Ordinarily, all is well when our pet is young and healthy. However, this changes drastically when a health condition develops. Just as in humans, changes in health can come from diet, environment, or relationship issues. Karma rules that our current life condition is based on the ripening of old karma, and this is the same for animals. Every possible health consideration is a result of your pet working through issues of karma, and most noticeably, the karma of uncertainty.

As humans, we don’t have the same degree of uncertainty as many animals. Most of us have developed the conscious realization we are given life through the cause and effect of birth and that at some uncertain point we will transition from this life to experiences after life. Animals, however, aren’t able to plan for the future. We can see this when a pet displays separation anxiety.

We make a mistake in assuming an animal can sleep or entertain itself for long periods of time without needing to be exercised in acceptable areas. Since uncertainty rules, animals often wet or soil the floors. If humans go eight hours or more without using the facilities, there is a good indication of possible kidney or bowel dysfunction. We need to consider the same for our pets. The smaller the pet, the higher the potential for systemic failures.

Animals are more in touch with impermanence, even though they don’t connect this with death. When they are ill, they look to us to help relieve them of their suffering. When suffering is not relieved, we become more important to them in relieving the anxiety of uncertainty as well. You can offer your pet a gentle voice, loving kisses and therapeutic touch. Here are a few other things you can do to assure your pets that they are precious companions of laughter and joy.

Since your voice is used to communicate desires to your pets, be aware that your intonation and tone frequency are what influences their actions. As a higher pitched, baby-like voice often communicates a sweet and attracting sound, this is how to get their attention and distract them from danger. Redirect their focus to your higher octave voice. Use it as a notice to them to shift gears.

Lowering your voice can indicate a need for them to gain control of their behavior. It is an axiom of training when an animal breaks the household rules, you can not scold them at all if you wait longer than 2 to 3 seconds. Beyond that timeframe, the behavior and the lowering of the voice has no direct association. This is equivalent to waiting until your spouse gets home to scold your child for something they did 2 or 3 hours earlier. It’s illogical and irrational beyond the time of effectiveness.

Teach that the mouth is not for biting, but is for demonstrating loving and soothing kisses. When your pup or kitten wants to chew your hand, place your hand gently but firmly around the muzzle and kiss the top of the head and down nearly to the nose. Putting their head next to yours as in kissing or hugging cheek to cheek, your pets will learn that the mouth is used for showing compassion and acceptance. Raising the voice an octave will express the frequency of invitation to express love.

When scolding your pet with the lower intonation for an undesired behavior, it is best to move away to express the body language of disapproval. This is equivalent to negatively reinforcing an unacceptable behavior. By no means should you hit or kick your dog. This kind of out-of-control behavior on your part intended as punishment leads to the predictable behavior of biting since your pet will default to uncertainty and suspect a hit before a pat. Your pet only needs one incident to create the 2 to 3 second association. Voice and body language are all you need to be a controlled and loving mentor.

Stay connected to your pets’ needs and gain their respect. Give your pets a complete examination daily, feeling every nook and cranny with your hands from tail to nose. Don’t miss an inch. They will love you for it and this will allow you to learn when change is happening in the physique of your pet, such as lumps or sores. Health-wise, any indication of a change should be assessed by a qualified and competent veterinarian.

If you find your pet has a sudden change in activity level, place your hands on your animal, one on the top of the muzzle extending over the forehead, and cup your other hand with the palm at the base of the spine just below the start of the tail. Place the tail between the first two fingers of your hand, with your palm cupped over the perineum area. Hold this position for between 5 to 10 minutes to encourage a subtle, comforting healing balance. Think thoughts of love and compassion while holding these positions. This Chinese healing method is especially wonderful if your pet is aging and needs comfort during the dying process. When there is uncertainty in difficult times, just being with your animals can alleviate suffering and gives them a sense of certainty through your concern for their comfort.

Never delay your visit to the veterinarian if there is a sudden change in your younger pet’s activity level. The more immediate the attention to a potential life-threatening illness, the more time you will have to spend nurturing your pet toward a better life and a more rewarding future life.