The caring act of giving your dog a sample of the holiday fare could cause serious harm to your pet, although it was done with the best of intentions. This is the season where we celebrate our good fortunes with family and friends at the dinner table with a plethora of food, drink and dessert.  However, many pet owners want to spoil their pets with treats humans love to eat, but there are some things you should consider before offering your pooch some samples:

1. 

   Don’t break your pets’ diets if they eat special foods for medical conditions.  If you aren’t certain if it’s safe for a particular pet to have treats, consult your family veterinarian first.  Also, make sure the food is properly cooked (this includes meat and dough for breads products).

2. All things in moderation.  Don’t overdo it with Thanksgiving meal treats.  For a small dog, one piece of pumpkin pie may have an entire day’s worth of calories, and will have significantly less sustenance than their regular food.  For a small cat, did you know only one ounce of cheese will make your cat lay out flat meowing in the pain of overindulgence?  That amount of cheese is the equivalent in calories to a human eating two large sized fast food hamburgers.

3. 

   Make sure the food you give to your pets is at room temperature.  Hot food can cause oral or esophageal burns.

4. Break foods into bite-sized pieces to avoid choking.  Fully cooked vegetables are softer and safer for your pet to swallow than raw vegetables.
5. Don’t feed your pets foods on toothpicks or skewers!  Never assume your pet will nibble the food off and leave the toothpick or skewer behind.
6. Avoid decorative food.  Keep in mind that decorative food, such as holiday corn, can be harmful if eaten by your dog or cat, especially if it is made of plastic.  There are some decorative flowers that are highly toxic to your pets if consumed as well.  Keep Lilies, Azalea, Oleander, Poinsettia and Chrysanthemum away from your animals.

It is hard to resist the soft eyes of a well behaved dog when you’re in the spirit of giving, but your four legged friend will be just as happy with treats made specifically for them.

 

Written by John Robertson

Nothing’s cuter than a pet in a costume, unless that costume has a matching outfit with a baby in it! But come Halloween, pets’ often view the night as more trick than treat. Follow these tips to ensure you and your pet have a fun and safe Halloween:

1. Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets.  
All forms of chocolate — especially baking or dark chocolate — can be dangerous, even lethal, for dogs and cats. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

2. Don’t leave pets out in the yard on Halloween, especially outdoor cats.
Surprisingly, vicious pranksters have been known to tease, injure, steal, and even kill pets on Halloween night. Black cats are especially at risk from pranks or other cruelty-related incidents.

3. Keep pets confined and away from the door.
Putting your dog or cat in a secure room away from the front door will prevent them from darting outside into the night and prevent chaos when loud, costumed strangers constantly come to the door. Dogs who are especially territorial and may become anxious and growl at innocent trick-or-treaters.

4. Keep Halloween plants such as pumpkins and corn out of reach.
Although they are relatively nontoxic, such plants can induce upset stomach should your pets ingest them in large quantities. Intestinal blockage can even occur if large pieces are swallowed.

5. Don’t keep lit pumpkins around pets.
Should they get too close, they run the risk of burning themselves or knocking it over and causing a fire. Don’t let curiosity kill your cat, as kittens are especially vulnerable to being burned.

6. Don’t dress your pet in a costume unless you know they’ll love it.
Avoid masks, which can obstruct your pet’s vision or ability to breathe. When the costume is on, make sure your pet can still move. Ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury. If they seem distressed, allergic, or show abnormal behavior, consider letting them go in their “birthday suit”. Festive bandannas usually work for party poopers, too.

7. Glowing or light reflective outfits.
Even better than a costume, keep you and your pet safe by wearing reflective or LED gear. An LED collar and/or leash would make a great “raver” costume for your dog. As a bonus, it can be used year-round for safer, nightly walks!

8. IDs, please!
If your dog or cat should escape and become lost, having a collar, tags, and microchip will increase the chances that they will be returned. Just make sure the information is up-to-date or contact our Low Cost Clinic to get your pets’ microchipped and ready for the spookiest night of the year!

 

Info sourced from aspca.org. Written by Tiffany Alioto

 

 

When Disaster Strikes, Your Pets Rely on YOU to be Ready!

Nobody wants to lose their loved ones in the midst of a natural disaster. Hundreds of cats and dogs are lost and never returned to their owners due to natural disasters. From earthquakes to wildfires, these events can be very scary and can happen without warning. When disaster strikes, your pet relies on you to be ready!

Have an evacuation kit for each pet and an emergency plan for all scenarios. In case you can’t evacuate your home, establish a safety spot that is safe for you and frightened pets. This location needs to have thick walls, without things hanging from the ceiling or wall, and free of crevasses or openings where anxious pets can hide or escape.

Stock your safe area or bunker with survival items. A generator is a key item that every bunker needs; when the power goes out, you will be able to pump power into radios, lights, and kitchen appliances. Other items to include would be bottled water, non-perishable food, candles, matches and blankets. This would also be a good place to put your animals’ survival kit so you don’t need to search for it when disaster hits.

If you must leave your home, have a list of pet-friendly accommodations and emergency centers to ensure you can take pets with you.

Here is a list of basic items to include in your pets’ disaster kits:

1. Food/Water: Enough to last your pet at least a week. Travel size feeding dishes.
2. Proof of ownership: Include pictures, documents/records in case you are separated.
3. Vaccines and meds: Proof of vaccinations and supply of meds and/or copy of prescription if you need to board your pet.
4. First aid kit: Gauze, disinfecting wipes, tweezers, ice packs, and a pet first-aid book.
5. Leash/crates: Big enough for them to turn around, sit down, and stand up in case they need to be enclosed for long hours. Extra blankets and cleaning wipes for cleanup.
6. Comforting toys or objects: Having familiar objects around is a good way to keep your pet calm during a stressful time.

Written by Nick Bragg, PR Intern

The smell of meat sizzling on the grill, the laughter of children playing, the big bangs and the bright lights—it must be Independence Day. Yes, that’s right, the most sensory overloaded holiday is right around the corner, and for your pets, it may not be all fun and games.

Pets do not associate the loud bangs and flashes of fireworks with a celebration. Instead, they put your animal into a panicked state, where they feel the need to escape. According to the American Humane Association, July 5th is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters.

To keep your pet safe, there are a few things that you should prepare for to ensure everyone has an amazing Fourth of July.

1) Microchips and tags.  One of the simplest ways to ensure your pet returns home is to have them microchipped. If your pet panics and escapes, it will be much easier to identify and return your pet.

2) Play soft music or turn up the t.v. to drown out the fireworks. Playing noise and familiar sounds will reduce the noise and calm your pet.

3) Do not coddle or overemphasize calming your pet- this will increase their anxiety. Instead, play with your pet and distract them as if it was a normal day.

4) Keep your pet inside. Staying inside can prevent your pet from escaping. When panicked, even a well-trained dog will try to escape an outdoor doghouse or high fence!  Prepare a “safety spot” in your home filled with your pets favorite toys and bedding.

5) Keeping your pet away from the BBQ and alcoholic drinks can minimize the risk of your furry friend eating or drinking things that are poisonous for them.

Article written by Nick Bragg, BHS PR Intern