Tag Archives: chocolate

Dog Care, General Care, General Health

Autumn Dangers for Dogs

Fall is officially here! All of the seasons have specific hazards for pet parents to be aware of, and autumn is no different. Here, a Georgetown, IN vet discusses autumn dangers for dogs.

Lawn/Garden Chemicals

At this time of year, many people treat their lawns and gardens with pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers. Your pooch could get sick just by licking his paws after walking through an area that was recently treated. Water your property after applying chemicals, so they soak down into the earth. You may also want to wipe your pup’s paws and belly off before you bring him indoors.

Wild Animals

As the weather cools, many wild animals will be searching for spots to hibernate. This can make them rather cranky, and more aggressive than usual. When walking Fido, don’t let him sniff around anything that could be a potential den. Snakes are a particular concern here: they sometimes hide in piles of leaves.

Antifreeze

Antifreeze is extremely dangerous to Man’s Best Friend. It’s highly toxic, and is particularly concerning because many pets like the way it tastes. Clean up any spills right away. If you see stains or damp spots, put cat litter or sand over them.

Plants

Many plants that bloom in autumn are poisonous to dogs. Mushrooms are a common one. Chrysanthemums are also dangerous to pets. And, while Fido may love playing in piles of dead leaves, be careful here: they can harbor mold or bacteria.

Decorations

Autumn decorations have a special whimsical feel, but you do need to be careful with what you put out. Fido is definitely not above trying to eat a cardboard pumpkin! He could also get tangled up in lights or cords. Hang things above your pet’s height, and be sure to secure wires and cords.

Candy

Candy is also dangerous to your furry best friend! Many sweets, such as chocolate, raisins, nuts, and anything containing xylitol, are toxic to Fido. Hard candies are also unsafe, as they present serious choking risks.

Weather

Fido may have a fur coat, but he isn’t immune to cold weather. Limit your pet’s outdoor time on cold days, and make sure he has a warm bed. If your pooch has thin fur, get him some doggy clothes for frigid days.

Please call us, you Georgetown, IN vet clinic, for all your dog’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!

Cat Care, Dog Care, General Health

Holiday Foods Your Pet Should Never Eat

If your family is like most, food is a big part of your holiday celebrations. Keep in mind that plenty of common holiday morsels aren’t safe for our four-legged friends! Below, your Floyds Knob, IN veterinarian tells you about a variety of foods to watch out for this time of year.

Sweet Treats

As you probably know, chocolate is a very dangerous pet poison—never allow your pet to ingest chocolate of any type or any food that contains chocolate. Candies, gum, and many baked pastry items aren’t safe either, as they’re often sweetened with a sugar substitute called xylitol. Xylitol can poison pets in very small amounts, so tightly restrict your pet’s access to any and all sweet treats.

Onions, Garlic, Scallions

It’s a safe bet that at least one dish on your holiday table will contain onions or garlic. Did you know that onions, garlic, scallions, shallots, chives, and leeks are all dangerous for pets? They’re all included in the allium food family, and they can cause toxic reactions in both dogs and cats. This goes for all varieties of these foods (cooked, raw, powdered, etc.). Keep your furry friend away!

Grapes, Raisins, Currants

Grapes, raisins, and currants have proven to be toxic to many of our canine and feline friends. Although it’s not clear what agent in these foods causes poisoning, and some pets seem to be able to ingest them without incident, it’s not worth taking the chance. Keep an eye on any holiday fruit trays that may contain these foods to make sure your pet doesn’t chow down.

Rich, Buttery, Fatty Foods

Too much rich or buttery food will undoubtedly cause an upset stomach, and it may lead to vomiting or diarrhea in many pets. An overload of fat at all once can even cause a very serious case of pancreatitis in some instances! Make sure that all dinner guests know not to slip your pet any table scraps without your consent.

Alcohol

Pets respond to alcohol just like humans do. The difference is, alcohol can poison a small pet in a very short time! If your holiday festivities will include alcoholic beverages, it’s important to keep a close eye on all drinks to make sure Fido or Fluffy doesn’t imbibe.

Would you like more advice on keeping your pet safe during the holidays? We’re here to help! Call your Floyds Knob, IN vet today.

Cat Care, Dog Care, General Care

Halloween Hazards for Cats and Dogs

Halloween and trick-or-treat night are right around the corner. Did you know that the Halloween holiday is one of the most dangerous times of the year for our dogs and cats? Keep your pet safe with the following tips from a Floyds Knob, IN veterinarian.

Chocolate and Candy

Your trick-or-treat bowl is chock full of things that your pet shouldn’t have access to. Chocolate of all types—dark, milk, semi-sweet, white, even baking chocolate—contains caffeine and a chemical called theobromine, neither of which are safe for pets. Many candies, gums, and certain baked items are sweetened with xylitol, an artificial sugar substitute that is highly toxic to dogs and cats. Keep all goodies safely stored away in order to avoid a dangerous episode of poisoning.

Costumes

Are you planning on dressing up your pet in his or her very own Halloween costume this year? Make sure your animal companion is okay with wearing clothes; many pets don’t take kindly to outfits, especially if they’re too baggy or tight-fitting. Also check through your pet’s costume and remove any small parts—plastic eyeballs, tips of drawstrings, etc.—that could be chewed off, swallowed, or choked on.

Holiday Decorations

Many families like to decorate their homes with autumn-themed plants like fall corn, pumpkins, and gourds. These items aren’t necessarily toxic to animals, but they can still cause trouble. Almost any foreign substance can cause vomiting if your pet eats too much, and bits of these plants can be chewed off and present a choking hazard. Don’t let your pet gain access.

Also be sure to tape down any cords running from electric Halloween decorations to the wall socket. Pets can chew on these, or get tangled up.

Anxiety

One of Halloween’s biggest dangers is one you may not have thought of: anxiety. If your pet gets worked up whenever the doorbell rings, trick-or-treat night can be very stress-inducing! Plus, some pets might try to dart out of the door when you open it for trick-or-treaters. Avoid the trouble by securing your pet in another room; try playing music or the radio at a medium volume to mask over the sound of the doorbell.

Do you need help preparing your pet for Halloween? Have more questions about keeping your animal friend safe this holiday? Give your vet in Floyds Knob, IN a call today. We’re here to serve all of your pet-care needs!