Sometimes the internet is not your best friend when it comes to treating our pets at home and we can put the health of our pets at risk when choosing to not take them to the vet and here’s why…

Just a quick Google search will have you thinking you are a vet and can treat your pet for something wrong with them. But you need to keep in mind that although the internet is a powerful tool (there’s no denying that), it can also mislead us as there is an abundance of misinformation out there.

If you want to treat a minor ailment of your pet’s at home, then make sure you first consult with your vet.

Remember that your vet is someone who has studied for years on treating animals and a quick article you read online does not make you ready to medically care for your pet.

It’s as simple as that.

The risks of thinking you are a vet and treating your pet at home

1. You could be treating the wrong issue

Even if you found a list of symptoms that seem to match those of your pet’s, you could still be wrong. This means that if you treat your pet for the wrong condition you could only be making his condition worse.

2. Homoeopathic remedies can sometimes be dangerous for pets

Administering natural medicines to your pet such as oils, teas, herbal supplements and other products that are actually meant for humans, can have dangerous and unexpected side effects in pets.

3. Medications meant for humans are not always safe for pets

Don’t give your pet any human medications. No, really. It can be seriously harmful to them. Keep in mind that your pet is not a human. While some vets do use human medications to treat animals, it does not mean that you can.

For example, some human medications that are poisonous to pets include pain killers such as Advil, antidepressants and sleeping tablets.

4. Waiting it out and not getting your pet to the vet can make it worse (much worse)

I get that you might be busy, broke or think that your pet will get better on his own, but if you notice any of the below symptoms then you need to get your pet to the vet ASAP:

●     Seizures

●     Bruising and bleedings

●     Hardened abdomen

●     Constant vomiting

●     Breathing issues 

●     Rapid weight loss

●     Not eating

●     Seeming very weak and tired

●     Blood in vomit/stool

But, I can’t afford the vet?

And let’s be honest - who can?

The truth is, going to the vet can cost you about R500 or more for a consult alone. You can expect to pay anywhere from R5000 and up for surgery and R1000 or more for medications - the amounts add up!

We can’t always be pulling out our credit cards when we need to cover some unexpected expenses, which will only put you into more debt.

This is where pet insurance comes in.

Like health cover for your pet, pet insurance covers your medical bills for accidents, emergencies and even routine care, depending on the plan you choose.

I’ve said this before and I will say it again, pet insurance is more than worth it.

For a couple of hundred bucks a month you could be saving yourself thousands in vet bills. Seriously. Do yourself a favour and do some digging on pet insurers out there instead of browsing the web for ways to treat your precious pet.

Until next time,

The Pet Insurance Team