Posts in Category: Pet Safety
Rat Bait, Not Cat Bait: Rodenticide Poisoning in Pets
Pet poisonings happen secondary to exposure to all sorts of things. It might be helping themselves to some chocolate, applying the wrong type of flea preventive to your cat, or drinking some sweet antifreeze from the driveway. However, one of the most common animal toxicities we see at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is rodenticide poisoning in pets. Learn what you need to know about keeping your animals safe from this tricky toxin.
Why Microchipping Helps Reunite Lost Pets with Their Owners
The aftermath of Harvey and Irma (among other hurricanes and worldwide flooding) have been on our hearts and minds over the past few months. Whether we or someone we know have been impacted, these losses have been deeply felt by most of us in the wake of the storms. Among these tragedies are the many pets who are missing or abandoned.
In such a disaster, pets and other animals are frequently lost, abandoned, or displaced when families must evacuate. Many of the pets find their way to shelters, or other rescues, which aim to reunite them with their owners. Tragedies like a missing pet, however, can often be prevented through emergency planning and effective preventive measures, like the microchip.
Drills, Hammers, and Strangers: Keys to Pet Safety During a Remodel
Summer is prime time for construction projects ‒ a fact not overlooked by most pets. Whether it’s drilling, concrete mixing, or constant hammering in the neighborhood, the aural assault can be very disconcerting to a pet’s sensitive hearing. But if the construction occurs inside a pet’s own home, are there certain rules regarding pet safety during a remodel? You bet your hard hat!
From Festivals to Fairs: Keeping Your Pet Safe in Public Gatherings
Large-scale events typically do not allow pets (except service animals) – and for good reason. It’s hard enough to keep a pet safe in public on a normal day of the week, but adding potentially dangerous foods, uncomfortable weather conditions, and loud, jarring noises to the mix could be a recipe for disaster. Sure, certain life experiences are enhanced through the company of a four-legged best friend, but sometimes, it’s safer to just leave a pet at home.
Better Off With a Pet Harness: When Your Pet Needs More Than a Collar
Does your dog love to go for walks but pulls on the leash the entire time? As canine enthusiasm is hard to contain, subsequent hacking or gagging may ensue halfway around the block. Collars secured around the neck certainly hold their own with a sizable list of “pro’s,” but a pet harness is a very worthy alternative.
What is Resource Guarding? What Can You do About It?
Owning a dog is a joyful experience, but it can also be stressful or confusing. Training is just one example of this, but it’s especially true if certain canine behaviors give you pause. One of the more concerning codes of conduct (or lack thereof) is resource guarding. While it’s perfectly normal, it can be hard to live with. That’s where your friends at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital come in!
It’s a Wild World: What to Do if You Encounter a Wild Animal
Most pet lovers are animal lovers in general, so it goes without saying to encounter a wild animal such as a rabbit or coyote can be pretty exciting. Unfortunately, there are numerous cases when good-hearted Samaritans intervened in what they thought was a situation of abandonment, only to do more harm than good.
There are a number of things to be aware of should you encounter a wild animal – especially when you’re with your pet.
That’s why we’re here to answer some of your urban wildlife questions, including what to do if an animal is sick or injured.
Pet Parasite Prevention: Not Just a Summer Thing!
Many people make the mistake of thinking pests like fleas, ticks, and heartworms go dormant in the fall. Unfortunately, this myth leads owners to forget about pet parasite prevention much of the year, leaving our companions vulnerable to a variety of diseases and conditions.
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For The Fun Of It: The Best Pet Costumes For Halloween
What could more fun than dressing up on Halloween? Dressing up with your best pet, of course! Sure, some pets simply will not tolerate wearing anything else but a collar, and for them you’ve got a bevy of bowties, bandannas, or other neckwear to accessorize with. But for those pets that delight in getting dolled up, there are endless options in the pet costumes department, and Leon Valley has the scoop. Continue…
Basic Commands Every Well-Behaved Dog Should Know
In a perfect world, our clever canines would innately understand what we want them to do and respond accordingly. However, training and socialization are crucial tasks to be undertaken during puppyhood and reinforced throughout your dog’s life.
Having an understanding of basic commands and the rules of the home (and the world) can keep your dog safe and makes him or her more enjoyable. Teaching your dog basic commands can also help prevent an accident or tragedy from befalling your fur friend. Continue…