Fourth of July Safety Tips from the ASPCA

For many people, nothing beats lounging in the backyard on the Fourth of July with good friends and family—including the four-legged members of the household. While it may seem like a great idea to reward Rover with scraps from the grill and bring him along to watch fireworks, in reality some festive foods and products can be potentially hazardous to your pets. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offers the following tips:

• Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.
  
  
• Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.
  
  
• Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing—or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.
  
  
• Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pets severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes & raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.
  
  
• Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.
  
  
  
• Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.
  
  
• Never use fireworks around pets! While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals.
  
  
• Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.
   
  
  Link to article on ASPCA.org
  
  
  

Newbie News by Erin Weiss

Pet Quirks!

One of my new favorite things about my job is learning the quirky behaviors of all the animals I visit.  They are what make our pets unique and entertaining, and I know every pet owner can list one or more silly little things their furry friends do every single day without fail.  I am accustomed to my own dog’s quirks – from her favorite spots to nap to the funny ‘talking’ sounds she makes when she’s frustrated with us, and everyone in my family can predict when they’re coming.

             As a dog walker, visiting someone else's pets opens up a whole new hilarious world of quirks to be learned and laughed at.  I’m sure every Pack Leader with All Breed Care would agree, and could rattle off some silly things they witness with their clients every day.  I have Belle the lab who sits in the middle of the road whenever she feels tired, Sophie who stops abruptly every walk to roll around in something smelly, Lav the Shar-Pei who runs around in circles and growls excitedly when you walk up the stairs, and his sister Oste who likes to walk backwards when she’s sick of the direction I’m leading her.

            Cats have their share of quirks too, as I’m sure any cat owner can attest. Here is a video I found of a cat who barks like a dog – that is, until he gets caught and resumes meowing. 

If your pet has any quirky behaviors you’d like to share, leave a comment!

Bird Antics