Please spay and neuter your pets, for their health and well being. There are too many unloved animals in the world!
The five commands that can save your dog's life are: COME, STAY, WAIT, LEAVE-IT and DROP-IT.
We all know that we should be prepared for an emergency, but does your pet have a "go-bag"? Proper emergency planning (packing a first aid kit, microchipping your pets, knowing the locations of animal-friendly shelters) can save your pet's life. Check out the AKC's link for an emergency kit: http://www.akc.org/pdfs/news/are_you_prepared.pdf
Tennis ball skins have an abrasive material in their cover that can, over time, wear down your dog's teeth - don't let your best friend chew or peel tennis balls - there are no dentures for our furry friends.
In Seattle, it's ALWAYS growing season and the weeds are constantly sprouting like, well, weeds! Foxtail weeds can be dangerous to your dog and may require surgery to remove them if they burrow in. Can you identify these weeds? Click on the link to see if you did it correctly!
Chocolate contains a caffeine-like substance that can cause a potentially fatal heart rate in many domestic animals. If you think your pet has eaten chocolate - of any kind - please call your veterinarian.
Keep garbage securely away from your pets. Turkey bones, fat and scraps, along with roast-strings are a delectable tidbit for our canine and feline friends. Bones and strings can lead to stomach and intestine irritation and possibly blockage. Gravy and high fat foods can cause infection of the intestine or pancreas. Take your garbage and food scraps immediately to a sealed garbage (or food waste bin) outside.
Keep holiday decorations away from pets....or pets away from them! Both dogs and cats may like to chew on lights and/or tinsel which can cause intestinal blockage. Keep plants like poinsettias away from cats as the plant has a substance in it's leaves that can cause irritation to the mouth and gums.