Fido and Fireworks don’t mix!
June 28, 2018
It’s the 4th of July again, and that means increased risks for our pets. According to the ASPCA, nearly 1 in 5 pets go missing after being scared by loud noises such as fireworks. PetAmberAlert.com notes that 30% more pets become lost between July 4-6th than any other time of the year. Here are some tips to make the celebrations safe for everyone! Travel safely: If you are taking a road trip with your pet, get your pet used to carrier/crates, and seat belts/harnesses in advance. Do not leave your pet alone in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked. Stay cool: Dogs and cats can’t sweat, but panting can cause them to get dehydrated. Pets can get overheated quicker, so make sure there is access to plenty of fresh water and shade. Check asphalt with your hand before going for walks to ensure it’s not too hot, and take walks near dawn/dusk to avoid mid day heat. Avoid human foods: Barbecues and parties will often present many tempting foods to your pet. Some human foods are not safe for consumption-alcohol, chocolate, onion, garlic, grapes, raisins, and the sugar substitute xylitol are all toxic to pets. Some foods can cause inflammation of the GI tract and pancreas, especially fatty foods. Other […]
Read PostMaking moving managable
May 1, 2018
As I’m writing this blog, I find myself in the middle of packing up my house and moving to a new one with two dogs who are wondering what is going on. Here are some tips to help make moving less stressful for your pets! First off, have an overnight kit for your pet-this should contain food, litter, toys and grooming supplies to last through the first few days of unpacking. Despite your best effort to label boxes, there is always a chance you won’t find your pet boxes for the first little bit and having this kit will make things less stressful. As a second part to this, pack your pet’s stuff later in the process. They will be stressed to see boxes and furniture moving and disappearing from their house. Leaving their toys, bowls, and beds alone as long as possible will help them retain some semblance of normalcy. On a similar note, your pet’s items should be some of the first items unloaded to help them feel more at home in the new place. Keep your pets out of the action. Prepare a quiet room away from the bulk of the moving noise. You can also opt to board your pet for the day(s) so they are out of the […]
Read PostTime for Ticks
April 2, 2018Despite the April’s Fools trick Mother Nature played on us, April usually means the start of tick season here in Minnesota. We recommend a variety of monthly preventatives based on your pet’s lifestyle, as well as the Lyme vaccination. But what happens when one of those buggers still gets through our best defenses? Every time your pet goes out in tall grasses or wooded areas, a thorough search for ticks should be done as soon as you get home. Feel through the coat, making sure to check near face and ears, neck, armpits, groin, and even between toes as well as everywhere else. If the tick is not yet attached, removal is much easier and this prevents disease transmission. If you find what you think are ticks, please ensure that it is a tick! Ticks can be black, brown, tan, or gray and should have 8 legs. Be sure you aren’t trying to remove a skin tag, nipple, or other growth; your dog won’t appreciate that! Ticks can be as small as the head of a pin, but when engorged can be up to the size of a dime or larger! If you find a tick, you can try to remove it at home. Gloves are recommended as ticks can carry disease. A […]
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