Springtime Advice
Springtime is here, people and pets are apt to spend more time outdoors among blooming flowers ,warmer temperatures and longer days . During spring, Easter is celebrated with lilies, chocolates and plastic colored grass which are all hazardous to our fur babies. Lilies are fatal to cats if ingested. Chocolates are toxic to both cats and dogs. The plastic grass used in Easter baskets if ingested can obstruct the digestive tract which can cause severe vomiting and dehydration. Popular springtime plants like Rhododendrons and Azaleas are highly toxic to pets and can have fatal consequences. It doesn’t matter what the season is so please don’t leave antifreeze around because it is toxic to animals.
With the warmer temperatures, more people tend to travel with their fur babies in tow so please make sure When traveling with your furry companions, make sure they are secured in a crate or wearing a seatbelt harness specifically designed for them. It is also a good time, to make sure their vaccines are up to date, heartworm is prevented and flea and tick prevention is still being done.
During spring, our feathered friends tend to be more active and become prey for hunting cats. Tips for keeping birds alive include fastening a bell to the cat’s collar, making sure to avoid main feeding times like sunset, sunrise or after bad weather because that is when the birds seem to be most active . Feed your cat before letting it out though it is highly recommended to keep your cat indoors.
Just like us humans, they can get allergies from dust, plants and pollens. Allergic reactions to said allergens can include itching, minor sniffling and sneezing and it is best to get the animal to a vet ASAP.. Cats and dogs can also suffer from allergic reactions to insect bites and stings which can cause them to go into anaphylactic shock.
Enjoy the nice weather and keep yourself and your fur babies Happy loved and safe. Loving what As th we do at Jen’s Gentle Pet Sitters.
Winter Safety
I enjoy a nice snow fall, watching the snow as it gently falls from the sky but I don’t like the cold. Going outside, we dress up in hats, gloves, scarves, boots and a heavy coat just to stay warm. Our furry friends also like to stay warm when it’s cold out. They like to cuddle with their human, under a blanket, in a soft bed or catching some rays of sun. Just like us humans, some can adapt to and / or are more tolerant of the cold like Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes because their coats are thicker but it’ s still not a good idea to leave them outside for too long, especially during the winter and summer months.
When walking dogs, wipe their paws to get rid of residue and debris from leaked radiator fluid and deicers which can cause damage to their very sensitive paws. Sometimes ice can get between the toes of a dog and it might help to trim the hair between their toes. If you have to deice, it’s best for all if you use a pet friendly deicer. On smaller dogs or short haired breeds like the Dachshund and Chihuahua, it’s ok to put them in a sweater to keep them warm.
Check your car engine, blow your horn or make a loud noise in case a feral or stray cat finds its way under your hood to keep warm. It’s never a good idea to leave a pet in a car. The key is to know your pets limits because like us humans they too can be sensitive to temperature changes. It’s best to keep your pet indoors during the cold winters but please make sure your house is pet friendly and safe. Keep Warm.
We love what we do at Jen’s Gentle Pet Sitters.
Valentines Day is for Loving Your Pets Too
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and love is definitely in the air, but so is potential danger for your pets. Jen’s Gentle Pet Sitters, LLC offers pet owners a few hints to keep pets safe this Valentine’s Day.
Two of the most common Valentine’s Day gifts, chocolate and flowers, can be extremely hazardous to pets.
In 2008, The American Society for the Protection Against Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) saw a 74 percent increase in cases of chocolate ingestion in the week before Valentine’s Day.
Animals are particularly sensitive to theobromine and caffeine, two ingredients in chocolate. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is to your pets. Be sure to paw-proof all Valentine’s chocolate.
Many pet owners don’t realize that all members of the Lily family are extremely poisonous to cats. This is not a clever ploy by florists to sell more roses. Be sure any Valentine’s bouquets are lily-less.
Spring Hazards, Pet Safety Tips
Spring Flowers can be dangerous to pets?
Spring has finally arrived, but some of those beautiful flowers in bloom could pose serious health risks if ingested by curious pets. Log-in to the Members’ area and visit the Pet Health Resources section of the template gallery to download a list of spring health hazards. This Pet Safety Tip download can also be customized with your company information to share as a client leave behind.
Know your plants
There are many popular plants that are toxic to dogs. Plants like aloe, ivy, azalea/rhododendron, begonia, daffodils, lilies of the valley, tomatoes and gladiolas can all be harmful if ingested. The ASPCA has a list of plants that are toxic for dogs. And read our article on Toxic foods for dogs: fruits, vegetables and nuts to know what vegetables and fruits to keep your dog away from.
While it’s not practical to remove every plant in your yard, you should remove the most dangerous ones, especially if you have a puppy. You also will need to train puppies to stay away from certain plants through positive re-enforcement training and by deterring them by sprinkling plants with cayenne pepper or using a commercial non-toxic repellent.
Source:
www.petsit.com
www.dogheirs.com
Betty White Speaks About Pet Microchipping | HomeAgain
We stumbled across this video that we thought would be important to share about Microchipping.
Pet Safety
Winter Pet Safety 101
Article provided by one of our many cat clients and lover, Susan. Thank you!
Paddington
Winter is the time to sled and build snowmen during the day and snuggle by the fire at night. But winter fun presents some unique challenges for Fido and Fluffy. In areas that get cold and snowy, temperatures can get downright dangerous for pets, especially for those who aren’t built for the cold. What’s more, a number of common cold-weather products can be potentially poisonous. Here are a few tips to help keep the colder months safe for everyone:
Keep an eye out for automobile fluid. Both antifreeze and windshield washer fluid are hazardous to animals. Steer clear of puddles of antifreeze and washer fluid while walking your pooch, and keep pets out of garages and other automotive areas. The ASPCA recommends using products that contain propylene glycol rather then ethylene glycol.
Wipe de-icing products off paws. Ice-melting products can get stuck in your pet’s paws and then they may try licking it to remove it. Paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice. If you walk your dog on de-iced roads or sidewalks, make sure he wears booties. And wipe off Fido and Fluffy’s paws, legs and stomach when they come in out of the cold.
Be wary of rodent poison. If you live in a rural or semi-rural area, you may see more mice move in when the temperature drops. You or your neighbors may be tempted to rid yourself of these pests with rodent poison. Unfortunately pets sometimes eat the poison. If you exterminate rodents, use humane and safe traps rather than poisons. When letting Fido loose in a fenced-in yard, check the area for rodents before letting him out, and try to keep Fluffy inside for the winter.
Be prepared to act fast. If you think your pet has swallowed something toxic, call the 24/7 Emergency Medical Hotline, staffed by ASPCA veterinarians at 1-888-HOMEAGAIN (1-888-466-3242). These calls are free for pets with a paid annual HomeAgain membership, a $65 value per call.
Watch the temperature. Cats and short-coated dogs don’t fare well in frigid temperatures, and even furrier breeds like Huskies and Malamutes can experience problems without adequate shelter. When the nights get cold and snowy, bring pets inside and make sure working dogs have a good doghouse with warm bedding, like straw or woodchips. Indoor pets should sleep off the floor and away from drafts on a dog or cat bed with a warm blanket, according to the ASPCA. Though frostbite and hypothermia is more rare in dogs than in humans, it can happen.
Keep cats away from your car. Cats love warmth, so after you park the car, the heat from the engine can entice even the wariest of felines. Once under the hood, your cat could be seriously hurt the next time you start your engine. Keep Fluffy inside and bang on the hood and honk your horn before starting your engine.
With a few simple precautions, the wintertime can be a favorite time of year for both you and your pets. So grab a warm blanket, curl up by the fire and enjoy getting cozy indoors with Fido and Fluffy.
Toxins in Sugarless Candy
Sugarless Candies Can be Toxic to Pets
Candies containing xylitol have been recognized by the National Animal Poison Control Center to be a risk to pets. This compound can cause liver damage and death in dogs susceptible to being poisoned with xylitol. If your dog ingests sugarless candy it would be best to contact the NAPCC (1-888-426-4435).
It is possible your vet will not be familiar with this source of poisoning as this information is fairly new and candies have not usually been associated with poisonings in dogs if they did not contain chocolate as the major ingredient.
