Considered the unofficial kick-off to summer, Memorial Day Weekend seems to bring out the summer swimmers, boaters, barbequers and weekend travelers in many of us.  That means things we haven’t been doing the last several months, will again be new, exciting and could even be dangerous for our pets!  Please supervise, supervise, supervise, and keep the following in mind while having fun…

Cook-outs

With their unmatched sense of smell, food grilling outdoors is a treat not to be missed by the canine nose.  Some dogs are even bold enough to grab food from the grill, resulting in 2^nd degree burns to the snout, mouth and paws — an immediate medical emergency!

Charcoal briquettes (soaked with the juices of grilling meats) chomped upon can upset the stomach (if not burn all the way down) but if swallowed whole, they can block the intestines!  Add to that the poisoning implications if they are soaked with lighter fluid.

As for the picnic itself, the salty chips, fried chicken and other highly seasoned foods or greasy foods are not good for dogs or cats.  They don’t metabolize them like we do and can end up with a severe inflammation of the pancreas!  Never give cooked bones and avoid giving dogs foods that contain onions such as potato salad.  Many fruits and vegetables are awesome PAWSome (the raw flesh of peaches, apples, watermelon, bananas, zucchini and carrots for instance – but keep seeds and pits away), but dogs must not consume grapes, raisins, chocolate or food (such as sugarless gum) containing the sweetener Xylitol. These can lead to ailments from minor stomach upset to death!  Also, keep corncobs out of paws reach.  Not only can they be a choking hazard, but also create an intestinal blockage.

Make sure dogs and cats both have a quiet place to retreat to during the noisy festivities, and emphasize to guests the need to not leave doors or gates open for even a second!

Water

Whether your weekend includes a trip to the beach, the backyard pool or a boat trip, there are some Must Dos if Fido tags along.  The best human swimmers can get caught in an undertow or fatigue, and all dogs DO NOT know how to swim, do be sure pets near water are suited up with a properly fitting life vest.  Best yet, The Pet Safety Crusader LOVES the HedzUp Water Collar that keeps your dog’s head out of the water even if he goes unconscious.  Short-necked breeds like bulldogs and pugs, have a difficult time keeping their heads afloat, so the humans who came up with this flotation device, really have our dogs best interest at heart!  Use PROMO CODE: CRUSADER for 15% off!

Since the days are getting warmer, it’s vital you keep pets well-hydrated all day long.  Make sure a water bowl is available, in a shady location, and always filled to the rim.  Drinking salt water can lead to serious dehydration, and lakes and ponds may have bacteria and intestinal parasites that can result in Giardia (massive quantities of vomit & diarrhea that can be passed along to you), Leptospirosis (which severely affects the kidneys), Algae poisoning and other bacterial infections.  Bring along enough water for Fido as well and wash him off quickly if he has been in any body of water, so he doesn’t ingest its contents when he grooms himself, and dry out those ears!

Bugs & Pet First-Aid

If you haven’t already, it is time to speak with your veterinarian about flea, tick and heartworm deterrent.  Although most of us think these problems are confined to certain areas of the country, disease has spread with travelling and relocated pets, and heartworm can be found all the way to the West Coast!   Know how to safely remove a tick.  I count on tweezers by TickEase® to help me do the job, but often start off by placing a cottonball soaked in either dish soap or rubbing alcohol on the tick first to see if he’ll back out of the pet.

Have other first-aid supplies on hand as well in case you need to bandage a cut paw, soothe an upset canine tummy or treat a big sting! All of these skills, and a whole lot more, can be learned in a number of my books or classes offered at www.PetSafetyCrusader.com  The best pet parents stay prepared and bone-up on their skills regularly so that they can go on auto-pilot when Fido or Fluffy needs them most.

Travel & Weather

Make sure pets have properly fitting collars and harnesses.  The super tough ones by DigIt don’t absorb odors and have a special patented buckle and loop to keep ID tags separate from the leash hook!  Which brings me to…ID TAGS & MICROCHIPS.  Make sure tags are securely attached with the most up-to-date info (including your cell phone or number you can be reached at while travelling) and are easy to read.  Also confirm microchip info is correctly in a database.

If you don’t have a doggie seatbelt or kitty carrier that can be safely secured to a car seat, what are you waiting for?  Cars going 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 mph may stop when you slam on the brakes, but your pet will continue at the speed until something stops him – mainly the back of a seat or the windshield!  Never let pets roam freely in a car for your sake and theirs!  Visit www.CenterForPetSafety.org to find products carrying their seal of approval.

Plot out Animal Emergency Centers along your route just in case something isn’t quite right with your furry best friend and research well BEFORE you emBARK.  Many places that claim to be “pet friendly” have a different definition than what YOU believe.  Some only allow pets 20 lbs. and under, some ban certain breeds or species while others, although seemingly welcoming, have no outdoor grassy areas for your pet to answer nature’s call.  Don’t get caught by surprise, ask questions and reconfirm answers.

Don’t take pets into situations they could find upsetting, loud concerts in the park, too large crowds, fireworks or even places without shade and grass.  Having a four-legged travel buddy can be awesome, but you CAN NOT EVER leave him alone in a parked car for even a few minutes.  Even with windows open, a parked car can quickly reach more than 150 degrees resulting in heat stroke, permanent brain damage or death to your pet.

Hot concrete & asphalt can burn precious paws!  If it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for paws.  Walk during the cooler parts of the day and stick to grass and shady areas.  Dog shoes are great on hot surfaces for short periods of time, but since heat is expelled from the pads of the feet, you dog is likely to overheat if his paws are covered for long.

Hot weather brings out snakes of all kinds.  Your best safety device is keeping control of your dog by having him on a leash.  Should your pet get bitten by a rattlesnake, keep him calm and immediately transport him to an animal care center that carries anti-venin.

There is much holiday fun to be had with your best canine or feline by your side, but know their limits, be vigilant to their health and safety needs, and be in the moment with them like they are with you to make precious memories together!

WATCH MY VIDEO VLOG ON THIS TOPIC AT https://youtu.be/dOW6V7rZhnI

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Denise Fleck is an award winning author and freelance writer.  After extensive training, practice, more training and more practice, she developed her own Pet First-Aid & CPR curriculum and has been teaching animal life-saving skills for close to 20 years with many success stories to share.  Additionally she developed a 5 month long Animal Care course for high school students in conjunction with the Burbank Unified School District and Animal Shelter.  She has demonstrated animal life-saving skills on CBS –TV’s “The Doctors,” Animal Planet’s “Pit Boss,” “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life” and countless other shows. To complement her teachings, Denise created a line of Pet First-Aid Kits, posters and books for children teaching animal respect and care!  Visit www.PetSafetyCrusader.com or call (818) 951-7962.

Note:  The articles on this page are copyrighted.  Please do not reprint or use portions for any purpose without written permission from the author.  Request permission for usage by sending an email explaining how you’d like to use the materials and what parts specifically.  Thank you in advance!

The post Memorial Day Weekend Safety for Pets appeared first on Pet Safety Crusader.

If possible, introduce your dog to the new neighborhood before the move, but in our case…it was on the other side of the U.S. of A!  Once we did get there though, we drove our best buddy to our new house, let him sniff around and took on-leash walks to check the sights, sounds and smells of his new ‘hood.

Day of the Move

We stayed at a relative’s home nearby until we purchased a home leaving most everything in storage after our road trip, so when we moved in…it was us and a few bags and boxes, and our furry child came right along. We then brought a carload from the storage system daily, so the chaos was kept to a minimum. If you have a real ‘moving day’ however, it might be helpful to have your pooch stay with a friend, go to doggy day care or other such option to not be underfoot and also to lessen the chance of escape with doors left open as furniture comes in.  Once you bring your pet to the house though, make sure his things are in place (crate, beds, cat tree, feeding bowls, etc.) including blankets from his old home that you have NOT laundered!  Yes, the ones with the comforting smells of home still on them!

Reestablish Good Habits Right Away

It’s likely some things will change in the new place, especially if you’ve switched time zones, but jump right into the new schedule like nothing happened. Still go for that 7 a.m. walk on-leash in your new location, even if feels like 4 a.m. to you and your dog.  Dogs are creatures of habit and routine, so keep consistent with walks, feeding time & location, grooming and playtime.  Your calm and confidence will keep your dog happy, and creating familiarity with important resources such as food, water, and bedding is vital.  Remember to be a good new neighbor, picking up after your pet and not letting him roam.  It’s for his safety too.

Initially, we secured Haiku in our master bed & bath suite when we left him home alone for short periods of time.  It allowed him to get used to his surroundings and made us sure we were dog-proofed.  For dogs comfortable in crates, their own personal den is always a good option.  After a few weeks’ time, once he knew his way around, we allowed our buddy the run of the main floor when we’d go out and continue to do so.

Do realize that it is not uncommon for pets to get freaked out while getting used to their new surroundings.  Your dog or cat may hide or worse, dart for an open door, so besides providing excellent supervision, immediately, update ID tags and microchip info.

Pay a visit to your new veterinarian for a check-up and to get your pet on file within a week of arrival.  If stress has caused any physical symptoms, you can nip them in the bud. This will also give you the opportunity to ask questions regarding the area, learn about dangerous indigenous plants and wildlife and feel good knowing your best friend has a new 2^nd best friend!

Pay attention and notice new behaviors as well as favorite spots your pet starts gravitating towards.  You can then make those spots more inviting (if appropriate) and also know where to look when you can’t find your best buddy.

Consider attaching bells near the door to teach your dog to communicate his need to go out. It’s fun way for him to get your attention.

The best thing however, you can do for your dog when you are moving to a new home is provide quality time with his favorite human…YOU!

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Can you build a backyard fence for your dog?

My Homeowner’s Association required a written proposal with estimates, pictures and schematic of where a backyard enclosure would go within their already stringent parameters.  I wanted everything to go smoothly so that my pooch could enjoy his new plot of land along with us, so I put together a bang-up presentation and was told it was the best they ever saw!  We got approval and are enjoying outdoor time together, but some things to consider are height (not just for your pet but can other animals jump into your fence), visibility from a major roadway or can you camouflage your pet with shrubbery for privacy and safety, will the fence be shared by another dog or can other’s approach and fence fight?  Always one more thing to consider.

Seek out dog-friendly locations
What did you and your pet enjoy doing together in your former neighborhood?  Hikes, doggie day care, visiting the local coffee shop where a barista would provide him a water bowl and treat?  Look for similar options in your new location, ask neighbors, find an app.

Create a New Health & Safety Team

In addition to your veterinarian, your pet needs other 2^nd best friends (you are always number 1).  Get recommendations from neighbors, your vet, the local animal shelter for groomers, trainers and even day care, but don’t forget to find a professional pet sitter!  One who is trained in pet first-aid and is more than just someone who loves pets, someone who truly knows how to care for them, knows what to do in an emergency and asks you all the important questions.  I found one in Christina Walker, Top Dog Pet Sitter.  A great place to start looking is www.GetARealPetSitter.com.

Stay alert to your pet and notice if, in spite of trying to make a smooth transition, he is truly not himself.  Give it a little time, but if he’s not bouncing back after his initial veterinary check-up, bring him in again just to be sure it is not something physical.

I’m pleased to say that my best buddy LOVES his walks, checking his p-mail and sniffing where the locals have paw printed before him.  Exploring our community has really made me take time to be in the moment with him while appreciating the beauty and change of seasons our new environment has to offer.  He has low windows in almost every room, which we never leave open unsupervised, but in his golden years, we are grateful for them as he lays, chin on sill, enjoying his views.  I think the screened porch is his favorite!  The pure joy we see in our dog fills our hearts.  While our journey always continues, the move is complete!

For a stress-free move with pets, consider using a pet checklist to help you stay organized and ensure their safety and happiness.

Please catch my VLOG on this topic:

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For 20 years Denise Fleck’s Sunny-dog Ink motto has been “Helping people to help their pets,” and she has…teaching more than 31,000 pet lovers animal life-saving skills and millions more on “The Doctors,” CNN, “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life,” Animal Planet and other TV shows.  Denise is a frequent conference speaker, developed a line of pet first aid kits and now offers classes online.  

Note:  The articles on this page are copyrighted.  Please do not reprint or use portions for any purpose without written permission from the author.  Request permission for usage by sending an email explaining how you’d like to use the materials and what parts specifically.  Thank you in advance!

The post On the Move with Your Best Friend: Settling into Your New Home Sweet Home appeared first on Pet Safety Crusader.

Tips for new dog owners are an essential guide if you are preparing for the latest addition to your family. Being a pet owner comes with many trials and responsibilities. It is more difficult to adjust to a new life with a pet if you don’t know what you are doing. If you are looking for answers, then you’ve come to the right place.

Dealing with all the changes might be difficult, but you have time to prepare for it. If you are ready for the commitment, you should find these golden tips for new dog owners highly beneficial.

7 Tips for New Dog Owners

If you are contemplating adding a canine to your family, you must know about the responsibilities of being a pet owner. Don’t worry about all the hard work as it is all repaid with love, loyalty, and companionship. To help you prepare for all the challenges, here are seven essential tips for pet owners like you.

1. Learn What to Anticipate

Getting a new dog is an enormous commitment. You have to be ready, mentally, emotionally, and financially. Learning what to anticipate and making all the preparations needed helps you with your lifestyle adjustments and changes. Ask questions about the breed that you are adopting, including exercise, diet, and other dog health basics.

Talk to your family and other members of your household. Decide amongst you who will be in charge of meals, water, grooming, walks, playtime, and cleaning up. Having a regular schedule to follow helps smooth out the transition for you and your dog.

2. Preparations for Bringing Your Dog Home

New pet owners have a lot to prepare for before bringing home their new dog. You’ll want them to feel safe and comfortable in their new environment. Don’t be discouraged when your dog becomes shy or frightened. Give them some time to discover their surroundings and get used to everything.

Besides shopping for dog food, toys, tools, and other essential needs, you should also dog-proof your home. Furthermore, all furniture and knick-knacks that can easily break should be moved out of the way or secured.

You should also make sure that your pooch doesn’t get access to electrical wirings or plants that can be hazardous. If you have a yard and your dog will have access to it, your fences must be secure.

3. Take Care of Your Dog’s Health

Look for a local veterinarian and set up a visit as soon as possible. Don’t forget to bring all your dog’s records on your first appointment. Check with your vet about their diet to see which best dog food you can give them. Find out if there are any food requirements and remember to schedule all their vaccinations, too.

Balanced nourishment and exercise will help maintain or improve your dog’s mental and physical fitness. Keeping your pet active also helps in addressing and preventing any behavioral problems that may arise. Lastly, regular grooming like washing, brushing, cleaning their teeth, and clipping their nails are also essential.

4. Safety First!

New dog owners should get their dogs microchipped or wear an ID tag. If your dog wanders off, there must be a way to identify and contact you immediately. Have a plan established if you would ever need to travel or leave the house. If they are going to be left behind, make sure that they can’t get out or runoff.

Do you have someone to keep an eye on them? List all care instructions and provide all their essentials. And also, all the details and contact numbers must be available, just in case they need it.

5. Bond With Your Dog

Spending time with your pet lets them familiarize and establish a bond with you. Play and training sessions or just sitting with them on the couch makes them feel loved and secured. Your pet enjoys all the attention and companionship that you can provide them.

There are many benefits to exercise or physical activities for dogs. For one thing, it gives them an outlet for their excess energy. A sweet treat would be an occasional trip to the park or taking them with you while hiking or jogging.

6. Training Your New Dog

As a dog owner, you are in charge of the overall development of your pet. You need to teach them some basic dog commands so you can communicate with them easily. If you don’t have the time, you can look for a dog trainer to help you.

Participating in obedience, agility, and other dog training courses does not only teach your dog new tricks. But, it also helps you to get to know their personalities. And don’t forget to show your new dog how to socialize. They need to learn to stay calm and well-behaved when they are around other people and pets.

7. Be Responsible

Your dog depends on you for all their needs. It is your responsibility to help them deal with behavioral issues that they may develop at some point. It would be best if you never disregarded excessive barking, chewing, aggression, or separation anxiety. They may be a sign of health problems and other issues. Also, these bad manners can worsen over time if you do not pay attention.

Likewise, you may experience some medical issues during their lifetime. Some problems are preventable, while others are inevitable, especially when it comes to age. Your role is to ensure they are following a proper diet, physical activity, and other necessary steps to keep them safe. With all this work, you are helping them live a happy, comfortable, and fulfilled life.

Having a dog in your life is quite rewarding. With these tips for dog owners, you should be able to enjoy taking good care of your canine. Encountering a few setbacks, like medical emergencies or behavior problems, should not discourage you from loving your new pet. Now, keep in mind that there is, at all times, a solution to your problem. Don’t worry about getting it wrong for the first time. As long as you dedicate them all the love, care, and affection, you are doing fine. You are even now on your way to becoming a responsible dog owner.

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