The holidays often bring new friends with us into the new year. For a Guinea Pig there are some things to keep in mind:
Their habitat is one of their most vital needs. Buy as good of one as you can afford. You will need to establish a play area. Socializing with their owners is an important part of their day, so make time to play. Establish with your vet as soon as possible. We’d love to meet them. Make sure to pet proof your home, this includes interactions with other pets. Lastly,Establish routines. Your new friend is a creature of habit, make sure to establish routines that are compatible with your lifestyle and their needs.
Sure, it’s cute, but does your pup really need a dress up? Well, January 14th is dress up your pet day, so obviously there are pet owners that take this very seriously. In reality, if you have a thin animal that doesn’t have a lot of body fat, or a short hair that doesn’t have a lot of insulation, then you do need to take precautions to keep them warm when they are out in the elements.
Careful on the Ice
This goes for all of you. Animals can slip and fall on the ice, same as use. If ice exists, try going to the park for your walk instead.
I’m Cold
Older animals, short-haired and skinny dogs get cold faster. Be especially careful with puppies.
Leave Animals Home
Treat cold weather the same as you would hot weather. Don’t leave your pets in the car during cold weather.
Keep Them On Leash
Keep your dogs on leash when you are out. Especially in snowy conditions where the animal may not be visible because of snow depth. If you are dealing with a puppy, double up on this rule. An untrained, inexperienced pup can get in more trouble faster than you or they may expect.
Wipe Their Feet
Many of you probably leave your walking shoes by the door. Roads are full of chemicals this time of year. Salts, anti-freeze and de-icers are used everywhere. Remember to wipe down your animals feet to keep those out of your house and out of their mouths.
No Chocolate. Dogs can be made extremely ill by chocolate. Signs may include hyperactivity and vomiting.
Watch Out for Tinsel and String Both Cats and dogs get into wrappings and trimmings for the tree. Do your best to keep these out of animal’s reach.
Holiday Plants can be toxic to pets
Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree isusually the center piece of most of our homes during the holidays. But, we shouldn’t let their beauty cover up the fact that they are still mildly toxic to our animals. With the many species of trees that we bring into our homes, fir tree oil can irritate our pets mouths and stomachs. Symptoms of consumption include excessive drooling or vomiting. Make sure to also clean up tree needles since they’re not the easiest to digest for anyone.
Too many needles can cause GI irritation, vomiting, gastrointestinal obstruction or punctures. Be aware your animal won’t be drastically affected if they eat a few fallen pieces from the tree but make sure it’s not a regular snack that may eventually cause serious consequences.
Lilies and Daffodils
Aside from the holiday treats andbaked goods that you’ll be gifted, be aware that any bouquets or plant kits thatinclude lilies and daffodils are very harmful to cats and dogs. Plants that are in the lily, Narcissus, and daffodil families are very toxic to our pets. Symptoms include gastrointestinal signs, cardiac arrhythmia, kidney failure, convulsions and even death.
Poinsettia Plant
There have been talks that these red beauties are extremely toxic, however this assumption has been dubbed an urban legend dating back to 1919. The sap of Poinsettias are known to be mildly toxic and irritating, causing nausea or vomiting when consumed but it does not cause death.So it would still be a good idea to keep your curious four-legged friends away from these holiday bloomers to save them from getting a belly ache.
Mistletoe and Holly
Hanging the mistletoe and holly in your doorway and hard to reach places may not be a bad idea. Even though we adorn both of these holiday trimmings in any spot we need more holiday cheer, both are very toxic for our pets. If you find your fuzzy fellow making these a mid-day snack call your vet or poison control as soon as possible for advice.
Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine: These products all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds. Methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Darker chocolate and baking chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate.Continue reading
We are thankful for our pets and all the joy they bring into our lives. This month we celebrate with food and company, but for our pets this can mean anxious and upset feelings as well as access to foods that they may or may not need to be eating.
No, Nos for your Dogs include Chocolate and Onions. Onions hide in a lot of dishes so make sure before you treat your pet to the left-overs. Nuts, alcohol and poultry bones also make the list.
Animals can over-eat too, so keep the fatty foods to a minimum to avoid an upset tummy.
No Chocolate. Dogs can be made extremely ill by chocolate. Signs may include hyperactivity and vomiting.
Pit bull Awareness Day October 26th, 2016.
National Cat Day October 29th, 2016.
Welcome to TLC Pet Hospital. Keep your pets safe this Halloween. Keep them away from candy and wrappers. Make sure you have a doggie treat just for them.
KEEP THE TREATS AWAY FROM DOGGIES
Treats, Wrappers and Especially CHOCOLATE need to stay out of dog’s reach to help avoid tummy trouble or an emergency visit to the Vet!
A Quiet Place
If your dog gets anxious around a lot of activity, find a safe quiet place for your pet to be. Soft music and low light can help calm your pet. Make sure they have their toys and blanket.
A Safe Distance
To keep dogs and cats out of trouble, keep them away from the front door either by getting them out of the way or even using a baby/doggie gate to keep them away from trick or treaters. It’s also a good idea to keep cats inside during Halloween, lest they be caught up in mischief.
Treats, Wrappers and Especially CHOCOLATE need to stay out of dog’s reach to help avoid tummy trouble or an emergency visit to the Vet!
A Quiet Place
If your dog gets anxious around a lot of activity, find a safe quiet place for your pet to be. Soft music and low light can help calm your pet. Make sure they have their toys and blanket.
A Safe Distance
To keep dogs and cats out of trouble, keep them away from the front door either by getting them out of the way or even using a baby/doggie gate to keep them away from trick or treaters. It’s also a good idea to keep cats inside during Halloween, lest they be caught up in mischief.
October is Pet Wellness Month! Just so happens, pet wellness is our specialty. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Keeping on top of your pet’s vaccinations, diet and exercise is a full time job. We’re here to help. Whether your pet needs a check-up or a heartworm test, we can help you keep on track. Ask about our wellness programs designed for your pet’s needs.
While rabies is a 100% preventable disease, more than 59,000 people die from the disease around the world each year. World Rabies Day is an opportunity to reflect on our efforts to control this deadly disease and remind ourselves that the fight is not yet over.
We want to let you know that if you have questions about rabies, its affects and treatments, you can consult your veterinarians here at TLC Pet Hospital. Rabies is a serious disease, only animals who have been vaccinated prior to exposure are treatable. Unvaccinated animals are euthanized.
Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets
Dogs, cats, and ferrets that are currently vaccinated with a USDA-licensed rabies vaccine should be revaccinated immediately, kept under the owner’s control, and observed for 45 days. If the animal under observation develops any signs of illness, it should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
The Christmas tree is
