My pet – my best friend

Dogs and cats, like all pets, are an important social partner for humans; a positive relationship can also have a beneficial effect on our health. How lovely it is, especially in difficult times, to be greeted joyfully, even if you were only away briefly. When the cat purrs on the sofa and the dog contentedly gives itself over to being stroked.

A veritable rush on animal shelters

That is how many German citizens thought during the first peak of the coronavirus pandemic in March. More or less spontaneously, they brought a cat or a dog into the house. Not only for distraction, but also because they felt lonely. In addition, many employees were working from home and so felt less alone. But should that alone be the reason to get a pet? After all, 45% of all households in Germany have a pet anyway. There was a veritable run on animal shelters too. Even older dogs and cats or not-so-easy animals that had perhaps been through hard times suddenly found a home. Among the general population, cats and dogs in particular enjoy great popularity as flatmates. Many think that older people in particular regard cats and dogs as a substitute for a partner or a child. Experts do not necessarily like to see it that way; they think that in a pet one finds something different from a human being. And perhaps that is exactly what one wants and needs. It is a different form of partnership that one enters into with the animal.

Cat and dog bring responsibility with them

One scientist interprets it thus: that a relationship with a pet is easier for the very reason that it is less complicated. It must not, however, come to the point where the four-legged friend takes over sole rule. That certainly happens with some spoilt cats and dogs. The pet must adapt. For all the love for our pets: anyone who acquires one also takes on an obligation. Time, money, attention and enough space must be planned in. So the fear is not far-fetched that not all pets placed in spring can actually stay in their new home. For it can easily happen that one did not think about the time after coronavirus. When everyone leaves the house again and the pet is alone. Or when one realises that the space is not sufficient after all and the effort is too much after all.

Tips on a pet – whether dog or cat

Some valuable tips: first of all, whether a cat or a dog even suits you? Experts advise trying it with "animal sitting". That can look like asking the neighbours whether you can look after their cat or dog. This way you get a feel for whether you want to take on lasting responsibility for a four-legged friend. Then there is also the animal sponsorship: in many animal shelters you can become an animal sponsor for a small fee. This includes contact with the animal. If you choose a dog, you can also go for walks with it. With cats you can occupy yourself, possibly play with them. Sometimes voluntary help is also offered. Foster home: hard-to-place furry noses are glad of a place in a foster family. The costs should be clarified in advance with the shelter. There are also so-called cat sanctuaries that care for cats from poor keeping until someone declares themselves willing to take them on. Here, however, you should already have prior experience with animals, in this example with cats.

The beloved four-legged friend should stay healthy

Once you have the pet, there are of course also tips for a healthy animal to observe. It is strongly advised against, as it used to be, that table scraps and food leftovers made up the daily meal. Poor food can encourage health problems such as obesity, diabetes and intolerances. Special dietary foods or food supplements are sometimes necessary to cover the animal's special needs or to support normal vitality. Owners usually get these from the vet or animal health practitioner, as well as medicines that the vet can dispense and bill directly. A pet health insurance is very appropriate, because vet costs are often very high. In doing so, you should check the conditions carefully, as there are often differences in price and coverage. Prescription-only preparations are only handed over to you at the pharmacy if you present a prescription from the vet. Antiparasitics such as tick and flea products, however, are available without a prescription. Medicines, for example painkillers, should never be given on your own initiative, but only after consultation with the vet. Even small doses such as ibuprofen can be fatal for cats.