When pets get sick, owners might be tempted to search for answers online and take care of the ailment themselves. This could end up making your pet worse. Rather than cutting costs, your cat or dog will be sicker, and the veterinarian will likely need to treat more than they would have originally. Wahiawa Pet Hospital on Oahu, HI, shares a few hazards of trying to cure pets yourself.

8 Reasons You Shouldn’t Treat Pets at Home

1. Risk of Misdiagnosing

Without years of medical training and knowledge, there’s a good chance you won’t find out exactly what’s wrong with your pet. You might notice symptoms, but a lack of veterinary experience will make it difficult to connect the dots. You could easily misdiagnose the problem and cause further damage.

2. Unreliable Advice

The internet is an amazing resource for all sorts of information. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of inaccurate information out there, too. Unless you can verify the reliability of the source, home animal treatments from bloggers and various social media accounts might hurt more than help.

3. Poor Home Remedies

Many sources boast cures found right in your kitchen. Home remedies, such as garlic, olive oil, and boric acid, have been pushed as treatments for a variety of diseases but should be avoided. These are ineffective and will simply prolong your pet’s ailments—if not worsen them.

4. Lack of Resources

If you’ve ever been in a veterinary exam room, you’ve likely noticed all sorts of equipment you wouldn’t find at home. Pet hospitals have a wealth of resources to care for any issues imaginable. The average pet owner wouldn’t have everything their cat or dog needs to get better.

5. Undetectable Symptoms

Even if you’ve noticed a symptom or two, there might be more unnoticeable to the human eye. That could completely change a diagnosis. Veterinarians give thorough examinations, which include blood tests, urinalysis, and other screenings. These tests provide additional information that a home checkup couldn’t.

6. Incorrect Medications

You can’t give one dog medication meant for another one because that prescription took age, health, medical history, and other factors into account; you should also never give your pets medication intended for humans.

7. Interfering Medications

If your pet is on other medications, whatever you decide to give them could negatively interact with it. It could counter the effects of other drugs, cause stomach ulcers, or make your pet sicker. Medication should not be given without the approval of a veterinarian.

8. Timely Treatment

Time is often a factor in sickness, and if you don’t seek professional help, your pet’s health could be in serious trouble. Rather than trying out home treatments, you should take your pet to the veterinarian immediately.

For the best pet care on Oahu, take your furry friend to Wahiawa Pet Hospital. These professionals can accurately detect problems with your animal and offer the necessary treatments for recovery. From wellness exams to surgery and dentistry, their veterinarians can provide everything your pet needs for a happy, healthy life. Call (808) 621-7000 or visit them online to learn more about their services.