PAWPRINTS

Archive for October, 2009

  

If you plan to take you dog out trick or treating on Halloween there are a few simple tips to reduce stress and anxiety in your  pet. There is obviously going to be a lot of unusual activity and noise around your dog that evening, and it may be too much for your dog to handle. If your pet becomes so upset and agitated, why bother? After all, dogs in costumes are for our entertainment, not theirs. Please put their feelings first.

PRACTICE:

Dress your dog up in the costume your have selected a couple of times before the big day and walk him around in it as you are going to do on Halloween. This way at least he won’t be intimidated by this unusual apparel. 

If he is used to it he may relax and enjoy the walk about with all the extra activity being interesting, rather than distressing.

BE AWARE OF YOUR PETS ANXIETY:

Dogs in costumes will let you know by their actions if they are not going to tolerate being dressed up. I know it seems funny to watch a dog struggle when we try a hat 

or sunglaases on them, just for the entertainment value. But this is distressing and putting a dog in a full costume may be something they just won’t tolerate. Once again if your pet can’t get used to the costume, don’t bother.

BE VISIBLE:

Some dog costumes come with a reflective coating on them, but if you have one that does not, simply add some reflective tape which you can buy at the hardware store.

MAKE SURE THE COSTUME IS SAFE:

There should be no loose pieces or decorations on the costume that your pet can ingest. Your dog may find it way to appealing to chew off dangling buttons or material, which could cause choking or worse, a bowel obstruction. Also make sure nothing is hanging around his feet where he could get tangled or trip.

MAKE SURE THE COSTUME FITS PROPERLY

Just as you do with his collar, check and make sure you can get two or three fingers between your dog and the fabric or tie-on that goes around your pet to hold the costume in place. Any ties or wraps around the neck should have extra care and attention, making sure they are comfortable.

MAKE SURE THE COSTUME IS LIGHTWEIGHT:

Remember this is like us wearing a fur coat and then covering that up with more clothes. If the costume is too heavy he may overheat and become exhausted. Carry a pet water bottle and offer it often. Watch for excessive panting or lagging behind. If this happens remove the costume.

USE A LEASH AND MAKE SURE ID TAGS ARE ON YOU PET:

Obviously a common sense tip here with no explanation necessary.

CARRY YOUR OWN APPROPRIATE PET TREATS:

We should all know by now not to give our pets chocolate as it is toxic. Also anything with a wrapper or a lollipop stick is once again dangerous due to the possibility of choking or bowel obstruction if they are swallowed. If you have healthy dog treats, then your pet won’t feel left out of the evening’s festivities.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND MAKE SURE PETS AND PEOPLE ALIKE HAVE FUN!

Article by Jane Dinunzio   Amerstburg, Ontario, Canada

About the Author:

I save and raise abused and negleted dogs and cats. I am a stay at home (almost) senior. I love gardening, reading and endorsing pets as family members, to be treated with kindness and respect. personal website:  Tips for Healthy Happy Pets

ASPCA News Alert: October 16, 2009

Whether your pet prefers squeaky rubber squirrels, stiff rawhide bones or fuzzy mice, he or she undoubtedly loves to play with toys. But is the source of your dog’s or cat’s merriment safe? Many common household products—including toys for children and pets—may contain trace amounts of lead and other toxins. In most cases, however, the levels of these ingredients in toys don’t pose a significant threat to your furry friend.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) reviewed 200,000 cases from the past two years and produced no examples of lead poisoning from pet toys. According to Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, ASPCA Vice President and Medical Director of the APCC, younger dogs, just like children, are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, but most studies reveal only tiny amounts of lead in pet toys—not a grave risk for acute or chronic lead poisoning in dogs.

“Just because it’s ‘detectable’ doesn’t necessarily make it hazardous,” says Dr. Gwaltney-Brant. “Even oxygen is toxic at the right concentration.”

And what about other types of treats such as rawhide bones? Like pet toys, rawhide chews can include trace amounts of pesky chemicals. Dr. Safdar Khan, Director of Toxicology at the ASPCA, believes many dog lovers would be surprised if they learned the true contents of their pets’ treats. But he also adds that pet parents would likely be surprised if they knew the complete ingredients of what they eat and drink, too.

The reality is that a dog is much more likely to suffer obstruction from a rawhide bone than poisoning from a hidden toxin. In general, the smaller the dog, the fewer rawhide treats he should receive, and only give your pet rawhides under a watchful eye. Remember, it’s always wise to supervise!

And lest you think we’re leaving out our feline fans, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind when shopping for kitty’s favorite play things:

• The wand toy, often adorned with feathers, string or small stuffed toys, is ubiquitous. But take care with it, and watch for pieces of string or other components that might fall from the toy and get swallowed by your cat.
• Another popular treat for the kitty set is catnip. Word to the wise—some cats become very excited when smelling or eating it, so be careful about petting your cat until you know how she will respond.
• Please don’t let your cat play with rubber bands, paper clips or plastic bags. All can prove dangerous and a choking risk to our feline friends.

For more information about playing it safe with your pet, please visit APCC online.