Keeping pets cool in Summer

Now that Summer's fast approaching and the temperature's warming up here's a little reminder of the dangers.



Cool Cats and Hot Dogs by Cast Iron Radiators 4u.

Happy Memorial Day.

To all our American friends Happy Memorial Day.

Memorial day marks a very important day in the United States and is observed to honor the soldiers who laid down their lives while in service of the US military. Originally known as 'Decoration Day', the day is observed every year on the last Monday of May and unofficially marks the beginning of summer. Memorial day is a federal holiday that was first enacted to honor the lives of the soldiers of the Civil War but was later extended to include all the soldiers who died while in service of the US army.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/history-of-memorial-day.html

“We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.”

- James A. Garfield
May 30, 1868 Arlington National Cemetery

Everyone who are having barbecues or going to barbecues this weekend be careful of what foods are left lying around, as not all foods are safe to our furry friends. Stay cool and keep safe.

Infographic sourced from The Dogington Post.

Happy May Day.

Happy Holiday everyone, With it being a long weekend and lots of people going away or taking days out and the weather warming up I thought this Infographic was very apropriate.

Have a great bank holiday and stay safe.

Infographic sourced from Kurgo Dog Blog.

Easter dangers for dogs and cats.

Easter is a lovely time of year, it's nice to see a bit of colour and wildlife and plants are starting to wake up after a long drab winter.

Unfortunately it doesn't come without it's dangers especially for our pets ie chocolate and poisonous plants eg Lilies.

Chocolate.

Chocolate is toxic to both cats and dogs and even the wrappers if swallowed can cause intestinal problems

and blockages.

Chocolate has a high fat content and contains caffeine and theobromine, which stimulate the nervous system and can be toxic if taken in large amounts. Depending on the type of chocolate ingested and the amount eaten, various problems can occur. White chocolate has the least amount of stimulants and baking chocolate has the highest.

The signs to look out for are, restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination, and excessive panting. The high fat content in chocolate can also cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

Easter Lilies.

Easter Lilies are popular around this time of year, and even though they might be nice to look at they are poisonous to our feline friends as our related plants such as tiger lily, day lily and asiatic lilies.

It's not just the eating of leaves you need to worry about, because even if your cats just brush against the leaves and then lick the pollen off there fur can be fatal.

The first signs of poisoning are vomiting, Over the next 12 to 24 hours, the cat may start to urinate frequently, but then urinating might stop altogether, which is a sign of kidney failure. If not brought to a veterinarian, the cat will die within four to seven days. Other signs to watch for include drooling, loss of appetite and decreased activity. The vet will give the cat intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and save the kidneys, Lilies are usually not as toxic to dogs, but may cause some gastrointestinal distress. However there's one similar flower, Lily of the Valley, which you should keep away from your dog, because this plant is highly dangerous for canines, too.

Dried Fruits ( Currants, Raisins, Sultanas etc )

Grapes and their dried products (currants, sultanas and raisins) are toxic to dogs. Ingestion of even a small quantity can cause severe kidney failure. Don’t forget this will include food items that contain dried fruits such as Hot Cross Buns. Be aware that chocolate-coated raisins are available so there is the additional risk of chocolate toxicity with these.

Other dangers are Xylitol ( food additive code E967 )

Xylitol is a naturally occurring, sugar-free sweetener and is frequently found in sugar-free chewing gums and sweets, and some pharmaceuticals including nicotine replacement chewing gums. Xylitol is extremely harmful to dogs and can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and liver damage.

Alcohol, nuts, bread dough, left over food that could of gone mouldy cheese, yoghurt and bread etc.

If you suspect your dog or cat is showing signs of poisoning contact your vet immediately who will advise on the best course of action,  and when you see the vet give as much information as possible on type of chocolate ie white, milk, dark or baking chocolate and also what quantity has been consumed, also try and take any wrappers, packaging and if possible a sample etc chocolate or lily cutting that might help with getting the proper treatment and quick.

Also make sure you know how to contact your vet out of hours or have the number of the emergency vet to hand as surgery hours might be different over a bank holiday weekend.

Infographic courtesy of Animal Friends.

Holiday dangers for dogs.

The holidays are a time of joy, giving and spending time with family but if you're celebrating with pets it doesn't come without certain hazards.

We can't think of a worst way to spend Christmas than the emergency vets.

Happy Thanksgiving (Pet Safety)

Last year I concentrated on the history of Thanksgiving so this year I thought I would concentrate on the pets.

Normally I would get envious of all my American friends celebrating Thanksgiving and eating all that turkey because we don't celebrate it in the UK, but not this year and here's why because this year we're off to the Lake District on holiday from the 21st December - 4th January 2014 so Cody and Coco have to go in the Cattery for 2 weeks which Mum and Dad aren't happy with but can't be helped so they've brought Christmas forward this year so we can all celebrate as a family together Christmas tree up early, presents under the tree early for the cats I bet I wont get to open up mine early but the main advantage is I get 2 Christmases one with Cody and Coco and one on Christmas day when were away which means two lots of turkey I'm going to be one spoiled Doggy but I won't complain.

I will have to try and not make the same mistake as last year, when Dad said do I fancy a night time walk before bed so I can relieve myself I never knew it was a secret code for do I fancy going the pub while he has a quick pint, I don't know how to take it being used for an excuse so he can go the pub but extra turkey on my plate at Christmas might compensate for it, I slipped up one night though Dad was watching TV so Mum walked me everything was going fine though until we walked past the pub and I dragged Mum in I thought it was just part of the routine.

Now for the important stuff.

Infographic provided by Doggie Health Insurance.

As in all cases prevention is better than cure, keep leftover food out of reach and in tightly secured containers and keep garbage containers secure so pets can't get into them and chew on tin foil, baking string and anything else that might be bad for them.        

• Cooked bones can splinter and cause tears or obstruction in a pet's digestive tract.
• Baking strings, if ingested, can create trouble if ingested by your pet.
• Onions in holiday stuffing can lead to canine anaemia if consumed by your dog.
• Grapes and raisin toxins can cause kidney failure in pets.
• Ingesting chocolate can kill your pet.
• Caffeine and alcohol are also toxic for pets.
• Keep all goodies out of reach!  
• Rich, fatty foods (turkey skins, gravy, etc,) can contribute to pancreatitis. This inflammation of the digestive gland is painful and can be serious--requiring emergency veterinary assistance.     

Before you sit down to feast,  take away temptation-from both guests and pets. If you feed pets before the guests arrive you reduce the temptation for begging and stealing and they will more than likely sleep with having a full tummy. You can also use a pet gate or play pen to house the pet nearby, but provide a safety barrier.

One of the easiest ways to avoid trouble is to make sure your guests know the pet rules and discourage them from feeding pets scraps from the table.  The best approach is to make sure any animal is occupied with a chew or playmates in another room. Once the table is cleared, make sure pets cannot get to scraps or bones.

Make sure all house guests know the house rules regarding your pets, they might not have pets of there own and don't realise the dangers, most guests like to make a fuss of our pets so to make things easier place bowls of dog and cat treats around the house so they can treat them safely at the same warning them of the dangers of feeding human  food high in sodium such as peanuts and fatty foods (like poultry skin or fat) can cause the inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis is potentially life-threatening condition.)

Infographic provided by PetCare

There's no reason why dogs and cats can't enjoy the holiday season as long as we use common sense and everyone obeys the rules and remember to serve up smaller portions of there normal food to compensate for the extra treats they might receive.

• If you’re going to be adding unusual foods to your pet’s diet on Thanksgiving, do so in moderation.
• Stay away from turkey skins, as these aren't good for pets!
• Feed your pet less of their usual food on days when they’ll be getting extra goodies. Overeating is uncomfortable for humans, but can be very serious in dogs. Gastric torsion, or twisting of the stomach, can occur when a dog overindulges. Pancreatitis can occur when they have foods that are too rich, like the turkey skins mentioned above. These conditions can be expensive for you, and uncomfortable or even deadly for them.
• Mix table scraps in with reduced portions of the food they’re used to. This can help ease digestion.
• Share Thanksgiving foods at the pet’s meal time, and in their food bowl, instead of handing them tiny bits throughout the day. This should help stave off unwanted behaviours like constant begging. It will also help you keep track of how much your pet is actually eating. A little here and a little there can add up to a lot -- just ask any Weight Watcher!

THANKSGIVING FOODS THAT ARE NOT SAFE TO SHARE WITH YOUR CAT OR DOG

Avoid these ingredients, always:

• Raw poultry
• Turkey skin
• Butter and oils
• Bones, especially cooked bones, which are likely to splinter
• Alcohol: beer, wine, or anything else
• Nuts, especially walnuts or macadamia nuts
• Sweets like cookies, pie, and cake
• Onions, or anything with onion in it, even if the onions are cooked or macerated
• Garlic
• Some mushrooms (so to be safe, avoid all mushrooms)
• Some herbs like sage and nutmeg

THANKSGIVING FOODS THAT ARE SAFE TO SHARE WITH YOUR PET

These foods can be safely shared with your beloved cat or dog on Thanksgiving. Remember to moderate for your pet, even if it’s hard to do for yourself.

• Turkey, boneless
• Whole raw eggs
• Sweet potato or yams, as long as there’s no onions or cream involved
• Canned pureed pumpkin
• Raw apple (but not the seeds)
• Raw veggies like carrots
• Steamed veggies like green beans or broccoli
• Any rice, brown, white, or wild

THANKSGIVING FOODS FOR CATS: A REMINDER

Cats are obligate carnivores. This means they thrive on a diet primarily of meat. Meat can safely be shared with your cat on Thanksgiving. Other foods should be given in only very small amounts. Some cats just love sweet potatoes, but it's up to you to restrict their carb intake.

Remember, cats are much smaller than most dogs so your cat really shouldn't get more than a tablespoon of Thanksgiving fixings. An excess of veggies or carbs could give them an upset stomach.

And last but not least don't forget there exercise so they can burn off the excess calories and keep them fit and healthy.

Keep fit post to follow on Thursday.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

Howl-O-Ween safety tips to keep your pet safe.

It's getting close to that time of year again when there's danger lurking just around the corner, with Halloween, Bonfire Night, Thanks giving in America, Christmas and New Year it's time to be extra vigilant with all the dangerous food lying around, alcohol, fireworks going off scaring pets, Chinese lanterns, small items found in Christmas crackers and the list goes on and on.

Our good friends at The Uncommon Dog have very kindly made up this fantastic Infographic about pet safety during Halloween and have kindly gave me permission to share it.

Have a great Halloween and stay safe.

Keep Your K9 Cool During The Summer Months.

How To Keep Your Dog Cool.

It's been really hot lately and it isn't showing any signs of letting up any time soon, I suppose we should be thankful after a long harsh Winter but unfortunately animals can't regulate there body temperature like humans do.

Please make sure there is access to clean fresh drinking water at all times.

Try to keep your dogs inside were it's cooler than being outside, if you've got air conditioning or a fan even better.

Walk your dogs early morning or late evening when the temperature is cooler and the sun has gone down.

A frozen kong or col damp towel placed over your dog can also help in cooling your dog down.

Infographic above kindly made and provided by The Uncommon Dog.

Please remember a hot dog is served on a finger roll with mustard or tomato sauce, please don't cook your dog.

Summertime pet safety (Infographic)

It’s important to keep pets cool during the summer to avoid a potentially deadly case of heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stroke include excessive panting, unsteadiness when standing or walking, seizures, bloody diarrhea or vomiting, a rapid heartbeat and a body temperature between 104 and 110 degrees.

http://www.vetdepot.com/summertime-safety-pets-infographic.html

Dog Proofing Your Computer. (Infograph)

Infographic kindly provided by SurDoc.com https://www.surdoc.com/dogproof/

Pet Alert stickers.

I was very lucky to win a pet alert sticker off Dianda at Cats & Co in there free giveaway you can read about the Pet Alert Stickers here on Dianda's review of them.

Despite it being addressed to me Cody Catty had to get there first.

It's ok Sheba bomb disposal catty on call, it's ok sis it's not tickin, me if it's not Chicken is it Turkey, Cody i said ticken not Chicken clean your ears out mutt.

It smells like Catnip who's been sending Sheba drugs through the post.

I better keep it safe until the drug squad get here.

Get out the way let me open it's addressed to me, I'll let you keep the drugs Cody ok then it'll be our little secret.

I found the pet alert sticker, but that's not all there were other unexpected gifts enclosed.

Dog Sticks.

The bones were yummy.

Any of them goodies for me. Oh yes.

A couple of nice cards.

Catnip mice.

Catnip Butterflies.

Catty sticks which i love.

A ball on a fishing rod.

Have i missed anything.

Cody was right about the drugs.

I'm ok Dude I'm just happy and chillaxing listening to the tunes.

Please forgive the radio playing in the background.

Pet Fire Safety infographic

For all cat lovers i would highly recommend visiting Dianda at Cats & Co she has lots of very useful information on her blog.