Pets Are Family Too

Brrrr, it is getting cold outside and in some places snow is on the ground. Now is the time to check up on our pets to protect them from the cold weather. To ensure a safe and healthy pet in the cold weather season, here are some cold weather tips to protect your pet family members during this winter.

For outdoor dogs in cold weather, make sure there is a sheltered dry area where your dog can seek refuge from the wet, muddy climate. The shelter should be a dry bedded area insulated with straw, shavings and other materials that trap warm air. Make sure that you check the dog bedding often for moisture and change it when it becomes wet. Your outdoor dog should gradually be allowed to get used to the changing cold so that they can adjust to the cold. However, in the extreme cold weather, you may have to let them indoors as a precaution. At night when the temperature drops too low, we bring our outdoor dogs indoors until the morning sun shines the next day. On a side note, when you bring outdoor pets inside for a period of time, the indoor air is generally drier and have less humidity, so brush them often and get a moisturizer or supplement for their skin. Ask your veterinarian which would best suit your outdoor dog.

Do not leave your pets outdoors unattended when the temperature gets below freezing! When the weather gets cold, pets must build up a thicker coat and get their footpads toughened for snow and ice. If pets get too cold, they could develop hypothermia or even frostbite. Dog ear tips are especially susceptible to frostbite. Read the rest of this entry »

Tis the season! The holidays are among us and it is time for good friends, good food and family. This week we celebrate Thanksgiving Holiday in the United States. During this time, food is the centerpiece of our giving thanks that we enjoy with friends family and sometimes strangers. But what about our pet family members? We have listed 10 tips to make sure your pet enjoys the holidays as much as you do!
Holiday Tips Part I Read the rest of this entry »

It has been a couple of weeks since the expansive California Wildfires have been completely extinguished. Many people fled from their homes voluntarily or either under an evacuation order for their safety and to allow firefighters to safely protect property. Even though the smoke has cleared from the fires, smoke filled the Southern California skies beyond the areas that were burning.

The smoke filled skies caused air quality warnings and alerts throughout. People were asked to stay indoors, and keep their pets inside if possible and restrict strenuous exercise. Yet, there were still pets in Southern California who did not go inside and they should be checked to see if they suffered any smoke related illnesses. Pets that lived in the burn areas should also be checked for any signs of smoke and fire hazards.

Just as a caution, if your dog was in the fire areas or in the vicinity of the smoke, which was a large area, look for these symptoms that may indicate a smoke related effect. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s summertime, hooray! Time for fun and frolic in the sun! Summer is the time when temperatures are most likely to be hotter in most areas of the nation and the sun protection comes out! But, what about your dog or cat?

Dogs and cats that are generally outdoors may have to adjust slowly to the seasonal changes form cool to hot! That’s exactly what my friend’s dog needed when the temperatures outside went from mid 80 degrees to hot 100’s! All temperatures in this post are in Fahrenheit degrees.

In the last week, temperatures have been going changing from the 90’s up to a 112 degrees at the high time of the day! Most days, my friend’s three dogs stay outdoors for the majority of the day while they are at work. Needless to say, the small dog, a daschund, became weak and unable to walk straight! Read the rest of this entry »