It's that time of year when the weather starts to get colder, the snow may be starting to fall, and our animals need us to make sure they are safe. Here is the first part of a series of posts with some tips for the colder weather that seems to have already arrived!
1. Dogs and cats belong indoors with the family, in my opinion. This is true all year, but especially during colder weather. Although they have fur coats, most dogs and cats are not able to keep themselves at a comfortable and safe temperature when left out in the elements. If it's too cold out for you to be comfortable outside without a big coat, don't leave your pets outside!
2. Pets need more calories in the winter to ward off the cold. Increase your pet's food ration accordingly, especially if your pet engages in a lot of outdoor activities.
3. Pets also need access to fresh and unfrozen water, which can be a challenge this time of year. Check your pet's water dish twice a day to make sure that the water isn't frozen. And if you must have your pets outside (which I don't recommend), a heated water dish is a must.
4. If there is deep snow (and deep is defined by your dog's size), consider shoveling out a potty area for your dog to use. Think of how awful it would be to have to potty in the snow up to your...ahem...potty parts. :)
5. Antifreeze is a chemical that tastes sweet to animals, so be sure that there are no puddles or drops of it around your driveway or garage. They are likely to ingest it, and this can be fatal.
6. The salt and other chemicals that are used on our roads can be dangerous to pets. At the very least, they can irritate the pads of their feet; at worst, they can lick it off, which can cause digestive upset (or even worse).
7. Cats and wildlife often will take refuge in and around warm engines. If you keep your vehicle outside, make sure you bang on the hood before starting it, to make sure there are no animals trying to keep warm inside.
8. Puppies are particularly vulnerable to the cold, and they might not be able to relieve themselves outdoors in the winter. Make sure your pups (or kittens) are only outside with you, so you can monitor how they are coping with the cold and the weather conditions. And if your pup doesn't tolerate the cold or the weather conditions, consider potty training indoors until spring.
9. Remember that tile and uncarpeted areas can get quite cold, as can basements. Help your pet out by providing a warm place to sleep -- blankets and beds are very cozy. Also make sure that they are out of the way of drafts.
10. If your dog has to spend time outside, make sure he or she has proper shelter from the weather and the cold. You can do this by getting a dog house that is big enough to stand up in, and that allows the dog to stretch out and turn around. You want the house to be the proper size so that the body heat of the dog will be retained in the structure, so don't get one that is too oversized. Dog houses should have a wind flap on the door and non-porous bedding such as straw to help them keep warm. But remember that dogs are social animals and are much happier in the house with the family!
I will post some further tips for the season in a couple of days. Yes, really, I will! Keep your pets safe this winter, and remember that if it's too cold for you, it's too cold for your pets.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Halloween hints and tips
Halloween is a fun human holiday, but it can be scary and dangerous for pets. Here are some things to be aware of as All Hallow's Eve draws near.
Costumes are not for most pets. Some pets are real hams and enjoy being dressed up, but most animals are much happier "naked". If your pet is happy to wear a costume, make sure that it doesn't restrict normal movements, breathing or vision. Your pet should be able to do all the things he or she normally can do, such as barking, panting, meowing and drinking. Also make sure that there are no dangling bits that can be chewed off, because the last thing you want is to have to take your pet in for surgery to remove an intestinal blockage!
Another note on costumes ... some pets are nervous of people who are in costume, so remember that if your dog seems afraid or concerned, let them have the space they need.
I am a huge fan of using treats to train pets, but Halloween treats are at best unhealthy and at worst fatal. Chocolate is toxic to cats and dogs. Some treats may contain xylitol, which is also toxic to dogs -- it is often found in sugar-free candies.
Halloween decorations can also be problematic ... the cobwebby stuff that many people use can cause life-threatening digestive conditions if swallowed. As can corn cobs! A friend of mine lost one of her dogs after she ate a corn cob during barbeque season, so take care with them, too.
Electrical cords and candles can also pose a danger.
Your pet will likely be happier to be put away for the night -- the chaos of the doorbell ringing, costumed invaders appearing, and fireworks can all be very stressful for pets. Find a quiet contained place where your pet can enjoy a meaty bone or stuffed Kong, and perhaps consider playing the radio or the television to mask the noise of the night.
Many shelters are overwhelmed with missing pets around Halloween -- panic can cause even the most well-trained and bonded animals to flee. Make sure your pets all have identification that will make it easier for them to be reunited with you. And try to make sure that your pet is securely confined; leaving pets outside on Halloween is not a good idea! If your pet is not secured in another room, be super cautious that he or she doesn't dart outside when you're opening the door to give out treats. Having a baby gate to block the front door is a good idea, as is putting your dog on a leash and attaching it to something solid.
Remember that Halloween is a human holiday, not an animal one, and keep your pets safe this weekend! Have fun, and stay safe!
Other resources:
Here is the ASPCA's Halloween tip sheet.
Tips from the veterinary medicine section of about.com.
Costumes are not for most pets. Some pets are real hams and enjoy being dressed up, but most animals are much happier "naked". If your pet is happy to wear a costume, make sure that it doesn't restrict normal movements, breathing or vision. Your pet should be able to do all the things he or she normally can do, such as barking, panting, meowing and drinking. Also make sure that there are no dangling bits that can be chewed off, because the last thing you want is to have to take your pet in for surgery to remove an intestinal blockage!
Another note on costumes ... some pets are nervous of people who are in costume, so remember that if your dog seems afraid or concerned, let them have the space they need.
I am a huge fan of using treats to train pets, but Halloween treats are at best unhealthy and at worst fatal. Chocolate is toxic to cats and dogs. Some treats may contain xylitol, which is also toxic to dogs -- it is often found in sugar-free candies.
Halloween decorations can also be problematic ... the cobwebby stuff that many people use can cause life-threatening digestive conditions if swallowed. As can corn cobs! A friend of mine lost one of her dogs after she ate a corn cob during barbeque season, so take care with them, too.
Electrical cords and candles can also pose a danger.
Your pet will likely be happier to be put away for the night -- the chaos of the doorbell ringing, costumed invaders appearing, and fireworks can all be very stressful for pets. Find a quiet contained place where your pet can enjoy a meaty bone or stuffed Kong, and perhaps consider playing the radio or the television to mask the noise of the night.
Many shelters are overwhelmed with missing pets around Halloween -- panic can cause even the most well-trained and bonded animals to flee. Make sure your pets all have identification that will make it easier for them to be reunited with you. And try to make sure that your pet is securely confined; leaving pets outside on Halloween is not a good idea! If your pet is not secured in another room, be super cautious that he or she doesn't dart outside when you're opening the door to give out treats. Having a baby gate to block the front door is a good idea, as is putting your dog on a leash and attaching it to something solid.
Remember that Halloween is a human holiday, not an animal one, and keep your pets safe this weekend! Have fun, and stay safe!
Other resources:
Here is the ASPCA's Halloween tip sheet.
Tips from the veterinary medicine section of about.com.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
10 Life-Threatening Behaviour Myths in Dogs
This is a fantastic article by Valerie V. Tynes (that can be handed out to clients) about behaviour myths in dogs. Some of these myths literally cost dogs their lives; they certainly impact the quality of life of many, many others. How many of these myths do you believe? Check out the article, and learn what the truth is!
Friday, July 15, 2011
The Gift of the Growl
Here is a wonderful article by Pat Miller that explains why we should never punish a dog for growling. The growl is a gift; it is information for us on what the dog is feeling. She also talks about what to do if your dog growls at something. This information is so important! If a dog is punished for growling, you will eventually have a dog that bites without any warning whatsoever, and that is much more dangerous than a growling dog.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Free house training guide from Dr. Sophia Yin
As you have noticed, I think Dr. Sophia Yin is fabulous. She has just released one of the chapters of her upcoming book, Perfect Puppy in 7 Days; it deals with how to house train a puppy. This guide to potty training is free, and excellent! You have to download it, and you can't print it, but it's still a fantastic resource.
Bite prevention
So, it's been forever since I posted, and I apologize.
It's the end of Bite Prevention Week, so I thought I'd share some related resources.
This is the first part of a series on meeting a new dog, and how to judge the body language that you see. This article talks about the "green light", or go ahead, signals that tell you that a dog wants to be greeted by you. Here is the second part, which talks about "red light", or signals that should tell you to stop and be careful; this dog probably doesn't want you to greet him/her. Here is the third part, which talks about some more red light signals. I really like that the author (Casey Lomonaco) talks about how we need to ask permission twice before we meet a new dog: first from the owner/guardian, and second from the dog. If we see red light signals, that is the dog's way of telling us to back off. The final part of this series talks about how to greet a new dog, assuming you get the green light!
Dr. Sophia Yin also has some great bite prevention resources at her website. These resources are all free, and include a PSA (public service announcement), a poster called The Body Language of Fear in Dogs, an article about how dogs bite when people greet them inappropriately, a poster of how to greet dogs appropriately, and some other articles about bite prevention.
There is also the classic site, doggonesafe.com, which is dedicated to bite prevention and teaching children how to be safe around dogs.
There are a ton of other resources out there on preventing dog bites, how to greet dogs appropriately and safely, and how to read dog body language. I would really encourage everyone to learn everything you can; dogs don't really bite "out of the blue", there are almost always signs that the dog is uncomfortable and wanting you to leave him/her alone.
It's the end of Bite Prevention Week, so I thought I'd share some related resources.
This is the first part of a series on meeting a new dog, and how to judge the body language that you see. This article talks about the "green light", or go ahead, signals that tell you that a dog wants to be greeted by you. Here is the second part, which talks about "red light", or signals that should tell you to stop and be careful; this dog probably doesn't want you to greet him/her. Here is the third part, which talks about some more red light signals. I really like that the author (Casey Lomonaco) talks about how we need to ask permission twice before we meet a new dog: first from the owner/guardian, and second from the dog. If we see red light signals, that is the dog's way of telling us to back off. The final part of this series talks about how to greet a new dog, assuming you get the green light!
Dr. Sophia Yin also has some great bite prevention resources at her website. These resources are all free, and include a PSA (public service announcement), a poster called The Body Language of Fear in Dogs, an article about how dogs bite when people greet them inappropriately, a poster of how to greet dogs appropriately, and some other articles about bite prevention.
There is also the classic site, doggonesafe.com, which is dedicated to bite prevention and teaching children how to be safe around dogs.
There are a ton of other resources out there on preventing dog bites, how to greet dogs appropriately and safely, and how to read dog body language. I would really encourage everyone to learn everything you can; dogs don't really bite "out of the blue", there are almost always signs that the dog is uncomfortable and wanting you to leave him/her alone.
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