Keeping Pets Safe From Fire Dangers

July 31, 2021
by ruthmacpete

July is National Pet Fire Safety Day. According to the American Fire Administration, house fires affect approximately 500,000 pets each year. Make sure you know how you can keep your pets safe from fire dangers.

Prevent Fires

The first step is to make sure your pet does not start a fire. Pets are drawn to flickering candles like moths to a flame. Besides the risk of being burned, your pet can start a house fire if they accidentally knock the candle over. Never leave lit candles unattended, especially if they are within reach of your pet. Also be careful with halogen lamps and space heaters that can start a fire if knocked over by a wagging tail or a curious cat. Finally, be mindful of dangling electrical cords that can strangle your pet or electrocute them if chewed upon. Chewed and damaged cords should be replaced immediately since they can be a fire hazard.

Be Prepared

Be sure you have plenty of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
Check your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors regularly and change their batteries at least twice a year.
Invest in monitored smoke detectors. Since pets are often home alone during the day, the best way to protect them if a fire develops while you are away is by having smoke detectors that are connected to a monitoring center that will notify the fire department if a fire develops.
Post stickers on your door and windows to alert fire fighters that there are pets in the household. These stickers tell how many and what kind of animals live in your home. If you are not home during a fire, these stickers could save your pets’ lives.
Make sure all of your pets wear a collar with identification tags and have a microchip implanted. Taking these precautions can avoid the heartache of a lost pet during these times of chaos.
Create an evacuation plan for your family and pets. Make sure everyone in your family knows the escape routes.
Keep leashes, pet carriers and treats by an exit. You will need these to help evacuate your pets during a fire.

Wildfire Safety

Wildfires are all too common this time of year and just as wildfire smoke is dangerous for humans, it can also adversely impact our pets. Remember if the air quality is not safe for you-it is NOT safe for your pets either. Here are some tips to keep your pets safe from wildfire smoke.

Keep pets indoors as much as possible and keep the windows closed.
Limit time spent outside. Brief potty breaks only.
Be especially careful with birds and pets with respiratory or cardiac disease.

Sadly, pets often go missing during evacuations. So remember to make sure all of your pets (even strictly indoor only cats) have collars with identification tags and microchips. In the event that your pet becomes lost check with your local animal shelters and veterinary clinics. Unfortunately, no matter how hard we try, we can’t prevent or predict every emergency, but what we can do is to be prepared. Being prepared is the best way you can improve your chances for a safe outcome.

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Thanksgiving Tips To Keep Your Pets Safe

November 24, 2020June 30, 2021
by ruthmacpete

Each year, millions of pets become ill during the holidays, with intestinal obstructions, chocolate or other toxicities, and pancreatitis, being some of the most common reasons. In order to ensure that your Thanksgiving holidays are filled with happiness rather than long waits in a veterinary emergency room, follow these simple precautions to help keep your pets safe.

Obesity
Calorie-filled holiday feasts and sweets can lead to a few post-Thanksgiving extra pounds for us and our pets. Although sharing our leftovers with our pets may be in keeping with the holiday spirit of goodwill, it can lead to pet obesity. Pet obesity is associated with significant health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. In addition, giving leftovers at the table routinely also promotes begging and reinforces bad behavior.

Pancreatitis
Besides leading to obesity, eating fatty holiday foods can also cause a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas gland called pancreatitis. In pets, pancreatitis is usually caused by ingestion of fatty foods like turkey, ham, gravy, and chicken skins. If left untreated, it can be fatal.

Bones
Bones also pose a serious danger to pets. Poultry bones are dangerous because they can splinter and get lodged in the gastrointestinal tract and therefore should never be given to pets. Ham and beef bones can break teeth or can also cause intestinal obstructions. If you wish to give your pet a special holiday treat, instead of giving them bones, consider giving them a healthy dental treat specially intended for safe chewing and dental hygiene.

Dangerous Foods
Chocolate: Most people know that chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats. Depending on the amount consumed, it causes vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, seizures, and even death. Never give your pets chocolate and of course keep this sweet treat out of reach of your pets.

Xylitol Flavored Sweet Treats: Candies, desserts and other foods that contain the artificial sweetener xylitol are very dangerous to pets. Xylitol causes insulin release leading to low blood sugar levels and can also cause liver failure. Be sure to keep all these sweet treats out of reach of hungry pets. If your pet manages to steal some candy or dessert containing xylitol, immediately call your veterinarian for help or take your pet to a veterinary emergency clinic.

Raisins and grapes: Many Thanksgiving dishes contain raisins or grapes which can be very dangerous for pets. Grapes and raisins have been reported to cause severe kidney damage.

Nuts: Many nut varieties are toxic to pets and can have a devastating effect on dogs’ nervous systems. Walnuts and macadamias are especially toxic and can cause vomiting, paralysis and even death.

Onions: Onions, chives, and garlic in any form are poisonous to pets. They cause lethargy, weakness, ataxia (lack of coordination), hyper-salivation, anemia, and even death.

With so many tasty dangers often at pet’s eye level, it is always best to keep pets out of the kitchen and away from the celebration. And while sharing is in keeping with the holiday spirit of goodwill, sharing leftovers with our pets can lead to serious health problems. Instead of giving your pet leftovers from your holiday meal, give your pet a pet-safe treat or a new toy.

Lost Pets
Although the holidays are usually joyous times, as anyone who has ever hosted a holiday party knows, they can also be stressful times. This can be especially true for our pets. The revolving door of visiting guests and the break from the routine can frighten our pets and cause them to run away. If your pet tends to easily get scared, nervous, or becomes protective, it is important to keep them confined safely inside your house. Many pets are lost during the holidays when they jump out of their yard or dart out of an open door. Remember all pets, even strictly indoor cats, should have collars with tags and microchips so that if they become lost they can be returned safely home.

Paying careful attention to these warnings will help keep the Thanksgiving holidays happy for you and your pet and should prevent unscheduled visits to your veterinarian.

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4th of July Pet Safety Tips

July 3, 2020June 30, 2022
by ruthmacpete

Every year hundreds of pets throughout the country are lost or injured during 4th of July Celebrations. Here are five tips you can follow to help keep them safe and stress-free.

1.Keep your pets indoors
Though most of us consider fireworks to be the highlight of the evening, many pets are terrified of them. The bright lights and loud noises can unnerve pets and frightened animals will often escape in order to get away. Runaway pets can become lost or get hit by a car. To keep your pet safe and stress-free during a fireworks display, be sure to keep them indoors, preferably in a secure and comfortable room.

2.Keep your pets busy
Give your pet their favorite toy or a new chew toy to keep them focused on something beside the loud noise and bright lights.

3.Create soothing sounds
Turning on the TV or radio can help drown out loud and scary noises outside.

4.Calming Products
Consider trying an over-the-counter dog pheromone product or one of the numerous calming shirts available. Pheromone products can help decrease anxiety in some dogs. Calming shirts wrap snugly around your pet giving them constant, gentle pressure designed to soothe them just like swaddling soothes a baby.

5.Speak with your veterinarian about medications
If you have a pet that becomes very stressed or agitated by fireworks despite your best efforts, speak with your veterinarian about medications that may help. There are a number of medications available to help decrease anxiety and help keep your pet relaxed. Your veterinarian will determine which medication is appropriate for your pet.

6.Watch out for food that can be harmful to pets
The 4th of July is known for apple pie and BBQ’s, but even delicious holiday food can be hazardous for your pets. Keep your pets away from hot BBQ grills that can easily burn them, especially if they are tempted by what’s cooking on the grill. Animals should never have access to chocolate or alcohol. Bones, except for those specially treated and intended for canine consumption, should also be avoided. Poultry bones can splinter and get lodged in the gastrointestinal tract. Ham and beef bones can break teeth or cause intestinal obstructions. Though tempting, and always appealing to dogs, you should avoid giving your pet leftovers. Not only can this lead to obesity and encourage the annoying habit of begging, it can cause a pancreatitis attack. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas usually caused by fatty foods. It is a serious condition that can be fatal if untreated.

7.Be sure all pets have ID tags and microchips
All of your pets should have collars with ID tags and microchips, even indoor-only cats. A door or gate could be left open accidentally during 4th of July BBQ, or your pet can escape if they become frightened during a fireworks display. Collars with ID tags and microchips are the best way to ensure that if your pet gets lost, he or she will be returned to you. And of course be sure all of your information is correct and current.

8.Know what to do If your pet gets lost
What should you do if your pet gets lost? Walk or drive around your neighborhood to look for them. Be sure to call out their name but they may not come to you if they are frightened. Contact your local shelters and call nearby veterinary clinics as soon as possible. Make flyers with your pet’s picture and post these around the neighborhood, on neighborhood apps, in local pet stores and veterinary clinics, and around retail stores with high foot traffic, like grocery stores.

Follow these tips so that you and your pets can have a safe and fun 4th of July!

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