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 […]
Learn MoreSummer may mean warmth, sunshine, and spending more time outdoors, but it can also bring more things that can cause anxiety in our pets. Things such as car rides or airplane flights for family vacations, fireworks, or thunderstorms may all cause our pet to become stressed. Signs of anxiety can include: Hiding Drooling Shaking Barking, whining, howling or other vocalizations Licking excessively Urinating or defecating inappropriately Scratching/digging, chewing, or other destructive behavior Pets can pick up on our anxiety as well, so even if you aren’t currently traveling, if you are stressing over travel plans, your pet may be more anxious. Also, pets can sense things such as change in atmospheric pressure and may know a storm is coming long before you do! Lastly, our pet’s sense of hearing is much better than ours, so they may notice fireworks or thunder that we just cannot hear. If your pet has anxiety in any of these situations, we can help. There is a medication we are using in dogs to help with situational anxiety. Also, if your pet is an overall anxious animal, there are medications we can use on a daily basis to help alleviate their anxiety. Calls us today to set up an appointment to discuss if this is right for your pet […]
Learn MoreHeritage Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinarian clinic that provides examinations, diagnostic services, dental care, surgical services, medicine, grooming and boarding services in Maple Grove, Minnesota. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of pet care possible and facilitating an environment where client communication and education are at the forefront of our practice.
12624 Base Lake Road
Maple Grove, MN 55369
Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Sat: 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.