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Make efforts to be a better pet caretaker in 2008

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito, right, his wife, Crown Princess Masako, left, and their daughter, Princess Aiko, smile as they stroll with their dogs. (AP Photo / December 1, 2007)

Denise Flaim | Animal House

December 27, 2007

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Dogs, cats and all the feathered and furred don't know from New Year's resolutions: For them, every day is an opportunity to experience the world to the fullest.

But since we humans dwell in possibility, living as much in contemplation of the future as in the moment, here are some suggested resolutions for 2008:

Resolve to feed a better diet. You are what you eat isn't just a cliche - it's reality. Reject the mass-marketing from commercial pet-food companies and embrace common sense: All living creatures benefit from fresh, hydrated, whole foods.

If you have birds or exotics, consult some authoritative sources to see if you can replace some seeded and pelleted foods with more natural fruits and vegetables.

Denise Flaim Bio | E-mail | Recent columns

If you have a dog or cat, invest in Kymythy Schultze's excellent book "Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats" (Hay House, $8.95), and don't look back.

Resolve to help rescue. Animal overpopulation continues to be an overwhelming problem, as any visit to your local shelter will show. First and foremost, consider making the next addition to your menagerie a rescue. From chinchillas to sugar gliders, Siberians to Siamese, there is a rescue group for virtually every category of companion, as well as many private organizations that save animals regardless of pedigree.

For those who can't offer a permanent home, fostering - for a few days, weeks or months - gives a rescue animal a safe haven until a forever home materializes.

If you can't commit to sheltering an animal, you can volunteer to transport animals for a rescue group or join a "railroad" (http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=rescue+railroad). And your financial support is always welcome.

Resolve to get plugged in. The more we know, the more we realize how much there still is to know. No matter what animal you keep, what breed you love, what species you cherish, there is an online group devoted to it. Such online communities are sometimes contentious places, but once you look past the keyboard braggadocio, you'll invariably find knowledgeable voices with much-needed advice and guidance. While this should never take the place of veterinary care for medical problems, there is also no substitute for experience.

Resolve to get vaccine-savvy. Don't wait until a health crisis hits before you modernize your attitude about vaccinations. The veterinary profession has rapidly changed its more-is-more attitude toward vaccines, to the point that "annual shots" are as archaic a concept as whalebone corsets. For many vaccines, every three years is becoming a minimum interval.

If you don't know what vaccines your animal is getting, or when, get the list from your vet before your appointment. Then compare that to the list of core and noncore vaccines for dogs identified by the American Animal Hospital Association at http://aaha net.org/resources/guidelines _canine.aspx, and those for cats by the American Association of Feline Practitioners at aafponline.org/resources/guidelines/ 2006_Vaccination_Guidelines _JAVMA_%20PDF_Plus.pdf

Resolve to beat boredom. A good puppy is a tired puppy - and the same applies to any other species. Exercise isn't just physical: Birds benefit from "foraging toys," which require them to work for their food, just as they would in the wild. Dogs and cats have their own versions, from the doggie-centric Buster Cube to the Cat Snackball, which need to be artfully manipulated before they release their loot.

Resolve to be careful. A breeder friend of mine recently heard the harrowing story of a puppy of hers whose leash got stuck in the doors of an elevator: Thankfully, the pup's collar broke as the elevator descended, saving the pet from sure strangulation. But other dogs I have heard of - including one beloved elderly golden retriever - were not so lucky.

Remember that seemingly innocuous household items can be a death sentence for some animals. Fumes from Teflon cookware can kill birds. Raisins and grapes are toxic to some dogs. And elbowing aside my fear of corn-cob ingestion - they cannot be digested and must be surgically removed - is paranoia over my dogs getting into a bottle of Gorilla Glue: The super-expanding adhesive solidifies in the stomach and has to be literally peeled off it.

Resolve to be a better human. Sharing our lives with animals is a privilege. Be worthy of it.