HALLOWEEN SAFETY FOR PETS

Halloween is a fun time of the year for most children and families. Dogs tend to not enjoy this spooky day as much as the rest of us. There are certain precautions one can take to ensure a smoother Halloween night for you and your dog. 

One safety tip for Halloween night, would be to not allow your animals any sort of Halloween candy, especially any form of chocolate. Chocolate can be dangerous, even lethal for dogs and cats. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate and seizures. Candies containing artificial sweetener Xylitol can also be poisonous for dogs. Even small doses of Xylitol can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and subsequent loss of coordination and seizures.

Hard candy often has a delicious taste to dogs. These treats pose a major choking hazard for pets. Hard candy becomes slippery when mixed with saliva and it can easily be inhaled into the trachea (wind pipe) which can cause choking.

Take caution when your dog gets in the candy bowl. They don't usually bother to unwrap the treats first. Plastic foil wrappers pose a health risk since they can cause an obstruction in the intestines and irritate the lining of the GI tract.  

Another concern on Halloween is leaving your pets outside. Halloween can bring out some vicious pranksters that you're never too sure what they may be capable of. Also, dogs can be territorial and may become anxious or defensive of your property to innocent trick-or-treaters. Putting your dog or cat in a secure room away from the front door will also prevent them from darting outside into the night and help keep them calm from the commotion going on outside.

Happy Halloween

OCTOBER: PET OBESITY AWARENESS MONTH

OCTOBER: PET OBESITY AWARENESS MONTH

Sometimes sticking to a meal plan or trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle can be difficult for us humans. It's even harder when you're trying to maintain your pets, especially if they expect that extra cup of food, the treat for going potty outside and the long nap on a Sunday afternoon. Just like us, it takes time for them too. Trying to get them to have fun while getting them healthy is the key. 

Statistics show 58% of cats and 53% of dogs in the US are overweight or obese. The first question most people would have is "what can i do?"

For starters, you should be sure to discuss any health or weight concerns with your veterinarian. Your doctor may discuss a low calorie, nutritious dog food to start them on to see if it helps with the intake of extra calories. 

Another thing you could try is not just cutting back on treats, but give them a treat that is actually good for them. Apples, carrots and blueberries are a very nutritious snack for dogs that can substitute for store bought treats that may not be as good for them or will also make them pack on the calories.

If your dog is already overweight and you're having issues trying to help them lose the weight, there are a few options for you! Doggy Daycare would be one option. If your dog is younger and has instant energy when seeing other dogs, Daycare may be best for them to stay active and get socialized with other furry friends.

Another option would be K9 Fit Club. K9 Fit Club is dedicated to creating fitness and wellness for both people and their dogs. This program combines the time saving benefits of working out with your pup while offering a fun, safe and controlled environment. The programs were built to be achievable by people of all ages and ability levels. This is a very good program if your dog is a little older or just isn't a social butterfly. Anne, Master Instructor, keeps her classes small to ensure full support and guidance as you learn what K9 Fit Club is all about. 

If you have further questions about Doggy Daycare or K9 Fit Club, please visit our website at http://www.orrvillepetspa.com or call us at (330)683-3335.