Pet Behavior Problems and the Holidays
Pet Safety and Entertaining at Home
During the holidays it is more likely you will be having people visit your home. As much fun as this is for you, it can be upsetting for your pet. Dogs and cats are creatures of routines (as are some of us humans) and when your home gets topsy turvy, they tend to get stressed out. Here are few suggestions from experts on how to prepare your pet for the holidays:
Prepare your guests - Before you have guests in your home, tell them you have a pet. Ask them if they have any issues with your pet. Some people have allergies and some people are afraid of animals. For example, my daughter used to be terrified of large dogs.
Have an obedience review – Making sure your pet responds to commands such as “stay”, “down” and “drop it” will prevent your dog from rushing at visitors, jumping on guests and eating harmful foods.
Clean for allergies - Clean and vacuum your entire home. If you have a guest with allergies make sure their room is aired out and don’t let your pet in that room after you clean it.
Rearrange furniture a few days before event - If you are going to move the furniture around do it a few days early so your pet can get used to it. Pets do not like changes and yours will need some time to get acclimated to the new setting.
Maintain normal walking and feeding schedules – Take your dog for a walk before guests arrive. Try to keep the regular routine of exercise and eating as normal as possible.
Tell small children how to treat your pet - Children who have no pets at home need to be shown how your dog or cat likes to be petted and what is good behavior around pets. Make an adult is always with a child when he or she is interacting with your pet.
Have a safe retreat for your pet – Pets may need to chill out in a quiet place. Have one available for your pet.
Monitor treats – Don’t let your guests give your pets any food other than dog treats. Many people do not understand that many everyday foods are toxic to dogs and cats so just give them some dog or cat treats to feed your pet.
Door policy – Tell guests how to keep your pet from making a break for it when the door opens. It may be helpful to make a sign saying “Keep dog/cat inside” and post it on the door. Also, make sure your pet is wearing a collar.
Stay relaxed - Good advice at all times but during the holidays you may tend to be more tense. Your pet picks up on your emotions so you need to stay calm.
Want to know more about Pet Safety for the Holidays read our post on Top Holiday Dangers for Pets
[tag]anxiety treatment,anxiety treatments,pet safety,pets and holidays,holiday safety pets[/tag]
Beach Safety for your Pet
Beach Safety Tips
Here are some beach/water safety tips from the American Kennel Club and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:
Check daily water conditions – Ask your lifeguard about the water conditions. Dogs are easy targets for jellyfish and sea lice.
Limit running if your dog is not in shape – Running on a beach is strenuous exercise, and if your dog is not in good physical condition he/she could easily pull a tendon or ligament.
Provide fresh water – The salt in seawater can make your dog ill. Freshwater streams and lakes can contain parasites and unhealthy bacteria. Make sure your dog stays hydrated. See our post on Dog Dehydration
Check if pets are allowed - Not all beaches or lakes permit dogs.
Stay away from currents – Don’t let your dog get over tired and keep the dog away from currents.
Don’t get in over your head – If you and your dog swim together don’t let the water get over your heads. Many dogs will try to climb on their guardian’s head or shoulders when they tire.
Use a canine life vest for boating – For boating or swimming in lakes, get your dog a well-fitted canine life vest. To keep your dog from swimming too far away use a long nylon lead. Keep a close watch to make sure your dog doesn’t get tangled in the lead.
Keep fishing gear and fish away from pets -If you take your dog fishing make sure they can not get close to fishing lines, lures, hooks or bait. Keep your dog away from feces, dead fish and shellfish washed up on the shore. They can contain toxins and parasites.
Rinse your pet at the end of your visit to the beach – Salt and other minerals found in the ocean can damage your dog’s coat. When you are ready to leave for the day, rinse him with fresh water. Don’t forget to rinse the paws. You might also consider giving your pet PetAlive Skin & Coat Tonic which will act as a preventative to keep their coat healthy. Also if your dog has a heavy or soft coat, brush her thoroughly after she’s dried following a swim. Soft coats can mat when wet and trap bacteria that can create local areas of infection called “hot spots.”
Top Holiday Dangers For Pets
What does your pet want for Christmas? Not a trip to the emergency room. Give your pet the gift of safety and take care they have a safe and happy holiday:
Holiday Hazards For Your Pets
Christmas-tree water, which may contain fertilizers and bacteria that can upset the stomach if ingested.
Electrical cords
Ribbons or tinsel, which can cause intestinal obstruction – this most often happens with kittens.
Batteries
Glass ornaments
Halloween Safety Tips For Pets And Healthy Halloween Dog Treat Recipe
Pet Safety For Halloween
You want your pet to have a happy and safe Halloween. Here some safety tips provided by the American Red Cross.
1. A t-shirt is probably the best costume if you need to use one. Do not use anything that is around the neck or over the face. Make sure there is nothing detachable or chewable that can lead to stomach upset or intestinal obstruction.
2. Chocolate is toxic to animals. Please don’t give your pets or let anyone feed your pets chocolate or any other candy.
3. Keep pets confined for trick or treating. Pets should be kept in another room during parties and when kids come to the door. If you don’t keep your animal in another room, they can escape from the opening and closing doors, so make sure they are wearing identification.
4. Don’t let your pet get spooked. Animals can definitely get “spooked” and scared from kids in costumes and all of the noise – another reason to keep them in another room and not take them trick or treating.
Here is a Halloween treat that is safe for your dog to eat:
PUMPKIN WAFERS DOG TREAT RECIPE from All-Natural-Dog-Treat.com
Ingredients:
Directions: Preheat oven to 300 F.Mix all ingredients together. Drop small spoonfuls ( I use the about half of a tablespoon) onto a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 15-20 minutes.If you’d like to make bite sized cookies for small dogs, training rewards or just small treats, use a pastry bag and squeeze out rosettes about the size of a dime for tasty bite sized cookies.
For more pet safety tips please see our previous post Pet Safety – Toxins In Your Home and Garden
[tag]halloween safety,halloween safety tips,halloween safety rules,halloween safety tips please,safety tips for halloween,halloween tips for pets[/tag]
Pet Safety – Toxins In Your Home and Garden
Pet Toxins
There are a variety of reasons to create a nontoxic environment in your home. A healthy environment is good for you, your family and your pets. Medical research has indicated that over time, exposure to toxic chemicals can contribute to cancer, birth defects, genetic changes, allergies, and other disorders and illnesses.
Another reason to detoxify your home is the expense. According to Celeste Yarnell Phd. author of The Complete Guide To Holistic Health Care for Dogs says “the use of toxic chemcials in the home indirectly costs billions per year – about $1 billion in medical bills and $5 billion in lost work time. Furthermore, many household items on the market lack adequate warnings.
Owing to their size and physiology, children and animal companions are the most vulnerable to toxicity. They inhale more air per their body weight than do adults because their respiratory rate is 10 percent higher. Many pollutants are heavier than air and are therefore found in greater concentration lower to the ground, so children and animals receive much higher exposure.
Cleaning products are among the most hazardous materials found in the home. The following is a list of potentially toxic substances. Check your local health-food store for safe products:”
Partial List Of Potentially Toxic Substances
Air freshner (expecially those in aerosol dispersers)
Ammonia
Antifreeze
Chlorinated water
Dangerous plants
Dishwasher detergent
Disinfectant
Dog treats, like hooves and ears, that are heavily preserved
Fabric softeners
Flea and tick medicatons
Fluoride
Formaldehyde (new carpets product formaldehyde fumes)
Furniture polish
Garden Chemical sprays
Glass cleaner
Insecticides
Lawn chemicals
Lead paint
Liquid dish detergent
Pesticides
Rawhide chew toys that contain propylene glycol
Scouring powder
All heavy-duty chemicals
[tag]pet safety,plants toxic to cats,toxic plants,toxic plants dogs,pet toxins[/tag]
