Pet Safety Tips

Anti Freeze
If ingested, anti-freeze (ethylene glycol), the day-glo green colored fluid frequently seen near curbs, is often lethal -- even in very small quantities. Because many dogs and cats like its sweet taste, there are an enormous number of animal fatalities each year from animals drinking anti-freeze. Poisoning from anti-freeze is considered a serious medical emergency which must be treated by a qualified veterinarian IMMEDIATELY.



Beach Safety
Each year when the weather heats up, it's time to head for beach. But if you bring your dog along, you'll need to be mindful of a few things. Be sure to have plenty of fresh water available for your pet to drink, and don't let him drink sea water, which can make him sick. Arrange for a shady, protected place for your dog to rest after a romp in the sun, and use sunscreen on exposed areas, like his nose and ears, and don't throw sticks or Frisbees far out into the water and expect your dog to retrieve them. The surf is strong, treacherous, and unpredictable, capable of carrying your pet out to sea before you know it, so play on the sand and not in the water.



Car/Truck Safety
Most of us wouldn't think of traveling by car without buckling our safety belts or those of our children, but what about our pets? In a car accident, even a minor one, your pet can become injured. Should a window break or a door open, your frightened pet can run from the car into oncoming traffic. Always confine your pet in a crate during car travel, or use a pet safety harness which attaches to your car's seat-belt system. The harnesses are available in a variety of sizes at many pet supply stores. Don't take a chance with your pet's life. Make buckling up a priority for every member of the family.

In many states, it's illegal for dogs or other animals to ride unsecured in the bed of an open truck. Worse yet--it's unsafe. Imagine how dangerous it would be for your dog, as well as other drivers, should your pet be thrown from the truck during a sudden stop or accident, or if it jumped from a moving vehicle. If you must transport your animal in the bed of an open truck, it's best to crate your pet. Make sure to secure the crate so it cannot move. If no crate is available, the animal should be positioned in the middle of the bed, and either cross-tethered, or restrained on a short leash of four feet. This will enable it to stand or sit comfortably, but prevent the animal from jumping or being thrown from the vehicle. We at PupzNPalz do not recomend placing any animal in the back of a truck!


Cold Weather
Just because your pet has a fur coat doesn't mean he or she is protected in freezing weather. If the animal is very young, very old, or ill, keep it inside when the temperature dips below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and don't laugh, but your pet may need a coat when you take him or her outside. If the animal gets wet from snow or ice, dry your pet off when you return home. To avoid a skin reaction, or accidental poisoning, wipe the paws thoroughly to remove salt, road chemicals, and ice particles from the footpads. Check the tail, tips of ears, and pads of feet for signs of frostbite, which include pale blue, or, in later stages, black skin discoloration. If you suspect frostbite, apply warm compresses to the affected area, and take your pet to the vet at once.



Disasters
Don't wait for disaster to strike to think about saving your pet. Be prepared to take care of your pet in an emergency. Create a portable pet disaster supply kit. That kit should include first-aid supplies, along with medications, and medical records stored in a waterproof container, heavy-duty gloves to administer to an injured or distressed pet, leashes, harnesses, or carriers to transport pets safely, food, drinking water, bowls, a litter box and litter for cats, and a can opener, the name and number of your veterinarian, current photos of your pets, in case they get lost, and pet beds and toys to make pets as comfortable as possible during the crisis.



Flying With Pets
Flying with pets can provoke fear and anxiety, but if you must take to the skies with your pet, pay attention to the following. Contact the airlines well in advance to make reservations and check regulations, such as the type of crate required for travel. Try to book a direct midweek flight or one with a minimum of stops. Reduce the risk of heat exhaustion by choosing early morning or late evening flights. Never sedate your pet for a flight. The change in altitude can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems for pets who have been sedated. Your pet also must remain alert to brace himself in his cage to avoid injury. Place your pet in his cage yourself, and pick him up promptly on arrival, and if possible, watch baggage handlers load him onto the aircraft before boarding yourself.



Halloween Hazards/Holiday Dangers
Holidays and special occasions can be a stressful time for the entire family. You can keep your pets safe and stress-free during any holiday season by following these do's and don'ts. Don't let your pets near holiday plants, such as poinsettia, mistletoe, and holly berries. They can be deadly if swallowed. Don't allow them to play with decorations, such as glass ornaments, ribbon, and tinsel, which can cause choking and intestinal injury. Don't allow your pet to chew on strands of holiday lights. It only takes a second for a curious animal to get electrocuted. Don't feed your pet poultry bones which can splinter, causing intestinal blockage or internal injury. chocolate is also not appropriate for pets. Depending on the amount ingested, chocolate (bakers, semi sweet, milk and dark) can be potentially poisonous to many animals. In general, the less sweet the chocolate, the more toxic it can be. In fact, unsweetened baking chocolate contains almost seven times more theobromine as milk chocolate. Vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity, increased thirst, increased urination and heart rate can be seen with the ingestion of as little as 1/4 ounce of baking chocolate by a 10-pound dog. Candies and gum containing large amounts of the sweetener xylitol can also be toxic to pets. Ingestion of significant quantities can produce a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, in-coordination and seizures. Be sure to keep such products well out of the reach of your pets.



Summer Pet Care/Protecting Against Sunburn
Never leave your pet in the car!!!
Though it may seem cool outside, the sun can raise the temperature inside your car to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes, even with the windows rolled down. If you need to run some errands, leave the furry ones at home. As you're outside enjoying the warm weather, keep your pet leashed It will keep her from getting lost, fighting other animals, and eating and drinking things that could make her sick. This tip isn't just for dogs--even cats can learn to walk on a leash if you train them.

Water, water everywhere
Whether you're indoors or out, both you and your pet need access to lots of fresh water during the summer, so check her water bowl several times a day to be sure it's full. If you and your furry friend venture forth for the afternoon, bring plenty of water for both of you.

Pets need sunscreen too
When the sun comes out, your pet's skin needs special protection. If your pet's nose has more pink areas than black, it's especially susceptible to burning, and, over the long term, even skin cancer. Light pets and pets with short, cropped fur are also at risk. Keeping your pet well groomed will help her hair do what it was designed to do, protect him/her from the sun and insulate the pet from the heat. Frequently apply a waterproof, non-toxic sunscreen with a maximum SPF of 15 to exposed areas on your pet. Make sure to rub it in. Even if he or she licks it off, some will have already penetrated to protect your loved one from the sun's harmful rays. If your pet has extremely thick hair or a lot of mats and tangles, her fur may trap too much heat, so you may want to clip the pet.

Be cautious on humid days
Humidity interferes with animals' ability to rid themselves of excess body heat. When we overheat we sweat, and when the sweat dries it takes excess heat with it. Our four-legged friends only perspire around their paws, which is not enough to cool the body. To rid themselves of excess heat, animals pant. Air moves through the nasal passages, which picks up excess heat from the body. As it is expelled through the mouth, the extra heat leaves along with it. Although this is a very efficient way to control body heat, it is severely limited in areas of high humidity or when the animal is in close quarters.

Make sure your pet doesn't overexert themselves
Though exercise is an important part of keeping your dog or cat at a healthy weight, which helps her body stay cool, overdoing it can cause her to overheat. Keep the walks to a gentle pace and make sure she has plenty of water. If she's panting a lot or seems exhausted, it's time to stop.


Take it easy on pets that can't deal with the heat
Elderly, very young, and ill animals have a hard time regulating their body temperature, so make sure they stay cool and out of the sun on steamy summer days. Dogs with snub noses, such as Pekingese, pugs, and bulldogs, have a hard time staying cool because they can't pant efficiently, so they also need to stay out of the heat. Overweight dogs are also more prone to overheating, because their extra layers of fat act as insulation, which traps heat in their bodies and restricts their breathing capabilities.

Bring them inside
Animals shouldn't be left outside unsupervised on long, hot days, even in the shade. Shade can move throughout the afternoon, and pets can become ill quickly if they overheat, so keep them inside as much as possible. If you must leave your pet in the backyard, keep a close eye on her and bring her in when you can.

Keep an eye out for heatstroke
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you suspect your pet has heatstroke (see "Signs of Heatstroke," below), you must act quickly and calmly. Have someone call a veterinarian immediately. In the meantime, lower the animal's body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often the pet will respond after only a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again with his temperature soaring back up or falling to well below what is normal. With this in mind, remember that it is imperative to get the animal to a veterinarian immediately. Once your pet is in the veterinarian's care, treatment may include further cooling techniques, intravenous fluid therapy to counter shock, or medication to prevent or reverse brain damage.
Even with emergency treatment, heatstroke can be fatal. The best cure is prevention, and Fido and Fluffy are relying on you to keep them out of harm's way. Summer does not have to be fraught with peril--with ample precaution; both you and your furry friends can enjoy those long, hot dog-days of summer.

Signs of Heatstroke

Panting
Staring
Anxious expression
Refusal to obey commands
Warm, dry skin
High fever
Rapid heartbeat
Vomiting
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Household Chemicals
Pesticides, fertilizers, paints, antifreeze, household cleaners, and other chemicals can pose real dangers to your pet. It's best to prevent poisonings from happening in the first place by keeping containers tightly capped and stored out of reach, but if your pet should become poisoned despite your efforts to protect him, keep him warm and quiet, look for clues to what type of poison it was, when it was swallowed, and how much was swallowed, and call your veterinarian or nearest poison control center immediately. If you take the animal to your vet, remember to take along the container so your vet can treat him effectively.



4th of July Fireworks

Poisonous Plants
There are more than 700 kinds of plants that may be poisonous to your pet-- mistletoe, daffodils, larkspur, hydrangea, Lily of the Valley, and foxglove are highly toxic. Rhododendron and azaleas can be harmful to an animal's heart, intestines, and nervous system. Philodendron and dieffenbachia are common houseplants which can prove fatal. And even leaves and stems from tomato plants can be harmful. It's best to keep pets out of vegetable and flower gardens altogether, but if you suspect your pet may have eaten a poisonous plant, watch for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, mouth swelling, and salivation. Take the animal to your vet and take along a leaf from the plant that was eaten. Treatment is based on the type of plant and amount swallowed.



Pool Safety
We've all heard about the danger to small children of having a swimming pool in your backyard, but animals are at risk for drowning, too. Many pets drown each year in backyard swimming pools, especially puppies and kittens. If you have a pool, or if you live alongside a body of water, it's best to put up a fence to keep animals out. If that's not possible, teach your dog how to get out of your pool by placing the dog in the pool with you, and guiding it to the steps. Do this repeatedly until the dog can find its way out of the pool unassisted. And review the lesson twice a year. Remember, too, that not all dogs are natural swimmers. If you take your dog to the lake or out on a boat, consider getting it a doggy life vest. They're available in a variety of sizes and can save your dog's life.



Snakebites
Wilderness areas pose hidden dangers to your pet, dangers like snakebites. Avoid bites by keeping your pet on a leash and by your side while in the woods, and staying on trails in wilderness areas. But if your pet gets bitten, don't panic. Try to determine if the bite came from a poisonous snake, taking care not to get bitten yourself. If you think the snake is poisonous, check for signs of shock. Keep your pet calm and still, and carry him to the car, since any movement may cause the venom to spread faster. Put on gloves and wash the wound with mild soap and water, and immediately transport him to the closest animal hospital. Even bites from non-poisonous snakes should be checked out by a veterinarian for allergic reactions or infection.