When looking for a new pet to add to your family, the options are endless. Every size, breed, personality, and age can be found at your local shelter, humane society, or rescue. But there’s one type of pet that stands out for what it lacks rather than the attributes it has: a disabled pet. Of course, whatever disabled pets don’t have, they more than make up for it with what’s in their hearts. Anyone who has adopted a disabled pet or one with special needs knows how incredibly gratifying and rewarding an experience it can be. The love and care you give to a disabled pet can come back to you ten-fold.
That said, it takes a special person to adopt and provide for a disabled pet. In this article, we’ll outline five things you should know before adopting a disabled pet.
1. Think About the Long-Term When Considering to Adopt a Disabled Pet
Adopting any type of pet is a forever decision. A young puppy with boundless energy eventually grows old and develops different needs. But owning a disabled pet is a far greater obligation. However, if you decide to adopt one for the right reasons and your heart is in the right place, you’ll be able to adapt to whatever circumstances come along.
To care for a disabled pet, it’s ideal to have a work schedule that permits you to look after your pet during the daytime hours. If you need to travel frequently and must leave your pet with various people, it might become a stressful situation for your furry companion. Additionally, it’s wise to try to picture your life in the years to come. Will your employment remain the same? Will you still have the desire and time to care for a disabled pet?
2. Everyone Should Be All In
Making an honest commitment to yourself to devote the energy and time needed to care for a disabled pet is only one part of the equation. Everyone in your home needs to be up for making the necessary adjustments to their lifestyle. If not, your new addition will become a source of anxiety and frustration for everyone, and sadly your pet will suffer. This includes children and the current pets that you own. Disabled pets have a very difficult time finding loving homes and many get bounced around when things don’t work out. The last thing they need is a hopeful situation to turn out badly.
3. Make Sure You Have the Financial Means
Not every disabled pet requires more than the average pet, but it’s better to have the expectation that most will. Disabled pets may require long-term medications, medical equipment, surgical procedures, and special training. While pet insurance can help you pay for new health conditions that may develop in the future, no pet insurance covers pre-existing conditions. Therefore, it’s extra important to understand the financial implications of adopting a disabled pet.
Let’s take the case of a disabled dog with paralyzed back legs. This is usually due to a “slipped disc” in the back, causing pressure on the spinal cord, such that the cord can become permanently damaged, leading to paralysis of the rear legs and even loss of bowel and bladder control.
Immediate surgery can sometimes correct and reverse the paralysis, however, such a treatment is invasive and might be financially out of reach of a well-intended adoptive family. If surgery isn’t an option, custom doggy wheelchairs are available. A wheelchair can be very effective at allowing a paralyzed dog to be ambulatory and get around surprisingly well if an owner can’t afford the surgery. In some cases, owners of a dog with this condition might have to manually express the animal’s bladder, otherwise, urine will build up until the bladder is so full the animal dribbles or leaks urine. This scenario illustrates the importance of considering the financial and emotional requirements needed before you adopt a disabled pet.
4. Ask Yourself if You Have the Physical Stamina to Care for a Disabled Pet
Owning a disabled pet isn’t only a mental and financial challenge. In some cases, you need to be physically fit enough to care for their needs. If you are unable to, you need to be able to count on someone in your family or a close friend to play that role. It’s important to realize that a disabled pet’s needs can change over time and demand a more physical effort on your part as time goes on. While no one can plan for every scenario, make sure you address as much as you can before adopting a pet with special needs.
5. Reach Out for Help
It always helps to know what you’re signing up for before you make a major commitment. With social media and other internet resources, you can seek out other dog or cat owners who have cared for a pet with the similar disabilities and medical issues as the one you’re considering. This will give you insight and ideas on how to best care for your new pet right away. Having solid support in your corner is a huge asset in caring for a disabled pet.
Adopt a Disabled Pet for a Better, Fulfilled Life
If you’re certain that adopting a disabled pet is right for you, go for it. Don’t be discouraged by the potential challenges but ensure you can provide the care that may be required. Your life will quickly be impacted in a profound and positive way. Finding the right veterinarian will be crucially important to guide the care your pet receives. In addition, pet insurance for your new furry friend is always a smart idea. It won’t cover pre-existing conditions, but can help you pay for thousands of other conditions that could develop later. Having a pet health insurance plan from Pets Best can help provide peace of mind knowing you can focus on your pet's vet care and not the bill from the vet.