3 Pet-Related Tasks To Do Before Your Surgery

With your surgery date right around the corner, it may feel like you have a million things to cross off of your to-do list; don't forget to include the four-legged members of your household in your planning. Make sure to add these tasks to your list to ensure you and your pets are as prepared as possible for your procedure.

1. Book a Stay at a Kennel 

Most patients know to secure care for their children, but pets are commonly overlooked. When you are used to caring for your pets daily, it is easy to forget just how much effort goes into walking, feeding, and cleaning up after your furry family members.

Depending on the severity of your procedure, you may be unable to care for your pets for days or a couple of weeks. Consider boarding your pets at a kennel while you recover. Knowing that your pets are being properly walked, played with, and cared for lets you focus on your recovery. 

You may need to book your pet's boarding in advance if your surgery occurs during popular vacation periods. To make sure that your pets have a spot, contact your preferred kennel as soon as possible.

Many kennels have vaccine requirements for animals who stay on-site; check these requirements so that you can secure an appointment with your vet. For more information, you can contact companies like All Pets Hospital Ltd.

2. Stock Up on Heavy Pet Items

Many common pet supplies, such as bags of pet food, cage bedding, and litter, come in heavy packages. You will likely be on some type of lifting restriction for at least a few weeks after your surgery; your restrictions could last even longer if your procedure is in-depth or if your recovery is slow.

See that you purchase and store heavy pet items while you are still capable of lifting them. Ideally, store them in a more manageable container so that you can comfortably move or access them after your procedure. For example, you might store your pet's food in a clear storage container that is outfitted with wheels.

3. Administer Any Necessary Flea or Tick Medications

The last thing you want to do during your recovery is deal with a pest infestation. Flea infestations in particular are notoriously hard to get rid of and typically require professional assistance. Help prevent this from happening by making sure your pet is up-to-date on any preventive medications. Though these medicines are typically not difficult to administer, checking that your pets are up-to-date decreases the chance that fleas, ticks, or other pests overrun your home.