Pets and animals

Pet Safety Tips

November 26, 2013 by Tricia

Every responsible pet owner should know the activities and whereabouts of their pet each day. However, sometimes our pets get mischievous and out of our sight for short periods of time. They may get into items that can do serious harm. Following a few safety tips can help keep your pet healthy and save you unnecessary anxiety, grief, and medical expense.

Medication

Keep all medication in a medicine cabinet and out of reach. Just as you would keep medicine away from a young child, the same applies for your pet. Even if you have medicine in child proof containers, it is possible for pets such as dogs or cats to get into these containers with their sharp teeth and strong jaws. Avoid leaving pills on a table or counter even if you are in the process of reaching for a glass of water to take your medication. Pets are quick to investigate and can have it eaten before you prevent them from doing so.

Small Household Objects

Whether you realize it or not, small objects can be very harmful to pets. Although some pets can swallow an object and later pass it through their feces, there are some objects that may get stuck in the stomach or intestines. If an object gets stuck in your pet, it can lead to health problems requiring surgery to remove. In rare cases, death could occur. To avoid a costly medical lesson, keep small objects out of reach from your pet.

Household Toxins

It is best to keep household items such as bleach, shampoo, bug sprays, and antifreeze locked up and out of reach from your pet. Any toxic substance can create a serious threat to your pet. If you plan to have your house sprayed for insects, make sure to ask that the exterminator use pet safe products whenever possible. If safe insecticide sprays cannot be used, remove your pet from the premises until it is safe for your pet to return to your home.

Human Food

Avoid feeding your pet human foods.

Although most dogs enjoy chewing on bones, chicken bones can cause choking for a pet if it gets hung in the throat. Chocolate is another food that can be dangerous to your dogâ€™s health because a dog cannot digest chocolate.

Plants

Keep plants such as poinsettias away from your pet. Although poinsettias make an attractive decoration around the holidays, they are poisonous to eat. Sometimes dogs and cats are tempted to eat the leaves and suffer from an upset stomach or develop other health issues.

Mold and Your Pets

Black mold can develop in dark corners or cabinets within your home or outside buildings. Usually this type of mold can develop because of a flooding problem affecting the premises. Mold can cause many health problems in pets such as mild respiratory disease or sever lung problems. Mold poisoning can weaken the capillaries in the lungs of your pets which can cause bleeding. Hemorrhaging of the lungs can develop that can cause death. Make sure to have your home inspected periodically and have black mold problems eliminated through treatment. Other types of mold can grow on foods if left out for any length of time. Mold that grows on food can also be very harmful to your pet. Make sure to throw away any leftover food to avoid your pet from eating the leftovers and getting sick.

Because a pet is a part of your family that you grow to love, it is important to treat them as you would treat a young child. Always be careful to consider their mischievous personality and take the necessary preventative steps to ensure your petâ€™s safety at all times. By following these tips, your pet can live a long and happy life.

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6 Tips For Moving With A Pet

March 13, 2013 by Trish

Not only can moving be stressful on you and whoever else you’re moving with, but it can also be extremely stressful and confusing for your pets. While you might not think there’s much you can do to make this process more comfortable for your pets, there are several ways to make moving easier on both you and your furry friends. Here are the top six tips for moving with a pet.

Update your pet identification tag

The first thing that you should do when planning on moving your pet to a new location is to update his or her identification tags. An appropriate ID tag should include the pets name, your phone number, your current address and any other information that you think is necessary for getting in touch with you.

Ask for veterinary records

Before you leave your current location, make sure you contact your local vet to have your pet’s records and copies of vaccinations. You can also have your vet provide your pet’s medical history to give to your new vet if you prefer to have the hard copy. Don’t lose your vet’s phone numbers in case you need to get in touch with them in the future for more information about your pet.

Keep medications and food on hand

If your location change is large, making sure you have the appropriate foods and medications for your pet in case of an emergency is very important. Since vet’s are unable to write prescriptions without a prior doctor/patient relationship, be prepared in advance so you don’t run into any issues. Another option is to ask for an extra prescription refill before you move so you have it just in case.

Seclude your pet from the chaos

Just like people can sense when someone’s leaving or something big is happening, pets can just as well. As soon as boxes come out and the current setting starts looking more and more bare, pets can become very uncomfortable and vulnerable, especially on the actual day of the move. Keep them in a safe and quiet area so that they’re not exposed to all of the commotion of the moving.

Play it safe in the car

While traveling in the car with your pet in a crate is the safest, the second-best option is to use a restraining harness. You want to make sure they’re safe and secure to a spot, and if you’re traveling with your pet in a car full of your belongings, it’s imperative to know that there’s no chance of anything falling on him or her.

Prep the new home for your pet

In a new surrounding, a pet can be scared and confused. When you finally get to your new location, immediately set up all the familiar and necessary things your pet will need. This includes food, water, medications, bed, litter box, toys, etc. Also, since this is a new space and your pet isn’t used to it, keep an eye on them when they first start exploring. This way, you’ll know if there are any spots that are dangerous for your pet and you can fix the situation immediately.

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8 Great Things You Should Do Before Adding A Puppy To Your Home

March 8, 2013 by Trish

American author Gene Hill once said, â€œWhoever said you canâ€™t buy happiness forgot little puppies.â€ If youâ€™ve ever enjoyed inhaling puppy breath while being licked in the face by a wriggling bundle of fur then you understand this statement firsthand.

Getting off on the right paw with your new pet is important. You want to shower it with love and affection so that it will provide you with a lifetime of loyalty. But without properly preparing, instead of a dream dog you could be on the road to a doggone difficult situation.

Perhaps you are reading this article because you are planning to get a new dog, or because you just recently added a new dog to your home. Either way, what an exhilarating time for your family! Everyone is excited and wants to pitch in to help, right?

Use These Tips for Success

As the head of household, itâ€™s your job to take ahold of your familyâ€™s momentum and direct its energy into the following tasks. These tasks will help provide your puppy with a seamless transition from littermates to human pack family.

1. SUPPLIES â€“ You will need more than a plaid raincoat and rhinestone-studded collar for your pet. Metal or ceramic water bowls, a non-retractable leash, an ID tag, and a crate are all essential items. You will also want to use the same brand of dog food, and if you must switch then make a gradual transition.

2. RESPONSIBILITY â€“ Since everyone in the family is so eager to help out, now is the perfect time to divvy up the chores with an official family chore chart. You can even use the chart as an incentive to reward younger family members who are old enough to receive an allowance.

3. RULES â€“ The new puppy isnâ€™t the only one who will need some ground rules. Make sure your family knows whether or not the puppy is allowed on the furniture. Dogs and kids both need consistency, so establishing rules for a new pet has dual benefit if you have children at home.

4. PUPPY-PROOFING â€“ Keep small toys off the floor, because they could pose a choking hazard. A good rule of thumb (rule of paw?) is that if an object is not safe for a toddler child, then it is not safe for a dog of any age.

5. CRATE TRAINING â€“ Get some kind of a kennel or crate for your dog. This will help with bedtime, separation anxiety, and potty training. Make sure the crate is size-appropriate, because having a crate that is too large is as bad as having one that is too small.

6. HOUSEBREAKING â€“ Potty training your new puppy not only keeps your house clean, but it also keeps your family healthy because dog feces could carry harmful bacteria. For this reason, make sure you use poop bags to properly clean and dispose of outdoor waste as well.

7. REGISTER â€“ Registering your dog with the proper community offices, like city hall or county department of agriculture office, proves that you are a responsible pet owner. It does not cost a lot of money, and when you attach the registration tag to your petâ€™s collar then it could help your pet become found if it is ever lost.

8. FENCING â€“ Fence in your backyard, if possible. Sometimes standard fencing is not an option, for example on rental properties. In this case aÂ PetSafe wireless fence is a great alternative. It allows your pet to freely explore the yard around your home with less risk of running away.

According to the Regional Center for Animal Control and Protection in Roanoke, Â Virginia (www.rcacp.org), you should keep a good, current picture of your pet. After all, there is little use in having everyone look for your 3-year-old dog based on a photo if the only picture you carry is of how he looked as a puppy.

Getting Advice from the Professionals

If you donâ€™t already have a vet in mind, ask your local animal shelter for recommendations. It is important to get your new puppy to the vet in that first week after bringing her home for the first time. The initial wellness exam can help the vet better detect problems that could pop up at a later time.

Another appointment you will want to make is for a grooming session. Some professional groomers offer a puppy package with discounted prices for the first year of the puppyâ€™s life. This gets your dog used to toenail clippings and other necessary procedures for personal hygiene.

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Top Pet Safety Tips For The Winter

February 3, 2013 by Trish

As the temperatures continue to get colder, it’s easy for us to bundle up and add layers to keep us warm in the winter. Unfortunately for our pets, it’s not that easy. For them, they basically just have their fur or hair and that’s it in order to keep them warm, but sometimes that’s just not enough. With so many special risks that are posed by cold weather, it’s important to know the facts and how to keep your pets safe during the winter.

Bring your pet indoors

Regardless of what you’ve done in the past, keeping your pet indoors during the winter is the best way to keep them safe. Not only is it important to bring them inside because of the temperatures, but also remember that there are predators looking for food in the winter, and if your dog is tired and cold from being outside, predators might see them as an easy treat as other food becomes scarce in the colder months.

If your pet absolutely has to stay outdoors, make sure you provide them with a warm, solid shelter that will protect them from the wind and snow. In addition, it’s imperative that you find a way to provide your pet with an un-frozen water source. Finally, checking on your pet regularly while they’re out in the cold is a necessity.

Keep your eyes peeled for signs of frostbite if your pet is left outdoors for an extended period of time. If you do indeed suspect frostbite, place your pet in warm water for 20 minutes to help dissolve ice crystals and restore blood flow. Remember – rubbing frostbitten tissue will only cause futher damage, so be careful!

Never let your dog off leash on snow or ice

Snow and ice are tricky surfaces for dogs, and while they can normally keep themselves standing on both, they can often lose their scent or become lost through frozen surfaces of ponds, rivers, streams or lakes. Dogs are much more likely to become lost in the winter as opposed to any other season. For this reason, having ID tags made for your pets is imperative.

Don’t forget to wipe

It’s easy to forget that unlike you, your pet is walking on the snow and ice with their bare paws. With this, they can pick up salt, antifreeze and other chemicals that are used as de-icers and can actually cause life-threatening health issues to pets. The snow and ice can also cause your pet’s paws to crack and bleed, which is just another reason you should be wiping your pet’s paws!

Warm place to sleep

Just like you pile up the blankets on your bed when it’s cold outside, your pets need a warm place to sleep during the winter months as well. Not only is it important to make sure your pet has a warm and comfortable bed, but you also need to make sure that their bed isn’t on the floor right in front of a draft to ensure they’re warm throughout the night.

We all love our pets and want to keep them healthy and happy during the colder months but many of us don’t realize the dangers that winter brings. By following the tips above, you’ll be able to keep your furry friend healthy and happy during whatever weather the winter months bring!

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Jessica McNeal is a freelance writer and lover of all animals. Jessica recently purchased pet ID tags for all her furry friends in order to keep them safe and accounted for. For more information regarding pet ID tags, click here.

Keeping Man’s Best Friend Afloat: Boating Safety Tips For Dogs

January 12, 2013 by Trish

There’s nothing better than taking your four-legged friend out with you on all your nautical adventures. Dogs are perfectly capable of managing on water, but it’s important that you think carefully about their welfare, especially if it’s their first time aboard. Here are a few key safety tips to consider when introducing your faithful companion to your vessel.

Â 1.Â Â Â Introductions are important
Dogs (like people) need time to adjust to new experiences. If you want your pet to be comfortable onboard, then it’s important to give them access to the boat before you set off on your first trip together. Set aside a day before your planned voyage and let your dog explore the boat whilse it’s still moored. Think about the unique experiences a boat presents and how sensitive your dog is to sound and movement. Make sure you turn on the engine so that he/she knows what it sounds feels like to be on a working vessel â€“ if your dog is sensitive to loud noises this is especially crucial. You also need to know what you’ve got to look out for!

Â 2.Â Â Â Water, water everywhere
Having enough drinking for your pet is always crucial and never more so when you’re aboard your boat. Dogs lose a lot of water when they pant so it’s important that you have ample provision to keep them hydrated. It can be very difficult to keep a bowl of water onboard, especially if your vessel is small, so it’s worth experimenting with different methods. Some dog owners use a tub with high sides but as this is not really practical if your dog is on the smaller end of the scale, it is worth teaching them how to drink out of a water bottle so that they can have refreshment whenever they need it. There are plenty of how-to videos on youtube to help you with this particular task!

Â 3.Â Â Â Donning the Life Jacket
When you’re boating with man’s best friend, this is the most important pet accessory of all. However, as anyone who has tried to put a hilarious Halloween costume on their dog will attest, not every dog is receptive to being clothed. So, just as it’s important to get your dog used to the sights and sounds of the boat, you must slowly introduce the concept of the life jacket ahead of time so that you’re not faced with an endless battle on the day of your voyage and you don’t want to be constantly worrying that your dog will shuck off its life preserver at the worst moment. Be patient and kind as you are whenever you teach your dog something new â€“ give them time and reward and eventually they’ll adjust.

Â 4.Â Â Â Remember sunscreen
This is easily forgotten but it’s especially crucial for dogs with a light coat. Provide as much shade as you can on your vessel, but also take the precaution of talking with your vet and find out which sunscreen is most effective for use on your dog. Their skin burns just as easily as ours!

Â 5.Â Â Â Think about the bathroom situation
This can be tricky as I can rapidly turn into a safety issue for not only our dog but also for everyone else on board â€“ slipping is a real danger and should not be ignored. If your vessel is large enough,Â you can train your dog to use a specific portion of the boat to urinate and defecate. However, it’s definitely advisable to take your dog to empty its bladder before you board and to pack as many doggie bags as you can carry.

So there you have it. If you’ve never sailed before and you spot a used boat for sale then this could be your (and your pets’) greatest journey yet. Remember, with just a little preparation, you and your dog can have all the nautical fun without any of the worry. Happy high-seas adventuring!

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Sam Wright has two strapping canines and is himself a salty sea dog who works withÂ www.ybw-boatsforsale.com/