Getting Pets Ready for 4th of July

It's almost July 4th and the phone calls for sedatives for pets are coming in! If your dog is freaked out during fireworks shows, they are not alone. Many clients say their pets hide under tables or in closets, shake constantly, or exhibit other signs of anxiety. Some pets have even been known to display destructive behaviors, destroying furniture or scratching doors. A lot of pets even run away from home during fireworks in an attempt to get away from the loud noise.

To help ensure your pet's safety, keep them indoors during fireworks shows if you know they will be anxious. Many dogs will attempt to dig under fences or go over gates and so during these times, a yard may not be enough.

It is a good idea to make sure pets have their collars on with identifying tags in case they do get out and run away during a fireworks show. This is another time that microchipping pets is very helpful.


If you know your pet has anxiety attacks during fireworks shows, contact your veterinarian. They may be able to prescribe an anti-anxiety or sedating medication to help your pet. Most vets may require an office visit prior to a prescription if they have not seen your pet in some time or if this is a new condition.

If you are going to be shooting off fireworks from your house, make sure all pets are far away from where they will be launched. It is not funny to put fireworks or other explosives near pets and they can be severely burned if you are not careful. Never shoot off any explosive in the direction of a pet. And of course, do not let your pets have access to be able to ingest any explosive.

The 4th of July weekend is a great time to get together with friends and family and it is important to make sure we are looking after our safety as well as that of our pets.

Personalizing for Pets

It seems like you can put your name or initials anywhere you want these days. I passed a car on the highway that had a girl's initials in a fancy script and someone pulled their iPad out of a monogrammed case at Starbucks yesterday. What about our pets? I think they deserve their own personalized accessories as well!

Here are a few of my favorite finds:

Embroidered sweaters from Cricketlane.com



Collars from Etsy.com


Personalized Dog Beds from Orvis


Personalized Pet Bowls from Mypamperedpetgifts.com


And even Personalized Paw Wiper Towels from Mypersonalizedpet.com

Pets Making A Difference In Our Lives

It's amazing how big of a role pets are playing in our lives. Even as I look back on my family's dogs growing up, the transition from pet to family member is clear. Our first Lab, Corkey, lived in a large pen in the backyard with a dog house. The next Lab,Cocoa, lived in the garage and was allowed to come in the house occasionally. Our current Lab, Molly, spent her first night in our home in my bed and now sleeps in the bedroom on her own, expensive throne. We've given more and more to our pets over the years, but you might be surprised by the many ways our pets are actually giving back to us.

Pets Help to Lower Blood Pressure
A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet. (Dr. Karen Allen, State University of New York at Buffalo)

Pets Help to Reduce Stress
Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. (Josephine M. Wills, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, United Kingdom)

Pets Help to Prevent Heart Disease
Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)

Pets Help to Lower Health Care Costs
People with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)

Pets Help to Fight Depression
Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security. (Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship)

So the next time you feel bad about buying your pet an expensive new bed or toy, don't. They are actually giving back to you and your health every day!

It's Heating Up Outside... How to Keep Your Pets Cool

It seems like overnight, the temperatures have shot up into the 90's reaching record highs. This drastic change in heat and humidity is tough on us, but also on our pets! It's very important to anticipate the hot weather and know how to keep your pets cool this summer. Here's a quick break down on how to keep your cats and dogs cool this summer!

Cats:
* Cats are NOT small dogs! They do not pant to help themselves cool down. In fact, they sweat through their paws. On really hot days you might even notice there are wet paw prints through the house. This is an early sign that your cat's temperature is rising. You may also notice an excessive amount of grooming as a cat gets hotter.

* Bathing cats can be difficult and is often times frustrating. Instead, help keep long haired cats cool by shaving their belly or having a groomer give the cat a lion cut for the summer.

* Allow access to cool surfaces such as tile in the bathroom or kitchen. Cats will often lay on these surfaces to help cool themselves down.

* If your cat is an outside cat, make sure there is constant access to shade and water. Leaving the garage door open with many bowls of water is a great idea.

* Some cats enjoy ice cubes in their water and slow moving fans to keep cool as well.

Dogs:
* ALWAYS PROVIDE CONSTANT ACCESS TO WATER AND SHADE! This is the most important thing you can do.

* Providing plastic pools and sprinklers are a fun way for dogs to cool off. Make sure to frequently change the water in the pools, as standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

* Limit time outside for certain breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs, other short nosed dogs) and limit activity outside for all dogs on very hot and humid days.

* Shaving the coat on long coated dogs can drastically help dogs cool off. Older and smaller dogs have a more difficult time at thermoregulation, keeping themselves cool. Giving them a shorter hair cut in the summer can make a big difference.

All Pets:
DO NOT leave your pet unattended in a car during the summer. Even if the windows are down and the car is parked in the shade, cars can heat up very quickly and this can be fatal to your pet. Many police are now ticketing owners who leave their pets in the car during the summer.

If you suspect your pet has overheated:
This is often a fatal condition. Call your veterinarian immediately. It is important that the pet receives immediate medical attention to help cool down, rehydrate and protect the GI tract, heart, and kidneys. Often times these are critical cases that result in clotting disorders and ultimately death. If you try to cool your pet down yourself, DO NOT submerge them in a bath of ice water. The cooling needs to be done slowly to prevent the temperature from dropping too low.

As always, if you have questions about keeping your pets cool or heat stroke, call your veterinarian.