Halloween Safety For Your Pet!

Halloween Safety Halloween can be a fun for people and pets, but let's be sure to play it safe while we're out there.  Costumes - As with most things, simpler is better in the pet costume area. The more elaborate the costume, the more opportunity for a bad experience to happen. If your companion is wearing an outfit, be sure to supervise at all times so they don't eat the costume -- no one needs an emergency trip to the DVM. Decorations - decorations, and candles too, should be kept out of pet's reach to keep them from eating the decor or even worse starting the house on fire. Ding-Dong - many dogs get really agitated over the constant ringing of the doorbell, screaming children and talking outside the door on Halloween. There's nothing like a bunch of strangers in costumes coming up to your house to make any dog or cat a little crazy. If you want to hand out treats, it may be best if your pets are in a crate in a back room to help them stay calmer. Candy isn't dandy - chocolate and candy aren't ever good for your pets, but Halloween presents more opportunity to access treats not meant for them. Chocolate and xylitol can be extremely toxic to your pets. Also potentially dangerous are lollipops and wrapped candy -- both present choking hazards and potential for obstructions or at the very least, an upset stomach. Lost pets - loose pets are never a good idea, but Halloween offers an even more unusual landscape filled with costumes to spook your pet if they get loose. There is also potential of a prankster or an evil-minded individual to do something unpleasant to your pet. It's probably best to go outside with your pet on Halloween to help keep them safe in case they spook from sudden noises or strange costumes. View this email in your browser Share Tweet Forward to Friend

Happy Days For Nikko!

Halloween Safety For Your Dog

Halloween can be a fun time year for the whole family - even your dog. However, there are also many potential dangers and sources of stress for your dog. Just remember to keep your dog safe from these Halloween hazards.

• Halloween Candy and Other Treats

  Remember that human treats are not usually good for dogs! Candy - especially chocolate - can be extremely toxic to your dog. Artificially sweetened candy, gum and other goodies may also contain xylitol, a highly toxic substance. Dogs may also ingest food wrappers, causing a risk of choking, upset stomach or gastrointestinal blockage. Various party snacks can be too salty and may contain ingredients that can poison your dog. Alcoholic beverages and dogs do not mix - they pose a significant risk of severe illness or even death! Keep all of these "human goodies" far out of your dog's reach. If you are not positive that you can keep your dog away from these hazards, then consider confining your pet to another area of your home during the festivities. Keeping appropriate dog treatsaround for your dog can be a great idea, but remember not to overfeed. Sliced carrots or apples (hold the caramel) can be tasty and healthy snack alternatives for people and dogs alike! 

Dog's got the back-to-school blues

Dog's got the back-to-school blues

Ways To Stay Popular With Your Pet At The Beach

Everyone loves a trip to the dog beach, but there is always that one person who doesn’t seem to quite know the rules. 14 ways to avoid being "that guy:”

1. Forget Food. Do not bring your lunch -- or any food at all -- to a dog beach. You will be swarmed by dogs and probably lose your sandwich. Dogs can be worse than ants at a picnic.
2. Laugh. Do bring your sense of humor. You might get peed on or step in a pile of poo. Consider it good luck and move on.
3. Be realistic. If your dog is shy, don’t expect other dogs to respect that. Dogs will be dogs.
4. Don’t leave luck to your lady. Do not bring a female dog in heat to the beach unless you want trouble and puppies.
5. Walk like a man. If your male dog is not neutered, watch him closely -- other dogs may want to challenge him.
6. Anger management. Do not bring an aggressive dog to the beach. If your dog gets into a scuffle, leave the beach immediately.
7. Poop patrol. Pick up after your dog, and nicely let other owners know if their dog has left a "present” on the beach.
8. Be prepared. Bring extra poop bags and towels, plenty of water, and a canine first-aid kit.
9. Adults only. Avoid bringing children to a dog beach, as they may be knocked over, scared, or injured.
10. Baywatch. Not just a great show from the 90s, but a practical activity too! Watch your dog at all times. This is not soggy-doggie daycare.
11. Sharing is caring. Don’t bring a toy to a dog beach unless you’re OK with other dogs playing with it and possibly losing it.
12. Bring your shades. Provide your dog with shade and lots of water on hot days.
13. Stay cool. If the sand burns your feet, it’s burning your dog’s paws, too. Run to the shore or carry your pooch.
14. Cover up. We aren’t talking about your clothes (although we do recommend staying more covered up then you would at the human beach.) Sunscreen for dogs? Yes! Apply sunscreen made specifically for dogs to their noses and ears. Rinse your dog off with fresh water after a day at the beach. Repeat!

July 4th Safety Tips for your Pets

July 4th is around the corner, along with the fireworks that inevitably come with this holiday. Almost all humans with dogs in the United States declare this day the worst day of the year for them. Veterinarians say that July 3rd is usually the most-trafficked day in their offices.  The  Humane Society says  it is the busiest time of the year for them, as more dogs are found wandering loose on July 4th than any other day of the year in the U.S.

Tips for providing a safe July 4th for your Canine Household:

1. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day.

2. Keep your dogs inside during fireworks, preferably with human companionship. If it’s hot, air conditioning will help. Bringing your dogs to a fireworks display is never a good idea.

3. Provide a safe place inside for your dogs to retreat. When scared of sounds they can’t orient, dogs often prefer small enclosed areas.  If your dog is comfortable in a crate, that is a good option.

4. Keep the curtains closed, and if possible, also the windows.

5. Make sure all your dogs are wearing ID tags with a properly fitting collar. (Dogs have been known to become Houdini around the 4th of July.)

6. Leave your dog something fun to do – like a frozen Kong filled with his favorite treats.

7. Sound Therapy:  classical music clinically demonstrated to calm canine anxiety   

Wishing you and your canine and feline households a safe holiday. How have they reacted to fireworks in previous years? Thanks for sharing ways that you’ve made it easier for Fido and Fluffy.

The Differences Between Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks. Ticks and fleas. They go together like birds and bees…but they’re actually very different. To protect your dog from both of these parasites it’s important that you understand the differences between them. Here are some of the differences that separate these parasites.

Read more: http://www.cesarsway.com/flea-and-tick-awareness/The-Differences-Between-Fleas-and-Ticks#ixzz2VlbfeZ3W