SPRING CLEANING WITH YOUR DOG IN MIND

With the unseasonably warm weather we've had this winter, you may have started your spring cleaning early. However, if you waited for the actual first day of spring, you're in luck because we have some smart tips that will help you clean your house until it sparkles, but will keep the safety of your pet in mind.

Occupy Fido
While you are busy cleaning, scrubbing and vacuuming, you don't want Fido getting underfoot, putting you both at risk for injury. Keep in mind that every year about 80,000 trips and falls are caused by pets alone. To avoid a tumble, set your fuzzball up in another room far from the cleaning action with his or her favorite toy or a Kong filled with treats. Even better, bring your pooch to doggie daycare so that he or she can run and play which will relieve all of their pent-up energy and save you the time of having to walk your dog later. After a day of cleaning, you probably just want to sit with your feet propped up on an ottoman with a drink in hand anyway!

Go Green!
Avoid ammonia, bleach and strong cleaning products loaded with chemicals. Opt instead for green products that are natural and less gag-inducing. Even with the windows open, the toxins in cleaning products tend to linger and are not safe for you or your dog to breath in. Since green products can be pricey, you can experiment by making your own, natural cleaning products. Mother Nature Network lists a few recipes for DIY cleaning solutions that can be made using natural ingredients like borax, salt, lemon juice, water, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. One example suggests using a mixture of 2 tablespoons baking soda with 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a cup of water that is then boiled. You can use the mixture to scrub the insides of your fridge and microwave. Steer clear of toxic cleaning products and both you and your dog will be happier.

Safe-Keeping
Whatever cleaning solutions you wind up using, ensure that they are not left around in any area that your dog can reach. If you mop your floors, rinse with water before you are done in case your dog licks the floor. For eliminating smells in your house, steer clear of odor neutralizing gels that your pup may try to nibble on, which could make him or her very sick.

Clean House, Clean Dog
Once your house is spic and span, bathe your dog! There's no sense in having a clean house if Fido is just going to dirty it up again! At Morris K9 Campus, we're making this easy for you by offering a choice of any specialty scented shampoo with every bath booked from now until April 30, 2012! Choose from the following scented shampoos: Cupcake Kiss, Lucky Duck, Lemongrass, Blueberry, Snickerdoodle, Canine Cabana, April Showers and May Flowers. Check them out and sniff all of our scents which will be conveniently located at the front desk in our lobby. Additional grooming services that Morris K9 Campus also provides are nail trims, brushing and teeth brushing.

SAFE-PROOF YOUR YARD FOR FIDO

Spring is right around the corner which means you are probably readying your yard for the coming months so that you can enjoy a lush, verdant lawn and vibrant colorful flowers! Your yard is your own beautiful slice of nature that you can landscape and grow how you like. As you prepare your yard for warmer weather, keep in mind the following tips so that your yard is not only visually appealing but also safe for the furriest member of your family.

Fence In Your Yard

Dogs are natural born explorers with little regard for a map or compass, relying solely on their olfactory senses and stellar hearing capabilities. They can hear and smell interesting stimuli that are outside the perimeter of your yard. Unfortunately, these senses may not always be enough to lead them back to home sweet home. Because there is nothing more upsetting than a lost dog, it is highly important your yard is fully fenced in to prevent this from happening. If your dog is a jumper or a large breed dog, make sure to install a tall fence that is sturdy, strong, and can resist the repeated pressure of your dog jumping against it. If your dog likes to dig, it is crucial to reinforce the fence in order to deter your pooch from recreating a scene out of The Great Escape and tunneling to the other side. Make sure the fence is placed deep in the ground so this scenario cannot happen. Do not place objects like garbage cans near a fence that your canine can jump on and use as a trampoline to hop over the fence. Remember, if you are an owner that leaves your dog chained to a tree in the yard, it is not the safest option if you are not there to monitor and there is no fence. The rope or chain can easily break and your dog can get loose.

Lawn Maintenance

Before applying fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides, remove any water bowls or dog toys from the yard. Wait until chemicals have completely dried up before returning them to the yard. Some sources suggest waiting up to four days before allowing your dog to go out in the yard. Consider applying the chemicals in shifts and monitor your pup when outside to ensure he or she steers clear of the infected area for the suggested time frame. Keep chemicals in its original packaging and store them in a spot your pet cannot access. According to the ASPCA Poison Control Center, cocoa mulch, if heavily ingested, can have a similar effect on dogs as chocolate causing vomiting and diarrhea, so steer clear of this mulch. The most poisonous pesticides for dogs are slug and snail bait, gopher and rat poison, fly bait and systemic insecticides. For the safety of your precious pooch, it is best to invest in natural, organic, and chemical-free lawn substances to avoid this situation all together.

Holes

The potholes that continue to plague your driveway every year after winter may make you crazy but turn your attention to the divets and holes dotting your grassy yard as well. If your dog takes off after a squirrel or rabbit and their paw happens to land in a hole, your pooch is liable to strain a muscle or sprain an ankle. Patch up holes with topsoil and replant grass in these areas. Enlist the help of a landscaper if lawn maintenance is not your specialty. 

Letting your dog out in the backyard should be an easy way for your pooch to enjoy the outdoors. If you follow these simple steps to safeguard your yard for Fido, it can be a walk in the park.

Plants to Avoid this Holiday Season

As you decorate your home for the holidays and accept gifts from family and friends, keep in mind that festive plants can be potentially toxic when eaten by your pets.

Here is a list of common winter holiday plants and the signs our canine and feline companions can exhibit post-ingestion.

Amaryllis

While beautiful and elegant, the Amaryllis contains Lycorine and other noxious substances, which can cause increased salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and abdominal pain, lethargy, and tremors in both cats and dogs. The bulb of the plant is reputed to be more toxic than the flowers and stalk. Be aware that Amaryllis can be called the Belladonna or Saint Joseph Lily, the Cape Belladonna, and the Naked Lady.

Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cactus is a great year-round plant which is often introduced into the home at Christmas time. If your pet consumes Christmas Cactus, the fibrous plant material can cause irritation to the stomach and intestine, potentially leading to vomiting or diarrhea. 

Holly

Your pet’s Christmas will not be so “holly-jolly” if he consumes the leaves or berries of this plant. Holly’s toxicity “stems from” soap-like chemicals known as glycosides. In dogs and cats, consumption of Holly can cause gastrointestinal signs (decreased appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea) and lethargy.

Pine

There are a variety of pine trees potentially causing toxicity to dogs and cats, including the Australian, Norfolk, and Norfolk Island Pine. Unlike the other plants in this list, the what makes these plants toxic is unknown. Ingestion of pine needles can cause gastrointestinal signs and lethargy.

But it's the water that nourishes our Christmas trees that can be even more potentially toxic. Standing water can harbor bacteria, molds, or other agents like fertilizers that can cause your pet to become extremely sick with just a few sips.

Mistletoe

Mistletoe contains multiple substances toxic to both dogs and cats, including Lectins, and Phoratoxins. Consumption of mistletoe berries or leaves can cause severe gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and neurologic signs.

Poinsettia

Veterinarians tell us that the ubiquitous Christmas plant, the Poinsettia, has an unnecessarily bad reputation for toxicity. Toxicology studies have not confirmed the public’s perception of the poinsettia’s exceedingly harmful effects, but it is still best that your pet does not eat any part of the plant, as the poinsettia contains a latex-like sap that can cause local irritation to the mouth and vomiting.

Prevention

The best method of preventing inappropriate ingestion of a toxic plant by your pet is to keep these plants out of your home. Alternatively, you can obstruct your pet’s access to plants.

If your pet shows signs of illness it is best to contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, their page on toxic plants or your veterinarian to determine the best treatment.

Keep these guidelines in mind over the course of the next few weeks and you and your pet(s) will have a very happy holiday! 

Wishing you a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year!

Sources: Veterinarian Dr. Patrick Mahaney, Dogtime.com

The Top 10 Poisons for Your Dog

You don't have to wait 'til Pet Safety Night to beef up on your pet safety knowledge! In this post, learn about the most common poisons for your dogs...things you probably have right in your home. The severity of your pet's symptoms from a poisonous substance depend on how the substance affects your dog’s body and how much was ingested or inhaled. But with some foresight and awareness, you can significantly decrease your dog's chances of becoming ill.

Count 'Em Down: The Top 10 Poisons for Dogs

#10: Fertilizer. Products for your lawn and garden may be poisonous to pets that ingest them, so make sure to allow ample time after application before letting your dog loose in the yard. 

#9: Heavy metals. If eaten by your dog, lead, which may be in paint, linoleum, and batteries, can cause gastrointestinal and neurological problems. Zinc poisoning may occur in dogs that swallow pennies.

#8: Household cleaners. Common substances like bleach, floor cleaners and Windex are a leading cause of pet poisoning, resulting in stomach and respiratory tract problems. Again, keep them locked away and make sure you wipe up as much as possible when cleaning your home.

#7: Chemical hazards. Antifreeze, paint thinner, and pool chemicals can be extremely harmful to your dog if ingested. Keep these things locked away when not in use, and make sure dogs are not allowed in any areas where work is being done. 

#6: Household plants. Some of the more toxic plants to dogs include azaleas, rhododendrons, tulips, daffodils and sago palms.

# 5: Pet medications. Allergies and overdoses of pet medications like pain killers and de-wormers can be avoided by careful administration, storage and veterinary consultation.

# 4: Rat and mouse poison. These chemicals are meant to kill rodents, but they can be deadly to our canine friends as well. 

#3: People food. Animals have different metabolisms than people, so just a bite of guacamole or a couple of stray raisins could mean bad news. Among the worst foods for your dog are chocolate, alcohol, avocado, macadamia nuts, grapes and raisins, and Xylitol. 

#2: Flea and tick products. Problems can occur if dogs accidentally ingest these products or if small dogs receive excessive amounts.

#1: Human medications. Some of the most common and harmful medications that poison dogs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen, antidepressants, and the prescription tuberculosis medication, Isoniazid.

If you think your dog has been poisoned, try to stay calm. It's important to act quickly, but rationally. First, gather up any of the remaining poison; this may be helpful to your vet and any other experts who assist with the case. If your dog vomited, collect the sample in case your veterinarian needs to see it. Next, try to keep your pet calm and call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at (888) 426-4435. Experts at the APCC are available 24 hours a day for a $60 consultation fee.

Come visit us at Pet Safety Night on September 24 for more useful and potentially lifesaving information for your family and your dog. We hope to see you there!