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Pet Rock
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Holidays Going to the Dogs! |
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By Dr. Scott McKinley, Badger Vet, Janesville
reprinted from ontheRock magazine ~ the DOTR founding publication
With another Holiday Season upon us, I thought it would be appropriate to share some suggestion and precautions with you to help insure your pet's safety and good health during this busy time of year.
1. Please be aware that all chocolate and chocolate containing deserts and candy are poisonous to dogs and cats. The smaller the pet, the more dangerous even the smallest amount of chocolate can be.
2. Small bones, especially from chicken, turkey, and pork, can be hazardous if swallowed by pets of any size. These bones can lodge in the mouth, throat or stomach, sometimes requiring surgery to remove. You should keep all bones out of reach of your pets.
3. Many Holiday plants, such as Mistletoe and Poinsettia are very poisonous to pets, as well as to humans, if eaten. Keeping these plants off the floor may be all that is necessary to prevent your pet from chewing on them.
4. Holiday decorations such as tinsel, ribbons, beads or ornaments can be attractive to pets and if swallowed, can lodge in their throats or stomach. Try to keep such things out of reach or keep your pets out of rooms with decorations that will attract your pet's attention. Some pets are intrigued with electrical cords. Check these cords frequently for chew marks to monitor any problems that could be fatal.
5. When you go for a walk with a house dog in very cold weather, a dog coat or sweater is not a bad idea, even for large dogs.
6. With cold weather approaching, you should acclimate your pets that will be staying outside, to the cold. Keeping their coats clean and fluffy will not only make them look great, but will also help keep them warm. It is better for a dog to be outside during the day and inside during the night rather than the reverse. A good insulated, draft free dog house is a must for dogs that are housed outside throughout the year. Most outside dogs will be safer in the garage or basement for a few nights when it below zero.
7. During the cold months, check outside kenneled dogs daily for general condition and any weight loss to be sure that they are eating and drinking enough. Dogs are able to cope with cold weather quite well if they have fresh water and adequate food every day.
8. Bathing your pet during the winter months requires extra precautions. Your pet should be thoroughly dry and warm before letting him/her out in the cold, even for a few minutes. A damp coat can cause hypothermia in a very short time in the cold. |
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