In the digital age, social media trends come and go with lightning speed, and many of us have witnessed our fair share of these fleeting fads. However, when a trend has the potential to harm our furry friends, it’s time to sit up and take notice.
A recent social media trend has caught the attention of veterinarians worldwide, and not for good reasons. This trend, which may appear harmless and adorable at first glance, is raising serious concerns within the pet care community.
The viral trend involves pet owners filming their dogs and cats while holding them under the shoulders and spinning them around.
Some of these videos, which garner millions of views, may seem cute to unsuspecting viewers, but they could be causing significant harm to the animals involved.
Dr Katrina Warren, a veterinarian, has warned pet owners about the dangers of this trend. She explained that when animals are lifted by their front legs, their body weight is placed on those limbs.
This unnatural position can easily damage the shoulders, strained ligaments, and injured muscles. Unlike humans, pets are quadrupeds, designed to distribute their weight across all four legs, and their anatomy is not built to handle such stress.
Certain breeds are particularly vulnerable. Large dogs, which can be difficult to lift, risk being dropped and injuring their hind legs. Dachshunds, known for their long spines, are prone to back issues and can suffer significantly from this handling.
But the physical risks are just the beginning. The emotional and psychological well-being of our pets is also at stake.
‘A lot of pets aren’t tolerating it very well, and they’re definitely not enjoying it. You can see a lot of them are distressed; they’re trying to get down [and] they can’t get down because the speed is so great with some of these,’ Warren explained.
Warren added: ‘What worries me also is I know how many takes people take to do videos, because I make videos myself. So they’re probably doing this a number of times for some of them just to get what looks like a very cute video.’
This can be a very stressful and frightening experience for them, leading to a loss of trust and a damaged relationship with their human companions.
So, how should we handle our pets? Warren advised: ‘My message to everybody is, always support your pet body fully. You want them at least one hand under their chest and one around their hindquarters, depending on the size. You want them properly supported.’
Have you come across any pet trends that you were unsure about? How do you ensure the safety and happiness of your pets when engaging with them? Let’s have a conversation in the comments below.
Also read: The rise of pet influencers: Which furry face is raking it in?
