Posts Tagged: Pet Safety
Ask a Vet: Can I Use Essential Oils on Pets?
Essential oils have been an important part of folk medicine for thousands of years, and have recently exploded in popularity for their use in aromatherapy and alternative medicine. Proponents of essential oils use them regularly for everything from anxiety and muscle aches to treating illnesses and promoting relaxation and mental clarity.
The trend towards the use of essential oils for healing and relaxation purposes isn’t limited to humans. Many pet owners want to shield their animal companions from harsh chemicals, but using essential oils on pets may not have the desired effects. Some essential oils may be toxic to pets, or cause adverse reactions, and pet owners are wise to use extreme caution when it comes to this alternative therapy.
Is Holiday Cat Safety a Real Thing?
We are swiftly sliding toward year-end, a fact that many cat owners brace themselves for. Is Fluffy going to bring down the Christmas tree again this year? Burn their whiskers from getting too close to festive candles?
With our holiday cat safety measures firmly in place, you won’t have to worry quite as much. And Fluffy? Ringing in the new year in style, comfort, and top health.
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!
Yankee Doodle Doggie: How to Safely Celebrate the Fourth of July With Your Pet
There are some things that just don’t mix. For example, the Fourth of July and pets is often a risky combination. Loud noises, parties, fireworks, and other crowded festivities are all part of the equation, making the holiday seem like a pain for pet owners everywhere.
In a previous blog, we wrote about the dangers of the holiday and how to protect your pet. This also includes a common pet condition (noise anxiety) and how to help your furry friend cope. But what about ways to make the holiday pet friendly?
For all our pet parents out there, we have some fun and safe ideas for spending the Fourth of July with your pet.
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.
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…
Making Time with Your Cat Outdoors Both Safe and Enjoyable
Let’s face it, if it was up to most pets, the great outdoors would be free to all, and roamed by many a fur friend. Afterall, time outside can provide much needed mental and behavioral enrichment—from watching birds to breathing in the fresh air.
But, as responsible cat owners, we know being indoors is generally safer for our pets, protecting them from disease, predation, and accident.
The good news is this doesn’t mean you can’t ever allow your cat outdoors. With some added safety precautions, you can enjoy the fresh air and sunshine with your favorite whiskered companion. Continue…
The Pros and Cons of Common Dog Toys
It’s safe to say that most dogs love a good toy. Whether they’re playing with you or keeping themselves occupied, dogs love to tug, squeak, chew, fetch, and cuddle their favorite play things. Not only do good dog toys serve to keep your pet active, but they can serve as a wonderful alternative to treats when it comes to rewards for good behavior and devoted companionship.
Safety, however, should be a special consideration when selecting dog toys for your furry friend. After all, the last thing we would want to do is give our BFF (Best Furry Friend) something that would make them sick or worse.
So how do you know if you’re barking up the wrong (or right) tree when it comes to dog toys? …Let’s find out! Continue…
All In Good Fun: Safe Cat Toys… And Playthings to Avoid
Photographs and video clips of a cat hanging around in a basket full of cushy yarn balls or accidently, adorably getting tangled up in string are a part of our culture’s unwavering commitment to cuteness.
But, like the inspirational hang in there kitty poster from the ‘70s, cats should neither hang perilously from tree branches nor play with long, stringy items bound to result in entanglement and/or obstruction.
So, what safe cat toys should you provide your whiskered, fluff-ball of wonder? Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital has the scoop!
Process of Elimination
So, beyond yarn and string – and to prevent the need for emergency care – what else should your frisky feline avoid playing with? Continue…