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Holiday Safety TipsHolly, Jolly and Oh-So-Safe! Of course you want to include your furry companions
in the festivities, pet parents, but as you celebrate this holiday season, try to keep your pet’s eating and exercise
habits as close to their normal routine as possible. And be sure to steer them clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic
plants and dangerous decorations: O Christmas Tree
Securely
anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the
tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a
breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe. Tinsel-less Town
Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching “toy” that’s
easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive
tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It’s best to brighten your boughs with something other than
tinsel. No Feasting for the Furries
By now you know not
to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising fur kid will go to chomp on something
yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage
cans. Toy Joy
Looking to stuff your pet’s stockings?
Choose gifts that are safe. - Dogs have been known to tear their toys apart
and swallowing the pieces, which can then become lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. Stick with chew toys that
are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible.
- Long, stringy things are a feline’s dream, but the most risky toys
for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise
kitty with a new ball that’s too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer—and tons of
play sessions together.
Forget the Mistletoe & Holly
Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made
from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet. Leave the Leftovers
Fatty,
spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities
in other fun ways that won’t lead to costly medical bills. That
Holiday Glow
Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they
knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put
the candle out! Wired Up
Keep wires, batteries and glass
or plastic ornaments out of paws’ reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery
can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet’s mouth. House Rules
If your animal-loving guests would like to give your pets a little
extra attention and exercise while you’re busy tending to the party, ask them to feel free to start a nice play or petting
session. Put the Meds Away
Make sure all of your medications are locked behind secure doors, and be sure to tell your guests to keep their meds zipped
up and packed away, too. Careful with Cocktails
If your
celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them.
If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure. A Room of Their Own
Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to—complete
with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying
case or in a separate room away from the hubbub. New Year’s Noise
As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat’s
intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive
ears. 
Thanksgiving
Safety Tips‘Tis the season for friends, family and holiday feasts—but also for possible
distress for our animal companions. Pets won’t be so thankful if they munch on undercooked turkey or a pet-unfriendly
floral arrangement, or if they stumble upon an unattended alcoholic drink. Check out the following tips from ASPCA experts for a fulfilling Thanksgiving that your pets can enjoy,
too. Talkin’ Turkey
If
you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don't offer her raw
or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria. Sage Advice
Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish, but it and many other
herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets
if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils. No Bread Dough
Don't spoil your pet’s
holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal's body heat
causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating,
which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery. Don't Let Them Eat Cake
If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be sure
your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria
that may lead to food poisoning. Too
Much of a Good Thing
A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of
pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem. However, don't allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up with a case
of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s
best keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays. A Feast Fit for a Kong
While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their
own little feast. Offer them rawhide strips, Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones. Or stuff their usual dinner—perhaps
with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles of gravy—inside a Kong
toy. They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard to extract their dinner from the toy.
Halloween Safety TipsNo Scaredy Cats This Halloween: Top 10 Safety Tips for Pet ParentsAttention, companion animal caretakers! The ASPCA
would like to point out these common-sense cautions that’ll help keep your pets safe and stress-free this time of year.
If you do suspect your pet has ingested a potentially dangerous substance, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal
Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. 1. No tricks,
no treats: That bowlful of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. - Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous
for dogs and cats. Symptoms of significant chocolate ingestion may include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, increased thirst,
urination and heart rate—and even seizures.
- Candies
containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a
sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures. In cases of significantly low blood
sugar, liver failure has been known to occur.
- Ingesting
tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage.
2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered
to be relatively nontoxic, yet they can produce gastrointestinal upset should pets ingest them. Intestinal blockage could
even occur if large pieces are swallowed. 3. Keep wires
and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet could experience damage
to his mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock. 4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise extreme caution if you
choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk
of getting burned or singed by candle flames. 5. Dress-up
can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup,
a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume can cause undue
stress. 6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the
costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe,
bark or meow. Also try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior,
consider letting him go au naturel or donning a festive bandana. 7.
Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces
that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury. 8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away
from the front door during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets. 9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog
doesn't dart outside. 10. IDs, please! Always make
sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and become lost, a collar and tags and/or
a microchip can increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you
There’s nothing better than gathering with friends and family
for the holidays; eating, drinking, and putting up festive decorations. While enjoying this time of year, it is important
to remember the potential hazards that certain goodies and décor can pose to our furry, feathered or scaly companions.
To keep pets happy and healthy during the holiday season, The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is offering pet owners the
following helpful hints: - Holiday sweets with
chocolate are not for pets. Depending on the dose ingested, chocolate (bakers, semi sweet, milk and dark) can be potentially
poisonous to many animals. In general, the less sweet the chocolate, the more toxic it could be. In fact, unsweetened
baking chocolate contains almost seven times more theobromine (a substance similar to caffeine) as milk chocolate. Vomiting,
diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination and heart rate can be seen with the ingestion of as little
as 1/4 ounce of baking chocolate by a 10-pound dog. - Keep
your pet on its normal diet. Any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe indigestion and
diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals that have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements.
- Candies and gum containing large amounts of
the sweetener xylitol can also be toxic to pets, as ingestions of significant quantities can produce a fairly sudden drop
in blood sugar, resulting in depression, uncoordination and seizures. Be sure to keep such products well out of the
reach of your pets. - Don’t give pets holiday
leftovers, and keep pets out of the garbage. Poultry bones can splinter and cause blockages. Greasy, spicy and fatty foods
can cause stomach upset; spoiled or moldy foods could cause food poisoning, tremors or seizures. - Alcohol and pets do NOT mix. Place unattended alcoholic drinks where
pets cannot reach them. If ingested, the animal could become very sick and weak and may go into a coma, possibly resulting
in death from respiratory failure. - Keep aluminum
foil and cellophane candy wrappers away from pets. They can cause vomiting and intestinal blockage. - Be careful with holiday floral arrangements. Lilies are commonly used this
time of year and all varieties, including Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Stargazer and Casa Blanca can cause kidney failure
in cats. Safe alternatives can include artificial flowers made from silk or plastic. - Common Yuletide plants such as mistletoe and holly berries can be potentially toxic
to pets. Should a cat or dog eat mistletoe, they could possibly suffer gastrointestinal upsets and cardiovascular problems.
Holly can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and lethargy if ingested. - Poinsettias are considered to be very low in toxicity. However, they could cause mild vomiting
or nausea if ingested by your pet. - Keep pets
away from Christmas tree water. The water may contain fertilizers which, if ingested, can cause a stomach upset.
Stagnant tree water can also act as a breeding ground for bacteria and if ingested a pet could end up with nausea, vomiting
and diarrhea. - Consider decorating your tree
with ornaments that are relatively less enticing to pets, such as dried non-toxic flowers, wood, fabric or pinecones. Traditional
decorations such as ribbons or tinsel, if ingested, can become lodged in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction.
This is a very common problem, particularly with cats.
In the summer, many people
like to share their summer fun with their pets, bringing them along to the park, the mall and the beach. But many owners don't
realize that pets are extremely susceptible to overheating and much less efficient at cooling themselves than are people. Owners may not realize that Fido or Fluffy has become overheated, thirsty, or frightened of crowds. A good general
rule is that if it's too hot outside for you, it's too hot outside for your pet. The
following guidelines will help you keep your four-legged friends safe and sound during the summer months. | 
| General Pet First Aid Tips
Your pet is part
of your family. And just like any other member of the family, pets can become ill or injured. Would you know how to care for
your pet in an emergency? Here are a few tips: - Pay attention to what
is normal for your pet so you can detect signals when something is wrong.
- Approach
a sick or injured animal slowly and cautiously.
- Watch the body expressions
and sounds your pet makes to warn you. Even your own pet can be aggressive when in pain or frightened.
- Do not make quick, jerky, or loud movements. They might further scare your pet.
- Use towels or blankets to cover the eyes to calm or subdue cats or small dogs when necessary.
- Keep the phone number and address of your veterinarian in a convenient location.
- Have the phone number and address of an after-hours veterinary clinic on hand and keep directions to that clinic
in the same place. Whenever possible, call ahead to let them know you'll be coming.
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| Heat Stroke
Heat stroke can be fatal for
pets as well as people. Every summer, animals left in parked cars suffer brain damage and die from heatstroke. Dogs perspire
only around their paws, which is inadequate to cool them down on hot days. To rid themselves of excess heat, animals pant.
Nevertheless, an overheated dog can suffer brain and organ damage after only 15 minutes. On steamy summer days, pets
should stay cool and out of the sun. Signs of heat stroke in dogs: - Body temperature of 104-110 degrees Fahrenheit
- Heavy panting, rapid
heartbeat and glazed eyes
- Dark or bright red tongue and gums
- Excessive thirst and/or profuse salivation
- Lethargy, fever, dizziness,
lack of coordination
- Staggering, stupor and/or seizures
- Bloody diarrhea or vomiting
- Unconsciousness
If your dog shows symptoms of heatstroke, immediately take steps to gradually lower its body temperature, then
call your vet. Following the tips below could save your dog's life: - Move
the animal into the shade or an air-conditioned area.
- Apply ice packs or cold
towels to your pet"s head, neck and chest or immerse her in cool-but not cold-water. (Very cold water will constrict
the blood vessels and impede cooling.)
- Let your pet drink small amounts
of cool water or lick ice cubes.
- Take your pet directly to a veterinarian.
Even if the animal is cooler and seems to have recovered, DON'T assume that your pet is okay. Internal organs-the liver, kidneys,
brain and more-are affected by heatstroke. Your vet must asses your pet's condition to make sure that everything is alright.
Pets that are especially susceptible to heat: - Elderly, very young,
and ill animals (dogs and cats) have a harder time regulating their body temperature.
- Dogs with snub noses (also called short-nosed breeds) such as Pekingese, pugs, and bulldogs, have a hard time staying
cool because they can't pant efficiently. They must stay out of the heat.
- Overweight
dogs are prone to overheating. Their extra layers of fat act as insulation that traps heat within their bodies.
- Large heavy-coated dog breeds.
- Dogs with heart or respiratory problems.
|
| How to Protect Your Pet on Hot Days
- Monitor
your pet closely whenever he or she is outside during the summer months.
- Provide
plenty of water and shade for your pets while they are outdoors so they can stay cool.
- Don't leave your pet outside unattended on a hot day, even in the shade. Shade can move throughout the day,
and pets can overheat and become ill quickly
- Never leave a pet unattended
in a parked car, even for "just a minute." An 85° F day can skyrocket a car"s interior to deadly levels-120-130°
F-in minutes, even with the windows slightly open or when parked in the shade. The mild days of spring and fall can
also pose great danger.
- Limit exercise to early morning or evening hours.
Remember that asphalt can become scorching and burn your pet's paws.
- Hose
down your dog before work, at lunch or whenever you can to provide extra cooling on a hot day.
- Keep your pet well groomed and clipped. If your dog has very thick hair, its fur may trap too much heat. Clipping
it in summer will help keep your pet cool.
- Use sunscreen on your dog's nose
and ears if necessary. Dogs with light-colored noses or fur are especially vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer.
- Keep your pet away from crowded summer events like concerts, fairs and fireworks. Loud noises and crowds combined
with the heat and humidity can be stressful and dangerous.
|
| More Pet Summer Safety Tips
- Keep your
pet leashed while outdoors. That will be easier to keep your pet from getting lost, fighting with other animals, and eating
and drinking things that could make it sick.
- Keep your cat indoors. Cats that
are allowed outdoors unattended face a high risk for disease and injury from vehicles and other animals. The estimated life
span of a free-roaming cat is less than three years, compared with 15 to 18 years for an indoor cat.
- Prevent access to pools. Your pet could drink the chemical-rich pool water. Also, many pets can't swim, and those
who can swim may be unable to get out of a high-sided pool. If you must have your pet near a pool, supervise that animal closely.
- Outfit your dog with a life preserver if you go on a boat. If your pet
is knocked off the boat, a life jacket could save its life.
- Keep your pet
away from lawns and gardens that have been fertilized. Some plant food, fertilizer and insecticides can be fatal if ingested
by your pet. Also, hundreds of plants produce toxic substances in amounts that can harm animals.
- Make sure your pet always wears a collar and ID tag.
- Spay or neuter
your dog or cat. Spaying and neutering provides many health benefits.
|
| Parasite Prevention
- Choose flea and
tick control products recommended by your vet. Some over-the-counter products can be toxic, even when used according to the
instructions.
- Check with your vet to see if your pets should be taking heartworm
prevention medication. Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by a bite from an infected mosquito, can be fatal if not treated.
Both dogs and cats are at increased risk of contracting heartworm during the summer.
- Keep the grass cut short to reduce the chances of ear mite and tick infestations. Ear mites and ticks are more common
in summer.
- Check your pet for ticks often.
- Remove the fecal matter from the yard as soon as possible. The feces will attract flies which will bite your pet,
usually in the ears.
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| Riding in Cars With Pets
- Never leave
a pet unattended in a parked car, even with the windows slightly open or when parked in the shade. Remember, the
temperature inside a car, even with the windows open a bit, will climb to 102 degrees in as little as 10 minutes.
- Alert the management of the shopping area if you see an animal in a parked car in the summer. If the owner does not
return promptly, call local animal control or the police. Time is critical. Dogs and cats can't perspire-they can dispel heat
only by panting and through the pads of their feet.
- Never allow dogs to ride
with their heads out a car window since injury could occur from flying debris. Animals should be kept in the car in a crate
or wearing a specially designed seatbelt harness for dogs.
- Always have dogs
ride in the cab of a pick-up truck (in a crate or wearing a seat belt harness designed for dogs) or in a secured crate in
the bed of the truck, not in the truck's open bed. (In some states, this is illegal.) If your dog rides in the back of the
truck and you stop short, swerve, or are hit by another car, it could be thrown from the truck and into traffic. Flying debris
can also cause serious injury.
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| Summer Travel with Your Pet
- Check out
veterinary clinics/hospitals in any area you travel to with a pet. This will save valuable time in an emergency situation.
- Do not schedule air flights during peak periods, which are often plagued by
delays and stopovers. Choose early-morning or evening flights, when the sun is less strong, and pick up your pet promptly
upon arrival at your destination.
- Realize that many airlines have summer pet
embargoes, and most trains and ships do not allow pets other than service animals.
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|
 | May 2009
Cool0Acampaign prevents dogs from dying in hot cars
Every year, dogs die after being locked inside hot cars while their owners leave them to shop or run errands, often
for "just a few minutes." These tragedies occur with alarming frequency, yet the animals' deaths are completely
preventable. UAN's new My Dog is Cool Campaign protects dogs from the dangers of hot cars -- and you can help spread the word! Check out the lifesaving features
you will find at MyDogIsCool.com:  | Educational fliers.
Keep a stack of our "It's
Hot" fliers (pictured above) in your glove compartment. Then, when you see a dog in a parked car, you can slip one under
the windshield wiper to educate pet owners about the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars. Available from the UAN Store for just $3 for a 25-pack. | | | |  |  Free posters.
Download and print our
"Hot Temperature Warning Sign" poster or the powerful "A Hot Oven or a Hot Car" poster (pictured), then ask business owners to display one in the window to remind customers to
think twice before leaving their canine companions in the car while they shop. | | | |  | Hot temperature forecasting tool.
Enter your zip
code to receive the weather forecast and an alert if the temperature is too hot to bring your dog with you. | | | |  |  My Dog is Cool pledge gallery.
Share
your commitment to keep your dog cool and safe this summer! Just download and print the "My Dog is Cool" pledge, sign your dog's name to it, take a close-up picture of your dog(s) with the
pledge, and e-mail it to us. We'll add it to our "Cool Dogs" Gallery and send you five free copies of our "It's
Hot" flier. | | | |  | Cool Web banners.
Add our banner art to your Web site, Facebook profile or MySpace page to help spread the message that leaving
dogs in hot cars is definitely not cool. |
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So just how hot is hot? When it is 72 degrees outside,
a car's internal temperature can rocket to 116 degrees within an hour, even with windows cracked. When it is 85 degrees outside,
the temperature inside a car can soar to 102 degrees in just 10 minutes. A dog can only withstand a high body temperature
for a short time before suffering nerve damage, heart problems, liver damage, brain damage or even death. Please help us spread
the My Dog is Cool message and save lives this summer ... visit MyDogIsCool.com today! Tell your friends about MyDogIsCool.com, too. =0 A
Facebook, MySpace and Twitter users: Join us on our social networking sites!
United Animal Nations
- PO Box 188890 - Sacramento, CA 95818 - info@uan.org - http://ga4.org/ct/fdaLIH415Yqx/uan We want to share our news far and wide... forward this newsletter to your friends! Received this message from a friend? You can subscribe now. We respect your privacy. We will not sell, trade or rent your e-mail address. Read
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