What to Do Before Em'barking on a Trip With Your Pet
For families with pets, a summer vacation would not be complete without the
companionship of their beloved four-legged friends. Yet, hitting the open road with
Fido or Felix could cause stress to both pet and pet parent unless the right steps are
taken to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
"Pets such as dogs and cats are often excited by the prospect of travel in
cars and can enjoy a road trip as much as their human companions, but
disruptions to their schedule can have a negative impact on pets leaving
them stressed and frightened," said PetsIncredible animal trainer and 2006
Comfort Zone Dog Trainer of the Year, Kellyann Conway. Pet parents can
keep their dog and cat safe during travel by anticipating their needs and
planning properly for the trip.
For Car Travel
If your pet has problems with motion sickness
and/or exhibits excessive excitability that may
require treatment from a veterinarian.
* Secure your pet in a carrier or a pet seatbelt
harness to ensure your cat or dog is safe in the
event of an accident and is unable to cause
distraction to the driver.
* Try to keep your pet on his normal feeding schedule.
* Keep plenty of fresh water on-hand to ensure your pet stays well hydrated.
* Stop often, allowing your pet to get a little exercise and some extra potty
breaks.
* Don't forget a leash and a properly fitted collar and id tags for pit stops
during the journey.
* Bring your pet's identification, medication and a current photo in the event
you are separated. Also, talk with your veterinarian about - microchipping
your pet for added security in your travel.
* Never ever leave your pet alone in a car. Extreme cold and hot
temperatures (even if a window is left partially open) can be fatal in just a
matter of minutes. Safety concerns in mind as the temperature rises, and follow our
tips to keep your dog cool.
Heat Hazards - General Health - Beach Tips - Water Safety - Travel - Heatstroke
Heat Hazards
If your dog is outside on a hot day, make sure he has a shady spot to rest in. Dog
houses are not good shelter during the summer as they can trap heat. You may want
to fill a child’s wading pool with fresh water for your dog to cool off in.
Never leave your dog in a closed vehicle on a hot day. The temperature inside a car
can rise to over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes.
Always provide plenty of cool, fresh water.
Avoid strenuous exercise on extremely hot days. Take walks in the early mornings or
evenings, when the sun’s heat is less intense.
Try to avoid prolonged exposure to hot asphalt or sand, which can burn your dog’s
paws.
Dogs that are brachycephalic (short-faced), such as Bulldogs, Boxers, Japanese
Chins, and Pekingese, have an especially hard time in the heat because they do not
pant as efficiently as longer-faced dogs. Keep your brachycephalic dog inside with
air-conditioning.
General Health
Make sure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date, especially since dogs tend to stay
outdoors longer and come into contact with other animals more during the summer
months.
Keep dogs off of lawns that have been chemically treated or fertilized for 24 hours
(or according to package instructions), and away from potentially toxic plants and
flowers. Keep your dog well-brushed and clean.
Fleas and ticks, and the mosquitos which carry heartworm disease, are more
prevalent in warmer months. Ask your veterinarian for an effective preventive to
keep these parasites off your dog. The AKC Pet Healthcare Plan can help with the
cost of providing quality healthcare, including preventive medicine, throughout your
dog's life.
Beach Tips
Make sure your dog has a shady spot to rest in and plenty of fresh water.
Dogs, especially those with short hair, white fur, and pink skin, can sunburn. Limit
your dog’s exposure during the day and apply sunblock to his ears and nose 30
minutes before going outside. Check with a lifeguard for daily water conditions. Dogs
are easy targets for sea lice and jellyfish.
Running on the sand is strenuous exercise. A dog that is out of shape can easily pull
a tendon or ligament, so keep a check on your dog’s activity.
Do not let your dog drink sea water; the salt will make him sick.
Salt and other minerals in ocean water can damage your dog’s coat, so rinse him off
at the end of the day.
Not all beaches permit dogs; check local ordinances before heading out.
Water Safety
Most dogs enjoy swimming, but some cannot swim, and others may hate the water.
Be conscious of your dog’s preferences and skills before trying to make him swim.
If you’re swimming for the first time with your dog, start in shallow water and coax him
in by calling his name. Encourage him with toys or treats. Or let him follow another
experienced dog he is friendly with.
Never throw your dog into the water.
If your dog begins to paddle with his front legs, lift his hind legs and help him float.
He should quickly catch on and keep his back end up.
Don’t let your dog overdo it; swimming is very hard work and he may tire quickly. If
swimming at the ocean, be careful of strong tides.
If you have your own pool, make sure your dog knows where the stairs or ladder are
located. Be sure that pool covers are firmly in place; dogs have been known to slip in
under openings in the covers and drown.
Never leave your dog unattended in water.
Travel
By Air - Many airlines will not ship animals during summer months due to dangers
caused by hot weather. Some will only allow dogs to fly in the early morning or in the
evening. Read Air Canada rules for Travelling With Your Pet.
If you do ship a dog, put icepacks or an ice blanket in the dog’s crate. (Two-liter soft
drink bottles filled with water and frozen work well.) Provide a container of fresh
water, as well as a container of frozen water that will thaw over the course of the trip.
By Car - Keep your dog cool in the car by putting icepacks in his crate. Make sure the
crate is well ventilated.
Put a sunshade on your car windows.
Bring along fresh water and a bowl, and a tarp or tent so you can set up a shady spot
when you stop. Keep a spray bottle filled with water to spritz on your dog to cool him
down.
By RV - A dog’s safety should not depend on the air conditioning and generator
systems in an RV or motor home. These devices can malfunction, with tragic results.
If you leave your dog in an RV with the generator running, check it often or have a
neighbor monitor it. Some manufacturers have devices that will notify you if the
generator should malfunction.
Never leave an RV or motor home completely shut up, even if the generator and AC
are running. Crack a window or door or run the exhaust fan.
Never, ever leave a dog unattended in a vehicle in the summer months. Heatstroke
and death can occur within minutes in warm temperatures.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke can be the serious and often fatal result of a dog’s prolonged exposure
to excessive heat. Below are the signs of heatstroke and the actions you should take
if your dog is overcome.
Early Stages:
• Heavy panting.
• Rapid breathing.
• Excessive drooling.
• Bright red gums and tongue.
• Standing 4-square, posting or spreading out in an attempt to maintain balance.
Advanced Stages:
• White or blue gums.
• Lethargy, unwillingness to move.
• Uncontrollable urination or defecation.
• Labored, noisy breathing.
• Shock.
If your dog begins to exhibit signs of heatstroke, you should immediately try to cool
the dog down:
• Apply rubbing alcohol to the dog’s paw pads.
• Apply ice packs to the groin area.
• Hose down with water.
• Allow the dog to lick ice chips or drink a small amount of water.
• Offer Pedialyte to restore electrolytes.
Check your dog’s temperature regularly during this process. Once the dog’s
temperature has stabilized at between 100 to 102 degrees, you can stop the cool-
down process.
If you cannot get the dog cooled down and you begin to see signs of advanced
heatstroke, take the dog to the veterinarian immediately.It is up to you, the
responsible cat owner, to make sure that your cat's curiosity many measures, not all
of them covered in this article. Hopefully, some of guidelines presented here will
help you keep your cat safe.
Here are ten simple tips to help you make your home safer for your resident feline(s).
This is by no means a comprehensive cat safety guide, only a few pointers.
1. Keep your windows screened at all times. Never assume that your kitty will be able
to keep her balance on the window sill. Even the most agile of cats is bound to take a
dangerous fall given enough trips to an unsecured window sill.
2. Always keep your cat ID'ed. You never know when your indoors-only cat will
somehow get outside unsupervised. A cat collar with a clear ID tag that contains your
name, phone number and a request to call that number if the cat is ever found
outdoors, can truly save your cat's life and bring her back to you.
3. Refrigerate canned cat food within minutes of opening the can. Cat food can go
bad quickly when left outside on a hot day and cause a food poisoning. Never leave
moist food out for more than half an hour. Any leftovers should be removed and
refrigerated.
4. Stir cat food that was heated in the microwave and make sure the food isn't too
hot. Microwave-heated food can have hot spots hidden inside and these could easily
give your cat a nasty burn.
5. Store poisons away from the cat's reach. Make sure that poisons, such as
detergents and medicine, are securely locked away behind latched doors. Detergent
bottles, even when tightly shut, can have drips of poisonous content over them. A
cat rubbing against them could end up licking poison off her coat.
6. Triple check appliances where your cat may hide. Stories of cats caught in a
washing machine or a dryer aren't just urban legends. Don't allow these appliances to
become playing or resting areas. Keep their doors shut when not in use. And when
you do use them, always triple check before running them!
7. Keep sharp utensils away from your cat's reach. A sharp knife can cut a curious
tongue or paw, if left on the table or counter, still covered in tempting gravy.
8. Clear your house of anything that your cat might ingest. Hobbies that involve
threads, needles, glue and small pieces can turn your home into a kitty minefield.
Especially when dealing with active kittens, make sure that anything that might be
ingested is out of reach.
9. Keep your toilet lid closed when not in use. If you have a kitten in your home, you
could be saving her from jumping in and drowning. An older cat may be tempted to
drink from the toilet water. Not only gross, but a risk of ingesting some of the
disinfectants used in toilets.
10. Remove poisonous plants form your home. Check lists of plants that are toxic to
cats and simply take those out of your home. While not all cats nibble on greenery,
it's best to avoid the risk, especially when bringing home a new cat or kitten.
For families with pets, a summer vacation would not be complete without the
companionship of their beloved four-legged friends. Yet, hitting the open road with
Fido or Felix could cause stress to both pet and pet parent unless the right steps are
taken to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
"Pets such as dogs and cats are often excited by the prospect of travel in
cars and can enjoy a road trip as much as their human companions, but
disruptions to their schedule can have a negative impact on pets leaving
them stressed and frightened," said PetsIncredible animal trainer and 2006
Comfort Zone Dog Trainer of the Year, Kellyann Conway. Pet parents can
keep their dog and cat safe during travel by anticipating their needs and
planning properly for the trip.
For Car Travel
If your pet has problems with motion sickness
and/or exhibits excessive excitability that may
require treatment from a veterinarian.
* Secure your pet in a carrier or a pet seatbelt
harness to ensure your cat or dog is safe in the
event of an accident and is unable to cause
distraction to the driver.
* Try to keep your pet on his normal feeding schedule.
* Keep plenty of fresh water on-hand to ensure your pet stays well hydrated.
* Stop often, allowing your pet to get a little exercise and some extra potty
breaks.
* Don't forget a leash and a properly fitted collar and id tags for pit stops
during the journey.
* Bring your pet's identification, medication and a current photo in the event
you are separated. Also, talk with your veterinarian about - microchipping
your pet for added security in your travel.
* Never ever leave your pet alone in a car. Extreme cold and hot
temperatures (even if a window is left partially open) can be fatal in just a
matter of minutes. Safety concerns in mind as the temperature rises, and follow our
tips to keep your dog cool.
Heat Hazards - General Health - Beach Tips - Water Safety - Travel - Heatstroke
Heat Hazards
If your dog is outside on a hot day, make sure he has a shady spot to rest in. Dog
houses are not good shelter during the summer as they can trap heat. You may want
to fill a child’s wading pool with fresh water for your dog to cool off in.
Never leave your dog in a closed vehicle on a hot day. The temperature inside a car
can rise to over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes.
Always provide plenty of cool, fresh water.
Avoid strenuous exercise on extremely hot days. Take walks in the early mornings or
evenings, when the sun’s heat is less intense.
Try to avoid prolonged exposure to hot asphalt or sand, which can burn your dog’s
paws.
Dogs that are brachycephalic (short-faced), such as Bulldogs, Boxers, Japanese
Chins, and Pekingese, have an especially hard time in the heat because they do not
pant as efficiently as longer-faced dogs. Keep your brachycephalic dog inside with
air-conditioning.
General Health
Make sure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date, especially since dogs tend to stay
outdoors longer and come into contact with other animals more during the summer
months.
Keep dogs off of lawns that have been chemically treated or fertilized for 24 hours
(or according to package instructions), and away from potentially toxic plants and
flowers. Keep your dog well-brushed and clean.
Fleas and ticks, and the mosquitos which carry heartworm disease, are more
prevalent in warmer months. Ask your veterinarian for an effective preventive to
keep these parasites off your dog. The AKC Pet Healthcare Plan can help with the
cost of providing quality healthcare, including preventive medicine, throughout your
dog's life.
Beach Tips
Make sure your dog has a shady spot to rest in and plenty of fresh water.
Dogs, especially those with short hair, white fur, and pink skin, can sunburn. Limit
your dog’s exposure during the day and apply sunblock to his ears and nose 30
minutes before going outside. Check with a lifeguard for daily water conditions. Dogs
are easy targets for sea lice and jellyfish.
Running on the sand is strenuous exercise. A dog that is out of shape can easily pull
a tendon or ligament, so keep a check on your dog’s activity.
Do not let your dog drink sea water; the salt will make him sick.
Salt and other minerals in ocean water can damage your dog’s coat, so rinse him off
at the end of the day.
Not all beaches permit dogs; check local ordinances before heading out.
Water Safety
Most dogs enjoy swimming, but some cannot swim, and others may hate the water.
Be conscious of your dog’s preferences and skills before trying to make him swim.
If you’re swimming for the first time with your dog, start in shallow water and coax him
in by calling his name. Encourage him with toys or treats. Or let him follow another
experienced dog he is friendly with.
Never throw your dog into the water.
If your dog begins to paddle with his front legs, lift his hind legs and help him float.
He should quickly catch on and keep his back end up.
Don’t let your dog overdo it; swimming is very hard work and he may tire quickly. If
swimming at the ocean, be careful of strong tides.
If you have your own pool, make sure your dog knows where the stairs or ladder are
located. Be sure that pool covers are firmly in place; dogs have been known to slip in
under openings in the covers and drown.
Never leave your dog unattended in water.
Travel
By Air - Many airlines will not ship animals during summer months due to dangers
caused by hot weather. Some will only allow dogs to fly in the early morning or in the
evening. Read Air Canada rules for Travelling With Your Pet.
If you do ship a dog, put icepacks or an ice blanket in the dog’s crate. (Two-liter soft
drink bottles filled with water and frozen work well.) Provide a container of fresh
water, as well as a container of frozen water that will thaw over the course of the trip.
By Car - Keep your dog cool in the car by putting icepacks in his crate. Make sure the
crate is well ventilated.
Put a sunshade on your car windows.
Bring along fresh water and a bowl, and a tarp or tent so you can set up a shady spot
when you stop. Keep a spray bottle filled with water to spritz on your dog to cool him
down.
By RV - A dog’s safety should not depend on the air conditioning and generator
systems in an RV or motor home. These devices can malfunction, with tragic results.
If you leave your dog in an RV with the generator running, check it often or have a
neighbor monitor it. Some manufacturers have devices that will notify you if the
generator should malfunction.
Never leave an RV or motor home completely shut up, even if the generator and AC
are running. Crack a window or door or run the exhaust fan.
Never, ever leave a dog unattended in a vehicle in the summer months. Heatstroke
and death can occur within minutes in warm temperatures.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke can be the serious and often fatal result of a dog’s prolonged exposure
to excessive heat. Below are the signs of heatstroke and the actions you should take
if your dog is overcome.
Early Stages:
• Heavy panting.
• Rapid breathing.
• Excessive drooling.
• Bright red gums and tongue.
• Standing 4-square, posting or spreading out in an attempt to maintain balance.
Advanced Stages:
• White or blue gums.
• Lethargy, unwillingness to move.
• Uncontrollable urination or defecation.
• Labored, noisy breathing.
• Shock.
If your dog begins to exhibit signs of heatstroke, you should immediately try to cool
the dog down:
• Apply rubbing alcohol to the dog’s paw pads.
• Apply ice packs to the groin area.
• Hose down with water.
• Allow the dog to lick ice chips or drink a small amount of water.
• Offer Pedialyte to restore electrolytes.
Check your dog’s temperature regularly during this process. Once the dog’s
temperature has stabilized at between 100 to 102 degrees, you can stop the cool-
down process.
If you cannot get the dog cooled down and you begin to see signs of advanced
heatstroke, take the dog to the veterinarian immediately.It is up to you, the
responsible cat owner, to make sure that your cat's curiosity many measures, not all
of them covered in this article. Hopefully, some of guidelines presented here will
help you keep your cat safe.
Here are ten simple tips to help you make your home safer for your resident feline(s).
This is by no means a comprehensive cat safety guide, only a few pointers.
1. Keep your windows screened at all times. Never assume that your kitty will be able
to keep her balance on the window sill. Even the most agile of cats is bound to take a
dangerous fall given enough trips to an unsecured window sill.
2. Always keep your cat ID'ed. You never know when your indoors-only cat will
somehow get outside unsupervised. A cat collar with a clear ID tag that contains your
name, phone number and a request to call that number if the cat is ever found
outdoors, can truly save your cat's life and bring her back to you.
3. Refrigerate canned cat food within minutes of opening the can. Cat food can go
bad quickly when left outside on a hot day and cause a food poisoning. Never leave
moist food out for more than half an hour. Any leftovers should be removed and
refrigerated.
4. Stir cat food that was heated in the microwave and make sure the food isn't too
hot. Microwave-heated food can have hot spots hidden inside and these could easily
give your cat a nasty burn.
5. Store poisons away from the cat's reach. Make sure that poisons, such as
detergents and medicine, are securely locked away behind latched doors. Detergent
bottles, even when tightly shut, can have drips of poisonous content over them. A
cat rubbing against them could end up licking poison off her coat.
6. Triple check appliances where your cat may hide. Stories of cats caught in a
washing machine or a dryer aren't just urban legends. Don't allow these appliances to
become playing or resting areas. Keep their doors shut when not in use. And when
you do use them, always triple check before running them!
7. Keep sharp utensils away from your cat's reach. A sharp knife can cut a curious
tongue or paw, if left on the table or counter, still covered in tempting gravy.
8. Clear your house of anything that your cat might ingest. Hobbies that involve
threads, needles, glue and small pieces can turn your home into a kitty minefield.
Especially when dealing with active kittens, make sure that anything that might be
ingested is out of reach.
9. Keep your toilet lid closed when not in use. If you have a kitten in your home, you
could be saving her from jumping in and drowning. An older cat may be tempted to
drink from the toilet water. Not only gross, but a risk of ingesting some of the
disinfectants used in toilets.
10. Remove poisonous plants form your home. Check lists of plants that are toxic to
cats and simply take those out of your home. While not all cats nibble on greenery,
it's best to avoid the risk, especially when bringing home a new cat or kitten.
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Pet safety tips for a happy holiday season
Cold Weather
A fur coat does not exclude pets from frostbite and hypothermia, and the law requires
that animal guardians supply proper care and shelter, but how cold is too cold? If it is
below freezing, pets should not be left outside for extended periods of time. “Wind
chill warning” means keep your pet’s time outside to a minimum. Bring them in if they
are shivering, vocalizing, or doing the paw hop. Young and old pets or pets on
medication can be more susceptible to the cold - keep them indoors as much as
possible.
Ethylene glycol, found in anti-freeze and some brake fluids, tastes sweet to pets but
can cause death. Symptoms are stumbling, vomiting and acting as if they are
intoxicated. Be sure to clean up spills and store it where pets cannot reach. Watch for
spills when out on walks.
Salt or Snow melting chemicals, can be ingested. Wipe your pet’s paws to prevent
them from cleaning these substances from their paws or use "booties".
Toxic Temptations
Fresh florals commonly used in holiday decorating can be toxic to pets. You may want
to consider silk or plastic floral arrangements as a safe alternative, or placing plants
out of reach of your pet.
Mistletoe can cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.
Holly can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and lethargy.
Poinsettias can irritate your pet’s mouth, cause nausea or mild vomiting.
Lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats.
Christmas trees pose many dangers to pets. Consider decorating your tree, or at
least the bottom third, with ornaments that are less likely to attract your pet’s
attention, such as dried non-toxic flowers, wood, fabric or pinecones.
Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers and bacteria. If ingested it could cause
nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in your pet.
Decorations such as ribbons are very attractive to pets, especially cats, and if
ingested can cause intestinal obstruction.
Sparkly lights are equally attractive, but can become life threatening if your pet
decides to chew the cords.
Ensure any tinsel, ribbons, ornaments and ornament hooks that fall to the floor are
picked up immediately and secure your tree so that it can’t be toppled or knocked
over.
Supervise your pet and use barriers (e.g. baby gates) and topical pet deterrents (e.g.
bitter apple spray, a bad-tasting substance available from most pet stores) as
necessary to keep your pet safe from holiday temptations.
Chocolate and other holiday sweets are not for pets. Chocolate contains theobromine
which can be poisonous to many animals depending on the amount and type
ingested. Dark chocolate is most dangerous, but chocolate poisoning can even occur
if small amounts are fed repeatedly. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, seizures,
hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination and heart rate.
Christmas treats should always be monitored. Family and friends may find the need to
‘treat’ your pet. Mom said it best… “all things in moderation.”
Milk products can cause pets to become ill as they lose their ability to digest lactose
with age.
Alcohol should never be in reach of pets. If your pet ingests alcohol he can become
very sick and weak and may go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from
respiratory failure.
Holiday leftovers may give your dog or cat severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is
particularly true for older animals that have more delicate digestive systems and
nutritional requirements. Poultry bones can splinter and cause blockages. Greasy,
spicy and fatty foods can cause stomach upset and don’t forget to store the garbage
safely out of reach from your pet.
o ’Bloat’ is caused by too much gas or fluid in the stomach and could cause your dog’
s stomach flipping (rotation); a deadly condition. Deep-chested dogs are most at risk,
but rotation has occurred in dogs that have been allowed to eat too fast. Signs
include: abdominal distention, salivating, retching, lethargy or a rapid heart rate.
Tylenol™ can be fatal to a cat. Keep all medication out of animals reach during cold
and flu season. Always consult your veterinarian about any health concern!
Cold Weather
A fur coat does not exclude pets from frostbite and hypothermia, and the law requires
that animal guardians supply proper care and shelter, but how cold is too cold? If it is
below freezing, pets should not be left outside for extended periods of time. “Wind
chill warning” means keep your pet’s time outside to a minimum. Bring them in if they
are shivering, vocalizing, or doing the paw hop. Young and old pets or pets on
medication can be more susceptible to the cold - keep them indoors as much as
possible.
Ethylene glycol, found in anti-freeze and some brake fluids, tastes sweet to pets but
can cause death. Symptoms are stumbling, vomiting and acting as if they are
intoxicated. Be sure to clean up spills and store it where pets cannot reach. Watch for
spills when out on walks.
Salt or Snow melting chemicals, can be ingested. Wipe your pet’s paws to prevent
them from cleaning these substances from their paws or use "booties".
Toxic Temptations
Fresh florals commonly used in holiday decorating can be toxic to pets. You may want
to consider silk or plastic floral arrangements as a safe alternative, or placing plants
out of reach of your pet.
Mistletoe can cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.
Holly can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and lethargy.
Poinsettias can irritate your pet’s mouth, cause nausea or mild vomiting.
Lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats.
Christmas trees pose many dangers to pets. Consider decorating your tree, or at
least the bottom third, with ornaments that are less likely to attract your pet’s
attention, such as dried non-toxic flowers, wood, fabric or pinecones.
Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers and bacteria. If ingested it could cause
nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in your pet.
Decorations such as ribbons are very attractive to pets, especially cats, and if
ingested can cause intestinal obstruction.
Sparkly lights are equally attractive, but can become life threatening if your pet
decides to chew the cords.
Ensure any tinsel, ribbons, ornaments and ornament hooks that fall to the floor are
picked up immediately and secure your tree so that it can’t be toppled or knocked
over.
Supervise your pet and use barriers (e.g. baby gates) and topical pet deterrents (e.g.
bitter apple spray, a bad-tasting substance available from most pet stores) as
necessary to keep your pet safe from holiday temptations.
Chocolate and other holiday sweets are not for pets. Chocolate contains theobromine
which can be poisonous to many animals depending on the amount and type
ingested. Dark chocolate is most dangerous, but chocolate poisoning can even occur
if small amounts are fed repeatedly. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, seizures,
hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination and heart rate.
Christmas treats should always be monitored. Family and friends may find the need to
‘treat’ your pet. Mom said it best… “all things in moderation.”
Milk products can cause pets to become ill as they lose their ability to digest lactose
with age.
Alcohol should never be in reach of pets. If your pet ingests alcohol he can become
very sick and weak and may go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from
respiratory failure.
Holiday leftovers may give your dog or cat severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is
particularly true for older animals that have more delicate digestive systems and
nutritional requirements. Poultry bones can splinter and cause blockages. Greasy,
spicy and fatty foods can cause stomach upset and don’t forget to store the garbage
safely out of reach from your pet.
o ’Bloat’ is caused by too much gas or fluid in the stomach and could cause your dog’
s stomach flipping (rotation); a deadly condition. Deep-chested dogs are most at risk,
but rotation has occurred in dogs that have been allowed to eat too fast. Signs
include: abdominal distention, salivating, retching, lethargy or a rapid heart rate.
Tylenol™ can be fatal to a cat. Keep all medication out of animals reach during cold
and flu season. Always consult your veterinarian about any health concern!
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