Vet advises extra care for pets as rainy season begins

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MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA declared earlier this month that the country has officially entered the year's rainy season.

Filipinos should expect more frequent rains scattered over the next several weeks until the "Ber" months, with the looming El Niño enhancing monsoon rainfall over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas.

More rains also means pet owners need to be more wary for their fur babies getting wet or muddy, though it isn't just the actual weather sparking a change.

Dr. Roxanne Ignacio, a veterinarian and resident ambassador for pet wellness brand Dr. Shiba, pointed out in an interview that owners do not notice how their pets' moods and routines change during the rainy season.

According to Dr. Ignacio, dogs can get a little restless while cats settle in and sleep more when either are cooped inside for days.

"It is easy to read the sleepy ones as relaxed, but a shift in your pet's usual energy, in either direction, is often the first gentle sign the season is starting to affect them. Noticing it early makes everything easier to manage," the vet added.

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With pets not getting their usual hours outdoors because of the rain, the doctor advises giving animals mental work instead of physical ones to keep pets pleasantly tired.

Dog owners can hide kibble pieces for canines to sniff out or hide meal portions in treat toys. Cats, meanwhile, can be engaged with short hunting-style games with a wand or ball.

"Just 10 minutes of sniffing or chasing can satisfy a pet more than you would expect, and it keeps the indoor days feeling full," Dr. Ignacio said.

Being indoors during the rainy season mean the possibility of more ticks and fleas hanging out in pets' damp fur or hair. Fur parents should watch out when their pets are scratching more than usual, shaking their heads a lot, or nibbling at the same spot.

The vet advises running one's hands through a pet's coat and checking warm, hidden places after walks: behind and inside the ears, under collars, between toes, and around the tail.

She explained that ticks latch on to where the fur is thin while fleas appear as tiny, dark specks close to the skin.

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"Drying the coat well after walks, washing bedding often and staying on a regular tick-and-flea preventive from your vet handles most of it," the vet suggested. "If you do find a tick, ask your vet to show you how to remove it properly, since squeezing or twisting it can leave the head behind and cause more irritation."

Some pets can get scared by heavy rainfall or loud thunderstrikes, so a cozy spot to retreat to — covered crated or quiet corners for dogs, high perches or snug hideaways for cats — should be prepared.

"Keep your own energy calm and reassuring, since pets take their cues from us," said the vet, adding that worried pets should not be scolded or pushed to get used to loud noises.

Rather, pets should feel they are safe, especially when they are reacting strongly to passing storms.

Dr. Ignacio closed by advising pet owners to simply enjoy the rainy season with fur babies and keep an eye on them each day.

"Pets do best when owners notice the little things early, like a small change in appetite, energy or smell," she finished. "You know your own pet best, so a little attention goes a long way through the rains."

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