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  • Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe in the Snow

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    As the forecast changes regularly, bringing with it more cold and winter weather, it is important to ensure everyone’s safety. This includes yourself, your family, and your pets! Everyone deserves to be warm and comfortable, no matter the weather. 

    Here are some tips to keep your pets safe in the snow. 

    Keep your pets inside as much as possible. 

    Just like you don’t want to be outside, your pets won’t want to be, either. Keep them inside except to use the bathroom and maybe play for a few minutes. Don’t overdo it.

    You may want to get a coat or sweater for your pet. 

    If your pet has really short hair and shivers as soon as he or she goes outside, you may want to bundle him or her up in a coat or sweater.

    Amazon has a lot of coats, like this one, that would keep your beloved dog warm all winter long!

    Product Available on Amazon

    Dog boots can also be helpful. 

    Not only can the snow be harsh on your dog’s feet, but salt and other chemicals that are used to melt ice and snow can be hard on them, too! You should wipe your dog’s feet off as soon as they come in. Another option is to buy dog boots.

    Amazon has a lot of dog booties, like these, that would keep your beloved dog’s feet warm all winter long!

    Product Available on Amazon

    If you have outdoor dogs and cats, make sure that they have shelter. 

    They are going to need a dry place to hide from the weather, so make sure that they have a dry, draft-free shelter to spend time in. It is even better if the house is big enough for them to move around in, yet small enough to keep the heat in!

    Make sure that your pets have enough food and water to stay warm in the cold weather. 

    Your outside pets may need some extra food to help them get through the winter. Water is also important, so make sure that you change the water regularly so they get enough fresh water that is not frozen.

    Antifreeze can kill animals. 

    If you notice that your car is leaking anything, get it taken care of right away.

    You also need to check your vehicles before leaving. Many cats and small animals will seek the warmth of your car. You could easily start your car, drive away, and kill the animal before you get too far!

    Photo Courtesy of Canva

    Just like you get cold when you go outside, your pets do too. They don’t want to be out in the weather any more than you do. For this reason, you need to keep your outside time limited. You may want to buy a sweater and boots to keep your pets safe when they are outside. For animals that live outside, make sure that they have a draft-free shelter and plenty of food and water!

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    Please note, this article contains affiliate links, where I will receive compensation if you buy the product, without any extra cost to you.

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    It is also important that you understand that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

  • Avoiding Pet Emergencies Over the Holidays

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    The holidays can be a wonderful time of the year. Many people love to decorate their homes, both inside and outside, as well as bake wonderful treats, and spend extra time with family.

    Even better, you can enjoy this time with your beloved pets by your side. However, this can also be a dangerous time for them, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips to help you avoid any emergencies over the holiday season.

    You must be careful with your Christmas tree. 

    Though your tree might be the centerpiece of your decorating, the truth is that they aren’t always the best for your pets.

    Playful puppies and kittens have been known to knock over a perfectly decorated Christmas tree, simply because it is in the way! They can also get caught in the cord of lights, which may make them fall over, too. Some curious cats and dogs will bite the cord, which can lead to burns.

    The decorations themselves can be hard to keep your pets away from. 

    Many cats are drawn to tinsel; you may notice your cat wants to eat it! This can cause an obstruction or perforation, which could lead to emergency surgery. They may also play with dangling ornaments, batting at them until they fall off and break.

    For this reason, you may want to put something around your tree to keep your beloved pets away from it completely!

    Many Christmas and holiday plants are toxic to pets. 

    Many people love to give plants as gifts, which isn’t always a good thing if you own pets. One of the most common plants that are toxic to cats includes lilies. Even if they only eat a small amount, it can send your cat to the emergency room.

    Other plants to avoid would include mistletoe, balsam, pine, holly, and Christmas cacti. Poinsettia plants, while not toxic, can cause drooling and vomiting, so you may want to avoid them also.

    Watch table scraps. 

    Many people seem to eat from Thanksgiving to Christmas, going from party to party. They may also have parties in their home, where some guests may feed their pets without realizing the consequences of their actions.

    Some of the main foods to avoid include chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, certain nuts, and any foods that contain xylitol. Your pets should also stay away from alcohol and caffeinated drinks.

    Many people want to give their pets a treat over the holidays and may give them some trimming and side dishes. These dishes may contain more fat than your pet is used to, which can lead to some serious conditions, such as pancreatitis.

    If you have a nervous dog and are having a party, you may want to keep him or her locked away from guests. 

    Even the calmest dog and cat can become overwhelmed by a houseful of guests, so it is important that your pet has a way to get away from everyone!

    You may want to set up a space in the back for your pets to relax. Make it special by adding their bed with their favorite blankets. You may want to give them a new toy or a chew bone that will occupy them while everything else is going on. Some even do better if you leave music on, so that they don’t hear everything that is going on outside!

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    The holidays can be a great time for everyone, including your pets. That being said, you need to use caution with your Christmas tree and the plants you use to decorate it. Lilies are the worst for cats, so they should be avoided at all costs! You also need to keep your pets away from all the food that you may be eating over the holidays. A lot of it is too fatty for their taste, and it could cause some problems. Some parties are also too much for pets, so you may want to set up an area for them to relax and avoid it all!

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    Please note, the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

  • Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe This Fall

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    Many people love this time of the year. The temperatures are falling, and the leaves start to change color. It is a popular time of year due to Halloween. Many love to spend crisp fall evenings in front of a campfire.

    Though it is a great time of year, you also need to consider your pets’ safety. Here are some tips to keep them safe this time of the year.

    Watch your pets in the colder weather. 

    Though it is a great break from the humidity and heat of the summer, the truth is that it can be too cold for many of our pets. Make sure that you keep an eye on your younger and older pets. Smaller breeds may also have more trouble than some of your bigger ones.

    You may want to let your dog’s hair grow longer. 

    Just like you would wear a coat in the colder weather, your dog is going to need the extra protection. If your dog doesn’t have long hair (or even if he or she does), you might want to buy a coat so that he or she can be comfortable no matter what the weather.

    Photo Courtesy of Canva

    Use caution when playing outside. 

    There are many toxins that are more commonly found during the fall weather. Though apples are generally safe, the seeds do contain cyanide, which can be dangerous in large doses. You should keep your dogs away from wild mushrooms. Though plenty are safe, the ones that aren’t can be deadly! Acorns can also be dangerous for pets.

    Just because the weather is getting colder, you need to keep your pet on heartworm preventative, as well as medications for fleas and ticks. 

    In fact, they can be worse during this time of year because they are cold and looking for a better home.

    I recently wrote an article about this topic. If you would like to read it, you can check it out here.

    Watch out for wildlife. 

    Many animals are starting to prepare for winter, which can make it worse for your dog. The most common animal bite during this time of year is from snakes. If you live in an area with snakes, you will want to keep your dog on a short leash!

    Rats are often another problem animal during this time. Because of it, many people put out poison for them. If your pet eats this product (or even a mouse that was poisoned), it can be deadly!

    Get ready to deal with the back-to-school boredom. 

    Not only are your children used to being home, but your pets are going to miss the attention. You and your children are going to have to find ways to give your pets extra attention in the morning and evenings. You may even want to invest in some extra toys that will help to keep your pet occupied while everyone is away from the house.

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    Though we all are ready for the colder weather, the truth is that it can be a bit of an adjustment. Some pets (just like people) seem to do better when the weather is colder, while others struggle. For those, make sure that you have a sweater or coat for them. You may also want to let your pet’s hair grow longer during this time of year.

    You also have to be careful outside. Pets can become ill if they ingest apples, acorns, and even mushrooms. In fact, some mushrooms can be deadly to pets. Rats can become a problem this time of year, so you need to make sure that you keep poison away from your pets. However, even if they eat a rat that has been poisoned, he or she can become ill!

    Back-to-school boredom is also a problem. Many dogs and cats become used to having their family home during the summer months, and they struggle to adjust back to their new routine.

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    It is important that you understand that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately.