PET CARE TIPS:
Summer:
Be sure that your animals have plenty of fresh water each and every day, especially if they are outside. Also make sure that there is adequate shade for your outside pets.
Make sure your pet is spayed or neutered. Spaying prevents unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. Spaying early also greatly reduces your dog's risk of mammary cancer. Neutering will help to prevent roaming. Neutering a cat as early as possible will help to prevent territorial spraying of your house and your neighbor's as well as reducing aggressive behavior.
When you walk your dog, make certain your dog is on a leash. If possible, have your pet wear a reflective collar because it will get dark early from now until spring. You should always walk your pet on the sidewalk or the side of the road, wear reflective outerwear or reflective tape on your clothing and carry a flashlight.
Just because the weather is pretty, don't allow your dog or cat to roam freely.
Do not leave a pet unattended in a car. The temperature inside of a vehicle can quickly reach degrees of over 120F and an animal can suffer heat stroke, dehydration and death.
Groom your pet regularly and be sure to include clipping its nails and cleaning its ears.
Visit your veterinarian to make sure your pet's vaccinations are up to date. While there, ask your veterinarian to recommend a good flea and tick preventative such as Frontline or Advantix. Be sure the product will get rid of ticks as well as fleas.
If you see signs of tapeworms (pieces of tapeworms look like moving rice & can be seen near the pet's anus or in stool), see your veterinarian for a prescription. Usually one dose will take care of the problem. They are caused by ingesting fleas or vermin that have fleas.
Adequate exercise will keep your pet from being destructive as well as keep the pet healthy. Please do not keep your dog chained or in a pen for extended periods of time. All dogs need daily human contact and chained pets often become aggressive and more likely to bite. Don't allow them to run freely as they run the risk of being hit by a vehicle, ingesting poisonous substances or getting lost.
GENERAL:
Never feed your pet leftover turkey bones or any other kind of bones!!! Bones can become lodged in your pet's throat, stomach and intestinal tract. Pork chop bones are the worst.
Please don't leave a chain around your dog's neck anytime unless you're in training class. These "training" or "choke" collars can be deadly. There are many incidents of these "collars" becoming lodged in the top of a fence when the dog jumps over, or being tangled in brush until the animal suffocates. Many trainers now recommend a reward system to teach your pet; besides being safer, it is much more fun for both you and your pet!
Cats that are allowed outdoors should be called in at least twice a day to eat and to be sure they are all right. Many cat owners keep their cats inside at night for safety. Also, if allowed outside, cats should have a collar with identification. Microchips are another option for identification. There are new "breakaway" collars on the market that will help assure that a cat will not get hung in a fence or on a branch. Even spayed/neutered cats tend to roam and are susceptible to injury from wild animals, dogs, cars and exposure to infectious diseases.
Click on the following links for articles of interest:
Baby Boom: Coping with Kitten Season
Myths and Facts About Spaying and Neutering
Caring for Your Cat: The Top 10 Essentials
Caring for Your Dog: The Top 10 Essentials