Posts in Category: Seasonal Pet Care

For those of us who adore our furry friends, one summer pet safety concern is the need for grooming. Summer pet grooming (i.e., short or cropped cuts) is thought to be the answer to keeping your dog or cat cool when temps start to rise. But how short is too short, and what type of grooming is truly necessary? Continue…

The holidays can be stressful for everyone, but it’s not the spending or constant fretting over gifts that bothers your pet. While he or she likely picks up and reflects your mood, your pet may also be stressed about other things entirely.

The constant stream of unfamiliar faces, voices, and scents can really upset your pet’s inner balance, and the abundance of bright, sparkly holiday decor can be overwhelming. However, with proper planning, holiday pet stress can easily be reduced and managed. Continue…

How many times of you seen this scenario: it is 90+ degrees and someone is out walking the family dog on asphalt or concrete. Perhaps you have even made that mistake, thinking the breezy warm day wasn’t too hot, ignoring the ground temperature.

Unfortunately, hard surfaces can soar to scalding temperatures during the afternoon, which is why protecting pet paws from becoming burnt is a matter of awareness. Continue…

Almost every pet – and older pets in particular – loves to find a sunny spot for a nap and well-deserved stretch. After spring rains, the urge for a senior pet to get outside for the welcomed warmth and low key exercise is understood, too. However, senior pets are often more at risk for heatstroke and heat-related stress.

Just as you might take a slower or modified approach to your daily exercise choices as you age, helping your older fur friend cope with the stress of the sizzling summer days requires forethought and a bit of adjustment. Continue…

Your pet experiences his or her environment through the nose, eyes, and ears – and fireworks trigger all of these senses to the extreme. Even the most serene and relaxed among the four-legged set can become extremely agitated by fireworks and the chaos of the 4th. So what can we as pet owners do to keep our pets happy and safe during the 4th of July celebrations this year? Read on to learn more… Continue…

Record-breaking rainfall, rising lakes and rivers, and mass flooding over the past few weeks have been on everyone’s mind. Tragedies of lost lives, homes, and personal possessions have weighed on our hearts, whether personally affected or not. For many loving pet owners, fears were realized with missing or injured family member pets. For those unaffected, we may wonder how we can better protect pets during floods and disasters.

Emergency Preparedness for Floods and Disasters

As you may have learned in Scouts or through taking basic first aid, being prepared is your best line of defense in an emergency situation. Yet fewer than 20% of all households have a disaster plan or kit. Fewer still have plans that include the family pets. Continue…

Your azalea’s look absolutely splendiferous in your garden beds and your lilies are simply gorgeous this year, but did you know that both flowers are dangerous to your pet? Fortunately for your green thumb, there are loads of pet-safe plants to choose from, and we’d like to spread the news about the risks associated with the most common flora possibly growing in your own backyard.

A Green Oasis

Homeowners typically invest a good amount of time into garden projects and curb appeal. Plants like rhododendron, oleander, and foxglove are extremely pretty and popular, but  super toxic for your pet. The good news? You can still create and maintain a lush garden – and a safe, non-toxic one, as well. Continue…

Have you been spending too much time on the couch? Has your energetic canine been looking longingly at that underused leash? Or, are you just looking for some creative ways to change up the weekend in a pet friendly way?

You’re not alone.

Summertime pet activities can sometimes be a challenge (dang ‘No dogs allowed’ signs!), so we took the time to come up with some cool ideas for those hot summer days. Continue…

Take this short quiz and you may be surprised by the results. Of the following situations, which could prove dangerous for your pets? (Assume drinking water is freely available at all times.)

• Staying in the car for 20 minutes, in the shade, with the windows rolled half-way down
• Playing Frisbee on the beach for half an hour
• Running in the park for 25 minutes on a cloudy, but warm and humid, day
• Sleeping in the backyard with no shade
• Taking a long, leisurely walk through the city on a hot day

Continue…

There is something about the beginning of spring that signals a time for springing into action. Whether that takes the form of cleaning out the garage, emptying the attic, or tidying up the home, many of us choose spring as the time to give our homes a complete overhaul. But, cleaning products and pets can sometimes spell HAZARDS – some of which are not immediate, but can present health issues over time.

But, before you throw in the towel and kick up your feet, there are some solutions to keeping your home fresh and organized that are also pet safe. So, grab that mop and bucket and read on for more information on cleaning products to avoid and safer alternatives for pet loving households. Continue…