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Pets in Cars
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Wanna lift? |
When your pet is travelling with you in your car do not allow it to put its head out of the window, this can be quite dangerous. Your pet could damage its eyes from flying debris or, if your pet has pendulous ears, it could suffer from swelling of the ear due to the ears flapping in the wind.
In the event of an accident in order to prevent your pet from flying forward through the windscreen specially made pet harnesses are now available. If you are taking your pet out in an open topped vehicle a harness is vital.
Always be ready with your dog's leash, and make sure that it is attached to the collar before letting your dog out of the vehicle. It is also recommended to have a security tag attached to your dogs collar with your name and phone number on it in the event that your dog should become lost.
Don't forget to carry a pooper-scooper of some description on your journey. It is against the law for your pet to foul the footpaths and walkways.
If you have to leave your pet in a parked vehicle only do so for short periods of time and make sure that the pet has some ventilation. Over 10,000 pets die in parked cars every year. In hot weather an animal can be overcome by the heat. If, for example, the temperature outside was 80F the temperature on the inside can reach as much as 105F within a space of 10 minutes. The best solution is to have someone stay with the dog, and if possible take it for a walk on its leash. |
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Stress from Heat
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Dogs can suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke if subjected to too much sun, and in extreme cases they can die.
Animals, unlike humans, are not able to cool their bodies down from the heat by sweating, therefore make sure they have plenty of fresh, cool water available to drink and somewhere cool to shelter from the sun, especially if your dog is tethered during periods of the day.
If your pet spends most of its time indoors its feet will probably not develop thick pads and therefore you should take care when walking it on a hot surface such as tarmac or its feet could become burned. |
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Water Hazards
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help! |
There are many hidden dangers to watch out for when owning a new dog. Young dogs are particularly inquisitive and full of life and energy. If you have a pool in your garden, no matter how small, keep your puppy well away. It is a common misconception that all dogs can swim. Young puppies, particularly, can be at risk from drowning; they are often not strong enough to pull themselves out of the water.
In the winter months your pond or pool can be especially hazardous to your pet. Your dog may decide to wander onto thin ice that is not strong enough to support the weight of your pet, resulting in the pet drowning or suffer from hypothermia. It is therefore best to fence off any pools or other areas where your dog may get into trouble. |
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Fertilizers
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Your pet must always be kept away from fertilized areas. If your pet licks its paws after playing on a freshly fertilized lawn, for example, it may become quite ill from ingesting the chemicals and insecticides. The same applies for fertilized plants; your pet may lick these and again suffer quite ill effects.
Always keep fertilizers, and any other chemicals, locked up or stored away in tightly closed containers well out of your pets reach. |
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Indoor Safety
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Yum yum |
Animals are attracted to many things in the home. Houseplants, such as azaleas, which animals often like to chew, are unfortunately poisonous to your pet. These should always be kept well out of reach.
If your pet tries to chew on painted skirting boards they can suffer from lead poisoning. A good method of prevention is to treat the chewed area with a bitter tasting spray. |
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Animal Toys
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Choose good quality rubber |
All animals love to play with and chew things. Some animal playthings can be potentially hazardous to your pet. Any toys that are small enough for your pet to swallow should be kept out of reach. When buying such items as chews or balls for your pet make sure they are relative in size to your pets mouth, and be certain that they are of a non-destructible material.
If your pet should happen to swallow a small toy take it immediately to your local vet, otherwise it may cause an obstruction in the stomach or intestines. |
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Chocolate
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giz-a-bit |
Dogs, like most humans, love the smell of chocolate. You may think that you are giving your dog a treat by occasionally offering it a small piece of chocolate. In fact, chocolate is toxic to dogs and should not be given to them at all.
The toxicity in chocolate affects the heart and the nervous system of your dog. The two main elements that cause this toxicity in dogs are caffeine and theobromine.
The telltale signs of toxic poisoning in your pet are as follows:
rapid breathing
restlessness
vomiting
loss of appetite
excessive need to drink
loose stools
excessive excitability
seizure
If you suspect your pet is suffering from toxic poisoning take it to your local vet immediately.
Make sure that chocolate, of any kind, is always kept well out of reach of your dog, this includes white chocolate.
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Electrical Wiring
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All electrical wires should be secured to the wall or floor to prevent your pet chewing on them. If this is not feasible try one of the following solutions:
Keep your pet out of rooms where the is any exposed wiring.
Secure the wiring behind the appliance, out of reach of your pet.
Move furniture in front of the wiring, to hide it from view.
Cover the wiring with strong tape.
If all the above fail to stop your pet, try spraying the area with a bitter tasting spray, or as an alternatively, try using lemon juice. |
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Winter Chills
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Cool Dude |
Animals feel the cold just as we do, especially the young and the old. Before taking your pet out for a winter walk a little jacket may be a welcome purchase for it. This will help to stop its body temperature from dropping. When your pets body temperature drops to a few degrees below normal it is at risk from hypothermia or even frostbite. Take into consideration your pets extremities, e.g. tail, ears and feet. These areas are often the first parts of the animal's body to be affected by the cold. You should regularly trim the hair between the pads on the feet of your dog to avoid them becoming frostbitten. If you suspect that your pet is suffering from frostbite, first apply a warm, moist pack, then contact your local vet. Do not rub the affected area. |
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Danger Antifreeze
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Animals find the taste and smell of antifreeze appealing. It takes no more than 60 milliliters of antifreeze to kill a 30-pound dog. Therefore if you have any spills of antifreeze on the floor always make sure it is thoroughly cleaned up before letting your pet into the area, even a small puddle can be lethal to your pet. Always make sure containers are well sealed and kept out of reach of your pet.
If you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze take it to the vet immediately. The telltale signs of antifreeze poisoning are as follows:
Within no more than 30 minutes of ingesting the poison the animal will display signs of drunkenness, followed by what appears to be a state of recovery.
The animal may also show signs of listlessness, a frequent need to drink or vomit and frequent urination.
If your pet is not taken to the vet within 12 hours of ingesting this poison it will begin to suffer kidney failure. |
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Festive Season
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If, like many people, you prefer to buy a pine tree to decorate at Christmas, make sure that your pet does not get pine needles lodged in its throat. Tinsel and wrapping paper are all part of Christmas fun, but these too can be harmful to your pet, they can quite easily chew on them and choke, or worse still, swallow them and suffer a stomach upset.
Other festive decorations around the home can cause a potential danger to your pet. Mistletoe, for example, has tempting red berries that may look like treats to your pet. The leaves and berries of this plant can be lethal, apart from causing a drop in blood pressure and a decreased heart beat, they can also cause diarrhea, convulsions, and even death, if consumed in large |
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