Since the holiday season is in mid swing, we thought we’d give you some vet recommended tips for keeping your pets safe this holiday!

Holiday Foods to keep away from your Pet

• Alcoholic beverages
• Chocolate (baker’s, semi-sweet, milk chocolate)
• Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans)
• Moldy or spoiled foods
• Onions, onion powder
• Garlic
• Fatty foods
• Salt
• Yeast dough
• Macadamia nuts

PLANTS

• Lilies that may be found in holiday flower arrangements are very toxic to your cat. Many types of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats.
• Mistletoe has the potential to cause cardiovascular problems. However, mistletoe ingestion usually only causes gastrointestinal upset.
• Holly ingestion could cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and lethargy.
• Poinsettias are over-rated in toxicity. If ingested, poinsettias can be irritating to the mouth and stomach, and may cause mild vomiting or nausea.

HAZARDS AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE

• Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers, which, if ingested, can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can be breeding grounds for bacteria, which can also lead to vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, if ingested.
• Electric cords- Avoid animal exposure to electric cords-especially puppies who like to chew on everything. If they were chewed, they could electrocute your pet. Cover up or hide electric cords, never let your pet chew on them.
• Ribbons or tinsel Keep tinsel off of the lower part of the Christmas tree where playful cats and dogs may be tempted to play with and eat these shiny objects.  Tinsel and ribbon can get caught in the intestines and stomach or even under the tongue and cause life threatening obstructions.
• Batteries contain corrosives. If ingested they can cause ulceration to the mouth, tongue, and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Glass ornaments can cut the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract if ingested.
• Potpourris are popular household fragrances commonly used during the holiday season. Pets are often exposed to liquid potpourri by direct ingestion from simmer pots or spills, or by rubbing against leaky bottles or simmer pots containing the potpourri, or from spilling the containers upon themselves. Oral exposures result following grooming. Exposure of pets to some types of liquid potpourris can result in severe oral, dermal, and ocular damage. Dry potpourri generally doesn’t cause those issues, but there may be problems due to foreign body and (possibly) toxic plant ingestion.

MEDICATIONS

Keep all prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs out of the reach of your pets, preferably in closed cabinets. Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer, drugs, antidepressants, vitamins, and diet pills are common examples of human medication that could be potentially lethal even in small dosages.

Ibuprofen tablet (200mg) can cause stomach ulcers in a 10-pound dog. Remind holiday guests to store their medications safely as well.

Acetaminophen (tylenol) can be very dangerous to pets as they do not metabolize this the same way humans do.

During the holidays, many veterinary clinics have limited office hours. In some cases, pet owners try to medicate their animals without their veterinarian’s advice. Never give your animal any medications unless under the directions of veterinarian. Many medications that are used safely in humans can be deadly when used inappropriately.

OTHER WINTER HAZARDS

• Antifreeze has a pleasant taste. Unfortunately, very small amounts can be lethal. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a cat; less than four teaspoons can be dangerous to a 10-pound dog. Thoroughly clean up any spills, store antifreeze in tightly closed containers and store in secured cabinets. Automotive products such as gasoline, oil and antifreeze should be stored in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. Propylene glycol is a safer form of antifreeze. Low Tox™ brand antifreeze contains propylene glycol and is recommended to use in pet households.
• If you think your pet has consumed antifreeze, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-4-ANI-HELP) right away!
• Ice melting products can be irritating to skin and mouth. Depending on the actual ingredient of the ice melt and the quantity, signs of ingestion would include excessive drooling, depression, vomiting or even electrolyte imbalances.
• Rat and mouse killers are used more commonly during colder weather. When using rat and mouse bait, place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your companion animals.

If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 1-888-4-ANI-HELP right away.

On this special day, we are all reminded of the things in our lives that we have to be thankful. No surprise here, but for many, our pets rank pretty high on this list of thanks. Our pets are sometimes seen as an extension of ourselves, always giving unconditional love, and asking very little in return.

So why not treat Fido to a special Thanksgiving feast of his own? In honor of Thanksgiving, we’ve created a Fido-friendly menu of table top treats that are safe for your furry four-legged friend. Here are a few of the ideas:

1. White turkey meat (without skin)

2. Plain baked sweet potato (without skin)  

3. Apple slices (remove any seeds)

4. Steamed carrots, broccoli, or green beans (without any sauces or seasonings)

5. Salt-free chicken broth

6. Plain canned pumpkin (not the pumpkin pie filling)

On the other hand, there are a few things that you should avoid feeding your dog:

1. Fatty Foods-According to the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, feeding dogs large quantities of a new food, as well as fatty foods, such as turkey gravy, mashed potatoes with butter, and dressing, can cause pancreatitis. This potentially deadly inflammation of the pancreas produces severe symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting.

2. Turkey Skin-Turkey skin is high in fat, hard to digest, and also contains whatever marinades (oil or butter) and seasonings that you use. All of these things can cause your dog to have an upset stomach and should be avoided.

3. Cooked Bones-Cooked bird bones (turkey, duck, etc) can be very dangerous to dogs. Cooked bones splinter and break easily, so that sharp pieces of bone may possibly tear the intestines. A bone could pass by itself, but more often it becomes lodged in the dog’s throat, which could cause choking, or it could possibly cause an intestinal obstruction.

4. Chocolate- Chocolates contain theobromine, a stimulant found in the cocoa bean which is harmful to dogs. Theobromine  increases urination and affects the central nervous system as well as heart muscle and can mildly increase blood pressure. While amounts of theobromine vary according to the kind of chocolate (white chocolate contains much less than baker’s chocolate), chocolate is a food that owners should steer clear of feeding their dog all together.

5. Onions-Onions are toxic to dogs. They can lead to a life threatening form of anemia that may not be detected for days.

6. Alochol-Alcohol can cause many problems in pets including behavioral changes, kidney damage, respiratory problems, heart problems, or even death. 

7. Large amounts of people food-If your dog is not already accustomed to eating people food, give them little snacks sparingly. Large amounts of people food may irritate their stomach.

So enjoy this Thanksgiving with Fido – just make sure that you feed him safe treats, and everyone will be happy–and healthy.

Sprinks Pick for a Dog Costume

Why dress your dog up as a Chia Pet for Halloween? We think a better question is why NOT??

Sprinks Pick for a Cat Costume: Lobster

We’re not recommending that you put your cat in a pot…but you have to admit a cat dressed as a lobster is awfully cute!

Cutest Dog Costume: Superman

We’re not sure what is more cute…the actual costume or the pink blush on the dog. Either way, you have to admit that this costume is absolutely adorable.

Cutest Cat Costume: Pikachu

This costume is absolutely adorable. Since this is the second photo that included adding color to the pet’s cheeks, it is probably safe to assume that colored cheeks are cute!

Funniest Dog Costume: Caveman

The accessories are what make this costume so hilarious. The crazy black mullet wig really sets the leopard print off, dontcha think?

Funniest Cat Costume: Rice Crispy Treat

 A cat dressed up as a rice crispy treat? The photo speaks volumes more than anything we could ever say.

Most Unique Dog Costume: Panda

No these aren’t some sort of hybrid…these dogs are chows that have been dyed to look like pandas. This trend began in Japan and has slowly started to spread.

Most Unique Cat Costume: Skeleton

This costume is so unique that at first glance, it doesn’t even look like a cat! This cat appears to have been dyed as well. It was an easy pick for a most unique winner.

Most Popular Costume for a Dog: Hot Dog

A hot dog is as cute a costume for a dog as it is as ironic. As a result, it has stayed one of the most popular costumes for dogs over the years.

Most Popular Costume for a Cat: Devil Cat

The popularity of the devil cat costume has held throughout the years, and will most likely continue to be a popular choice.

Most Scary Costume for a Dog: Vampire

Okay, we’ll admit it: there aren’t very many costumes that I dog could wear that would make them appear scary. Fortunately, a vampire dog is scary. If not scary, at least kind of creepy.

Most Scary Costume for a Cat: Frankenstein

Frankenstein is a scary enough character on his own, and a cat dressed up as Frankie is almost just as scary.

Getting the cat into the carrier was no problem because it was so weak. We drove the cat to the nearest animal ER and were seen immediately. We were told that because the cat was stray, it would be considered a county animal and would probably be euthanized because of the poor condition it was in. Let me just say right now, that I absolutely cannot stand the idea of a pet getting put down. Just the thought of it makes me tear up. So my fiancé and I took a moment and discussed things and decided that we would like to take ownership of the cat so that we could save him.

The vet came in and told us an estimate of how much it would cost to keep the cat overnight ($1,500-$2,000).  They were unsure if the cat would even make it overnight. We asked the vet if they would run a diagnostics test before we made such a large financial commitment to the cat. The diagnostic test came back with bad results: the cat’s kidneys were in bad shape. The vet told us that the kidney problem could either be acute or chronic, she didn’t know. She also told us that there was a chance that even with treatment that the cat might die. She recommended that the cat be kept in the E.R. for a week which could cost upwards of $6,000. Since there was no guarantee that the cat would live after paying so much money, we made the very difficult decision to have the cat euthanized. The rest of the day was very difficult for us both.

Because of this story, my fiancée and I went to our local shelter and adopted a black cat over the weekend (we chose to get a black cat due to the superstition that black cats are “unlucky”, so many of them go without finding a home and eventually get euthanized).

Many cats and dogs and dogs go without owners and are held at shelters and rescues while they hope for a kind owner to take them into their home. These animals are stressed out, and it is common for them to get sick because of their stress, and spread illness to other pets in the shelter.  

Because of this, I urge you all to consider adoption if you are looking to add a pet to your family. Many shelters and rescues spay/neuter animals, provide them with up to date shots, and sometimes even microchip the pets. Sometimes pets that are not adopted within a certain amount of time are euthanized.  Animals of all ages and all sizes are available for adoption; there is a good match for every person. Please spread the word of pet adoption to your friends and family members so that maybe you can save a pet in need! To find an animal shelter near you click here.  

There are some things that dogs instinctively know how to do. Barking, growling, and body language, are all instincts that come naturally to dogs. Swimming however, is not something that all dogs naturally know how to do.

Since not all dogs know how to swim, it is imperative to make sure that before you take your dog swimming that you ensure that they know how to swim. To read our article on teaching dogs how to swim, click here.

Do not throw or force your dog into the water. Forcing a fearful dog in to water can cause your dog to become fearful.

If you dog seems reluctant to the water, slowly lead him or her into the water, first making sure to get their paws familiar with water.

Set aside time for your dog to rest. A fatigued dog is more at risk of drowning than a dog that is not tired.

Show your dog the appropriate way to exit the pool. You can do this by getting in and out of the pool with your dog. Do this several times to ensure that they understand how to reach the steps.

Never leave your dog at a pool or in the ocean unattended. Failing to supervise your dog in the water can lead to injury, or even worse, death.

Do not let your dog drink the water. Salt water and chlorine can make your dog sick. Instead, keep a fresh bowl of water by the poolside or back by your spot on the beach.

Dry your dog’s ears. Moisture left in the ear can cause ear infections.

Rinse your dog off after they get out of the water. Salt water and chlorine can dry and irritate your dog’s skin and coat.

Keep your pet hydrated. Being properly hydrated is especially important over the summer months. To keep your pet properly hydrated, make sure that there is fresh, clean water accessible for your pet. You may also want to consider monitoring your pet’s water intake to ensure they are drinking a substantial amount of water. Common signs of dehydration within pets include: panting, lethargy, sunken in eyes, loss of appetite,  and dry mouth. If you think that your pet may be dehydrated, bring it to the vet ASAP.

Groom your pet on a regular basis. If you have a dog, consider giving him a lightweight haircut for the summer months. It is important to leave some fur so as not to expose the skin to the sun. People who have cats can brush them more often than usual in the summer months which can help prevent problems caused by excessive heat. The thought process is simple: more grooming equals less pet hair, which means that less heat is trapped in.

Do not leave your pet alone in a parked car. Even with the windows down, a parked car can still be extremely hot and can even lead to a heat stroke. If you think you may be going somewhere that requires you to leave your pet in the car, it is best to just leave your pet at home.

Keep an eye out for heat stroke. Heavy panting, salivating, and foaming may all be first signs of a heat related problem. Other more serious symptoms can include vomiting or lethargy. If you suspect that your pet may experiencing heat stroke, take them to a cool location and give them cold, fresh water. If your pet does not seem to improve within a few minutes, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Help pets avoid getting a sunburn. Provide your pet with ample amounts shade and an FDA approved pet sunblock (there is not yet a FDA approved sunblock available for cats). If you choose to apply sunscreen to your pet, it is crucial that you watch your pet to ensure that they do not lick the sunscreen off (this is toxic) while it is still in the process of soaking the sunscreen of their skin.

Keep pets from burning their pets on asphalt. Black asphalt radiates heat and can burn your pet’s paws when it is warm outside. Your best bet is just to avoid asphalt altogether while the weather is hot.

Watch pets while they swim. Dogs need supervision while they are swimming because not all dogs are strong swimmers. You should also rinse your dog off after they swim to rid their coat and skin of chlorine or salt which can be harsh on a dog’s skin.

Sprinks went searching for some doggie clothes for the fashion conscious doggie and we were very pleased with what we found! One of our favorite doggie shirts comes from a company called Dress My Rescue. Not only are Dress My Rescue’s clothes cute, but they support a good cause as well. Dress my Rescue offers pet clothing that is designed to raise awareness about pet adoption, spaying and neutering.

We love the combination of encouraging people to adopt and fashion!

All of Dress My Rescue’s designs come in both pink and brown trim and sizes XS-4X. All clothing is sweatshop free and made in the US. For more information on the Dress My Rescue line, visit their website at www.dressmyrescue.com.

So as a tribute to pet videos (and for your entertainment), we’re listing our top 3 funny and top 3 adorable pet videos.  If you have any videos you’d like to share with us we encourage you to leave a comment and maybe we’ll feature it in future blog entries.

Sprinks Top 3 Hilarious Pet Videos

1.       Guilty Dog Video

2.       Dog is Afraid His Leg Will Steal His Bone

3.       Dog Kicks Cat out of His Bed

Sprinks Top 3 Adorable Pet Videos

1.       Ticklish Kitten

2.       Dog Plays with Baby

3.       Cat Drinks Water From Faucet

You can also check out our Sprinks Youtube channel! We have video footage of our office dog Otis making friends while traveling, as well as clips of our Sprinks Travel Calm CD.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has deployed to Japan in efforts to help animals that were affected by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. WSPA has dedicated the efforts to locating animals that have been left behind and linking them with more animal welfare groups to ensure that the animals get proper care they need in this time of disaster. The American Humane Association is also accepting donations to aide in providing disaster relief to animals in Japan. World Vets, a nonprofit organization is busy organizing veterinary medicine and supplies for pets in need.

All in all, people seem to be banding together in an effort to help out people and animals that have been affected by the tragic natural disasters in Japan. Our thoughts go out to those in need and to the people helping out in Japan as well. For more information on these organizations and how you can help, see the links below.

World Society for the Protection of Animals Website

American Humane Association Website

World Vets Website

1. Make your pet comfortable being by the car. Your pet should be comfortable by the car before you try to take them in a ride in the car. Reward your pet with a treat for simply being by the car. Ignore any negative behavior.

2. Have your pet sit in the car with the engine OFF. Once again, reward your pet for being good while in the car. Do not give any attention to negative behavior.

3. Have your pet sit in the car with the engine ON. As before, acknowledge and reward good behavior while ignoring negative behavior.

4. Drive around the block with your pet. Rewarding positive behavior and ignoring negative behavior.

5. Slowly increase the length of your trips. Remember to reward good behavior and do not pay attention to bad behavior.

6. Keep your window rolled down a little. This will help claustrophobic pets feel more at ease.

7. Use the car for “good” trips too. If you’re only using your car to take your pet to the vet or groomers, they may associate your car as a prelude to go somewhere they don’t like and act anxious as a result. Try driving your pet to the park or go on a short drive around the neighborhood and feed him/her treats after the ride has been completed.

8. For “quick fixes” consider a calming supplement. The Sprinks product line features Relax, an all natural calming supplement that will ease discontentment in dogs, especially during car trips. For more information on Relax, click here.

9. Bring a “touch of home” with you. Familiar things like your pet’s bed or favorite blanket can make them feel more comfortable.

10. Ask your vet for a sedative. This should be used as a last resort to calming your pet.