Summary
Follow this post to prepare for tips on best practices in caring for your pet this winter. Whether you are planning a holiday party or just prepping the car for winter, remember to keep your pets in mind!
Safety Tips
- Cats and kittens like to nap in warm places, this can include under cars and in car engines. To scare away any napping pets, knock on the hood of your car or truck or honk the horn, then wait a few minutes before starting the engine. If in doubt, open the hood and look.
- Antifreeze smells good and tastes very sweet. Very small amounts can kill your pet. If a cat walks through it and then licks its paws, it can ingest enough to be lethal. The chemicals in antifreeze crystallize in the kidney, so symptoms may not show up for 12-48 hours and then it may be too late. Thoroughly clean up any spills, store antifreeze in tightly closed containers and store where pets and children can not get to them. Do not dispose of antifreeze by pouring into the gutter and never let your pet drink from the gutters. There are “pet-safe” brands of antifreeze on the market today.
- The use of rodenticides increases in the fall as rodents seek shelter from the cooler temperatures by attempting to move indoors. Rodenticides are highly toxic to pets—if ingested, the results could be fatal. If you must use these products, do so with extreme caution and put them in places inaccessible to your pets.
- Holiday foods, alcoholic beverages and candy can all lead to serious problems for your pet. Keep your pet on its regular diet. Many animals may enjoy an occasional treat, but many times rich foods that your pet is not used to can lead to serious illnesses such as pancreatitis, gastroenteritis, toxicities and other digestive upsets.
- Many plants, including Christmas rose, holly, mistletoe, philodendron, and dieffenbachia are toxic to your pet. Keep them out of your pets reach.
- Also keep in mind when decorating; electric cords, tinsel, glass ornaments, candles, spray on-snow (some are non-toxic-read the label), ribbons, plastic or foil wrapping, etc. can be dangerous to your pet. Cover up or hide electric cords so your pet can not chew on them. Do not tie ribbons around pets’ necks or limbs. Watch out for rubber bands too.
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