From Tricks to Treats: How to Keep Your Pets Safe on Halloween

Most everyone loves Halloween. Between the costumes and all the treats you can eat, it’s a great time for children, adults and pets. There’s ways to ensure your pets stay safe. From dangerous costume materials to toxic foods, it’s important to keep your pets out of harm’s way.

According to the ASPCA’s “Halloween Safety Tips,” remember to keep all that tasty candy away from pets. Your pets may want those tasty treats, but they can be downright deadly to them, and that’s real scary! “Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for cats and dogs, and sugar-free candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can cause serious problems in pets,” according to the ASPCA. If you fear your pet has gotten into anything toxic, contact your veterinarian or immediately contact the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

You may not realize the dangers Halloween decorations can pose to your pets. Be careful of wires and even a carved jack-o-lantern. According to the ASPCA, “pets can easily knock over a lit pumpkin and start a fire.” Also remember that kittens are curious and easily can get burned by candle flames. The ASPCA also suggests keeping your pets away from pumpkins and “decorative corn.” They may not be totally toxic to pets but they can cause an upset stomach.

Your dog may look absolutely adorable in that Batman costume. And kitty may wow them in a Wonder Woman getup. However, costumes are not for every pet and “may cause undue stress.” Unless you know your pet is up for that costume, the ASPCA doesn’t recommend it. If the costume is a go, the ASPCA says:
• Ensure the costume does not limit “movement, sight or ability to breathe, bark or meow.”
• Ensure the costume does not have any “small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces” that could cause choking.
• Ensure the costume fits correctly so that it does not “get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.”

Keep your pet calm during the activities of Halloween, including when strangers come to the door. If your pets get too stressed out, it’s best to leave them in another room. Always “be sure that your dog or cat doesn’t dart outside,” and that they are wearing ID at all times, just in case, according to the ASPCA.

October is Dedicated to the Welfare and Care of Domestic and Wild Animals

October is National Animal Safety and Prevention Month, an entire month dedicated to the welfare of animals, both domestic and wild. National Animal Safety and Prevention Month was created by the PALS Foundation, which was founded to help “people and animals coexist in a way that benefits all nature,” according to Dog.com. This special month was “dedicated to promoting the safe practices of handling and caring for both domestic and wild animals.” It recognizes the importance of animals and the roles they play in our lives, even to those without pets. It hopes to ensure “that they are treated kindly and with the respect and care they deserve.”

According to Dog.com, there are a variety of ways in which to participate in National Animal Safety and Prevention Month. Here are some ideas:

• Tend to the needs of your own pets, starting with ensuring they are microchipped for their safety. Make sure they wear ID tags at all times.
• Your home has many items that can be dangerous or toxic to pets. Pet proof your home so your pets can’t get into anything that is harmful.
• Create a “disaster escape plan in case you ever need to evacuate your pets quickly from the home.”

For those who don’t have pets, here are some great ideas:

• Volunteer at a local shelter
• Foster a pet
• Donate money
• Donate supplies to shelters

It’s a great time to get others involved and spread the word, especially for those who don’t know about National Animal Safety and Prevention Month. Contact your local newspaper, TV and radio stations and tell them about it and ask what they will do to help promote and bring awareness. The more people who know, the more who can get involved to help ensure that safety practices for animals are in place this month and throughout the year.

Foods to Keep Away from Pets to Ensure Their Health

Every year, usually beginning in October due to Halloween and other upcoming holidays, we are reminded once again of toxic foods and pets. It’s a good reminder to keep a list handy now and throughout the year.

If we let our pets have the run of the house, they would eat anything and everything. However, that would be a very bad idea. Very often the foods we love to eat can be very dangerous to our pets and sometimes can even cause death. So it’s best to know what foods are OK and those that are not.

Remember, it is always a good idea to discuss food choices with your veterinarian. In addition, the Humane Society of the United States provides a list of foods that may be poisonous for your pets:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Apple seeds
• Apricot pits
• Avocados
• Cherry pits
• Candy (particularly chocolate—which is toxic to dogs, cats, and ferrets—and any candy containing the toxic sweetener Xylitol)
• Coffee (grounds, beans, and chocolate-covered espresso beans)
• Garlic
• Grapes
• Gum (can cause blockages and sugar free gums may contain the toxic sweetener Xylitol)
• Hops (used in home beer brewing)
• Macadamia nuts
• Moldy foods
• Mushroom plants
• Mustard seeds
• Onions and onion powder
• Peach pits
• Potato leaves and stems (green parts)
• Raisins
• Rhubarb leaves
• Salt
• Tea (because it contains caffeine)
• Tomato leaves and stems (green parts)
• Walnuts
• Xylitol (artificial sweetener that is toxic to pets)
• Yeast dough

If you feel your pet has gotten into any food that may be poisonous, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling (888) 426-4435. (A fee many apply.)

There’s Hope for Dogs Who Suffer with Arthritis

Not a day goes by without hearing or seeing a commercial about arthritis. Just as with people, our dogs can suffer from the debilitating joint disease. As a matter of fact, arthritis is unfortunately becoming more prevalent in dogs and “is one of the most common health problems seen by veterinarians,” according to a PET MD article, “How to Treat Arthritis in Dogs: Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, Steroids, and NSAIDs.”

It can be more difficult to determine arthritis in dogs because dogs tend “to ignore soreness and discomfort until the arthritic changes in the joints have progressed significantly,” the article said.

For most dogs, the signs of joint disease don’t show up until the later years, but that “varies depending on your pet’s breed,” according to an article at Peteducation.com. The article listed the most common signs of joint disease to include limping, stiffness, noticeable pain, not able to jump or climb stairs, or inability to rise.

It is important to note that diet and nutrition will not turn back the clock or stop arthritis. However, there are supplements that can help ease joint pain.

From joint fractures and developmental disorders such as hip dysplasia to degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) and inflammatory joint disease, there are many causes of arthritis, according to the Peteducation.com article.

The article discusses various ways to manage arthritis such as medical treatment, including the availability of supplements and drugs. “Through proper diet, exercise, supplements, anti-inflammatories, and pain relief, you may be able to decrease the progression of degenerative joint disease, but the looseness in the joint or bony changes will not change significantly,” the article said.

It’s very important to keep your dog at a good weight ensuring he or she is not overweight. Exercise that offers “good range of motion and muscle building and limits wear and tear on the joints is the best,” the article said. This includes activities such as leash walking and swimming. Always keep your pet warm and provide a comfortable sleeping area with an orthopedic bed.

Make sure to speak with your veterinarian to discuss your dog’s situation so that you can provide the most optimal treatment to ensure your pet’s pain is managed for his or her beat health.

Peanut Butter As A Dog Treat: Be in the Know About This Tasty Treat

For years people have been giving their dogs peanut butter as a tasty treat. Fill up a Kong with some peanut butter and you can let your dog go to town and keep him busy, right? Not so fast. You may want to rethink this. Or at least you should find out everything about the peanut butter you give to your dogs.

Because peanut butter is exceptionally high in fat, some companies have been using a sweetener called xylitol, “a sugar-free substance used as a sugar substitute,” according to Xylitol Poisoning In Dogs: A Deadly Sugar Substitute at Pethealthnetwork.com. But buyer beware as xylitol can be very dangerous and even deadly for dogs, even in the smallest of quantities. So you don’t want your dog to get ahold of any of it.

According to the Pethealthnetwork.com article This Popular Peanut Butter Ingredient Could Kill Your Dog, it is always best to check the ingredients on any peanut butter jar just to be sure it doesn’t contain xylitol, which is not dangerous to humans. If you suspect your dog has ingested xylitol, make sure to call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

The following is a list of nut butters (at Preventivevet.com) containing xylitol, so be sure to keep your dog away from them:
• Go Nuts, Co.
• Hank’s Protein Plus Peanut Butter
• Krush Nutrition
• Nuts ‘N More
• P28

According to Is Peanut Butter Safe For Dogs? Please Beware – Some Could Be Deadly! at Preventivevet.com, peanut butter is OK for your dog, but only on occasion for a treat as long as your dog is not overweight as it can lead to obesity and “too much can cause pancreatitis.”

As often is the case, if you have any concerns, talk to your veterinarian.

Let Everyone Know Cats Are Happy and Cuddly, Too!

Did you know September is Happy Cat month? Created by the CATalyst Council, the special month is “an event that serves to educate and inform cat owners in regards to what they can do to ensure their pet is happy.”

CATalyst Council strives to “advance the health, welfare and value of companion cats,” according to the website. “This will ensure all cats are cared for and valued as pets.” The organization works hard to show that cats enjoy bonding with their humans and need care.

Happy Cat Month annually helps to spread the word about cats as beloved pets. Because cats often are seen as aloof and self-reliant and not needing the medical care that dogs do, the event was created “to counteract these stereotypes and ensure cats are well cared for, enriched, and receive the preventive care they require.”

So when it comes to cats, Second Home Pet Resort knows what great companions they are for people. Just in time for Happy Cat Month, Second Home introduces Daisy, a very sweet Calico who is available for adoption.

Daisy is a darling 11 year-old kitty who would be a great match for someone at home who enjoys hanging out, talking and listening. She is always happy and ready to hear about your day. Not only is Daisy loving, she is a cat who loves her treats. Daisy needs a great home where she can get all the attention she deserves, so she would be best as an only pet. She is spayed, microchipped and up to date on vaccinations. If you have room in your heart to adopt sweet Daisy, please contact Second Home Pet Resort.

Does Your Dog Have What it Takes to Be An Assitance Dog?

Have you ever thought your own dog would make a great assistance dog? That crosses many of our minds. Although you may have an amazing dog, not every dog makes the cut or is right for the task.

From August 7-13, we celebrate International Assistance Dog Week (IADW), which “was created to recognize of all the devoted, hardworking assistance dogs helping individuals mitigate their disability-related limitations,” according to the IADW website. These amazing dogs help “transform the lives of their human partners with debilitating physical and mental disabilities by serving as their companion, helper, aide, best friend and close member of their family.

There are some things to take into consideration
when deciding whether your dog should become an assistance dog. According to Assistance Dogs International, a variety of dog breeds can be good service dogs, even though many programs use Golden Retrievers and Labradors. The website said, “A good service dog is not protective, is people orientated, not overly active, confident but not dominant or submissive. Service dogs should not require complex grooming as this could be a problem for their owner.”

When it comes to what makes a good hearing dog, there are programs that have used shelter dogs that are mixed breeds, and therefore of various sizes and shapes. Requirements include a good temperament and personality as well as energetic and “ready to work in an instant when a sound occurs,” the website said. “They must be friendly and people oriented.”

It is very important to note that assistance dogs are not for protection. Their job “is to make a disabled individual more able,” the website said. “The dog’s presence is a natural deterrent. Because disabled people take their Assistance Dogs into public places and many are not able to physically restrain their dogs, the Assistance Dog must be safe for the public.”

Monsoon Season Is Here! Be Aware of Valley Fever and Your Dog

Here in Arizona, we have many things of which to be aware and watchful. Along with excessive heat and scorpions and snakes, Valley Fever can be cause for concern in humans and pets.

Valley Fever is common to Arizona and “is a disease caused by a fungus that gets into your body through your lungs,” according to WebMD. It is contracted by breathing “in the fungus (Coccidioides immitis) that causes the disease.” Since it is found in the soil, it is easily contracted when the soil is disturbed, such as by dust storms and during monsoon season.

Although cats can contract Valley Fever, dogs in Arizona are more susceptible, especially those dogs who spend much of their time outdoors in dusty and dirt-filled areas, according to PetMD. The condition can go from mild to severe and be extremely costly for pet owners. “It is estimated that valley fever costs all Arizona dog owners at least $60 million per year,” according to The University of Arizona, Valley Fever Center for Excellence.

According to PetMD some of the symptoms include, fever, lethargy, lameness, coughing and difficulty breathing. Because Valley Fever can be very serious, it is important to have your dog (or cat) under your veterinarian’s care. “Your veterinarian will want to monitor antibodies every three to four months, or until they are in a range that can be considered normal,” according to PetMD.

It is also important to keep your pets indoors, especially during dust storms and monsoon season, and, of course, when it is very hot

FIV in Felines: What It Is And What You Should Know

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) “is a lentivirus, the same class of virus as HIV,” according to Best Friends. It lives in various tissues in the body and weakens a cat’s immune system, the website said.

However, it is not necessarily a death sentence. Cats who have the disease can live long, productive lives if under the care of a vet and living in a safe, clean, indoor environment.

According to the ASPCA, symptoms may not show in cats for many years, but once they do progress, it is important for your cat to be under a veterinarian’s care. Some of the symptoms include:

• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Fever
• Anemia
• Weight loss
• Disheveled coat
• Poor appetite
• Diarrhe
• Skin redness or hair loss
• Wounds that don’t heal

FIV is determined by a blood test, and every cat should
have one. It is transmitted from cat to cat and cannot be passed to humans. Prevention can begin with keeping your cats indoors so that he or she does not come in contact with felines who are infected. If you bring other cats into your home, make sure to have them tested first, according to the ASPCA website.

With regard to FIV treatment, it “focuses mainly on extending the asymptomatic period or, if symptoms have set in, on easing the secondary effects of the virus,” the website said.

The ASPCA recommends keeping an eye out for any changes in your cat’s health and/or behavior, keep your cat inside, feed a nutritionally balanced diet, keep up on vet visits, and, as always, make sure your cat is spayed or neutered.