Ah, Halloween; the time of year when no one is allowed to say that you can’t dress up as a superhero while eating enough sugar to put yourself into low-Earth orbit. For you, Halloween might be a fun reprieve from normal clothes, as well as a candy-fueled kickoff to the holidays. But for a dog it presents a new batch of hazards. Here are the Top 10 Halloween dangers for dogs you need to watch out for.
Topics: Dog Safety, pet safety tips, Dogs, Xylitol Dogs, canine chocolate toxicity, Toxicity in dogs, Blog, Pet costumes, Dog costumes, Halloween, Trick or Treat
Nighttime safety for dogs is important any time of year, but even more so as the days get shorter and the dark settles in during autumn and winter. When waning daylight forces more people to take their dogs on walks in low-light conditions, it’s important to raise awareness that the pre-dawn and post-dusk hours are more dangerous for dogs. Sadly, it’s not uncommon for dogs to get hit by cars or sustain other injuries resulting from decreased visibility.
Topics: Dog Training, Dog Walking, Benefits of training, Dog Behavior, Blog, Accidents with retractable leashes, Children walking dogs, Dog Leash, Retractable Leash, Self-illuminating dog collars, Walking your dog at night, Nighttime dog collars, Reflective leg bands for your dog, reflective gear for dogs, LED dog collar
If you’re looking for a high-value treat, a handy way to sneak some pills into your pooch, or something to stuff into an interactive feeder, you can’t do much better than peanut butter. Not only is peanut butter a great snack to place in interactive feeders for dogs, but the sight of a dog vigorously smacking their chops never gets old.
Topics: Emergencies, Dog Health, Calories, Diabetes, Blog, Dog Treats, Safe pet treats, Safe dog treats, Peanut butter, Diet
Warm water gently flows down the body. Strong, yet tender hands massage the perfect combination of soaps and conditioners from head to toe. Each hair is expertly styled—bringing out all the beauty that hides beneath. Finally, the nails are shaped, filed and finished to rival the best mani-pedis around.
Topics: Puppies, Dogs, Socialization, Anxiety in Dogs, Blog, Grooming
Since the day you got your newest four-legged member of your family, you have (hopefully) been preparing them for the outside world and all the experiences that’ll come ahead. One of the more important aspects of their socialization is relationship building. Relationships with family, friends, their veterinarian, other dogs, maybe even a kitty or two. Another important bonding experience that they’ll most-likely have is with their groomer. After all, the dog/dog groomer relationship is based on two-way trust. Each have to be—not just comfortable with the other—they need to have confidence in each other. Neither the dog, nor the groomer, wants to have any fear whatsoever from the other. Remember, there’s a lot of personal space being invaded while your pup is getting all cleaned, cut and coiffed!
Read MoreTopics: Dogs, Socialization, Anxiety in Dogs, Blog, Grooming
Many cats and dogs are brought into veterinary hospitals in the fall and winter after having gotten into a rat/mouse poison (“rodenticides”). After all, this is a common time of year for rats and mice to try and seek shelter in people’s homes and businesses, so it’s a common time of year for people to be putting out rat and mouse poisons.
While most people know that rat and mouse poisons are dangerous for cats and dogs, what many people don’t realize is that not all rodenticides work (kill) the same way. Because of this, it’s vitally important that you pay attention to what you and your neighbors are putting in and around your homes, and that the veterinary staff or the people at animal poison control are told (or better still, shown) which rodenticide your pet got into if exposure happens.
Read MoreTopics: Cat Health, Dog Safety, Dog Health, Cat Safety, toxicity, Poison control, Blog, Outdoor cats, Dogs Outdoors
If you've got more than one dog (or cat) at home, odds are good that you've been faced with the "whose poop is this?" question at some point. Right? Whether you're needing to know because someone is having diarrhea, or because one of them is pooping on your carpets, figuring out which pet is having "bowel problems" is always the first step to figuring out why.
Fortunately there's a quick and easy trick to help you figure out whose is whose, and it involves something that you likely have in your home right now (or can very easily, and inexpensively, grab at the store)... crayons!
Read MoreTopics: Dog Health, Dog, Blog, Crayon Shavings, Arthritis in dogs, Diarrhea, Multi-dog household, Bowel issues
Bringing home a dog is an exciting time for everyone involved. However, while you get to return to the comfort of your home, your new pet might not initially feel the same comfort. They’re in an unfamiliar environment with new people, new smells, and a new routine.
Read MoreTopics: Dogs, Dog Behavior, Blog, Potty Training, Separation Anxiety, Adopted Dogs
Did you know that mosquitoes thrive in the warm periods following rain and when there’s any standing water in your yard (birdbaths, pools, empty pots, etc.)? And did you know that a mosquito can develop from egg to adult mosquito in as little as 4 days!
While this is bad for people (West Nile virus, Zika disease, etc., not to mention the nuisance they pose), it’s also particularly bad for your cats and dogs because mosquitoes carry and spread Heartworm Disease! (And yes, you read that right… cats get and suffer from Heartworm disease, too! And it’s even more difficult to treat in them than it is in dogs.)
Read MoreTopics: Dog, Blog, Heartworm, Parasites, Heartworm Preventatives, Parasite Preventatives, Cat
If you aren’t already aware, I highly recommend you take a moment to learn about Sago Palms and the (very serious) danger they pose to your pets. And I would definitely encourage you to also share this article with your pet-loving friends and family — as they are likely unaware, too.
Read MoreTopics: poisonous plants for dogs, poisonous plants for cats, toxicity, pet poison control, Dog, Vomiting, Blog, Seizures, Diarrhea, Cat
Please do not ask emergency or other specific medical questions about your pets in the blog comments. As an online informational resource, Preventive Vet is unable to and does not provide specific medical advice or counseling. A thorough physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinary-patient-client relationship is required to provide specific medical advice. If you are worried that your pet is having an emergency or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic medical conditions, please contact or visit your veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline, or your local emergency veterinary care center.
Please share your experiences and stories, your opinions and feedback about this blog, or what you've learned that you'd like to share with others.