FAMILY& PARENTING With all your resolutions to exercise an hour a day, say no to doughnuts, and never yell at your kids again—even when they really, really deserve it—it’s easy to overlook Fido and Flu� y. You consider them part of your family, so why not include them in your plans for the new year? Start by resolving to avoid three common pet-owner mistakes, thereby keeping your pet happier and healthier all year long. Play well with others. Did you just adopt a pet or receive one as a holiday present? You have a small but crucial window to make sure your newest family member is socialized. This should happen within the � rst six to 12 weeks, says Je� Wells, DVM, a Colorado veterinarian and author of All My Patients Have Tales and All My Patients Kick and Bite. “From a vet standpoint, nothing is worse than having to treat a dog or cat that hasn’t been socialized.” Sign your pup up for obedience school, and try to introduce your puppy or kitten to lots of people in those early weeks. Play with him o� en, and expose him to people of di� erent ages. Nip and tuck. Many pet owners feel bad about getting their pets spayed or neutered, but this is a must. “There’s an overpopulation of pets, and it’s a sad situation for animals that don’t get adopted,” Wells says. Your pet can su� er, too: Unspayed female cats and dogs are more likely to get mammary tumors, which PET HEALTH Master Plan WANT TO BE A BETTER PET OWNER THIS YEAR? AVOID THESE COMMON MISTAKES By Linda Formichelli 33 are like breast cancer in humans. Unneutered pets also tend to roam, putting them at risk of � ghts and getting hit by a car. Give them the runaround. Just as in humans, pet obesity can lead to a host of health woes. Wells recommends walking dogs a minimum of half an hour, twice daily. And buy some inexpensive toys and play with kitty an hour daily. EXPERT TIP “Taurine, an amino acid, is an essential daily requirement for cats. It occurs naturally in foods like meat and seafood. Pet owners who prefer homemade diets must include it in other ways, such as taurine powder.”—William Draper, DVM W ebMD.COM JAN/FEB 2013 THREE TO BE Veterinarian and author Je� Wells, DVM, o� ers tips to help you avoid pet problems. 1. Think before you adopt. Yes, that adorable ball of flu� in the window is tempting, but it’s never a good idea to adopt on a whim. Before you add another pet to your brood, research di� erent animals and breeds to make sure you end up with one that meshes with your family. 2. Plan ahead for veterinary costs. Start a vet savings account to cover unexpected expenses. If your pet needs treatment, let your vet know how much you can spend. She can tell you about options at di� erent price points. 3. Help your pet age gracefully. Many dogs are considered geriatric at 7 years, and cats at 9. Older animals require extra tests at their vet checkups to rule out age-related complications like thyroid disease and arthritis. You may also need to switch to a food formulated for senior dogs or cats, keep your pet indoors during hot and cold weather, and get him checked at the vet more often. Reviewed by William Draper, DVM WebMD Pet Health Expert RON SCHMIDT
Call On Paging Mindy Kaling! The actor, writer, producer, and all-around funny lady steps out of The Office into the spotlight in a role she was born to play By Rebecca Ascher-Walsh PhotograPh by Emily Shur/CorbiS outlinE
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