Articles Index
Protect Your Pet from Wild Animal Attacks
Wild animals sting, bite, and poke our pets. What animals should you be concerned about? This depends on where you live. Here are some tips to keep your pet safe while camping, hiking or out in the backyard.
Animal Bites, Scratches and Injuries to Humans
Animals, even well-trained ones, can be unpredictable. Pet owners and bystanders should exercise caution when dealing with animals that are stressed, frightened or injured to protect themselves from bites and scratches. The purpose of this Quick Tip is to alert pet owners of the potential danger of animal bites and scratches. Animal bites and injuries must be discussed with and treated by a human physician, as soon as possible if the injuries are severe.
Pet Medication Tip
I recently attended seminar presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and their research shows that people forget to take their own medications just as often as they forget to give their pet's their medications. (Or they assume that someone else administered the pet's medications.) What about when you are away? Will your pet caretakers remember to give your pet their medications? Here is a quick tip to keep everyone in sync with your pet's medication administration schedule.
Protect Your Pets From Getting Sunburned
People are realizing dangers of sun exposure. Now this sun care attention is turning to our pets. White animals and those that have a summer hair cut or with naturally thin (or nonexistent!) hair coats are particularly sensitive to the sun, and may suffer the same ills as humans: sunburn and skin cancers. This Quick Tip offers ideas and cautions for protecting your pet on those sunny days.
Open Window Alert - Protect Your Pet From Falls
As the outside temperatures rise, many people open their home and car windows to let in the fresh air. Most pet owners assume that dogs and cats have a natural sense and sure-footedness to protect them from falls, but this is not always the case. Prevent a tragedy and protect your pet from accidental falls. (And escaping into the neighborhood!) this spring and summer by securing your windows.
The Dangers of Your Pet Ingesting Glue
The popular home improvement glue, Gorilla Glue, is a polyurethane glue that expands and hardens when it cures. It needs water (or similar liquid) to cure. Veterinary Pet Insurance has seen an increase in claims related to pet ingestion of this class of glue (similar product: Elmer's Nano Glue) and this Quick Tip is to alert people to the possible danger of leaving this glue out and available to pets.
Clean out that medicine cabinet - safely dispose of expired medications
Time flies, and it is easy to "save something for later" only to find it is considerably out of date when you check it again. This is true for both my medicine cabinet and my refrigerator! As everyone knows, foods spoil and taste bad. Drugs go out of date, but may not look any different. Learn why you should not use expired medications for your pet (or you) and how to safely dispose of old medications.
Tips to reduce cat stress in the car and at the vet
It's safe to say that most cats don't travel by car very often. The most common car trip is usually to the vet, and that event causes enough anxiety by itself. Getting stressed out by the car ride to the vet may make it difficult to tell what is "normal" and what is stress-related on the physical exam. Here are some tips to reduce travel stress to the vet's office and beyond.
Hot Feet: Protect Your Dog's Feet from Getting Burned on Hot Pavement
Dog's feet and pads are tough, right? Most people are aware that foot pads can be injured by stepping on something sharp, but what about something hot? Hot pavement and metal surfaces are hard to avoid in the heat of summer. Read this Quick Tip to learn about this potential hazard and how to minimize risk.
Paws to Protect
Winter boots are essential wear for humans to provide traction and protection on snow and ice. Our pets need special care and attention for their feet during harsh weather, too. Learn how to minimize injury and discomfort for your pet's paws and be aware of other winter dangers.
Common Sugar Substitute Xylitol Can Be Deadly for Pets
Xylitol is a sugar-alcohol sweetener found in many sugar-free candies, chewing gums, baked goods and other products. In humans, ingestion of large quantities of xylitol may have a mild laxtive effect. In dogs, ingestion of even small amounts of xylitol can have potentially life-threatening effects. Read this Quick Tip to keep your pet safe.
Stressed Out Cats
Despite the laid-back outward appearance (i.e. frequent cat naps) of many cats, having a "stressed out" cat is not something most owners worry about. That said, cats can become stressed by many things. Just what stresses cats out is not always obvious, and stress may manifest in many forms. Read this article to learn about cat stress and find out ways to keep your cat calm.
Tips To Prevent Heat Stroke In Your Pet
Hot weather creates additional hazards for your pet. Unlike humans, animals can't change their wardrobe or turn on the air conditioning like humans do to keep comfortable. Follow these common sense tips to prevent a heat-related pet emergency.
Grass Awns and Foxtail - Protect your pets
As these plants dry out and the barbed seed pods begin to scatter, this can mean trouble for pets who get them caught in paws, eyes nostrils and embedded in fur and skin. Learn what what to watch for and how to prevent problems.
Tips for keeping your pet cool and comfortable
The summer heat is on for many of us. While many people enjoy the cool comfort of the air conditioning at work, what about the pets? This article offers some quick tips to making sure your pets are as comfortable as possible during the "dog days of summer".
Pet Summer Safety Tip: Water - Don't Leave Home Without It
Warmer weather is on the way -- are you prepared? This Quick Tip offers a way to have fresh water available on the road for your traveling pet companions.
Dogs Left In Cars - Risk of Heat Stroke on Warm Days
Every year I see pets, especially dogs, left in the car while the owner "runs a quick errand" inside a store or restaurant. The windows are cracked open, the dog will be fine, right? It's only for a few minutes. Considering that the closed up car acts like a greenhouse and the inside temperatures can soar to 120F in "just a few minutes," instead of "fine," the answer could be heatstroke or death.
Tick Tips - What to do with that tick that you just removed from your pet
Ticks are notorious vectors for a variety of potentially very serious diseases; the most common one being Lyme disease. Learn what to do with that tick once it is safely removed from your pet or from you.
Quick Tip - Protect your pet against Fly Strike (Myiasis)
Mid to late summer is the most common time of year to see Fly Strike (Myasis). This unpleasant problem is caused when flies lay their eggs on diseased tissue or drainage of living animals and maggots are born. Maggots are the larve (immature form) of flies, and can cause very serious health problems for the host animal.
Family vacations: should your pet stay at home or travel with you?
I am noticing more "pet friendly" places to stay and visit lately, which supports the idea that more people are choosing to bring their pets on trips and vacations. Do you travel with pets, or are you more inclined to find a kennel or petsitter? This Quick Tip examines taking your pets on vacation and if it is a good choice for your particular pet.
Subcutaneous (SQ) Fluid Administration Tip
Giving fluids under the skin (SQ fluids) is something that many pet owners learn to do at home. Fluids are usually given when their pet is suffering from an illness such as chronic kidney failure or general failing health due to age or disease. Here are some tips to make fluid giving more pleasant for your pet and for you.
Easter and Springtime Hazards for Dogs and Cats
Ah, spring. It is nice to have a little color after a long winter. Easter and springtime decorations (and edibles) liven the scenery, but also pose a potential hazard to pets. Who knew that plastic Easter grass could be dangerous? Spring is a great time to take an inventory of potential pet hazards. It's better than the alternative of spending time at the veterinary hospital. Here is are a few Quick Tips on what to watch for this spring.
Quick Tip for itch relief - oatmeal shampoo
If your pet suffers from inhalant allergies or an itchy skin condition, a gentle oatmeal shampoo may be beneficial. It is important to visit your veterinarian to address the root cause of the itchiness and to reduce secondary problems due to scratching, chewing, and licking. An oatmeal-based shampoo is often a welcome addition to most "itch reduction" treatment plans.
Tips For Recognizing Dental Disease In Dogs And Cats
Dental disease is commonly seen in dogs and cats, and it is often more involved than simply "bad breath". Problems range from malodorous breath to loss of teeth to heart and liver problems. Regular checkups and dental cleanings will prevent many of these health problems. Knowing what to watch for will help your pet maintain good dental health.
Candy and Food Gifts - Prevent Pet Pilfering
Most people are aware that chocolate is toxic to pets, and knowledgeable pet owners would never think of giving their dog an entire box of chocolates to enjoy (and likely become sick). This Quick Tip is a reminder for special occasions and holidays where gifts abound - think twice before leaving gifts and curious pets unattended.