veterinary hospitals.
We wanted to give our clients a tangible way to know that they can trust that we are practicing at the highest level of medicine and feel confident that their pets are being well taken care of at our animal hospital.
In short, WE TRULY LOVE ANIMALS and want to ensure they are well cared for regardless of level of effort, time and cost.
At the Humane Society of Tampa Bay we LOVE rabbits! During Easter season we see an uptick of rabbits being adopted and bought as pets, then returned or brought to our shelter shortly after. We want to ensure that you are familiar with the special care a rabbit requires before considering making a rabbit a part of your family. We ask that you please read this educational blog post before considering a rabbit as a pet.
General Care
– Rabbits are social animals that do best with attention and social interactions. Try to talk calmly and stroke them daily.
– Some rabbits can be very affectionate and will nuzzle and lick owners while others are more laid-back and shy.
– Never approach a rabbit directly in front. They have laterally placed eyes and cannot see directly in front of themselves.
– Before picking up a rabbit, pat gently between the eyes until he relaxes.
– Never attempt to pick up a struggling rabbit, they can break their own backs attempting to get away. Always support their back legs when you pick them up and carry them around.
– Rabbits love to move and manipulate objects. This provides exercise and simulations. Brown cardboard boxes are great for chewing. Plain non-toxic wood or hard plastic baby toys are also good.
– Rabbits are prey species. They strive on predictable and stable environment.
Housing
– Keep rabbits indoor only to avoid predators, fleas, and ticks. However, in Florida you can keep your rabbits outside (as long as the area is covered) so that they can get plenty of exercise.
– Try to avoid wire flooring this can cause hock problems.
– If flooring is wire, then cover with sections of newspaper (will be messy if bunny digs) or plain cardboard.
– If using a dog cage, make sure the wire spacing is small enough so the bunny’s head or limbs do not get stuck.
– Keep rabbits out of extreme heat.
– Avoid keeping rabbits in the same room as barking dogs and avoid keeping them in full view of cats.
– Place litter box in corner of cage the rabbit has chosen for urination. Line with newspaper and fill with grass hay and dump daily.
– Avoid pine and cedar chips as bedding or litter material.
– Small boxes for bunny to hide in are useful in wire cages to help them feel safe. May increase territorial behaviors (mainly in unspayed females).
Food
– Most important food for a rabbit is hay.
– Rabbits should eat dark-leafy greens daily if possible (all leaf lettuces, dandelion greens, kale, collards, turnip greens).
– Avoid cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, spinach, bread and other high carbohydrate foods.
– Pellets should be plain.
– Good treats in small amounts are slice of apple or banana, sunflower seeds, 2 inch piece of carrot, parsley, cilantro and basil.
Bunny Proofing Your Home
– Cover wires with hard plastic sleeves or flex tubing.
– Use large flex tubing on wooden table or chair legs.
– Cover baseboards with plastic guards or furring strips. Clear packaging tape could also work.
– Most houseplants are toxic to bunnies including poinsettia, holly, tomato leaves, tulips
You can keep your dogs safe by utilizing heartworm medication. Our veterinarian can test your dog for heartworms and help you pick affordable heartworm prevention products that are available at our Animal Hospital.
Heartworm Testing & Prevention Products: Please call 813-870-3304 to make your appointment.
Our Animal Hospital is open Monday through Sunday from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm and is located just north of the shelter at 3809 N. Armenia Avenue.
Heartworm Disease – What Is It and What Causes It?
Heartworm disease is a serious disease that results in severe lung disease, heart failure, other organ damage, and death in pets, mainly dogs, cats, and ferrets. It caused by a parasitic worm. The worms are spread through the bite of a mosquito. The dog is the definitive host, meaning that the worms mature into adults, mate, and produce offspring while living inside a dog. The mosquito is the intermediate host, meaning that the worms live inside a mosquito for a short transition period in order to become ineffective (able to cause heartworm disease). The worms are called “heartworms” because the adults live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of an infected animal.
The Heartworm Lifecycle in Dogs:
Inside a dog, a heartworm’s lifespan is 5 to 7 years. Adult heartworms look like strands of cooked spaghetti, with males reaching about 4 to 6 inches in length and females reaching about 10 to 12 inches in length. The number of worms living inside an infected dog is called the worm burden.
How is a Dog Tested for Heartworms?
A veterinarian uses blood tests to check a dog for heartworms. An antigen test detects specific heartworm proteins, called antigens, which are released by adult female heartworms into the dog’s bloodstream. In most cases, antigen tests can accurately detect infections with one or more adult female heartworms. The earliest that the heartworm proteins can be detected in a dog’s bloodstream is about 5 months after it is bitten by an infected mosquito. The earliest that microfilaria can be detected in a dog’s bloodstream is about 6 months after it is bitten by an infected mosquito.
When Should a Dog Be Tested for Heartworms?
Dogs 5-6 months of age and older should be tested for heartworms before starting heartworm prevention. A dog may appear healthy on the outside, but on the inside, heartworms may be living and thriving. If a heartworm-positive dog is not tested before starting a preventive, the dog will remain infected with adult heartworms until it gets sick enough to show symptoms.
Is There a Treatment for Heartworm Disease in Dogs?
Melarsomine dihydrochloride (available under the trade names Immiticide and Diroban) is an arsenic-containing drug that is FDA-approved to kill adult heartworms in dogs. It’s given by deep injection into the back muscles to treat dogs with stabilized class 1, 2, and 3 heartworm disease. The treatment for heartworm disease is not easy on the dog or on the owner’s pocket book. Treatment can be potentially toxic to the dog’s body and can cause serious complications, such as life-threatening blood clots to the dog’s lungs. Treatment is expensive because it requires multiple visits to the veterinarian, bloodwork, x-rays, hospitalization, and a series of injections.
One of the largest animal welfare issues is the one that most people aren’t aware of: puppy trafficking. As the popularity of pets, dogs in particular, continues to rise, the illegal business of dog smuggling has seen immense growth all across the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Thailand, Singapore and more.
Animal smuggling is on the rise, and wannabe pet owners, looking for “designer” dogs and young pups of specific breeds, buying dogs from illegal breeders or other unidentified sources, are the reason why this problem has gotten completely out of hand.
Smuggling is the act of either sneaking in goods and merchandise (including animals) from one country into another or falsifying documentation in order to do so. The main motivation for this illegal task is profit. There are often three reasons smuggled goods make money:
1) goods at a lower tax rate are available outside of one’s country
2) the demand for the goods can’t be met within one’s country and so another resource is taken advantage of,
3) the goods are found in another country at a lower cost and then purchased within one’s country by an unwitting consumer.
In order to understand how the business of dog smuggling (or puppy trafficking) works, it’s important to look at determining factors, such as economic structures of border countries and states as well as the policies that make smuggling more or less difficult.
Economics, Politics, and Supply-and-Demand
Smuggling occurs as a way to get around unsavory legislation (often imposing tariffs or border regulation) while further legislation is created to put a stop to smuggling.
It’s difficult to stop a system that works so well, however. When an item is in demand, two parties play key roles and both benefit: the Buyer gets what they want (a coveted item) and the Seller gets what they want (money). And while many associate smuggling with firearms and drugs, there’s another item on the rise: puppies.
Currently, the pet care industry is one of the largest and fastest growing in the world. Americans spend an estimated $1,200 on their pet each year (not including routine veterinary care). The American Pet Products Association estimated that the U.S. spent over 72 billion dollars on pet care products in 2018; that’s a jump from the amount spent during 2017: 69.51 billion. While the desire for having dogs as pets in America is apparent, smuggling of these common household pets is made easier by the economic differences between the United States and its neighbor, Mexico.
The U.S. and Mexico border illustrates a mutually-beneficial, albeit illegal, operation of puppy and dog smuggling. Dogs purchased in Mexico for as little as $50 are transported to the United States where Americans are not only willing but able to pay as much as $1,000 for their new pet. Small dog breeds such as Chihuahuas, Poodles, and French Bulldogs are some of the most sought-after and can fetch a pretty penny.
Sadly, many of these animals come from inhumane conditions and carry life-threatening diseases, such as distemper and parvovirus. These diseases are not only brought into their new country, but typically lead to an early death, causing both heartbreak and costly veterinarian bills for the owner.
This pattern is also seen in the economically successful city-state of Singapore, where animal smugglers risk jail time and penalties in order to illegally export puppies from surrounding, more impoverished communities to find a wealthier market. Many other countries, including Thailand, China and Vietnam, are also dealing with this problem, albeit less successfully than the U.S. In Thailand, in one month alone, it’s not unusual for a single patrol to rescue approx. 800 dogs inhumanely stuffed into wire cages.
As dog smuggling business continues to experience growth due to popularity of pets, the West isn’t unaffected either. Many European countries are aware of this problem but little is done to deal with it effectively or discourage animal smuggles further. The United Kingdom has also seen a steady rise of profitability when it comes to pet accessories, foods, and toys, with the most current statistics showing over 5 billion euros annually. The country has become a telling example for how policy can affect the global rise of dog smuggling.
The U.K. has seen dog smuggling escalate rapidly within the past five years, with a spike occurring during the holiday season of 2017. Puppies as young as four weeks old are illegally trafficked into the country on a regular basis. The date the problem became worse isn’t a direct correlation to the Brexit vote results during the summer of 2016 as much as it is an issue of supply-and-demand and the introduction of The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) in 2012. Due to this and other related legal loopholes, dog smuggles are now motivated to commit to 30-hour trips from Europe to the U.K. in order to traffic as many young pups into the country as they can.
PETS allows dogs of only 15 weeks of age to travel into Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and it also commits to a more lax stance on vaccinations. And although the decision to leave the European Union isn’t set to greatly affect the United Kingdom until well into 2019, some politicians and citizens alike anticipate complications with both trade policies and border control (especially the 300 mile stretch between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which has remained peacefully unprotected for the past 40 years). However, many animal welfare organizations in the U.K. are calling the Brexit referendum an opportunity to reverse PETS. Whether this opportunity will be acknowledged and properly applied is yet to be seen.
However, change to or further regulation is not guaranteed to end illegal puppy transporting. In truth, so long as demand for “designer” breeds exists, illegal activity will find a way to operate and supply this demand. Dog smuggling acts much like any other legal business would: there’s a hierarchy of “employees” who all play specific roles in order to dodge legislation and at the end of a successful work day, there’s a paycheck. And the bill is fitted by ill-educated buyers.
Moreover, the legal system and authorities still do not take puppy trafficking (or animal cruelty) as serious as they should, and the laws in many countries – including the U.K. – are often too lax. Punishment is mild enough for dog smuggles not to be discouraged to profit from this illegal activity. For example, a 54-year old man from Killearn Crescent, Plains was only given a “ban” and a $3,300 fine for mistreatment and trading of many dogs, even though it’s been known to investigators that the man has a long history of animal cruelty.
The Buyers of Smuggled Dogs
A large part as to why dog smuggling works is due to those purchasing a pet that was illegally and often inhumanely transported. Many animal welfare organizations across the globe attempt to educate the community about the importance of knowing their puppy’s seller, but informative pamphlets and blog posts often fall by the way-side as soon as a future-owner sees floppy ears and cute puppy-dog eyes.
As we’ve seen through examples around the world, animal smuggling businesses are apt to commit fraud, creating fake vaccination papers and passports. And it’s because of this that many future pet owners are unaware of their dog’s early life and this is often because they are lied to by dog smugglers.
The internet plays a large part in the dog smuggling business’ success. This platform that’s available 24/7 around the world allows buyers to search through hundreds of photographs of puppies for sale, read short profiles about the canines (which, typically, are also not based on truth) and contact the seller directly to set up a time to meet/buy the dog.
The Sellers That Smuggle Dogs
Sellers may pose themselves as an animal sanctuary or revered breeder and the unsuspecting buyer buys not only the puppy but the charade. Others may choose to sell their smuggled animals to local pet shops, who are either unwitting or don’t care about the seller’s source.
The dog smuggling business relies on the falsification of documents which calls for otherwise trusted individuals to do. Following the example of puppy smuggling issues in the United Kingdom, investigations found that veterinarians in certain countries were willing to alter information concerning the birth and/or vaccination dates if paid to do so.
Once the puppy is considered old enough to travel – usually below the age many would recommend or what is federal law in the U.S. or other countries – and the appropriate documents (although typically falsified) are gathered, the smuggler plans their travel.
Driving is preferred over air travel as security is anything but lax in most international airports. While border check points still exist when driving hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles with dogs by your side, searches of the vehicle are often random enough to be avoided, especially if the driver doesn’t cause suspicion or can pose as a commuter. Many animal smugglers prepare for a vehicle search, however, often placing the puppies in hidden small, hidden compartments that are hollowed out or designed by the smugglers themselves.
However, in order to do all of this, sellers need a source from which they gain their puppies. And while it’s true that some dog smugglers consider themselves a Renaissance man of sorts – breeding, smuggling, and selling the puppy all by themselves – it’s more often that an additional resource is available to help, making their operation easier and them less liable.
The Main Source in Dog Smuggling
Utilizing a middle man, or “source”, protects the identity of the smuggler as well as keeps their tasks simple: the less time they must spend homing their snuck-in product, the more time they can spend traveling back and forth, keeping the money and operation constantly flowing.
Often, these sources are puppy breeding farms, or puppy mills, which routinely impregnate their female dogs so that their “product” (puppies) can continuously be available.
Sometimes these operations are able to work because they may exist in a country with lesser or no animal welfare regulations. Meaning, inhumane puppy breeding can occur with almost no interruption. These often unhealthy puppies are then picked up by the smuggler who may pose as an adopter and pay for the animals, or may even be in on the operation, splitting their profits with the illegal breeders.
He’Art of Rescue / SWNS
Why Dog Smuggling Is an Animal Welfare Issue
Puppies in particular are in danger of being smuggled, as their size allow for easier hiding. Investigations carried out by organizations like PETA, ASPCA, and DogsTrust (a British organization) have founded that smuggled pups are often inhumanely treated. Just this last September, a San Antonio man tried to smuggle 25 puppies and was caught at a checkpoint in Laredo, Texas. Trafficked puppies were clearly inhumanely treated, all covered in their own feces and urine, and stuffed inside duffel bags like old clothes.
There are many more cases like this.
One investigation found a container of puppies that was plastic wrapped with only a small hole allowing them to breathe while another found severe cases of skin infections imparted by inhumane conditions during transportation. It’s also common for these puppies to be restrained, immobile, and muzzled for as long as the journey between borders takes.
Sadly, the pet industry is not exclusive to canines and it’s a worldwide issue. Often, these animals, reptiles and birds are heavily drugged, uncomfortably contained, denied food, water, or a humane place to waste for hours, sometimes days. It’s not uncommon for smuggled animals to die during the journey.
How You Can Help
Buyers (or future pet adopters) can help break this illegal and harmful system by investigating the source they wish to buy a puppy from. You can ask to meet the puppy’s parents, ask to visit the seller’s home to see the conditions the puppy comes from. Any denial to these simple requests should raise red flags and you may or may not choose to report their information to a local animal rights organization for further investigation.
While policies often do little to stop dog smuggling, one thing that could damper it is a shrunken market. If everyone refused to purchase smuggled animals, and in general do better research into where the puppies are coming from to avoid illegal breeders and puppy mills, animal smugglers would see their business slowly diminish.
To-do list on how to avoid fostering puppy trafficking when getting a dog:
Always ask to see the puppy’s parents together with the pup
Never meet the seller anywhere else other than where the puppy lives
Do not purchase a dog from a place that sells more than one breed
Come to see the pet you want to adopt more than once
Don’t buy pups that look unhealthy, underweight or too young (do report them)
Ensure there’s paperwork for the dog, take it and bring it with you
If there are any red flags, walk away and report the place to local authorities
Bring your new puppy to a veterinarian for a check-up right away
Do not allow to be pressured into purchasing an animal
It’s better to adopt, not shop for a puppy. But if you do prefer to buy a dog of specific breed, make sure to get one only from a reputable breeder that operates legally.
Primarily, you should make plans to spay or neuter your pet because it is in the best interest of your pet. You would, of course, be getting some advantages such as your pet will be cleaner and more well-behaved. In the end it is your pet’s comfort and health that comes first. Here are the reasons you should consider spaying or neutering your pet.
Every Life Counts
If your pet does not have testicles or a uterus then he or she cannot get cancer or tumors in those areas. The chances of contracting various different types of tumors and cancer are much lowered after spaying and neutering. Plus, generally speaking, sexual alteration can prolong a dog’s life by a year or three or even more. It can prolong a cat’s life by as much as three to five years. Not going on heat means that your pet is less likely to do things that could lead to trouble like straying from home or getting into fights with other animals. Spaying and neutering will offer your pet a healthier and longer life.
End Animal Homelessness
It’s a wonderful idea to deeply consider how spaying and neutering can relate to other animals. Several millions of unwanted stray dogs and cats are turned over to shelters every year. Many of these poor animals will never find a loving forever home. Unfortunately, this can often lead to euthanasia. Spaying or neutering will prevent this awful regularity from continuing. The expense tending to unwanted animals can run into the billions. Considering that some shelters rely strictly on charitable donations, this is money not easily come by.
Behavior Improvements
This won’t fix every behavior problem, but lessening a male pet’s testosterone levels may result in him being a little less aggressive. A female who no longer feels compelled to let everyone know that she’s available will not yowl or spray. That disconcerting mounting behavior that is the punchline of many a trite dog joke will not become reality if your dog is altered by age of six months. The vet may be able to operate when your pet is as young as eight weeks, given that your pet is in ideal health.
Do you want to learn more about other very good reasons to spay or neuter your pet? Then please take some time to look over this infographic. Your pet will be glad you did!
Everyone needs sleep — even pets. You might think your pet’s sleep needs are similar to yours (as they may do most of their sleeping when you do), but the fact is animals have unique sleep needs and sometimes need help getting all of the rest they need.
The good news is animals are often flexible sleepers. They can adjust their schedule to sleep when you’re resting, out of the house, or otherwise not likely to engage with them. But even flexible sleepers can struggle to sleep well sometimes, and you can offer help as a pet parent.
How Much Sleep Pets Need
While most adult humans need somewhere in the neighborhood of eight hours of sleep each night, you can count on pets such as cats and dogs needing at least 12 hours of sleep. But it doesn’t necessarily all happen at night.
Dogs often have a sleep schedule similar to human toddlers. They need about 12 to 14 hours of sleep each 24 hour period. However, puppies or elderly dogs, extremely active dogs or large breeds may need more than that. They may consolidate most of their sleep at night during your rest period, then make up the rest of their sleep needs with daytime naps.
Cats are known for their naps, and for a good reason: The average cat sleeps between 12 to 16 hours each day (more for kittens and elderly cats). And with that much sleeping, there’s bound to be plenty of daytime napping. Like dogs, cats may adjust their schedule to yours. But generally, you can expect cats to be most active at dawn and dusk.
How to Help Pets Sleep Well
Pets may not need your help to sleep well. They may be able to rely on natural instincts and manage their own sleep needs. But if you notice your pet sleeping less than usual or acting tired while not getting the rest they need, you might need to intervene.
Offer a healthy diet. Sleep and overall health go hand in hand. Eating junk food or a meal that’s too large before bed can make it tough for pets to get to sleep, so feed them an appropriate amount at a time that’s early enough to give them a couple hours to digest before they should go to sleep for the night.
Make sure they’re active. Wearing your pet out during the day can make for a night of more restful sleep. Offer regular physical activity, stimulation, and attention during the day.
Give them a healthy place to sleep. Like any member of the family, your pet needs a bed where they can rest and feel comfortable. Consider their needs and offer a bed that will help them sleep well at night.
Take care of their needs before you go to sleep. Pets may lie awake at night needing to go out to use the bathroom, hungry for a snack, or just wanting attention. Before you head off to bed, take some time to connect and make sure you’ve met their needs so they can rest without interruption.
As flexible sleepers with natural instincts, you shouldn’t be overly concerned with your pet’s sleep, but too little or too much could indicate a problem that needs addressing. If you’re worried about how much your pet is sleeping, talk to your vet about their sleep patterns and offer support for healthy sleep.
Jackie Kepler is a MattressReviews.net sleep professional. She enjoys sleeping with cats, but sleeps on a king size bed because she needs her space, too.
