Posts tagged "pet safety"

Winter Weather Tips for Your Pets

by Paw Nation Staff (Subscribe to Paw Nation Staff's posts): Jan 10th 2012 9:30AM Filed Under: Pet Health, Ask A Vet, Animal Sites We Love

By Dr. Marty Becker, via Vetstreet

Winter and summer both present challenges to keeping pets safe and comfortable, but winter is actually easier to prepare for since it's more about preventing exposure and less about the summer problem of preventing accidents. With one major exception: In cold weather, you always need to be aware of the possibility that a chilly cat could be cuddled against the warm engine of a recently parked car or in the dryer on a pile of warm clothes. Always check your dryer before using it, and thump the hood of your car before starting it to send any sleeping cat on his way.

With very few exceptions, my snow country neighbors would never intentionally cause a pet to suffer in the winter or any other time. But sometimes people just don't have enough information or are just "doing it the way it has always been done." Education is always a big part of a doctor's job, and I pride myself on doing the best I can to offer good advice in a nonjudgmental way that encourages questions and discussion.

SEE ALSO: Why "Outdoor Dogs" Are Miserable

Your pet will weather winter better if he's healthy, so check in with your vet to be sure. Otherwise, here are my winter weather tips for your pets.

Gimme Shelter and Warmth
In my lifetime, many dog and cats have gone from the barnyard to the backyard to the bedroom. I still remember as a boy the day when my dad first allowed our farm dog to sleep in the kitchen during a blizzard. Now I fight for space on my own bed with our pets.

Pet Proof Your Holiday

by Amy D. Shojal (Subscribe to Amy D. Shojal's posts): Dec 12th 2011 11:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Cats, Pet Health

cseeman, Flickr

Holiday homes become pet playgrounds at this time of year. Cats delight in un-decking the halls and climbing the tree. Dogs eat decorations and baptize the tree. The result is a holiday that's anything but merry. Refer to these tips to keep your pets safe and your holiday happy.

Plants and Pets. Dogs and especially puppies chew nearly anything. Cats rarely eat plants, but they do claw them and then lick/groom away the residue. Beware of holiday floral arrangements that contain pet dangers. Lilies can cause kidney failure. Holly and live mistletoe cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy if ingested by your pet. Poinsettias are not deadly but can cause nausea and/or mild vomiting.

Choose pet-safe plants and set them out of paw-reach. Or consider using silk or plastic holiday plants make an equally showy statement without the poison potential.

Fire Hazards. Fireplaces offer extra warmth and atmosphere to holiday gatherings, but can prompt singed whiskers or burned paws. Candles prove irresistible especially for kittens who paw-test everything to see what it is, or meet it head-on to sniff and explore. That's not just painful for pets, it's a fire hazard for your entire family should Fluffy knock over the Menorah.

Instead, electric candles are available for decorating purposes. If you must have the real thing, ensure pets are safely out of the way and candles out of paw-reach. Be sure the fireplace screen is secured against curious pets, too.

Toxic Treats. Gobbling any sort of candy may cause vomiting and/or diarrhea, but chocolate poses special dangers. Too much chocolate, which contains a stimulant called theobromine, can kill your pet. Keep holiday candy out of reach, in latched cupboards, to keep your canine glutton from over-indulging.

Flavored aluminum foil, grease-smeared turkey strings, and cellophane candy wrappers can be dangerous to pets if swallowed-dogs and cats rarely unwrap treats before eating. Eating raw yeast bread dough also causes problems when the dough rises in the tummy.

Holiday Tree Tips. Cats consider the tree a feline jungle gym with cat toys that swing, sparkle, and invite paw-pats and biting. Some dogs take "aim" at the tree just as they would your outside shrubs and baptize the greenery. Drinking from treated water in the base can poison pets. Eating tinsel and ornaments can prove deadly, and dogs often chew through electric chords with shocking results.

- Smaller trees can be set on table tops, inside of baby play pens, or in a room protected by a baby gate. Situate breakable and dangerous decorations on the top of the tree out of reach of inquisitive pets.

- Make the area around the tree unattractive to keep paws at bay. Clear plastic carpet protectors and place under the tree-nub side up. That makes cruising or lounging under the tree uncomfortable. The soft "tacky mats" available from home product stores designed to keep throw rugs from sliding around work well to keep small pets away because they dislike walking on sticky surfaces.

- Use your pet's smell sense to keep her away from the tree. Citrus scents are off-putting to cats so scatter orange or lemon peels (or potpourri) around the base of the tree. Vicks (menthol smell) also works as a good pet repellent. Dip cotton balls in the ointment and stick in the lower branches of your tree. They'll look a bit like snow and blend in with the rest of the decorations.

- Create a "pet safe" tree decorated with dog toys and catnip mice. Place these within paw reach on lower branches and reserve the off limits decorations for the top of the tree.

Offer the fur-kids some cheap thrills under the tree with dog chew toys or catnip mice for legal playtime. Boxes, bags, crinkled wrapping paper and used ribbons offer fun hideouts, paper to shred and chase-for more fun after you've opened your holiday gifts.

Amy D. Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant and the award-winning author of 23 pet care books, including "The First-Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats." Amy also appears on Animal Planet's "Cats 101" and "Dogs 101," writes for puppies.About.com and cats.About.com and lives in North Texas with a senior citizen Siamese and smart-aleck German shepherd dog. To find out more about Amy, read her blog on Red Room, where you can buy her books.

Happy Halloween From Paw Nation

by Paw Nation Staff (Subscribe to Paw Nation Staff's posts): Oct 31st 2011 9:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Funny Animal Pictures

dancuadra, Flickr

Happy Halloween! Make it a safe one.

6 Ways to Make Halloween Safe and Fun for Your Dog

by Patti Lawson (Subscribe to Patti Lawson's posts): Oct 6th 2011 1:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health

The author's dog wearing a simple and safe Halloween costume. Patti Lawson

Halloween is around the corner, and people everywhere are looking forward to being scared (almost) to death and dressing up in silly and frightening costumes. The same is not true for dogs, however. The mischief and pranks for which the holiday is infamous present a myriad of potential safety challenges that can take dogs and their owners completely by surprise. If you want to include your dog in your Halloween celebration, make it an event that is safe and enjoyable for both of you. Here are some tips:

1. People love Halloween candy and so do dogs, but while candy is a great treat for us, dog owners need to make sure that it's not accessible to their animals. Most owners know that chocolate is poisonous for dogs, but so is almost everything else that you'd find in a trick-or-treat bag. Artificial sweeteners, raisins and other candy items can mean serious health hazards or even death for dogs. The wrappers can be ingested and cause choking. Keep healthy, natural-ingredient dog treats on hand for your dog and other dogs that might show up at your door.

Natural Disaster Safety - Establishing an Emergency Plan for Your Dog

by Patti Lawson (Subscribe to Patti Lawson's posts): Sep 7th 2011 1:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health, Pet Training

The author's dog, wearing her emergency vest. Patti Lawson

Hurricane season is upon us once again, and all dog owners should have a disaster plan in place for their pets. I've never been through a hurricane with my dog, but I did experience a house fire with her, and it was horrific. I'd never even considered having a plan in place in case of a fire, let alone a hurricane or other natural disaster, but that night I vowed to never be without one again. If you are the victim of a natural disaster or a house fire and don't have a plan, you may not have a chance to escape without some tragedy.

Get ready before disaster strikes. Pay attention to weather reports, and don't take chances with your life or your dog's life. Have a place secured where you can go with your dog when a hurricane or other weather disaster is approaching. If you decide to ride a storm out at home, have supplies ready. Make sure you have a room where you will be safe and have food, water, medications and any other necessary item for your dog, including a favorite blanket for comfort. These things should always be ready in a safe place and not gathered in a frantic moment or two before the event.

At a minimum, the following should be part of your safety plan:

1. Post pet rescue alert stickers at the exterior doors of your house.

2. Practice an exit drill that includes your dog. The No. 1 reason dogs perish in house fires and hurricanes is because they're left alone confined in a room or a kennel. Put your dog's collar on with identification tags attached, and take the dog out of the house on a leash.

3. Keep your dog's leash and ID collar in the same place all the time. This makes it easy to find in an emergency. Consider purchasing a flame-retardant reflective vest with room to hold your dog's information and extra collars with all necessary tags attached in case of a need to evacuate your house swiftly. These vests can also serve as flotation devices, which are priceless when flooding occurs. Get one for each of your dogs and have them ready when needed.

10 Tips to Prevent Pet Fireworks Fears

by Amy D. Shojai (Subscribe to Amy D. Shojai's posts): Jun 28th 2011 1:00PM Filed Under: Pet Health

bayasaa, Flickr

Fireworks from July 4th celebration may be festive to you, but can turn your pets into nervous wrecks. More cats and dogs--and even livestock like horses--become lost on this day than any other when pets panic, go through windows, break tethers and leap fences.

Even safely contained pets shiver, moan, and feel worse with each noisy boom. You may not see quivering scaredy cats, but the stress from noise phobia increases risk of hit-or-miss litter box behavior.

It can take weeks or even months for desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques to teach fearful pets that noises won't hurt them. With Independence Day right around the corner, refer to these 10 tips for more immediate help.

1. Scared animals calm themselves down by squeezing into tight spots and hiding their eyes. For instance, a dog wriggles between the sofa and wall, while a cat hides its face in your armpit. Offer your pets safe hiding place and let them be.

How to Avoid a Dog Fight - And What to Do If It Happens Anway

by CJ Arabia (Subscribe to CJ Arabia's posts): Apr 18th 2011 3:00PM Filed Under: Dogs

Watch videos from Paw Nation

dogs fighting picture Alamy

It's not something we want to think about, but it happens from time to time -- a dog fight. They can happen at the dog park, when you are out for a walk, or in front of a crowded patio restaurant. Our reaction is often to freak out, yell, grab for the dogs' collars -- which, it turns out, may be all the wrong ways to react, putting ourselves in harm's way without even realizing it.

Getting involved in a dogfight is dangerous and it's not something we recommend. But we also know that when your dog is at risk, protective instincts kick in. That's why we asked dog safety expert Melanie Monteiro, author of "The Safe Dog Handbook - A Complete Guide To Protecting Your Pooch, Indoors and Out" to find out what she does to prevent and deal with dog fights.

1. Know the Dangers
The first thing Monteiro notes is that you must understand that it is likely you will be hurt. "You're always putting yourself in physical jeopardy when you go in to break up a dog fight," she says. "I've been injured doing it and several of my friends have been injured doing it." But there are general ideas to consider that will make you more informed if you do wade into a fight.

2. Be Alert
When you're out in public with your dog, be very aware of your surroundings. "Pay attention to your dog. If you're out walking and distracted by texting, or talking on the phone, you might not be prepared when a dog jumps out of an open garage door, or comes around the corner," says Monteiro.

Top 10 Dog Poisons

by WebMD Healthy Pets (Subscribe to WebMD Healthy Pets's posts): Dec 23rd 2010 11:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health

dog poisons picture Confused about keeping your dog safe? People foods are just some of the dangers. Mark Thiessen, Getty Images

Last year, there were more than 100,000 cases of pet poisoning in the United States. Many of these were caused by substances you probably have in your home, substances that may seem perfectly harmless to you. But just because something is safe for people doesn't mean it won't hurt pets. Some of the most dangerous dog poisons are foods and medications.

Depending on how a particular substance affects your dog's body and how much was ingested or inhaled, pet poisoning symptoms can include gastrointestinal and neurological problems, cardiac and respiratory distress, coma and even death. Our friends at Web MD Healthy Pets share with Paw Nation what to watch out for.

The Poisons

No. 1: Medications for People
Drugs that might be beneficial, or even life-saving, for people can have the opposite effect in pets. And it doesn't always take a large dose to do major damage.

Some of the most common and harmful medications that poison dogs include:

- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, which can cause stomach and intestinal ulcers or kidney failure.

- Antidepressants, which may cause vomiting and, in more serious instances, serotonin syndrome -- a dangerous condition that raises temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, and may cause seizures.

- Isoniazid, a tuberculosis drug, is difficult for dogs to process. Even one tablet can cause problems in a small dog. Signs of poisoning include seizures and coma.

Dangerous Pet Gifts to Avoid

by WebMD Healthy Pets (Subscribe to WebMD Healthy Pets's posts): Dec 21st 2010 11:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health

pet gift picture Getty

Most dog and cat owners consider their canine and feline friends full-fledged members of the family. That means when birthdays, major holidays or other celebrations roll around, dogs and cats get gifts too -- and lots of them.

Whether you're shopping for your own pet or for a friend's, here is what you need to know about pet gift safety regulations and possible hazards from our friends at WebMD Healthy Pets.

Pet Product Safety
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission focuses solely on products made for human use. Ed Rod, vice president of government affairs and general counsel for the American Pet Products Association, tells WebMD that pet product safety is instead market driven, where manufacturers and retailers focus on these issues:

- Choking hazards and small parts
- Strangulation hazards
- Toxicity levels

Also, major retailers require that pet product makers use quality-control testing laboratories to certify product safety before allowing items on store shelves.

"Fortunately, with pet toys and pet accessories," Rod says, "there is not a big history of adverse events."

Winter Pet Safety - 7 Risks to Avoid

by Mary Kearl (Subscribe to Mary Kearl's posts): Dec 20th 2010 11:00AM Filed Under: Cats, Pet Health

dog play snow winter photo Philipp Guelland, AFP / Getty Images

"Winter is actually a pretty good time for animals," says Dr. Jacob Cohen of Chicago's Animal Ark Veterinary Clinic. "They're out less -- which means less injuries and less illness." But there are still serious incidents of cold-weather-related health problems in pets that can and should be avoided, adds Cohen.

1. Space heaters. As with any electronic appliance, take care where you place these in your home. You want to prevent your pet from chewing cords. And either make sure your cat isn't tempted -- or able -- to jump on the heater, your cat or dog can't brush up against it, or that the temperature doesn't get too hot. Coming into contact with the heater could cause serious burns, says Cohen.

2. Temperatures below 45 degrees. "Frostbite is rare, but you really want to watch out for too much exposure to cold," says Cohen. "We start to get concerned below 45 degrees when a pet is in the cold for extended periods of time. Below freezing we have to be even more aware." Your pet's feet, ears, nose and tail are likely to be affected. "You may not see the clinical signs for a couple of days, but if the areas are severely affected, the tissue starts to die, it changes to blue-black color, and your pet will get severe infections. You may see limping or pain and licking at the area." Hypothermia is also a risk. Symptoms include weakness, shivering and lack of mental alertness, according to PetMD. Learn about dressing your pet for cold weather from Paw Nation.

Countdown to Meet the Breeds - ADT Safety Bundle Giveaway

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Oct 7th 2010 2:00PM Filed Under: Giveaways

meet the breeds safety bundle picture ADT

Everybody thinks about home safety, but have you thought about it with regard to your pets? ADT Security Services has, and they've teamed up with the American Kennel Club to help the estimated 500,000 pets affected by home fires yearly. A security system hooked up to your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can alert authorities to an emergency in your home if you're not there (but your pets are). Even without a security system, there's more you can do to help keep your pet safe.

As sponsors of Meet the Breeds, and in honor of the upcoming event, ADT is giving away a safety bundle that includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a roadside safety kit, and set of home emergency lights. All these items will help keep you and your family, whether the members have two or four legs, safe at home and on the road. And entering to win is a snap!

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us what you do to protect your pets.

The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, October 15, 2010.

You may enter only once.

One winner will be selected in a random drawing.

One winner will receive an ADT safety bundle including a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a roadside safety kit, and set of home emergency lights (valued at $125).

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete official rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

The Doggie Diaries - Pippi Off the Leash

by Ben Westhoff (Subscribe to Ben Westhoff's posts): Aug 5th 2010 12:00PM Filed Under: Dogs

The Doggie Diaries pippi off leash Dalmatian Anna Westhoff

Each week, Ben Westhoff shares the ups and downs of owning Pippi, the dalmatian mix he and his wife Anna adopted as a puppy in late 2009, and the first dog Ben's ever had.

Pippi needs a ton of exercise. At barely more than a year old, she's still a puppy, and a dalmatian puppy at that. When my "little brother" Jorell was here, he was good about giving Pippi some extra running-around time every day. Now that he's gone, she tends to get more rambunctious, particularly in the evening when Anna and I are both home.

Pippi regularly needs new forms of stimulation. We used to take her into our neighbor's fenced-in backyard to run around, but one day she seemed to tire of it for no apparent reason. Instead of chasing her ball around, all she wanted to do was chew on wood chips and anything else she found lying on the ground.

She loves to gallop, but she needed a new venue. In that relatively small backyard, all she can really do is run around in circles. Recently we had the bright idea to let her run around in our nearby park at night. Suburban outlaws that we are, we let her do it off-leash. We unlatch her, throw a stick, and she goes after it. Though she's good about retrieving it, she's not so great about bringing it back. But she has a fun time tearing around, and usually returns to us without much delay.

Kurgo 'Pup Your Ride' Giveaway

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Jun 14th 2010 3:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Giveaways

dog harness zip line kurgo car picture Tru-Fit Smart Harness and Auto Zip Line is just one
of the prizes available to the winner. Kurgo

We know you don't want to leave your dog behind when you travel. Road trips give you the perfect opportunity to take your pooch along for the ride, but that can be difficult if it prefers to try to sit in your lap. While you're driving. On the Interstate. (We feel your pain.)

One way to help keep your canine (and yourself) safe is to outfit your ride with special gear for dog travel. This week, we're giving away a "Pup Your Ride" prize pack from Kurgo. The company offers lots of products to make driving with your dog a little easier, regardless of the size of your furry friend.

One lucky Paw Nation reader gets his or her choice of either a Small Dog package or Big Dog package. This prize is so great that we don't even have room to include images of everything included (so make sure you check out the links below)!

The Big Dog package includes a Backseat Barrier (can also be used to section off a part of the backseat), Auto Zip Line (use in the back seat or the back of your SUV) and Tru-Fit Smart Harness (use in the car, on a walk, wherever!), valued at $113.

The Small Dog package includes a Skybox Booster Seat, Co-Pilot Seat Cover (handy for messy human co-pilots too) and Tru-Fit Smart Harness, valued at $128.

Pet Pool Safety - Keep Your Dog Safe This Summer

by Taryn Fiol (Subscribe to Taryn Fiol's posts): May 17th 2010 3:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health, Pet Training

pet pool safety picture soylentgreen23, Flickr

As tempting as cool pool water is on a hot day, it can be dangerous for your dog. An estimated one out of every 1,027 pets drowns in swimming pools each year. But there are things you can do to make sure you all have fun.

Evaluate Your Pooch
Most dog breeds have the ability to swim, but that doesn't mean yours can or will. Also, certain breeds such as bulldogs can't swim at all, and other dogs have physical limitations that put them more at risk in the pool, so you may need to be extra careful.

"When you've got an older dog or a dog with a handicap, like a dog that can't see well, definitely get a fence around the pool when you can't watch them," Shannon A. South, D.V.M., of Briarcliff Animal Clinic in Atlanta, Ga. tells Paw Nation. Even if the dog isn't attracted to the pool, they could always fall in. So keep an eye out when you and your dog both are pool-side, and be wary of letting a non-swimmer in the yard near the pool without you.

Be Careful With "Protective" Gear
While items such as pool covers do have their purposes, they may not be the best option for your dog. South points out that sometimes, covers actually can be riskier. If a dog jumps onto the pool cover, it may cause the entire cover to sink, possibly trapping the dog underwater.

Displacement alarms, which measure the water levels in your pool and can be set to sound an alarm when a pet or child falls in, may be a good way to prevent against accidental drowning as long as someone is around to hear it.

10 Things Poisonous to Pets in Your Home

by Michelle Toglia (Subscribe to Michelle Toglia's posts): Jun 25th 2009 2:00PM Filed Under: Birds, Cats, Small Pets, Pet Health, Photo Galleries

Here at Paw Nation, we do whatever we can to help you keep your pets safe and sound. That's why we've teamed up with Petside.com on the Pet 'Net Safety Event 2009. Read on to see what common household items may be dangerous for your pets, or check out Petside.com to read more safety tips for your pals.

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10 Things Poisonous to Pets in your Home

Many common household items -- ones that we've never even thought twice about -- can be harmful and potentially fatal to our four-legged friends. Gretchen Lee Schoeffler, Chief of the Emergency and Critical Care Service at Cornell University Companion Animal Hospital, weighs in on the hazardous items to keep out of your pets' paws.

Non-Stick Pans
Have a bird? Then forget about cooking with your non-stick pan, says Dr. Schoeffler. When non-stick pans are heated to high temperatures, the fumes can cause a respiratory condition called Teflon Toxicity that can be abrupt and fatal.

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10 Things Poisonous to Pets in your Home

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Chocolate
It may be the ultimate feel-good treat, but chocolate has quite the opposite effect on your cat or dog. The chemical methylxantine is toxic to dogs and in high doses can cause abnormal heartbeats, seizures and death. In addition to the breed and size of your pet, chocolate type is also an important factor in the severity of intoxication. Dr. Schoeffler says the richer the chocolate, the higher the methylxantine content. Therefore, milk chocolate accidents are much less severe than cases involving Baker's chocolate.

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Gum
Overall, most gum is only a problem for pets if they ingest a large amount, but beware of your dog digging into any gum containing the ingredient Xylitol. Dr. Schoeffler says this new sugar substitute is proven to be fatal for dogs -- causing seizures and severe liver damage.In fact, Xylitol is so toxic to dogs, Schoeffler won't even bring a pack of sugarless gum containing it into her home.

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Grapes and Raisins
According to Dr. Schoeffler, over the past 10 years vets have seen an increase in problems related to dogs who have eaten grapes or raisins. While some dogs can handle a couple of grapes as a treat, others end up in the hospital hooked up to an IV. While the mechanism is unknown, ingesting grapes and raisins has lead to acute renal failure in canines.

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Potpourri
The essential oils in this fragrant mix can be harmful to curious cats and dogs who spill it on themselves or rub against a dish containing the oils. The Cationic detergents in hot scented oils can cause significant burns to a cat's esophagus, mouth and tongue. Dr. Schoefflerer says that these type of burns will prevent a cat from being able to groom itself. Try putting liquid potpourri far from your pets' reach or using an air freshener instead.

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Lilies
Keep these pretty flowers far away from your cat. Even in small amounts, lilies can cause severe kidney failure. "Don't even take a bouquet home if it contains lilies," says Dr. Schoefflerer. Be sure to take note of other toxic plants.

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Non-Stick Pans
Have a bird? Then forget about cooking with your non-stick pan, says Dr. Schoeffler. When non-stick pans are heated to high temperatures, the fumes can cause a respiratory condition called Teflon Toxicity that can be abrupt and fatal.

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Fertilizers
Fertilizers may do wonders for your lawn, but they can be extremely harmful to your outdoor pet. Last year, the ASPCA received more than 2,000 calls related to fertilizer exposure. Pets that ingest fertilizer can suffer damage to their digestive tract and life-threatening gastrointestinal obstruction. Be sure to follow instructions for distributing fertilizer before letting your puppy play in the grass.

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Paint
If you live in an older home with lead-based paint or are in the process of remodeling, make sure to keep a close eye on your pet. Dogs who chew on old paint or drink runoff from lead-based paint can suffer from lead intoxication. If left untreated, lead intoxication can be fatal. Dr. Schoefflerer has also seen paintballs pose a threat to pets. The paint pellets can cause an electrolytic disturbance if ingested.

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Human Medication
Many people tend to think that if a pill is safe for a human, it's safe for a pet, too. But according to Dr. Schoefflerer, human medication is one of the most common household hazard to pets. Schoefflerer identifies non-steroidal medications as the most harmful to our animals, and arthritis medication like Ibuprofen can also be toxic. There are safe ways to administer medication to pets, but it must be done under veterinary guidance.

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