NZ-owned pet company Pet Direct released its pet survey recently and this infographic was the one I found most interesting and relevant.
The results align well with what my clients tell me. They seek out my services for support in their dog’s care – so of course general health features.
Arthritis is a major concern (no one likes to see there dog growing old) and there is a lot of confusion about what management options are available and that arthritis is actually a disease of the young dog. I still see too many pet parents who think a supplement is going to be their 100% solution which is the farthest from the truth. A multi-modal management strategy is needed.
And then comes anxiety. Thanks to my Fear Free certification, a lot of the clients I see have dogs with multiple issues and one of those is anxiety. Imagine living your life in a constant state of stress, unable to communicate in people language what is wrong! I really feel for these dogs. Massage, acupressure and lifestyle changes are all part of the picture for these dogs.
A friend of mine said she noticed that many of the posts on my Facebook page mention weight loss. Weight adds stress to the joints – so no surprises that weight management and diet are on my assessment list, too.
It’s certainly worth looking at the Pet Direct survey and thinking of what you can do for your dog and how you fit within the ‘norms’ of pet ownership in NZ. My full assessments include a review of your dog’s veterinary history, an in-home visit with gait analysis, massage and exercise game plan recommendations. Easy, convenient and cost effective.
Kathleen Crisley is Fear-Free certified dog massage therapist and canine fitness trainer. She has a particular passion for working with dogs and their families to ensure injury prevention and quality of life. She specialises in working with anxious and emotionally damaged dogs. Her mobile practice, The Balanced Dog, is based in Christchurch, New Zealand
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