The Dangers of Feeding Thanksgiving Table Scraps to Your Pets
Keep Pets Safe When Holiday Guests Stop Over
Keep Your Pet Busy While You Head Back to the Office

The Dangers of Feeding Thanksgiving Table Scraps to Your Pets
Who doesn’t love a Thanksgiving feast? It’s such a joyous time of year when family comes together. Family also means pets, but be careful of what you feed them as holiday table scraps can be very dangerous.

Some of the worst things for pets include fatty foods, turkey bones and sweets, according to the article, “Thanksgiving pet safety” at American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The article offers tips:

• Keep people food on the table and away from pets. Turkey and the skin can be very dangerous. Other holiday foods are poisonous for pets, including onions, raisins and grapes.
• Pets and people desserts don’t go hand in hand. Chocolate poses a danger while xylitol, an artificial sweetener, can be deadly too.
• Stay away from yeast dough. It can cause gas and bloating in pets.
• Keep trash out of reach.
• Decorative plants and flowers can be toxic to pets. The ASPCA offers a list of toxic plants for dogs and cats.
• If you feel your pet has eaten something poisonous, immediately call your vet or call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at: 888-426-4435.

Keep a close eye on your pets and also keep them away from alcoholic drinks that may be left unattended, according to the article, “Thanksgiving Safety Tips” at ASPCA.org.

Some things you can give your pet include a small piece of boneless, well-cooked turkey. “Do not give your pet the left over carcass–the bones can be problematic for the digestive tract,” the ASPCA article said.

Prepare your dog or cat with their own Thanksgiving dinner to enjoy. That can include chew bones for pets or their own dinner with extras, “perhaps with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles of gravy—inside a food puzzle toy,” the ASPCA article said.

Keep Pets Safe When Holiday Guests Stop Over
The holidays are a great time for family and friends but not always for pets. If you’re hosting family dinners and gatherings, it could make your dog or cat feel uncomfortable in their own home. While everyone wants to have a great time, it’s very important to keep your pets safe and comfortable.

With the influx of guests, gifts, house plants and flowers, and various food dishes, there are ways to keep your pets safe.

Make sure to hang up your guests’ coats and put their purses and other belongings out of reach of your pets, according to the article, “Pet Safety – When Holiday Houseguests Come to Visit,” at Preventive Vet. This way your pet can’t get into a pocket that has dangerous items such as medications, sugar-free gum (xylitol) or even cigarettes.

Some pets become exceptionally nervous when routines change, including when there are many visitors. “Stress in pets can lead to vomiting and diarrhea, inappropriate eliminations outside of litter boxes, decreased appetite, intense itchiness, urinary obstruction (particularly in male cats), hiding, running away, and a variety of other problems that can cause your cat (and you) a lot of grief,” the article said.

But you don’t have to cancel the holidays. Instead, offer your pet a safe place to go to while you can continue your holiday festivities. “For dogs, this may be a room of their own, or a kennel away from all of the hustle and bustle,” according to the ASPCA article, “Hosting Holiday Guests? Keep Your Pets Happy and Healthy Around Visitors.” Cats can use a spare bedroom with a litter box and water dish.

It’s important to let visiting children and your own children know to respect any pet’s safe area and leave the dog or cat alone, the ASPCA article said.

Keep Your Pet Busy While You Head Back to the Office
After well over a year of working from home, many are heading back to the office. Remember to take your pets into consideration. Many have been home with their humans and things are going to change.

According to American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), there are things you can do to prepare your pet for when you head back to work. AVMA tips include:

• Get your pet slowly back to workday routines including waking up, feeding your dog or cat, and going on a walk. Include a departure time.
• To make things less stressful, “Practice short departures on a daily basis and gradually extend the time you are gone,” the AVMA said. Use small treats for praise.
• Use exercise, play and activities to help your pet burn energy.
• Leave food puzzles, automatic feeders and long-lasting treats.
• Explore a crate and see whether it’s beneficial while you’re gone.
• “Excessive barking or whining, agitation, destructive behavior and inappropriate urination/defecation can all be signs of stress,” the AVMA said.
• Talk to your vet about concerning behavior.

Have a routine so as not to cause separation anxiety. “Ensure that the routine you set is the same one you will follow once you go back to work,” according to the article, “How to Prepare your Pet for Post-Pandemic Going Back to Work” at Petmate.com. “This will allow your pet to get used to the changed lifestyle.”

Change your pet’s feeding place to help with separation anxiety. Feed him in a room that’s not near you. “Gradually, your pet may learn that being separated from you can be a pleasurable experience,” the Petmate article said.

Another option is daycare for your pet. Check out the doggie day care options at Second Home Pet Resort, which can be a big help for pets while you’re at work.

Fun Fall Activities to Enjoy with You and Your Pets
Trick-Or-Treating Safety Tips for Your Pets
Feeding Pumpkin to Your Dogs: What Are the benefits?

Fun Fall Activities to Enjoy with You and Your Pets
It’s fully fall. And we all know what that means. It’s cooler outside and that comes with enjoying fun, outdoor activities with your pets. It’s a nice relief after hot summer temps and being stuck inside.
While you’re getting ready for the great outdoors, think about your beloved pets when making plans.

Many people took their vacations over the summer, so now is a great time for that “off-season travel destination,” according to the article, “11 Fun Activities to Do With Your Dog This Fall” at Vetstreet.com. “Many beaches allow dogs during the off-season — and as a bonus, travel prices are often lower,” the article said.

Go take a hike. For real! Whether you’re hiking in and around the city or taking a drive out of town, autumn is a great time to enjoy being outside. “Just be sure to consult your veterinarian before starting a new exercise routine and consider your dog’s physical fitness level before choosing a path,” the article said. It’s a good idea to be sure your dog is protected with flea and tick preventives first.

Get out and play. With the cooler weather, you can get out there to play with your dog. Bring along a Frisbee, a ball, or your dog’s favorite toy, and just have fun!

Along with football season comes those tailgating parties. You can get your dog involved starting with mascots all the way to dog apparel. “So huddle close and get ready for the game plan!” according to the article, “6 Great Fall Activities for Dogs” at be.chewy.com.

If you really love the outdoors, take that camping trip and bring your dog. “From the splendor of the leaves to the scents in the air, hiking trails abound, and an eager dog captivated by it all,” the be.chewy.com article said.

Trick-Or-Treating Safety Tips for Your Pets
October doesn’t just mean cooler temps, it’s the month celebrating cute costumes and treats on Halloween. Sometimes it can be scary for pets, but there are ways to ensure their safety.

According to the article, “10 Halloween Safety Tips for Pets,” at PetMD.com, the following tips can keep your pets out of harm’s way:

• Keep Halloween candy away from pets, especially chocolate, which can be deadly for them. “Halloween candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also be poisonous to dogs,” the article said.
• Ensure pets are safe inside the home. They could be at high risk if left alone in the yard.
• If you plan to open the door for trick-or-treaters, keep pets safe in a separate room and/or in a secure crate far from the front door.
• “While glow sticks can help keep people safe on Halloween night, they can add some unwanted drama to the holiday if a pet chews one open,” the article said.
• Keep lit pumpkins away from pets.
• Only dress up your pet in costume if he is OK with it, and be sure to supervise him. “Costumes should not restrict movement, hearing, eyesight, or the ability to breathe,” the article said.
• Pets should always wear ID in case they dash out the door and escape. Microchips are even better. Always make sure your information is up to date on tags and chips.

If you are decorating your home, note the decorations that can be a threat to pets. These can include lit candles, rubber eyeballs, fake blood, fake cobwebs, potpourri and strung lights, according to the article, “Halloween safety tips for pets” at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

The HSUS article suggests creating some pet-friendly decorations, such as making a haunted house out of cardboard boxes for your feline.

Feeding Pumpkin to Your Dogs: What Are the benefits?
The season calls for everything pumpkin, from that pumpkin spiced latte you’ve been craving all summer to pumpkin scented candles and pumpkin pie. But what are the benefits of feeding pumpkin to your dog?

Pumpkin is considered good for your dog and “contains essential micronutrients and fiber that make it a very nutritious treat,” according to the article, “Can I Give My Dog Pumpkin?” at Fetch by WebMD. It also helps alleviate diarrhea in dogs.

According to the article, other benefits include:

• It’s packed with minerals and vitamins such as A, C, and E.
• It’s great for your dog’s digestion, It has “high soluble fiber content,” the article said.
• Prebiotics found in pumpkin help “support the presence of important bacteria in the digestive tract,” the article said.

Don’t overdo it with too much pumpkin and speak to your vet about how much to give your dog. Be sure to distinguish between plain, canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie filling, which is loaded with added fat, sugar and spices, the article said. Stick with plain, canned pumpkin without additives.

Pumpkin is also good for urinary health. According to the article, “3 Ways Pumpkin Can Help Keep Your Dog Healthy” at PetMD.com, “Oils found in pumpkin seeds and flesh are believed to support urinary health. Dogs with urinary incontinence, in particular, may benefit from a little pumpkin in their diet.”

It also can help with eye health. “To prevent the development of night blindness and other eye degeneration, the beta-carotene found in pumpkin flesh is an integral nutrient in any pup’s diet,” according to the article, “Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs” at be.chewy.com.

Dogs will also benefit from pumpkin because of its high content of water along with key nutrients vitamin A and zinc, which is good for your dog’s coat and skin.

How to Get Your Pet Used to Boarding for Long Trips
Dog Parks: They Can Be Fun, But Be Aware to Keep Your Dog Safe
How Often Should You Get Your Dog Groomed?

How to Get Your Pet Used to Boarding for Long Trips
If you’re going on a long trip and have decided to board your dog, you can prepare your pet beforehand. Planning is your best friend when it comes to boarding your dog.

First, be sure your pet will be in good hands by researching boarding facilities.

According to the article, “Doggy Daycare and Pet Boarding Do’s and Don’ts” at be.chewy.com, that means “calling up each pet boarding facility and asking lots of questions about their services and what your pet’s itinerary will be like during their stay.” Check facilities offering doggie daycare for high-energy dogs. Tour facilities you are considering and meet the staff.

Ensure your pet is up to date on vaccinations and speak with staff before boarding, as “it is still essential to go over your pet’s food, medications and any behavior quirks that your pet may have.”

First-time boarders “might consider short, overnight stays at the kennel prior to an extended boarding stay to help him or her get used to boarding,” according to the article, “Boarding Your Dog (and Cat)” at PetMD.com.

Our pets are very in tune with our emotions, so try not to make the goodbye too emotional. “Your pets can be made to feel unnecessarily anxious about the kennel visit if they are subjected to this kind of dramatic display,” the PetMD article said.

Leave an item that reminds your pet of you or home, such as a special blanket. You can also “bring them a T-shirt or towel that smells like you and their home,” the be.chewy.com article said. “These comfy items will give them something to cuddle at night, and they have a familiar scent to ease their stay in a new place.”

For information on boarding your dog or cat at Second Home Pet Resort, click here.

Dog Parks: They Can Be Fun, But Be Aware to Keep Your Dog Safe
Dog parks continue to pop up across the country wherever there are dogs and people who love them. While they are great for many dogs and their people, there are things to keep in mind to protect your dog.

Safety tips are important when you take your dog to the dog park, according to the article, “Dog Park Safety: 6 Tips for Pet Parents” at PetMD.com. They are:

• Ensure your dog has all her vaccinations. This will protect your dog from “transferable diseases.”
• Visit dog parks with different play areas for large and smaller dogs. Place your dog in the area that suits her size. This can prevent dangerous situations and injuries.
• It’s best to keep unvaccinated puppies who need socialization away from dog parks.
• Your dog should know basic training commands especially “come,” and she should respond automatically.
• Check for trash. The dog park should be clean and free of things that can be dangerous to your dog.
• Watch your dog closely. A bad situation or dog fight could start in an instant, so it’s best to pay attention to your dog.

There are other important things to consider when you take your dog to the dog park, such as making sure your dog is on a leash until entering the dog park area. “Do remove your dog’s leash before he joins the other dogs to play,” according to the article, “Play It Safe and Be Polite: Dog Park Rules You Should Never Break,” at Vetstreet.com.

Your dog should enter the dog park area in a calm yet orderly fashion. It’s best to keep unaltered dogs out of dog parks, as that can cause a lot of conflict. And, just as your dog should have manners, show your own by cleaning up after your dog.

How Often Should You Get Your Dog Groomed?
From long coats to short coats to fur or hair, there’s so many types of dog coats. With so many, how often should you get your dog groomed?

“The answer depends on what type of coat your pooch has, how much they shed, and how much brushing and bathing you are willing to do at home,” according to the article, “Ask A Groomer: How Often Should I Groom My Dog?” at iHeartDogs.com.

According to the article, the following are tips on grooming and a dog’s coat type:

• Short-haired dogs need “minimal brushing” and an occasional bath.
• Double-coated dogs (softer undercoat and coarse top coat) should be groomed “at least four times a year to help pull out the dead undercoat,” the article said, adding it’s a bad idea to shave these coats.
• Long hair and double-coated dogs may need a trip to the groomer to cut the hair around the feet, legs, bellies and butts. These dogs can get matted easily.
• Silky coated dogs have fine hair needing professional grooming at least every four to six weeks or as long as two to three months to prevent matting.
• Wiry-coated dogs get matted much less and can be groomed every two to three months. However, they should get the occasional bath and brush out but don’t over-bathe!
• Dogs with curly or wavy coats are more susceptible to matting. Brush a couple times a week. See a professional groomer every four to six weeks.

“Most pets should have their nails trimmed every 2 to 3 weeks,” according to the article, “Grooming Your Pet” at American Humane.

If you decide to clip your dog’s nails yourself, start by making sure your dog gets used to you handling his paws. Speak softly, have treats close by, and have someone nearby to help.