Tag Archives: pet safety

Fourth of July Pet Safety

On Friday one of the DJ’s for my local radio station mentioned upcoming Fourth of July celebrations, and she warned dog owners about fireworks. She said that she sees more fliers go up for missing dogs on July 5 than just about any other day of the year, all because of the fireworks noise. It’s something that never occurred to me, but it makes a lot of sense. Depending on where you live and how loud noise from fireworks might be in your yard, Independence Day, while fun for us humans, could prove frightening for our pets. If you keep … Continue reading →

Bringing Your Dog to Work: Keeping the Office Safe

If your dog will be joining you at the workplace, you need to take steps to make sure your office is pup-safe and pup-friendly. Make sure your personal workspace can comfortably accommodate a dog. When I used to bring Miko to the radio station, he would curl up and sleep underneath the counter while I was on the air. It was perfectly Miko-sized! (I wish I had pictures of this, too!) Keep all power cords and wires out of range — you don’t want your pup nibbling on any electrical cords. I caught my dog Lally chewing on the cord … Continue reading →

Summer Gathering Safety for Pets

A backyard barbeque or garden party can be fun for the whole family — including your pets. Here are some tips to help ensure that your four-legged friends have a good and safe time. Take your dog on a nice, long walk before guests arrive. If he’s already tired, he will be less likely to jump, bark, or be over-enthusiastic in his greetings. Set up a safe place for your pets to get away from the activity of a cookout or party. Maybe a bed or blanket in a shady spot; maybe a safe room inside where the guests won’t … Continue reading →

Water Safety for Pets

With the official start of summer just days away, this is a good time to take a look at water safety. Whether you’re bringing your pup along for a boat ride or just lounging by the pool, it is your responsibility to keep ALL family members safe. Do you know if your dog can swim? Closely supervise your pet’s first interactions with water. Forcing him into the water can lead to stress and fear — my brother tossed one of his dogs into the pool once and now she won’t go near it. Even if your dog is a strong … Continue reading →

Hot Days (and Hot Dogs) Ahead

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The temperature yesterday was in the 70s in the Portland, Oregon area. By tomorrow, forecasts are calling for temperatures in the 90s! It looks to me like summer is coming… and coming fast. Dealing with the heat is somewhat easier for people than for pets. After all, we have thumbs for turning on the air conditioning… or the option of escaping to a cool, dark movie theater when the sun is too much. Some dogs do love the sun and heat, though. My brother’s American Staffordshire Terrier Lily Biscuits just loves sunshine. She’ll sprawl out on the warm concrete sidewalk … Continue reading →

Do You Have a Pet Emergency Evacuation Plan?

The spooky incident with my neighbor’s fire yesterday got me to thinking about emergency evacuation plans. Namely, how I don’t have one. Which was something I’d never really considered before. Have you? Sure, I had thought about how to help Murph and the cats if I wasn’t there by posting an I.C.E sticker. But I’d never really considered what I’d do if I was there during the emergency. For some, like my neighbor Cindy, the question isn’t a hypothetical one. She’s got real-life experience in two types of scenarios. One where the danger was imminent and another where it’s urgent … Continue reading →

Lead Paint a Concern in Pet Products Too?

All the coverage about lead paint contaminating some kids’ toys got me to thinking: China also manufactures pet toys and bowls. Are they using the same paint on those as well? It stands to reason they would. I haven’t seen anything on the news about this yet –at least not in my area– so I Googled it and found that some others had my same train of thought. Pet Products DO Contain Lead Paint Albuquerque’s KOAT 7 conducted an investigation into the matter using an at-home lead testing kit. They tested a yellow dog ball, a green ceramic pet bowl, … Continue reading →

Cold Weather Care For Pets

Although winter doesn’t officially start until December 21st, the temperatures are starting to dip! At least… here in the Northern Hemisphere they are. So if you live in an area that’s heading into winter, keep these cold weather pet care tips in mind! Cold weather care tips for cats: Try to keep your cats inside during the cold weather months! Cats can easily become lost in the ice and snow — especially during a snowstorm. Check before starting your car — outdoor cats can sleep under the hood for warmth and be injured or killed when the car is started. … Continue reading →

Halloween Safety for Pets

Halloween can be a lot of fun for your pets; it can also be a dangerous and stressful time for your four-legged friends. First and foremost: don’t let your pets eat any chocolate! Chocolate is dangerous for both dogs and cats. Even the wrappers can be harmful for your pets, causing blockages and digestive problems. Other things to watch out for: People in costumes. Even familiar friends and beloved family members can be frightening to a pet when in costume. Or, your pet may mistake a costume for a toy and tug a young child right off his or her … Continue reading →

High Rise Syndrome

High-rise syndrome is a danger to domestic cats — especially during the warmer weather. The name refers to any number of injuries that can result from a fall from a high window. You may have heard stories of cats falling several stories and living to tell the tale… but many more fall and do not survive the impact or resulting injuries. Most of these accidents can be prevented. Make sure that any window you open has a screen. To be cat-proof, the screen must fit securely in the window frame and be strong enough to withstand at least a ten … Continue reading →