The Bottomless Pit: Strange Things Pets Eat
Photo: P. Markham
Pets, being curious creatures, are prone to ingesting some things that would horrify owners. As such, when comparing pet insurance, it’s important to know that your pet may indeed be an angel, but there may come a day when they swallow something they shouldn’t. This is commonly known as pica, a desire to eat items that weren’t designed to be eaten.
Why do pets do this? Well, sometimes the object just looks interesting and they don’t even realise what they’re doing. Sometimes they do it out of boredom. Others may have dietary problems that need to be resolved by a veterinarian. Then finally, there are some pets that do it just because their compulsive natures drive them to eat disgusting things.
There have been many cases of dogs ingesting entire pairs of socks or major parts of shoes. Much to their owners’ grief, dogs certainly enjoying chewing on shoes- sometimes expensive ones if they can get their paws on them- and if they’re not careful or stopped in time, they could very well swallow harmful pieces.
Not to mention some of the sharp things pets swallow. There have been several cases of razor heads, needles, and fish hooks ending up in pets’ stomachs. If these sharp objects puncture the stomach lining, this can cause internal bleeding that can lead to death. When you compare pet insurance, realise that the cost of insurance at that point is much cheaper than paying out of a pocket for a veterinarian to open up your pet and pry the object out before it causes some serious damage.
Then there are poisonous objects, such as chocolate (the darker it is, the more toxic it is to your pet), antifreeze, and other common household chemicals. If ingested, they can poison your pet. One time, at the veterinarian clinic where I used to work, a client brought in a cat that had ingested a large amount of marijuana. It not only had a psychological effect on the cat, but it also damaged the cat’s inner stomach lining.
Inducing vomiting may be one primary way to get the dangerous substances out of the system, but if this isn’t possible or working, then get your pet to a veterinarian immediately. Time matters when your pet’s life is on the line and comparing pet insurance that covers emergency situations such as these is crucial to saving your finances in the meantime.
Then you have small animals to worry about. Sometimes cats and dogs eat rats, mice, birds, or reptiles that could be carrying harmful diseases. Because it’s hard to prevent the damage once your pet has swallowed the dead animal’s remains, going to a vet is necessary for them to assess the situation and determine whether or not your pet needs surgery.
Surgeries can stretch into the thousands of dollars. Comparing pet insurance to minimise veterinary costs can combat these wallet-draining situations as well as protect your pet during a life-threatening time. It’s a win-win, though of course it would be nice to keep such objects out of your pet’s reach in the first place, too.
Related posts:
- Keeping Your Furry Friends Safe: Pet Insurance in Australia
- Saving Money on Pets: Order Medications Online
- Saving Money on Pets: The Emergency Fund
- 10 Reasons Why You Should Insure Your Pets
- Cats or Dogs? A Pet Insurance Perspective
This article is opinion only and should not be taken as financial advice.
Filed Under: Understanding Insurance
