Safety Tips

Tips to keep your pet comfy when winter winds blow:
	If you own a short haired dog, provide the pet with a warm sweater for those cold winter walks.
	Keep your older pet’s bed raised slightly off the floor and away from drafts.
	Your pet may look for a warm resting place, so keep a fire screen around a fireplace hearth and a wood burning stove.
	Using metal water dishes outside in winter may be a risk, because your pet’s tongue could stick to the frozen metal and the water can easily freeze over. Consider a self-warming water dish.
	Space heaters pose a triple threat -- your pet may chew the cord, burn itself on the heater, or knock it over and cause a fire.
	If your dog enjoys playing in the snow, take the normal precautions against frostbite and watch for cracked pads or tiny cuts in the feet.
	Don’t let your dog ride in the back of a pickup truck. Along with the potential of losing your dog in an accident, winter adds the possibility of frostbite.
	Road salt can burn your pet, so check the paws, mouth and belly after a walk. Keep a towel or old throw rug by the door. Following outdoor activity, dry your pet’s chest, underbelly and feet.
	The outside dog must have a well-insulated dog house that has deep, clean bedding that the pet can burrow in, and is free from drafts.

Tips to keep your pet comfy in the heat of summer:
	In the summer, temperatures can easily reach the upper 90's and 100's. Such intense heat is not only dangerous for humans, but for pets as well. Here are some tips to protect your pet during the summer heat.
	Cars are potential death traps! During the hot summer months, the temperature inside a vehicle can climb to more than 120 degrees in just a few minutes, even on mild sunny days. It's best to leave your pet at home while running errands during hot weather.
	If your pet lives outdoors, make sure there is adequate shelter for protection from the midday sun and heat. Outdoor kennels should be well ventilated and in a shaded area. There should always be a shaded area for your pet to get out of the sun.
	Always provide plenty of fresh drinking water for your pet. The water bowl should be placed in a shady spot where it cannot be heated by the sun.
	Exercise is important, but overexertion during hot weather commonly causes heat stress. Avoid excessive exercise during hot days.
	Keep your pet well groomed. Excessively long and/or thick hair and hair mats should be clipped to help keep your pet cool.
	If your pet is panting, has a staring or anxious expression, does not obey commands, has warm, dry skin and a high fever, rapid heartbeat, or is vomiting, lower the body temperature quickly, with cool water either by immersion or by spraying thoroughly with a garden hose. CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY.

Holiday Pet Dangers
Halloween, Christmas and Chanukah are cheerful seasons for humans, but some of the decorations, treats, candies, and gifts we enjoy can be harmful, or even fatal, to pets. Here are some reminders to help your pets enjoy a safe and healthy season:
	Christmas trees and pine needles: If you have a large dog or a tree-climbing cat, use a strong cord or rope to secure the top of the tree to a wall. Ingested pine needles can puncture your pet’s intestines. Clean around your holiday trees and wreaths often. Drinking the water from the Christmas tree base is enough to cause diarrhea, mouth sores, vomiting and loss of appetite. Cover your tree stand tightly with skirting and distract your pet from tree temptations with holiday toys and treats.
	Candy: Like you, pets can suffer stomach aches and cavities from overindulgence in holiday candy. Chocolate contains theobromine, a caffeine like substance, that acts like a stimulant and can cause seizures or heart failure and can be fatal.
	Plants: Holiday plants, including poinsettia, can be toxic enough to cause serous harm or even death to your pets. Vomiting, crying, frothing, depression, and muscle twitching are signs of plant poisoning.
	Ornaments: Breakable tree ornaments, angel hair, tinsel icicles, and ribbons should be kept out of your pet’s reach. Ornaments, hooks, ribbon and rubber bands can be safety hazards. They can be ingested and swallowed, causing serious and possible fatal digestive problems.
	Alcohol: Don’t share a "little" alcoholic drink with your pet this holiday season…or any time. It may seem like a fun thing but the effects can be harmful, even fatal. A 30-pound dog, for example, would be considered "under the influence" with just two tablespoons of whiskey. Two teaspoons would make a five-pound cat comatose and a tablespoon could kill the same animal. Alcohol is toxic to puppies and kittens and their "sipping" from your holiday spirit glass can lead to heart and liver complications.
	NEVER give ham, steak, or poultry bones to your pet. Ingestion of these can lead to severe intestinal disease such as perforations or obstructions. Ingestion of excessive fatty food may cause severe vomiting and diarrhea
	FIREWORKS are a danger to all pets-both physically and psychologically. Do not take your pets to the fireworks-We have seen many emotionally frightened pets as a result of fireworks.