Pet Care Tips

Hot Weather Health Tips for Your Pet

Here are some important tips to help keep your dog or cat safe as temperatures rise this summer:

Keep pets in well-ventilated areas.
Provide exercise early in the morning or late in the evening (the coolest times of the day).
Keep exercise to a minimum in hot weather.
Do not leave your pet in a car for any reason at any time - ever!
Whenever possible keep pets indoors in a comfortable environment during extreme weather conditions.
Limit sun exposure during the mid-day hours. Make sure your pet has access to plenty of shade when outdoors.
Give your pet plenty of fresh water, and leave the water in a shady area.
For a sudden high temperature change, allow your pet to acclimate. Many cases of heat-related illness occur in the spring when your pet is not yet used to the new warmer temperatures.
When traveling to a hotter climate, allow several days to become acclimated before allowing any vigorous exercise for your pet; work up to it gradually.
Ensure that puppies and kittens drink adequate amounts of liquids.
Choose cool toys for your dog. There are chew toys available that you can freeze. Something simple that many dogs and cats love to play with is ice cubes! Or put out a child's wading pool or sprinkler and watch your dog frolic happily.
Put a cool gel bandana on your pet when going for walks in the heat.

Remember - if it is hot for you, it is hot for them! Please keep your pets safe and happy this summer.

Skunk Odour Removal Remedy

The other night we were enjoying a relaxing moment when that unmistakable odour that no summer is complete without came wafting through our open window---eau de skunk! Over the years our dogs have succumbed to this particular call of the wild a number of times, even through our fence! We have tried many products to combat it, including Coca Cola, tomato juice, Nilodor, lemon juice, as well as products sold specifically to get rid of skunk odour.

But we have found that the least expensive, and most effective remedy is also the simplest:

Mix 10 parts Peroxide to 1 part Baking Soda.
Add a bit of degreasing dishwashing soap (Dawn or Sunlight for eg.)
Apply by spraying liberally over dry fur and alow to dry.

Or for particularly strong dose of skunk:

Mix Peroxide and Baking Soda to make a paste - about 50/50.
Scrub well into the dog's fur.
Leave on at least 10 minutes, then wash thoroughly and spray with the first solution.
With either method be sure to avoid the dog's eyes.

Providing for Your Pets Future Without You

Because pets usually have shorter life spans than their human caregivers, you may have planned for your animal friend’s passing. But what if you are the one who becomes ill or incapacitated or who dies first?

Here are some questions to consider:

What can I do now to prepare for the unexpected?
How can I ensure long-term or permanent care for my pet if I become seriously ill or die?
How do I choose a permanent caregiver?
Can I entrust the care of my pet to an organization?
Can I request that my pet be euthanized after my death?
Do I need legal assistance?
Is a will the best way to provide for my pet?
How can setting up a trust help?
Which is right for me—a will or a trust?
Consider also a Power of Attorney.

For help with answers to these questions, or other information, please call PAWS at 250-428-7297 or email us at paws@kootenay.com.

Holiday Time

The Christmas season can be especially dangerous for the inquisitive minds of pets. Tinsel can be lethal for the cat or dog who likes the feel of it on their teeth. Many streamers can also have this effect. Glass ornaments can be enticing to a playful pet but could be broken and shards ingested or pieces could easily cut into paws or mouths. Plants such as poinsettias can prove deadly to a taste-testing pet. Candy, particularly chocolate, smells delicious to a pet but can also cause illness and death. Some pets find candles fun things to chew which can lead to internal poisoning as well. Even the ribbons and tissue paper on presents can be an irresistible toy to some pets.

Please make sure your valued pet is not prone to any such habits before allowing the two to meet. We want all our pets to enjoy this Christmas and more to come.

Antifreeze Dangers

It is time for antifreeze once again. Please request the pet-friendly type to prevent fatal accidents. Pets often are attracted to the sweetness of antifreeze and may lick any that is spilled. Since antifreeze is deadly to animals it is better to prevent this problem from the start.