Keeping Pets Safe Through the Busy Holiday Season

‘Tis the Season to Protect Your Pets From Your Favorite Holiday Foods (& Other Potential Hazards)

To many, food is love;  love is food. And because we love our pets so much, we may be tempted to share our favorite foods with our furry best friends. Or… if your pets are among the tricky, they may be swiping your goodies!

The facts are clear and simple: pets are not humans, and not all human foods are safe for pets to consume. In fact, many human foods are downright dangerous for our furry companions. Here are some things to keep in mind – and out of your pets’ reach – as you prepare your holiday treats.

•    Make sure all alcoholic beverages kept well away from pets. Dogs are attracted to sweet alcoholic beverages. Both dogs and cats are attracted to creamy alcoholic beverages, like eggnog and those that feature milk products. Some pets will even drink coffee with added alcohol. And don’t fool yourself into thinking an empty cup is safe! Clean up empty glasses and bottles to be extra safe. This is a very serious concern – dogs can die from consuming as little as one alcoholic beverage!

•    Don’t let your pets near leftovers or table scraps. Extra fatty foods – which are found in abundance at the holiday table! – can inflame the pancreas, causing pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is extremely uncomfortable and can be fatal. In addition, many holiday herbs and spices are not safe for pets, especially sage and nutmeg.

•    Of course, keep the chocolate out of reach! If you’re thinking of setting out a bowl of chocolates for guests to help themselves, please reconsider. Chocolate can irritate your dog’s stomach. Some of the darker chocolates with a higher cacao content are more likely to cause serious harm, such as seizures and possibly even death.

•    Make sure your dog doesn’t have access to uncooked doughs, which can expand in the stomach causing bloat. This can cause serious harm to your dog’s stomach and intestines.

•    Another thing that is commonly left out for guests to nibble on is dried fruits and nuts. But some of the common ingredients in those bowls full of tasty treats – like raisins and macadamia nuts -are toxic to pets, especially dogs, so please keep these where dogs can’t get into them!

•    One more group of things you may not consider problematic – but they can be – are sugar-free candies and gums. Even sugar-free baking items must be kept out of pets’ reach. Many of these items contain the sugar substitute xylitol, which can cause liver failure in dogs.

Decorations to Avoid for Pet Safety

Some holiday decorations are also risky for pets. Things like tinsel shouldn’t be used with pets in the house, as tinsel can perforate the intestines of cats and dogs. Both dogs and cats love to chew on many holiday decorations and gift wrapping items, like wrapping paper, yarn, garlands, artificial wreaths and any artificial plants and flowers. All of these are major choking hazards. Glass ornaments can be unsafe, as well, since either a dog or a cat could easily knock them off the Christmas tree and get hurt on the pieces of broken glass.

Concerns about Holiday Plants

Keep in mind that cats love to chew plants, and there are many holiday plants it is best for your cat (and dog!) to avoid, including mistletoe, amaryllis, poinsettias and holly. Since cats can reach basically anything they put their mind to, it’s a good idea to keep your cat out of a room that contains any holiday plants.

Don’t Despair!

The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with our pets. Check back soon for a list of great tips of how to best spend your time with your pets this holiday season!

Celebrating National Adopt a Pet Month

Why You Might Want to Consider Adopting Your Next Pet

If you’ve ever adopted a pet from a shelter, you know how great the experience can be. The ASPCA embraces each October as Adopt a Shelter Pet Month, shining a spotlight on the millions of dogs and cats waiting in thousands of shelters nationwide until someone chooses them to become a part of their loving home.

Aside from potentially saving the life of a very deserving pet, there are many great things about adopting from shelters. Here are just a few things to consider that may lead you to adopt from a shelter rather than buy from a breeder or pet store next time you’re looking to add a furry friend to your family.

Variety

While the cuteness of the puppies and kittens at the pet store are enough to tempt many pet lovers to break out their wallets (even if they didn’t mean to bring home another family member!), there’s a lot more than cuteness to consider before you bring home a pet.

Animal shelter workers and volunteers are much more likely to have information on the pets at the shelter than pet stores will. You can find out if the pet is energetic or low-key, kid-friendly, does well with other pets, and probably any other characteristic you might need to know before you bring him home.

Training

If you’re looking to gain a companion without the hassle of training, adopting from a shelter is a great choice. If you’re not up to the constant attention and care a young kitten or puppy needs and deserves, an older animal from the shelter might be your best choice. Remember, in addition to house training, puppies need obedience training and lots of medical attention, including potentially costly spay or neutering procedures. Adopting from a shelter can help you avoid many, if not all, of these costs.

A Good Match

Because shelters are concerned with finding their animals home situations that will work out, they often go the extra step to ensure that the animal you want is the right pet for you. For instance, you may love the way a Great Dane looks, and the shelter may have one, but if you live in a small space and don’t have time to give a Great Dane the exercise it needs, the shelter can help you choose an animal that better suits your time and living circumstances.

It’s not just about dogs, either. Shelters know their cats well, too. Just let them know if you are looking for a snuggler or a cat that is really into playing, and they can help you choose the cat that is the best fit for your home.

Time to Think it Over

Unlike pet stores, many shelters offer the option to take a pet home for several days to make sure the pet is a good fit for your home and your life. Just because the pet behaves a certain way at the shelter doesn’t mean she’s going to behave that way at your home. Or, just because that cute kitty who really likes to snuggle doesn’t send you into sneezing fits when you visit her, doesn’t mean that living with her won’t send you into a fit of 24-hour coughing, sneezing and congestion. Sometimes you just have to try out a situation to see how it’s going to work out, and shelters often offer that option.

What If You Would Rather Adopt a Pure Breed?

If you’ve generally shied away from visiting the shelter to choose a pet because you prefer a certain breed of dog or cat, know that many of the dogs and cats in shelters actually are purebred. Even purebred animals end up in shelters for one reason or another.

Also, if you would like to own a certain kind of purebred animal and can’t find one at a shelter, do an online search for rescues for that breed. You might be surprised to find out how many purebred pets are looking for homes. Many times shelters send purebred pets to rescues, knowing that rescues have a high rate of successful placement for purebred animals.

The Most Important Thing to Remember

Getting a new pet is major life decision. It’s likely your new pet will be with you longer than your next car, or even your next several cars, considering many cats and dogs can live up to 15 years! Whatever you do, choose wisely, and if you’re willing, at least go have a look at the shelter before you get your next cat or dog. You might just find your new best friend there!

Protecting Your Cat from Worms

When we look at our cute, snuggly kitties, the last thing we like to think of it worms in their tummies. Unfortunately, worms are a common health hazard for cats, especially if they are ever allowed outdoors or have access to animals who are allowed outdoors.

Roundworms

The most common worms to infect both kittens and adult cats are roundworms. These worms look like white earthworms or moving spaghetti noodles, and they can grow to about five inches in length.

Adult roundworms live in the stomach and intestines, and their eggs are transferred through cat feces. The eggs can hatch and live in the soil for three to four weeks, making the probability of infection quite high. Cats can also catch roundworms from the feet of rodents they have ingested – so even if your cat is an indoor-only kitty, she has a chance of coming into contact with roundworm.

Symptoms of roundworm infection include vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, a cough, and a thin, pot-bellied appearance in your cat.

Hookworms

Another common worm to infect both kittens and adult cats is is hookworms. These are a small, thin intestinal parasite, ranging from ¼ to ½ inch long. Hookworms are more of a problem in dogs, but can still be a problem for cats.

Just like roundworms, hookworms can be picked up from hunting. They also can attach themselves to the pads of the cat’s foot and burrow into the skin. The worms work their way through the body, into the lungs, and ultimately to the intestines where they mature and feed on the cat’s blood.

The symptoms for the hookworm include diarrhea, anemia, weight loss and chronic weakness. Hookworm can be fatal in kittens.

While it’s difficult to think of worms infesting your kitty, remember that it’s best to keep an eye on him for symptoms. The sooner you treat for any type of worm infestation, the better.

Lonely Friends

Little Ways You Can Show You Care

Even if you don’t have children in school, you may start to notice your day-to-day routines are gradually changing as the seasons change. The days are getting shorter again, and before we know it we will be busier and busier after work and on weekends getting ready for holiday gatherings with friends and families.

These changes in our routines can be very difficult for our dogs and cats, who depend on us to meet all of their needs – love, food, entertainment, EVERYTHING!

How Can You Ease Your Pets’ Anxieties About Changes in Routines?

Whatever you do, try not to spend less time with your pets. For example, if you are going to be late getting home, try to get up earlier to take the dog for a longer walk, or to play with the cat for a little while.

Make Sure Your Pets’ Needs Are Met

Lonely, bored pets can be mischievous! If your dog chews up furniture (or magazines, or woodwork, or, well… you get the picture…) make sure you leave her lots of chew toys to mangle while you are away. Also, remember that while you may feel very frustrated with your dog for chewing on your best furniture or your current read, scolding probably isn’t going to keep him from doing it again. Most vets and trainers agree that positive reinforcement is the best training tool with dogs.

Whether your destructive pet is a cat or a dog, sometimes the best thing to do is keep them contained in an area where they can cause little harm. If your dog is crate-trained, it might mean he needs to be in his crate when you aren’t home.

When You’re There, BE There

When you’re home with your pets, be sure they feel like they have your attention. Make sure they don’t feel like they have to misbehave to get you to pay attention to them, or that’s exactly what they will do – misbehave!

As summer eases into fall, and our routines shift with the changing patterns of daylight, it’s easy to forget that our pets’ needs remain the same. With a little thought and planning, you can make sure your pets’ needs are met so that his behaviors don’t take a turn for the worse.

Bad Breath Might Be a Bad Sign

Is Bacteria Attacking Your Pets’ Organs?

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three – Pet lovers are sure to find this statistic very startling, since most of us still thik of our pets as puppies and kittens at age three!

Does Your Pet Have Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is caused by the accumulation of dental plaque and inflammation of the tissues in the mouth. When the gums become inflamed, enzymes start to break down the connective tissues surrounding the teeth. This breakdown of tissues allows harmful bacteria that naturally reside in your pets’ mouths to pass through the tissue and into the bloodstream, where it can affect the liver, kidneys and heart.

The hallmark symptom of periodontal disease in pets is bad breath  -  the kind of bad breath that makes y0u not want to share a smooch, no matter how much you love your dog or cat.

If you mention that breath to your vet, he’s likely to recommend that you brush your pets’ teeth – a task that can be messy and stressful for both you and your pet.

I Love My Pets, But I Hate Their Breath!

Don’t worry! There’s a very simple way to eliminate stinky breath. By adding oral probiotics to your pets’ food once daily, you can improve the population of good bacteria in your pets’ mouths. These beneficial bacteria – or probiotics – eat the same foods and populate the same areas of the mouth as harmful bacteria. When you give the beneficial bacteria the upper hand, they return the favor by pushing out the harmful bacteria.

And with that, viola!

Bye-bye bad breath!

Second-Hand Smoke

Study Finds Link Between Pet’s Health Problems and Owner’s Smoking Habits

Quitting smoking is difficult, but researchers have found one more reason to add to your list: it could be making your cat or dog sick.

Research conducted at Tufts University and the University of Massachusetts showed a link between cats diagnosed with lymph node cancer and contact with second-hand smoke, revealing that cats exposed to secondhand smoke developed lymphoma twice as often as cats in smoke-free homes.

The probably link revealed by the study is likely the way cats groom themselves – because cats groom themselves often, they lick the carcinogens that have been deposited on their fur, causing problems like oral cancer.

Dr. Carolynn Mac Allister, a veterinarian at Oklahoma State University, said cat health is compromised because the grooming “exposes the mucous membrane of their mouth to the cancer-causing carcinogens,” ScienceDaily.com reported.

Additionally, studies have shown that dogs exposed to smoke also had a higher chance of getting cancer. Specifically, dogs with long noses often develop nasal cancer as a result of being exposed to secondhand smoke. Short-nosed and medium dogs often develop lung cancer as a result of being exposed to secondhand smoke.

If quitting isn’t quite in the cards for you today but you would like to do what you can to protect your pets from secondhand smoke, consider smoking outside, or limiting smoking to a designated area of the house to which your pets are not allowed.

A Major Threat to Dog Health

Take Ticks Seriously

It seems like just a few years ago, seeing a tick on your dog was nothing to fear. These days, we know that many ticks are carriers of diseases you won’t want to leave untreated.

A Little Lesson in Ticks

Contrary to popular belief, ticks aren’t insects, but arachnids, like spiders and mites. They have a one-piece body, with tough little barbs around their mouths, making it easier to attach to a host for feeding. They also have strong legs to hold onto the host, and many have a gluey substance on their legs that helps them stay attached once they grab on.
There are upwards of 200 known tick species in the United States, and they have loads of favorite places to hide, including beach grass, woods and lawns.

The Problem with Ticks

Where many pet parents used to simply worry about fleas, and the inconvenience of having a flea infestation on a pet or in our homes, the trouble with ticks is far worse.

Ticks can carry infections they pass along to our pets and even our family members. These infections need to be treated.

If you have removed a tick from your cat or dog and notice lethargy, loss of appetite, fatigue, vomiting, pale gums, swollen joints, fever or fatigue, call your vet right away.

If you have removed a tick from yourself or a family member, save the tick in a bottle of rubbing alcohol or a sealed plastic baggie. Then give your family doctor a call to find out if he wants to have the tick tested to determine if it is a disease-causing tick.

The Dreaded Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a serious threat to good health, in dogs, cats and humans. The ticks who carry the disease often pick it up from other carriers of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, including deer, raccoons and squirrels.

Lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of the deer tick, also called the black-legged tick. Symptoms in humans include fatigue, chills and fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and a red circular skin rash.

There is a Lyme disease vaccine for dogs. If you live in an area where Lyme disease seems to be a problem (your vet will know) it’s wise to invest in the vaccine.

Stinky Kitty Kisses

What Your Cat’s Bad Breath Could Be Telling You

Does your kitty like to kiss your face? Your chin?

The old wives tale says that when a cat rubs against you with her face – be it your leg, your face, your hand… you get the picture! – she is being affectionate. That’s super cute and sweet, but if she’s rubbing against your face and she has fishy kitty breath? Yuck.

Why do Cats Develop Bad Breath?

Sometimes our cats develop bad breath for the very same reason we might develop bad breath if we never cared for our teeth. A simple build-up of plaque and tartar on your kitty-friend’s teeth can act as a fantastic breeding ground for the bacteria that produce the volatile sulfur compounds responsible for bad breath.

Simply learning to brush your cat’s teeth two to three times each week could eliminate her bad breath. If you’re not that patient, or if you think your cat might not be game for a good tooth brushing, you may consider sprinkling oral care probiotics on her food once a day. These friendly bacteria help reestablish the bacterial balance in your cat’s mouth, crowding out the bacteria responsible for foul-smelling breath.

If your cat’s bad breath cannot be resolved by basic oral care, it could be a sign that something is wrong. If your cat has consistently bad breath, take her to the vet.

If you notice that your cat’s breath smells, look for signs of dental or gum disorders:

• Does your cat seem to be in pain?
• Has her appetite decrease, or does she seem to struggle eating?
• Is you cat unable to keep food in her mouth once she gets it there?
• Does she paw at her mouth?
• Has she begun drooling?

All of the above are symptoms of a dental disorder, which could include an abcessed or damaged tooth, gum disease or even the presence of a foreign object lodged between teeth.

Other Causes of Bad Breath in Kitties

There are also several other underlying conditions that cause feline bad breath that can only be successfully diagnosed by your veterinarian, including kidney disease, feline leukemia virus and feline stomatitis.

Take Good Care of My Baby!

Caring for Your Pets While You’re Away

It’s one of the biggest challenges pet parents face: what to do with their dog or cat while they are away on vacation, and how to prepare the caregivers to take the best possible care of their furry best friends.

Kennel or Caregiver?

First things first: deciding who’s going to take care of your best friend while you’re away.

Many people have a trusted friend or neighbor who is willing to house-sit for a small fee while they are away. This arrangement is great if you want someone to take in the mail and make sure your plants are watered while you are on vacation.

This is an especially good plan for cat owners, since cats require far less time than dogs. Caregivers watching cats simply need to stop by, make sure the cat has plenty of food and water, make sure the litter box is clean and spend some quality time with cats.

Having a trusted friend or neighbor house-sit with a dog is a much more difficult undertaking. The housesitter would need to be available to walk the dog, clean up after it and give it lots of time and attention. Housesitters caring for dogs basically have to be willing to stay at the house with the dog so the dog isn’t too lonely or scared, since lonely, scared dogs can be very destructive.

Pet kennels, on the other hand, are generally staffed around the clock. Dogs and cats that stay at kennels are cared for by multiple employees and are given attention throughout the day. The drawbacks to kenneling include stress on the animals, who may not be used to being surrounded by many other animals, the fact that the animals spend much of their time in crates or pens, and kenneling for long periods can be costly.

Meeting Your Pets Needs

Be sure to figure out everything your pet’s caregiver will need to know well in advance of leaving. Important things like medications can be forgotten in the last-minute rush to get out the door.

Write down your pet’s normal schedule, his preferences for play (making sure the caregiver knows what toys the pet likes to play with will go a long way toward making the vacation easier on both of them!) when he is used to being fed and walked (and how often) and anything else that will make the time go more smoothly.

It’s difficult to leave pets behind when we go on vacation, but if you make sure all of your bases are covered well in advance of your trip, you and your pet can both have a fantastic time while you are out of town.

Thinking About Getting a Pet for Your Kids?

Prepping Children for the Responsibility of Pets

“Mom, PLEASE? The sign said the kittens are FREE!” It’s not uncommon for children to have trouble understanding the responsibility of owning a pet. Here are some ways to set limits and help children understand that even if the sign says “FREE,” having pets is a big job that comes with a pretty substantial price tag.

Discuss the Costs

If your children are old enough to have money of their own – from allowances, birthday gifts, etc. – you should sit down with them and discuss how much it costs to own a pet.

Start with the big expenses, like bills for the veterinarian. Vaccines alone can add up to hundreds of dollars. Add to that the cost of spaying or neutering a pet, and your child will see that the cost of that free kitten is probably far beyond what she has to spend.

After that, discuss the monthly expenses, like food. For some children, the monthly expenses alone will wipe out their available cash.

Discuss the Responsibilities

Just like adults, kids often forget there is a lot of work involved in owning a pet. Set up a sample chore chart of what would need to be done each day if you were to get a pet. If you are considering getting a dog, figure in the amount of time it takes to walk a dog each day, and the amount of time it takes to clean up any messes a dog might make.

Start Small

If you decide, after your child has reviewed the responsibilities of pet ownership, to go ahead and get a new furry family member, consider starting small. Instead of going for that free kitten or adopting a dog from the shelter, consider a smaller pet, like a gerbil or hamster. While there are still expenses and responsibilities with these smaller pets, ownership can be just as enjoyable and far more manageable for children.

Go to the Shelter

If you decide to take the plunge and get a cat or dog, consider adopting one from a shelter. Many of a pets’ veterinary needs are attended to before pets are adopted out from a shelter. The adoption fee is generally far less than that of a spay or neuter alone. Adopting from a shelter can also give you insight into the pet’s personality and whether it would be a good fit for your family.

Before you adopt or purchase a pet for your child, be sure your child is ready for the expense and responsibility of taking care of another family member. After all, you want your child’s first experience with pet-ownership to be wonderful!