Protecting Your Dog's Paws
During The Winter Months

During the winter months, it's not uncommon for your pets to experience some discomfort when it comes to their paws. Many times, pets will get ice pellets stuck in the hair between their toes which can prove uncomfortable when walking. Their attempts to remove the ice by licking or chewing can sometimes make the matters worse. Another common problem with paws and winter occurs when the paws are exposed to salt. Salt is commonly used on walkways and roads to prevent ice build-up and it can be very irritating to your pet's paws.

Dealing with these issues is relatively simple. To combat ice pellets in the paws, keep excess hair between your pet's toes trimmed. You can do this yourself or visit a professional groomer. On your own property, avoid the use of salt. There are ice melting products available at most pet stores that are specifically made to be safer for your pets. Also, try to avoid walking your pet on areas where salt is used. If this is impossible, consider using foot covers or pet booties. Otherwise rinse and thoroughly dry your pet's paws after salt exposure. If paw discomfort continues despite these precautions, have your pet seen by your veterinarian.

No bones about it! Holiday meals can kill pets

Which table foods are dangerous to cats and dogs? ‘Today’ pet contributor Tamar Geller discusses what you shouldn't feed your four-legged friends

The holidays are a time to enjoy the company of loved ones, including your pets. Inform your guests about all pet rules: no feeding bones or other table scraps; candy and alcoholic beverages should be kept out of reach; keep gates and outside doors securely closed. Many of us will indulge ourselves with a big holiday meal, but we must remember to be very careful about what we feed our pets.

Rich fatty foods can be a cause for concern
Most veterinarians will tell you that they see a lot of stomach problems and pancreatitis cases around the holidays. So keep your pets away from the rich foods on your holiday table — turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, yams and stuffing. Typical holiday foods are rich, fatty comfort foods for people that can cause discomfort for their pet. The classic problem is that the dog gets into the turkey or ham, gorges on it, and then gets very sick. The signs of pancreatitis include vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Chocolate can actually poison your pet
The toxicity depends on the type of chocolate (the darker the chocolate, the more harmful), the amount ingested and your pet’s weight. The caffeine and theobromine in chocolate can cause a dog to vomit, have diarrhea, experience rapid heartbeat, increased urination, muscle tremors and seizures. The effects can be serious, and chocolate toxicity can occur within 24 hours. The same can be true of coffee, tea and cola, as they also contain caffeine.

A few traditional treats are also surprisingly bad for pets
Many cat owners don’t realize that milk isn’t well tolerated by most cats. Dairy products are often overly fatty, so it’s best to avoid giving dairy to dogs as well.

The traditional ‘give a dog a bone’ idea isn’t really a good one either
The bone can splinter and puncture the stomach or intestines. Poultry bones are particularly dangerous, as they become brittle when cooked. It’s much safer to give your dog a bone designed for pets.

Giving your pet alcoholic beverages truly isn’t funny
Most people are aware that too much alcohol can poison humans. Remember that your pet is a lot smaller than you are, so even small amounts of alcohol (even beer) can be toxic.

Some other tasty treats your pet shouldn’t eat
Onions and garlic contain thiosulphate, which damages red blood cells and can cause anemia in cats and dogs. Be careful when preparing the holiday stuffing or side dishes, and particularly when disposing of leftovers that contain onion and garlic. The onion actually presents the highest risk of toxicity — a single generous serving can cause anemia for dogs and cats. Whether garlic contains enough thiosulphate and can be fed in high enough amounts to harm dogs is a matter of controversy — garlic is less toxic than onion, and large amounts would need to be eaten to cause illness. And, in small amounts (such as in canine nutritional supplements), the benefits of garlic outweigh their possible risks.

Holiday Safety Tips for Cats

We want the holidays to be a happy time for you and your pet, not a time for an emergency visit to your veterinarian. The food and decorations that make the holidays so much fun for us can be dangerous for your pet. We do not want this article to dampen your holiday spirits, but we do want you to be aware of the dangers and plan carefully to avoid these potential hazards.

Food – Related Items

Holiday foods we enjoy cooking and eating can be a problem for your pet.

Rich, fatty foods, like gravy or grease, can cause problems ranging from stomach upsets to pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas resulting in pain, vomiting, and dehydration. Cats with this serious condition often require hospitalization for treatment.

Alcohol can cause serious intoxications in pets, and many pets are attracted to it. Clean up glasses after holiday parties. Cats are often attracted by the sweet taste of drinks, especially eggnog.

Chocolate, coffee, and tea all contain dangerous components called xanthines, which cause nervous system or urinary system damage and heart muscle stimulation. Although chocolate ingestion is more of a problem in dogs, cats may also have signs ranging from diarrhea to seizures and death. Unsweetened baking chocolate and dark chocolate are the worst culprits, but all chocolate, fudge, and other candy should be placed out of your cat's reach.

Uncooked meat, fish, and poultry can contain disease-causing bacteria, such as E. coli, and parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii. These uncooked foods should not be given to your cat. For your own health, as well as your pet's, wash utensils that have been in contact with raw meat, and cook meat thoroughly.

Bones from fish, meat, or poultry can also cause problems if swallowed. Even small bones can splinter causing lacerations (tearing) throughout the intestinal tract. So, no matter how big or how little they are, be sure to keep bones (other than those that are specially sterilized and treated) away from your pet.

Tobacco products can be fatal to pets, if ingested. Signs of poisoning develop within 15 to 45 minutes and include excitation, salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea. Pets may develop seizures, collapse and die from cardiac arrest. Keep cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, nicotine gum and patches, and ashtrays out of the reach of pets. Empty ashtrays frequently since cigarette butts contain about 25% of the total nicotine in a cigarette.

Uncooked yeast dough can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

Grapes and raisins contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys.

Remember, cats have an exceptional sense of smell – juices on plastic or aluminum foil left on countertops are very tempting. If ingested, plastic or foil wrap (cellophane candy wrappers or food wrap) can cause choking or intestinal obstruction.

Meat-soaked strings from rump roasts are also enticing. Ingestion can cause a surgical emergency called a 'linear string foreign body' in the intestines.

To be safe, put away food immediately and pet-proof your garbage. Garbage contains all kinds of other hazards for your cat such as plastic wrap and bags, 6-pack beverage holders that could cause strangulation, fat trimmings, bones, and pieces of ribbon or tinsel.

Feed your pet(s) before a party so they will not be so apt to beg or steal food.

Poisonous Plants

We all like making our homes more festive for the holidays. We enjoy the green foliage and colorful flowers of plants. Unfortunately, many of the plants we have in our homes during the holidays can be poisonous to pets. If ingested, holly (leaves and berries) causes stomach upset and can be potentially fatal to both cats and dogs. Mistletoe upsets stomachs and can cause heart collapse, while hibiscus may cause diarrhea. Poinsettias have an irritating sap that can cause blistering in the mouth and stomach upset. So when you brighten up your home, place these plants well out of your cat's reach, or use imitation holiday plants.

All that glitters is not gold – it could be dangerous for your pet.

Ribbons, yarn, and string can cause intestinal obstruction and bunching of the intestine along the length of the string. These conditions require surgery and can be fatal. Ribbons around your cat's neck may be cute, but they can also be dangerous.

Adhesives and glues can be toxic and are often attractive to animals.

Potpourri contains oils that can be toxic to cats if eaten. We may not think of eating it, but some curious pets may.

Candles can cause burns and fires. Never leave lighted candles unattended or within reach of your pet.

Visitors

Some pets love visitors and behave very well. Others may be fearful or aggressive. Plan for how your cat will react to visitors.

A quiet room, away from the commotion, with water, food, and litter box available will help fearful cats be more comfortable.

Brushing up on obedience training before the holidays may help a pet who has become a little rusty. Be sure to inform your visitors of any household 'rules' or problem behaviors concerning your pets, e.g., sneaking out the door, jumping up on the couch, getting food from the table, etc.

For pets who may not behave or could be aggressive, placing them in a separate room, using pet gates, or having them stay at a friend's house during a party, may be necessary. Sometimes, boarding a pet in a kennel may be the safest alternative.

Cleaning products such as disinfectants get a lot of use during the holidays as we spiff up our homes for visitors. Remember, many of these products can be toxic to your pets.

When inviting visitors, make sure they know you have a pet. If these people have allergies, you could help them by using a product such as Allerpet to decrease the dander in the house.

If you are traveling during the holidays, and need to leave your pet(s) at home, start to make accommodations for your pet(s) early. Many boarding facilities fill up very fast. Responsible pet sitters are a good alternative. If they are unfamiliar with your house or pet(s) have them come over and get acquainted before you leave.

New Pets

New pets are not good holiday gifts. If someone is thinking about getting a new pet, give the new prospective owner a variety of cat toys, food, or books on cat care. You may also wish to give a gift certificate so the person can choose his or her own pet after the holidays.

Similarly, if thinking about getting a new pet for yourself, remember, pets need routine and a time to bond with you. With its noise, commotion, and special hazards, the holiday season is anything but routine. Think about getting your new pet after the holidays. We guarantee you will not have an after-holiday let down!

Why not make the holidays more enjoyable for homeless pets? Contact your local animal shelter to see if you can donate food, kitty litter, toys, or time.

Pet Gifts and Treats

When choosing a holiday gift for your special friend, be sure it is safe – no small pieces that could come off and be swallowed. Choose healthy holiday treats for your cat and give them in moderation.

With all of the festivities, do not forget to relax and spend some quality time with your pet. Your cat will think that is the best gift of all.

Travel

If you are traveling out of town for the holidays, prepare your dog in advance. Think twice about taking your dog with you by plane, since traveling in the cargo hold can be dangerous (especially in cold weather) and very stressful. Traveling by car is easier for dogs who are used to car travel; the safest way is in a crate. Be sure to stop frequently for "relief". Before you leave, check that your destination will accept dogs, whether it's a hotel or a relative's house. And it's a good idea to get a temporary tag for your dog which lists a phone number you can be reached at during your trip.
If you are traveling without your dog, plan your dog's boarding in advance. Many boarding kennels fill up during holidays. Check out any kennel you are considering. Make sure that there's enough room for your dog.

Protect your Dog against Heartworms, Roundworms and Hookworms.

How can you do that you ask?

Just give them their monthly Heartgard chewable tablet year round.

*What is heartworm disease?

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart and possibly the lungs.

*How does a dog get heartworm disease?

They get heartworm disease by a single bite from an infected female mosquito. There is no way to tell which mosquitoes are infected, which is why heartworm prevention is very important. After an infected mosquito has bitten a dog, it takes about 7 months for the larvae to mature into adult heartworms.

* How will I know if my dog has Heartworm disease?

You can find out if your dog has heartworm disease by bringing your pet into the clinic and doing a simple blood test every year.

*Once my dog had been diagnosed with heartworm disease what is the treatment?

Usually it is treated with a series of an injectable arsenic-based product. After treatment, the worms begin to die. As they die they break up into little pieces, which can cause pulmonary blockages causing death if you don't keep your dog quiet during the several months of treatment.

*Can people get heartworm disease? What about if one of my pets has Heartworm disease can my other pet get it?

It's a specific parasite that only affects dogs and cats and other mammals. In very RARE cases heartworm has infected people, but it can't complete its life cycle, therefore causing no harm. As far as pets giving it to each other, they CANNOT pass it on; it can only be transmitted through a bite of an infected mosquito.

*Can I skip giving my dog his Heartgard during colder months?

No. Along with the American Heartworm Society, we also recommend year round heartworm prevention. Heartgard, Interceptor, Sentinel and Revolution don't just protect your pet against heartworms, but they also protect your pet against other parasites. When taken on a monthly basis Heartgard is effective in preventing internal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. This will also cut down on people forgetting to give their pet their monthly Heartgard. Now, if you use it year round, and you miss a month, your pet will probably still be protected. If you miss more than one month your dog could have a higher chance of getting infected. Some adult mosquitoes become inactive with the onset of cool weather and enter hibernation to live throughout the winter. Some will lay hardy eggs that can survive through the winter and hatch in the summer. Other kinds of adult female mosquitoes mate in fall, hibernate through winter in animal burrows, hollow logs or basements, and then in spring, lay their eggs that will produce the next generation of mosquitoes.

*Can I get internal parasites from my pet?

YES. Roundworms, hookworms and whipworms are a zoonotic disease, which means your pet can pass it on to you and your children. Internal parasites can be passed from mammal to mammal even in winter months.

*Can my cat get heartworm disease? He/she is only an indoor cat and never goes outside?

YES. Cats that are indoors may actually be at a higher risk than cats that 'go out'. In fact, up to 33% of reported cases of heartworm positive cats, are reported by owners who describe their cats as being "strictly indoors". Heartworm disease is often more severe in cats than dogs, so it's just as important to give them their monthly dose of heartworm prevention as it is your dog.

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