Pet Auto Safety

A couple years ago we write an article called “No Turkey Bones About It – Food Harmful to Dogs“. It is a good article to read every year around the holidays. Click the title above or the photo of the dog with the turkey and you will be directed to the article written on this blog in November 2009.

It is the last holiday of the summer so let’s go enjoy it!  Many of us will be hanging out at the lake this Labor Day weekend.  If you’re like me, you are going to take your dog.  Here are a few important pet safety tips to remember:

* When driving out to the lake, be sure everyone including your pet is safely restrained in the vehicle.  Your dog should use a pet safety device such as dog car harness, pet car seat, or pet crate.
* Be sure everyone wears sunscreen.  Consider sunscreen for your dog too – especially if your dog has short fur.
* Pet safety means keeping your dog on a leash unless he is in an off-leash area for dogs.  There are many reasons for keeping your pet on a leash.  You don’t want him wandering off and getting lost.  With so many people about, you do not want your dog getting into trouble with people or other dogs.  And you don’t want your dog wandering around picking up scraps of food or garbage.
* Bring plenty of water.  Don’t forget your dog’s water bowl so he can drink too.  Just because you are at the lake doesn’t mean your dog should be allowed to drink from it.
* Be aware of the dangers of heat stroke.  Watch for signs and if any person or pet exhibits signs, get them somewhere cool as soon as possible.  Signs of heat exhaustion include vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, and increased heart rate.  For dogs symptoms also include excessive panting, pale gums, and/or a bright red tongue.
* Stay away from pond scum.  As per our pet safety article on our American Dog Blog, blue-green algae can be harmful for both you and your pets.
* If you are going on a boat, be sure everyone including your pet wears a life jacket.  Boating accidents are common and should your dog fall or get tossed overboard, you want him to be able to keep afloat until help comes.

If there are any other pet safety issues you can think of, let us know.  And have a happy and safe Labor Day weekend!!!

In most cases, dogs hate fireworks.  Visit our American Dog Blog for a great article on how to keep your pets safe this 4th of July.

Happy Memorial Day from Sephi and Maya.  Remember to keep your dog safe when you travel this holiday season.  Travel safe and be safe wherever you and your dog go.

Pet Travel Safety
Keep your dog in the back seat with a pet net or pet barrier, have him wear his dog car seatbelt, or put him in a pet car seat.

Provide Water and Shade
If you are traveling a long distance, make sure your dog has plenty of water and do not leave him in alone in the car.  Just because it is cool outside this time of year does not mean that it won’t get as hot as an oven in your car.  If outdoors, be sure you dog has a shaded place to rest.  You may also want to consider sunscreen for you dog - especially short-haired breeds.

Identification and Restraint
Before traveling with your dog, make sure all his id tags and/or microchipping have your current contact information.  Your dog should be on a leash at all times when outside unless you are sure the area of a yard or enclosed dog park has secured fencing.  If your dog is boating, he should have his own dog life jacket.

Barbeque Dangers
If barbequing, keep foodstuff away from your dog.  Food like chicken have bones and should not be given to your dog.  Dogs should not have onions, chocolate, nuts (except peanuts), or grapes.  Fattening food should be avoided or it may make your dog’s tummy upset.  Also, keep your dog away from the barbeque pit.  A wagging tail can be dangerous around fire.  And over excited dog may accidentally run into the barbeque pit, knocking it down or knocking out hot coals.Be Aware of the Surroundings

Keep a close eye on your dog whenever he is around a lot of people, and especially small children.  Some dogs are uncomfortable around a lot of people and kids and he may react negatively if he feels cornered.  Your dog may be good around children and other people, but children and other people may not be good with your dog.  Protect your dog’s comfort as well as his safety.  Also, be aware of any loud noises which may disturb your dog.  Will there be a military memorial service in the area where shots will be fired?  Your dog will most likely be terrified of these types of sound and may try to escape them.

If you are like me, your dog is your family and you want to take him wherever you go.  You also want him safe and happy.  Pet travel safety and other pet safety is important.  Enjoy the holiday weekend and every day with your family.

It may be cool outside right now in this early spring weather.  There might even be a nice breeze.  But don’t be fooled.  It might be nice outside but your car is like an oven.  It traps heat even with the windows down and parked in the shade.

So please don’t leave your dog unattended in the car.  Don’t let your name be in the paper under the heading, “Yet Another Dog Left in the Car Dies”.  Even if you just want to go the store for just a few minutes, don’t do it.  Skip the trip to the store on your way home from the dog park.  Take your dog home first, then go to the store.

This is one of the worst ways to lose your beloved pet.  A dog suffers terribly before he dies of heat exhaustion and the responsible owner suffers guilt.  Check out MyDogIsCool.com for more information, fliers, and more.

It’s almost spring and time for vacationing again.  Spring Break is coming up too, so what will you do?  One popular vacationing pastime it is to go camping.  Camping is fun for your entire family.  Whether you stay in a cabin, motor home, or tent, there is nothing like exploring the great outdoors.  If your camping trip includes bringing your family dog, don’t forget some important pet safety tips.

Identification
Anytime you travel with your dog, make sure he is wearing his identification tags.  Make sure the tags are secure on his collar and that his collar is in good shape and not likely to break or come off.  Also consider having your pet microchipped.  We have heard some great news stories about lost dogs getting back home again thanks to microchipping.

Leash
Whenever you travel with your dog to a new place, make sure he is always on a leash.  A dog in a new environment could easily wander off and get lost.  Or something could frighten him and he could run off.  It’s tempting to let your dog explore the great outdoors, but getting lost is just one of the many dangers when camping with your dog.

Wild Animals
Encountering wild animals is more likely when camping with your dog.  If your dog is not on a leash, he may encounter dangerous wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, or snakes, just to name a few.  Raccoons can vicious when cornered and also carry diseases.  Skunks, of course, can spray and ruin everyone’s vacation.  Snakes could be venomous.

Harmful Plants
Watch out for harmful plants as well.  Know which plants can be harmful and keep yourself and your dog away from them.  Harmful plant can include poison oak, poison ivy, briar and other thorned plants.  Other plants could be harmful if eaten.  Most dogs probably won’t eat plants, but it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.

Insects
Your dog is probably more likely to encounter fleas and ticks in the wilderness than at home.  Have him treated with a flea and tick product like Advantix or Frontline.  Flea collars don’t work very well, especially if your dog encounters a highly infested area.  Mosquitos could be another problem.  Mosquitos can transmit heartworms.  If your dog is not on a heartworm preventative, then find a pet safe mosquito repellant.  It is very important that you find a mosquito repellant that is specifically safe for pets.  Repellant which is okay for people may not be okay for pets.  Check your local pet store rather than a general merchandise store.

Fire Safety
Keep your dog away from the camp fire and barbeque pit.  It will probably be easy to keep your dog away from a campfire as dogs are generally instinctively cautious of a fire.  But watch out for his wagging tail.

Water Safety
If you are camping near water and your dog is not a good swimmer, consider a dog life jacket.  If your dog is a good swimmer but the current is swift, consider a dog life jacket.  If you will be going out on a boat, consider a dog life jacket.  Most dogs can swim, but not all, and not all can swim well in a swift current or if they get caught in the water far away from shore.

Leaving Your Dog Alone
If at all possible, don’t leave your dog alone at the campsite.  You dog could escape from a tent.  He may even be able to escape from a cabin.  And motorhomes have their own danger.  I have heard of the electricity going out of a motor home while the family was away and their dog who was left there alone died of heat exhaustion.  Extreme heat could also be a danger in a tent or cabin.  And don’t leave your dog tied up outside alone.  Besides the chance of your dog getting loose, he could also encounter wild animals and other dangers.

These are important pet safety tips no matter where you travel with your dog.  So no matter where you travel this spring, make sure your dog is safe.

It’s almost spring.  Time to be outdoors again.  Your dog misses the dog park and other fun travel destinations.  But with warm weather and more travel, your dog is likely to encounter parasites like fleas and ticks.

Ticks are small parasites that can cause a variety of big problems for your dog. Aside from their nasty habit of sucking your dog’s blood, ticks can carry disease and even cause anemia and paralysis. One of the best ways to avoid the hassles and hazards of a tick infestation is to use a topical preventative like K9 Advantix. It’s also a good idea to get to know ticks so you can learn to identify and avoid them.

Ticks often lurk in tall grass or thick vegetation, waiting to attach to a host. Heat and movement attract ticks, so your warm, active pup is in need of extra protection against them. Once a tick finds a host to feed on, it will attach itself and drink the host’s blood for a few hours to several days. Ticks can live for a few months and some even live for years. An adult female tick can lay hundreds of eggs at a time. Ticks develop from eggs to larvae, nymphs then adults. Once out of the egg, ticks of any stage of life will attach to a host body. For this reason, ticks can range in size from the size of a pen point to the size of a bean.

To check your dog for ticks, feel over his body for bumps, especially around his ears, neck and other areas where the fur may be thinner. If you feel any bumps, part your pup’s fur and use a flashlight to see if you can identify a tick. Should you spot a tick, your veterinarian can assist you in removing it quickly and cleanly. Never squeeze a tick as doing so can cause bacteria and disease to be injected into your dog. Keep in mind that if your dog may be exposed to ticks, prevention and early detection are key to keeping your four-legged friend tick-free.

If you are traveling to a water destination with your dog this spring, you may want to consider a dog life vest.  Even if your dog does not plan on going into the water, a dog life vest is as important for your dog as it is for a person when you are going on a boat.

My dog Maya, really likes to swim.  I get worried when she swims so much that she is exhausted so I don’t throw the stick or ball out as far into the lake.  The solution – she sometimes wears a dog life vest.

My parents have a sail boat.  Maya loves the water so much that I am afraid that she will jump out.  The solution – she wears a dog life vest.

A dog life vest should have a handle on the back so that if they fall in the water, all you have to do is lift them out.  Maya is a bit heavy, but if worse comes to worse, emergency personnel can help.

Check out this very informative post by one of our guest bloggers in the UK - Why, When and Where is a Dog Life Jacket Needed? By Juliette Morgan.  Juliette Morgan is very knowledgeable!  If you are in the UK, visit her website at www.edoglifejacket.co.uk.  The photo above is of her dog, Dougie.  Isn’t he adorable?!  If you are in the US, visit our Amazon Affiliate store at http://astore.amazon.com/outdoordoggear-20.

This is a busy time of year.  Despite the cold, you are going out for shopping more than usual.  Perhaps you are even doing more volunteer work this holiday season.  You are out doors putting up Christmas decorations.  And you are visiting family and friends more.  During this crazy time, you can lose track of things.  You might forget to close the front door all the way, or the front gate.  And out Rover goes to do some visiting of his own.

Or perhaps you are visiting family and friends and taking Rover with you.  Other people may not be used to closing your parent’s front gate or making sure Rover doesn’t get out.  Rover is in unfamiliar territory which makes him more inclined to go check out the neighbor’s Christmas decorations.

With these things in mind, it is very important that Rover is wearing his dog tags.  Be sure Rover’s dog tag information is up to date and that the information has not worn off with wear and tear.  Make sure his dog tags are secure on his collar.  Replace the metal ring the dog tag is attached with if it is bent or rusty.

Dog tags or dog collars can sometimes still come off.  So you may want to also consider microchipping for your dog.  It is super easy for your vet to do and takes just a few seconds.  It is no more painful to Rover than it is for him to get his vaccinations.  Microchipping is also fairly inexpensive –about $25-$40 per year.  If your dog is microchipped, make sure the contact information on the scan is accurate.  And if not, call the company which logs the microchipped information and have your name, address, and/or phone number updated.  Add emergency contacts as well.

Don’t let your dog get away from you this Holiday Season.  Whether your dog stays home or your dog travels with you, make sure he is always carrying his identification.  Dog tags and microchipping will increase your pet’s chances of getting back home in time for the holidays.

Spring is here and it’s time to go to the lake or the beach again. And if you are like me, you are probably going to want to take your dog. The lake or the beach is a fun place to visit, but it can also be dangerous. The American Dog Blog has some great safety tips for every member of your family. Read the bulleted points below, then visit the American Dog Blog for more details.

* Wear Life Jackets

* Beware of Water Anomalies - such as sneaker waves, rip currents, and underwater debris.

* Beware of Other Animals - both animals on the water’s edge and in the water.

* Wear Sunscreen

* Keep an Emergency Kit Handy

* Keep Fresh Water Available

* Beware of Heat Exhaustion

* Watch for Fatigue

* Protect Your Dog’s Feet from Glass, Hot Sand, Sharp Rocks

* Rinse Off Ocean Salt Water