It’s hot, you’re hot, and your pets are hot.  How do you keep your pets cool in these hot times?

• Keep them  hydrated. Both inside and out, make sure your pets have plenty of fresh, clean, cool water.

• Make sure shade is available for your pets when you are outside.

• Be careful not to over-exercise your pets when it is hot.

• Keep pets inside when it’s extremely hot.

• Do not leave your pets in a parked car. Even with open windows, the car can become like an oven, leading to heat stroke.

• When around water, make sure your dog is wearing a life jacket that is sized for your dog. Not all dogs are good swimmers. Check with your local Chuck & Don’s Team Member if you need help sizing a life jacket.

Know the warning signs of overheating:

• Excessive panting
• Breathing difficulties
• Increased heart & respiratory rate
• Drooling
• Stupor
• Seizures
• Bloody diarrhea
• Vomiting

Should your pet exhibit any of these signs, take them to your vet immediately.

If you have a smart phone, check out the ASPCA’s PetWeather App. Weather information specific to your location will let you know what you and your pet can expect, and it alerts you when conditions are uncomfortable or hazardous for your pet.

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Memorial Day traditionally marks the beginning of summer, and summer typically means vacation and travel time.

What preparations are needed to travel with a pet?

Identification

Make sure your pet has proper ID and is wearing a collar with current tags. If your pet is not currently microchipped, consider having this done before you leave. This is a simple procedure which can be done at your vet’s office. It is also a good idea to take along your pet’s medical records as well as your vet’s phone number.

Packing for your Pet

Include the following when traveling with your pet:

• Leash
• Food and treats
• Water
• Water and food bowls
• Bedding
• Crate
• Doggie pick up bags
• Medications
• Toys

Know Your Travel Arrangements

If you are traveling by car, make sure your pet is accustomed to traveling in the car and is securely restrained. For long trips remember to take rest stops for your pet, giving them a chance to get out and stretch their legs as well as taking potty breaks. It is dangerous leaving your pets unattended in parked cars, as heat generated within the car can reach 125 degrees or more in just a few minutes.  If you’re staying in hotels, know in advance which hotels are pet friendly and what their rules are for pets.

If you’re traveling by plane, check, re-check and double-check the airline’s policy for travel with pets. Make sure crates are secure and well marked with your contact information.

Keeping these tips in mind will ensure a safe and happy trip for your pet as well as for yourself!

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We’re in the third full week of the new year.  Did you make any New Years resolutions for  your pets?  In an earlier post we suggested some possible resolutions:

• Exercise
• Assess your pet’s nutrition
• Conduct a safety check of your house
• ‘Spoil’ your pets with lots of love and attention
• Volunteer at a shelter or rescue
• Taking your pet to visit a senior care facility

It’s easy to make resolutions, sometimes not so easy to implement them and keep them. Here are some tips to help you turn your resolution(s) into a way of life:

• Be realistic. Take small success oriented steps towards your resolution(s). Just think what the next step will be and move ahead with that one step.

• Have a plan. Write it down. When your plan is written down, you have a much better chance of achieving the resolution(s).

• Tell everyone about your resolution(s). This helps make the resolution(s) a part of your everyday life, as well as giving you a sense of accountability.

Let us know how it’s going with your New Year’s resolutions for your pets!

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Ring in the New Year with New Resolutions! Not only for you, but for the pets in your life.  Here are some resolutions for your consideration.

Exercise not only promotes health benefits, but also is good bonding time for you and your pet.  Accompany your dog on walks or play with feather wands with your cats.

Assess your pet’s nutrition.  Do they need a special diet reflecting changes they are going through?  Perhaps the food you feed your pet  may need to move from an adult to a senior formula, or perhaps your pet has developed allergies.

Conduct a safety check of your house.  Are toxic chemicals out of the reach of pets?  Is fencing secure?

‘Spoil’ your pets with lots of love and attention. They are worth it!

Volunteer at a shelter or rescue, helping animals who are not as fortunate as your own.

Have you considered taking your pet to visit at a senior care facility? Call the facility and see what would be needed to have your pet brighten the lives of our senior citizens.

What other resolutions do you have for your pet? Let us know – we’d love to hear about them!

Happy New Year!

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Brrrr!  It’s cold outside!  On chilly days, it’s easy to come home from work or school and just want to hibernate.  Remember, even in the cold of winter, it is important for your dog to get fresh air and exercise.  (And, it doesn’t hurt us humans, either!)

Whether your dog loves being outdoors in the winter, or thinks curling up by a cozy fire is more his speed when it’s cold outside, here’s some tips to help ensure your dog gets the activity he needs to stay fit and healthy:

-       Find secluded or wooded areas if possible for walks.  Trees provide protection from the wind, and there are lots of sights and smells to keep your dog interested in the adventure.

-       Take shorter, more frequent walks with your dog.

-       Even if your dog doesn’t normally wear clothing, it can really help some dogs enjoy their time outdoors:

• Short-haired and smaller breeds might need coats to keep them warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities.
• Some dogs dislike going outside in the winter because the chemicals or salt used to de-ice roads and sidewalks hurt their paws – consider boots which will protect your dogs paws and keep them warm.

Keeping these simple tips in mind will help you both have more fun outdoors and keep your dog in great shape through the cold winter months.

Tell us  – what are some of your favorite outdoor activities you enjoy with your dog during the winter months?

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When it’s cold outside for you, it’s also cold outside for your pets.  Keeping these tips in mind will help your pets stay warm and safe when they are enjoying the wintery outdoor conditions.

• If you think you’ve been outside long enough and it’s time to go inside to warm up, the same is true for your pet.  Even with winter apparel, you don’t want your pet outside for too long.  If you notice your pet becoming less active, lifting paws or looking for a place to burrow, it’s time to go inside.

• Keep the pads on your pet’s paws safe from the winter salt as the salt can cause cracking of the pads and even bleeding.  When you bring your pet inside, clean his/her paws with warm water and dry completely.

• Did you know, that when your pet is outdoors it takes more energy to stay warm?   Make sure your pet is on a good, healthy diet to help his/her winter metabolism.  Keep water bowls full and make sure they are not frozen.

• Have shorter times outside, but go out more often.

• Make sure your pet is dressed appropriately for the winter in protective clothing, including booties.

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Most pet owners know that poinsettias are poisonous for pets.  But, they may not know that there are many other plants we use for common holiday decorations that can be harmful to their pets.  Some of these plants include:

• Holly
• Mistletoe
• Lillies
• Christmas Trees

Signs your animal companion might be suffering from potential plant poisoning include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and sometimes excessive drooling.  If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms, contact your vet or emergency vet immediately.

To download the complete listing of plants that are poisonous to pets, click here.

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The fun and festivities of this holiday season may create unsafe situations for your pets.  Here are some holiday safety tips you might find helpful:

• Some plants can cause health problems in pets. Make sure holly, mistletoe, poinsettias and lilies are kept out of reach of your animal companion. Ingested pine needles can puncture your companion’s intestine.
• Keep pets away from Christmas tree water.
• Anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t topple over on your inquisitive pet.
• Ornaments, ornament hooks, heated bulbs, tinsel, electrical cords and snow globes (they often contain antifreeze) can be potential dangers for your pets.
• Keep candles away from pets.
• Keep your eye on your animal companion to make sure they don’t escape through open doors.

Keeping these tips in mind will help ensure all have a safe and happy holiday!

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As you’re traveling this holiday season with your animal companion, these simple tips will help keep them safe and comfortable during the travels, ensuring everyone has a good time!

• Make sure he/she is wearing a current identification tag and is micro-chipped.
• If your pet is used to a kennel, let him/her travel in the kennel.
• If traveling by plane, make sure the kennel is CLEARLY labeled “live animal” and “this end up”. Check with your airlines regarding their policies and recommendations for your pet.
• Stay with your pet, never leaving him/her unattended.
• Bring along a few of your pet’s favorite toys.
• Make sure to pack your pet’s health records, medications and any special foods you might need.
• When traveling by car, plan ahead.  Make sure the hotel you will be staying is pet friendly.
• Have an emergency kit for your pet: pet dishes, extra food and water, leashes, blankets, etc.
• Bring along the name and phone number of your vet.   Also, do research ahead of time for emergency vet services in the area where you are travelling.

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Here are some tips to keep your pets safe and ensure they enjoy Thanksgiving as much as you do!

• No turkey bones for pets as that could splinter and cause choking
• If you want to give your pets a taste of turkey, make sure it’s well cooked, taking away the chances they come in contact with salmonella
• Did you know giving your pet raw bread dough can mean a trip to the vet? Their body heat causes the dough to rise in his/her stomach
• Keep your pets on their regular diet over the holidays; don’t let them overdo it on the turkey and trimming as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis.
• Keep a tight lid on the trash so your pets don’t get into it when you’re not looking
• If you have many guests visiting, consider putting your pets in a room where they are least likely to be disturbed by all the activities.

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