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Showing posts with label Animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Animals. Show all posts
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Winter Pet Safety Tips!
With the winter months upon us, I always worry about the poor little critters out there who do not have a permanent home or loving family to look after them, most especially at this time of the year. Of course, my personal feeling on the matter is IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, KEEP PETS LIVING INDOORS ALL YEAR ROUND!
However, I do realize that it is not always an option for some folks and so I have posted a few tips for those who either can not bring their pets inside, or are taking care of a stray but can not have them as pets themselves for some reason. Here is an article I found called, "Winter Weather Woes" and it lists tips to help ensure animals safety outdoors during the cold, life-threatening winter months:
1) Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol)
Antifreeze is highly toxic - it is rapidly absorbed (initial signs appear approximately one hour post-ingestion), and there is a high mortality rate. Other sources of this deadly chemical are: heat exchange fluids (sometimes used in solar collectors), some brake and transmissions fluids as well as diethylene glycol used in color film processing.Acute cases (within 12 hours of ingestion) often present as if the animal was intoxicated with alcohol: stumbling, vomiting and depression are common signs. The kidneys are most severely affected, and even if the animal seems to improve initially with treatment, they may succumb shortly after to kidney failure. The kidneys shut down, and the animal is unable to produce urine. This type of kidney failure usually happens 12-24 hours after ingestion in cats, and 36-72 hours post ingestion in dogs. Success of treatment is dependent upon quick treatment. If you suspect that your animal has come into contact with antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately.
2) Arthritis and Winter
Cold, damp weather aggravates arthritis in dogs and cats. Arthritis can appear in young pets, but is most common in the middle age and geriatric pets. A fracture can also make the bone susceptible to arthritis after the injury is healed. Overweight pets suffer from arthritis more than their normal-weight counterparts.If your pet is having trouble getting up or laying down, navigating the stairs, or has started to snap or cry when picked up, a visit to the veterinarian is in order. Many new arthritis treatments are available, both natural and medicinal.
NEVER medicate your dog with human prescription or over-the-counter medications without consulting your veterinarian first! One Tylenol™ tablet can be fatal to a cat.
3) Outdoor Pets Need Shelter
I feel that if it is too cold outside for me, it is too cold for my dogs and cats. Some pets however, do live outside in wintry climates. Extra care must be taken to ensure your pet survives the low temperatures, wind chills, and moisture (rain, sleet, snow) of winter.If your pet is housed outside, make sure that adequate shelter is provided -- to shield from wind, moisture, and cold. Position the shelter so the opening is not in the face of the prevailing winds. A drape or door also helps. Take extra care to ensure that your pet is comfortable and can get into and out of their housing easily.
Several pet and feed stores carry safe heated floor mats or non-electric warm bedding. Deeply bedded straw is another good insulator.
Do not use a heat lamp or other type of home heater - this is dangerous, and is the cause of many fires.
4) Pets need to have fresh water at all times
#1 Tip - Water: Make sure the water is not frozen during this time of year. Contrary to what some people think, animals do not know how to break the ice. (OK, some may have learned this trick, but they are in the minority). Heated pet bowls are a solution for frigid temperatures. These bowls are very handy to have during the cold winter months, and are available in stainless steel or plastic. You can find them at most pet supply vendors and feed stores.#2 Tip - Caloric Intake: Pets that live outdoors may need additional food (calories) to sustain body temperature as well. Please check with your veterinarian to decide if your pet needs additional nutritional intake.
5) Staying Fit
As always, exercise is important. If there is snow on the ground, check your pet's paws for ice balls or injuries.
Rinse feet off if your pet has walked where deicers have been used.
Some deicers are toxic when ingested (when pet licks paws). If your pet
is having difficulty exercising due to depth of snow, slick icy
surfaces, or appears to be winded, shorten the usual exercise times and
monitor for any unusual signs.
Top 6 Winter Items for Pets:
Heated Water Bowl
Heated Pet Bed
Dog Sweaters and Jackets
Pet Boots
Pet ID Tags
Pet Safe Ice Melt and Antifreeze
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Thursday, August 14, 2014
Sunday, August 3, 2014
No, seriously, Domestic Rats!
It has been my experience that not very many people know (or are even educated at all on the subject for that matter) that domestic rats make great pets! They are generally friendly, very clean, and extremely intelligent! They are even capable of being trained.
Many years ago, long before I met my hubby, an ex-boyfriend of mine had brought home a black and white domestic rat from the local pet store which he named, "Daisy." Never being exposed to any other critters other than dogs, cats and rabbits, my very first thought was, "What? You brought home a sewer rat? UGH!"
But it did not take me very long to realize that these guys are NOT "sewer rats" at all. They, in fact, make very cool pets indeed! Daisy was super friendly and very smart as well. She was so well-behaved that all we had to do is open up the cover to her huge tank and she would simply walk on to the palm of our hands, never nipping or biting. Believe it or not, even the cats accepted her. Hard to believe? Well, it was no more harder to believe for me than our cats getting along with our bunny Sam! ;o)
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Thursday, June 28, 2012
"Cat Daddy" by Jackson Galaxy: Book Review
I laughed. I cried. I related. Jackson Galaxy's new book, "Cat Daddy: What the World's Most Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love, and Coming Clean," is a heart-touching biography about his early life of drug, alcohol and food addiction, career in working and caring for animals, and his first foster cat named Benny whom he took in while working at an animal shelter in Boulder, Colorado. While working late one night, Benny's heartless owner dropped him off with a shattered pelvis after he was hit by a car. What started out as a foster care situation turned into a lifetime of trials and tribulations.
Jackson takes you on an amazing journey through his fascinating life working with cats. A Cat Behaviorist, he has devoted his entire life to their service ~ dedicated to saving them while educating the humans who inhabit their world.
I found it extremely easy to put myself in Jackson's shoes as he tells his true and sometimes heart-breaking story. Although this book is primarily about his life with Benny, it also has a lot of very helpful hints about living with and taking care of your best friend.
This is an excellent book and I would definitely recommend it to anyone! Let's just say that I loved it so much that I managed to read the entire thing in only three days!
Friday, January 6, 2012
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