Winterize Your Pets

 

When Winter is upon us, it's important to consider how seasonal changes affect your pets. The following tips can help keep your pets safe as the temperature dips:
 
• Keep pets inside as much as possible. Young, old  and short-haired pets are more vulnerable to cold weather and should not be left outside unsupervised for long periods of time.

• If your pet has to be outside, provide suitable shelter. and place food and water in plastic bowls. Add straw for additional insulation from the cold and provide a snug, warm elevated bed. 

• Ice-melting chemicals and salt can irritate/burn the pads of your pet’s paws. Thoroughly wipe off the dog's paws once it has returned inside. If your dog won’t wear booties outside, consider using a protection like Musher’s Secret Paw Protection.

 

• Trim nails regularly for better footing, and clip the long hair on the bottom of your dog’s feet to prevent build up of ice balls that can be painful and difficult to remove.

• Antifreeze is poisonous. Thoroughly clean up any spills and store household chemicals out of your pet’s reach. Consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

• Make sure your pet has a warm place to sleep. All pets, including small caged pets need to be kept warm and away from drafts.

Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has frostbite or hypothermia.  Following these winter-proofing tips can help keep your pets healthy, happy and safe during the cold winter months. 
(Source  - Pet Sitter’s International)

 

 

Holiday Season 
Holidays can be extremely fun for humans, but can be hazardous to your pets. Help keep your pets safe by following these Holiday tips.
 
Christmas Trees
Christmas Trees can be pretty but they pose many hazards to your pets. Pine tree water can be poisonous, so it’s best to use an enclosed tree stand and keep Fido from drinking from the stand. The tree should be also be secure in its stand as a toppling tree can cause serious injuries to dogs and cats.
 
Decorations are dangerous.
Tinsel entices canines and felines alike. Glass ornaments look like shiny fetch balls and ornaments, hooks,  lights, & electrical wiring all pose significant danger to pets. When no one’s around to supervise, unplug lights and any electrical decorations a pet has access to secure all electrical cords.
 
Holiday pet poisons = plants.
Holiday plants that are poisonous to pets include the berries of the mistletoe, holly, hibiscus, Christmas roses and the poinsettia. Keep these out of your pet’s reach.
 
Macadamia nuts aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.
Dogs can experience severe weakness in their back legs, appearing paralyzed, after eating macadamia nuts. Dogs can recover from this condition within a few days but please keep these away from your dogs.
 
Following these helpful hints can help keep pets out of danger, while still enjoying the food, fun and festivities that accompany the holidays.  (Source – Pet Sitter’s International)