There will be millions of backyard barbecues over Labor Day weekend. Since our pets are members of the family, we want them to participate in this end of summer ritual, but picnics pose some dangers for the family pet. If you are the host family for the backyard barbecue, make sure your pets are safely corralled inside the house. Some cats will want to hide under the bed when the guests begin to arrive, but curious cats may try to join the party and could slip outside unnoticed. Make sure all pets have collars with ID tags and microchips before the party starts.

Dogs are more likely than cats to join the party, but party food should be off the menu for dogs. The picnic table laden with summer treats is a buffet of hazards for Fido. Barbecued chicken, ribs and steaks all contain bones which can be splintered and lodged somewhere in the esophagus or intestine. Stuck bones can be a holiday-wrecking emergency requiring endoscopy or surgery for removal. Trash can-raiding dogs will eat corncobs and peach pits — two other commonly stuck food items.

The dessert and drink tables are no safer. Chocolate, whether in cake or brownies, should not be on your dog’s menu as chocolate is toxic to dogs. Even the fruit tray can be a problem. Grapes and raisins both cause kidney failure in dogs. Why dogs are so sensitive and humans are resistant to the effects of these fruits is unknown. The sweet taste of fruity summer drinks left unattended on the lawn is attractive to dogs, but alcoholic beverages are a no-no. A few sips of an alcoholic beverage by a small pup can easily result in intoxication.

Whether you spend this weekend in your backyard, the beach or the woods, fleas and ticks will be there too. These pesky creatures are still active this time of year spreading disease causing organisms to both people and pets by their bites. Many dogs are allergic to flea bites and will have their weekend ruined by itching if bitten by a flea, so don’t forget this month’s dose of flea and tick preventative. Have a fun and relaxing holiday weekend by keeping the pets and humans in your family safe and well.

Watch Out For Fertilizers and Deadly Plants

Summer is often a time when people fertilize their lawns and work in their gardens. But beware: Plant food, fertilizer, and insecticides can be fatal if your pet ingests them. In addition, more than 700 plants can produce physiologically active or toxic substances in sufficient amounts to cause harmful effects in animals.

Stay Bite-Free

With people and dogs spending more time outside, dog bites are likely to increase in the summer months. Spaying or neutering your dog reduces the likelihood that he will bite and provides many other health benefits.

Pet Care 101

Make sure your pet is always wearing a collar and identification tag. If you are separated from your pet, an ID tag may very well be his or her ticket home.

Check with your veterinarian to see if your pets should be taking heartworm prevention medication. Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal in both dogs and cats. Another summertime threat is fleas and ticks. Use only flea and tick treatments recommended by your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter flea and tick products can be toxic, even when used according to instructions.

GREEN DOGS FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY 

The ASPCA’s “Animal Poison Control Center” views on dyeing your pet green for St. Patrick’s Day is clear.  Don’t do it.  When asked “If, under any circumstances, is it safe to dye your pet green for St. Patrick’s Day?” Dr. Hansen, a veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president of ASPC’s Animal Poison Control Center, replied, “When dyeing animal fur, there is always a chance that animals may not tolerate odors or residues left by these products.  Further, they may not react favorably to the change in response that humans will exhibit when they encounter strangely colored pets, or they could have allergic reactions or eye irritation depending on the product formulation.”   So go ahead and indulge in all of that green fair, but please leave Fido the color he was born to be! (courtesy of the ASPCA)

‘Tis the season for friends, family and holiday feasts—but also for possible distress for our animal companions. Pets won’t be so thankful if they munch on undercooked turkey or a pet-unfriendly floral arrangement, or if they stumble upon an unattended alcoholic drink.

Check out the following tips from ASPCA experts for a fulfilling Thanksgiving that your pets can enjoy, too.

Talkin’ Turkey
If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don’t offer her raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.

Sage Advice
Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish, but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils.

No Bread Dough
Don’t spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal’s body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.

Don’t Let Them Eat Cake
If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.

Too Much of a Good Thing
A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem. However, don’t allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.

A Feast Fit for a Kong
While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Offer them rawhide strips, Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones. Or stuff their usual dinner—perhaps with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles of gravy—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard to extract their dinner from the toy.

Summer is a great time of year to adopt a new pet. Most schedules are a little more flexible in the summer, children are out of school and the weather isn’t bad.

All of the shelters are overflowing with kittens. Some are offering two-for-one on kittens, which is a good deal, because they will come with all their vaccinations and spayed/neutered.

Also, anyone who has ever adopted a kitten knows, two are better than one. They will spend hours chasing and playing with each other.

It’s a lot of work to adopt a puppy. As a general rule, puppies can hold off using the bathroom as many hours as they are old in months.

That means you can’t expect a 2-month-old puppy to not go to the bathroom for eight hours or more while you’re at work. That’s how so many animals don’t get housebroken and end up losing their homes.

Don’t set your new pet up for failure. If you are a two-income busy family, don’t get a puppy. Adopt an adult dog from a rescue group or shelter.

Having pets in the workplace can create a more productive work environment, lower stress, decrease employee absenteeism, and make employees more willing to work overtime. Companies that allow pets at work also have experienced improvement in employee morale. Partly due to the profileration of small businesses, more and more companies allow pets in the workplace.

Plan for a safe, successful visit

* Take only well-behaved pets who are comfortable and reliably safe around strangers. Leave pets who show aggressive tendencies towards people at home.

* Make sure your dog understands the basic commands, such as SIT, STAY and DOWN.

* If other animals will be at the workplace, do not take a pet who displays aggression to other animals.

* Use flea preventive before taking your pet to work. Also, brush and clip nails before office visits. And remember, smelly and dirty pets can result in complaints.

* Make sure your cubicle or office can comfortably accommodate your dog.

Save for Your Pet

Just like your pet should be included in your budget, there is no reason why they can not be a part of your savings plan. Many of us would do anything to save or improve the lives of our pets so take consideration of medical emergencies when devising your savings plan.

Bathe Your Pet on Your Own

Keeping your pet groomed with regular brushings should limit the number of more intense grooming practices. Purchase a good quality pet shampoo and get your pet used to being bathed at home. It’s a good bonding experience for both pet and owner. If you aren’t comfortable about clipping nails or shaving fur, research local clinics that will help teach you some safety tips.

Shop In Bulk

If there are certain things your pet can’t live without - think litter, dry food, non-perishable treats - shop at wholesale outlets and buy in bulk to get the best savings, provided you have the storage area to put it in.

Don’t Get Caught Up in Cutsie

The pet market is expanding rapidly. Due to the increased exposure of celebrities and their pets with clothes, strollers, and diamonds, there is a larger market than ever for merchandise solely for pets of every kind. Avoid the kitschy stuff out there for your pets and don’t fall for the impulsive buys that can cost you more than can afford. Stick to the basics - food, water, shelter, and lots of love.

• Summer is a time when people tend to fertilize their lawns and work in their gardens more often, but beware.  Plant food, fertilizer, and insecticides can be fatal if your pet ingests them.  In addition, more than 700 plants can produce toxic substances in sufficient amounts to cause harmful effects in animals.

• With people and dogs spending more time outside, dog bites are likely to increase in the summer months.  Spaying or neutering your dog will make them less agressive and reduce the likelihood that he or she will bite.  It also provides many other health benefits.

• Make sure your pet is always wearing a collar and identification tag.  If you are separated from your pet, an ID tag may very well be his or her ticket home.  Browse through all the different tags available at TagsforPets.com.

• Check with your veterinarian to see if your pets should be taking heartworm prevention medication.  Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal in both dogs and cats. 

 ~ Staff at TagsforPets.com

Getting a new pet is a very big responsibility. There are many things to take into consideration before bringing a new pet into your home. A pet is like a child; it will require a lot of attention and care.  Make sure you are absolutely ready for a commitment before deciding to adopt a pet.  

Once you have made the decision to get a pet, you can begin to prepare for it.  Before bringing your new pet home, you should purchase all of the necessary supplies.  You will need the basic items, such as food, food and water bowls, pet bedding, leashes, collars, litter boxes, litter, etc.  It is also a good idea to get some toys and treats for the new member of your family, since you will want them to feel comfortable and loved.  

Another crucial item to have for your pet is identification.  All pets should have a collar with a tag on it.  The tag should have your phone number and your pet’s name on it.  This is very important because if your pet ever gets out and gets lost, there is a much better chance of being reunited with your pet if he or she can be easily identified.  There are many colors, shapes, and sizes of tags to choose from on TagsForPets.com.   

Also, make sure to safety-proof your home before bringing in your new pet.  Remember, a pet is like a baby.  There are many precautions that should be taken.  Small items should be kept out of reach to avoid choking or swallowing.  Electrical cords should be neatly tied away so that pets cannot chew on them.  Household chemicals should be locked away in cabinets, and indoor plants should be kept out of reach of pets since they can sometimes be harmful or poisonous to pets.  

After you have made all of these preparations, you will be ready to give your new pet a safe and loving home!

One of the most common questions among new pet owners is, “Should I spay/neuter my pet?”  This is an issue of great debate.  Many people feel that you should not change what is natural.  However, there are actually many reasons why you should spay or neuter your pet.  For one thing, it reduces overpopulation.  It also has many health benefits for the pet.

Pet overpopulation is a very big problem nowadays.  There are already too many cats and dogs being born that will not be able to have a proper home.  When no one can take care of them, they end up either in the wild left to their own defenses, or in shelters where they may eventually be put down for lack of space. According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are over three million pets euthanized each year because there are just not enough homes for them.  Everyone can help prevent this from happening by “fixing” their pets.

 Another important reason to spay or neuter your pet are for the health benefits. Many pets face reproductive health issues that can be prevented by spaying and neutering them.  The risk of testicular cancer in male pets is greatly reduced by neutering.  Also, female pets often face complications from pregnancy and labor that can be harmful and fatal.  In addition, when pets are spayed and neutered, you will not have to worry about having them suffer while they are in heat.  Your pets will not be distracted or uncomfortable, and therefore they will be be happier.

If you are thinking about getting a new pet, you should discuss the option of spaying and neutering with your veterinarian.  Spaying and neutering pets can keep them healthy and happy.