Keep Pets Safe from Outdoor Seasonal Dangers

Oh, the weather outside is frightful! People who have one or more pets that primarily live outdoors need to take extra precautions to keep them safe as the weather gets cold and miserable. VPI has created a helpful list of 10 seasonal dangers to outdoor pets. When you go out into the snowy, Winter, weather, you probably bundle up. Most of us wear warm coats, gloves, hats, and scarves if we are expecting to be outside for more than a minute or two. Your pets can’t do that. This could lead to a very serious, and tragic, situation. You might … Continue reading

Cold-Weather Gear for Your Pet

As the weather turns colder for most of us, it’s time to get our coats out of the back of the closet. Some of our pets require winter apparel as well, and ZooToo has a rundown of some of the latest products out on the market for keeping your pets warm. You can go with the traditional cute little sweaters and jackets that fill aisles at pet stores, or you can try something a bit different for your pets this winter. What you need depends on you and your pet’s lifestyle, so we’ll take a look at three different types. … Continue reading

Fourth of July Pet Safety

On Friday one of the DJ’s for my local radio station mentioned upcoming Fourth of July celebrations, and she warned dog owners about fireworks. She said that she sees more fliers go up for missing dogs on July 5 than just about any other day of the year, all because of the fireworks noise. It’s something that never occurred to me, but it makes a lot of sense. Depending on where you live and how loud noise from fireworks might be in your yard, Independence Day, while fun for us humans, could prove frightening for our pets. If you keep … Continue reading

For Green-Thumbed Pet Lovers

As I write this I’m sitting on my porch. Though many days recently have been so grossly hot and humid that I’ve never wanted to venture outdoors, some have been pleasant, especially in the mornings. These days I’ve taken to bringing my laptop out to the porch and completing my work here. I let the dog wander around the yard as I do so. Just a moment ago I had to do something that’s become common during these work outdoors mornings: chase my dog away from my garden. The majority of my garden items – herbs and berries – are … Continue reading

Summer Deals From PetCo

PetCo is a nationwide chain that sells pet food, pet supplies, and, of course, the pets that use them. Pet owners can go here to stock up on supplies whether they have a dog, a cat, a rabbit, a bird, or a goldfish. This Summer, PetCo has two really interesting deals going on. One involves aquariums, and the other could win you a some nice, big, gift cards. Right now, PetCo has an awesome sale on fish tanks. If I remember correctly, they had a sale like this one going on last Summer, too. Purchase a brand new fish tank, … Continue reading

Heatstroke in Pets

With the approach of summer, we pet owners need to start thinking about how our animal family members might be affected by the heat. Pets that go outside, particularly dogs and cats, face danger from heatstroke. In fact, even when an animal isn’t technically outdoors it can still get heatstroke if left in the car. I admit I’ve been guilty once or twice of leaving my dog in the car for “just a few minutes” in fair weather. Here’s the thing: according to a Stanford University study, a parked car on a sunny 70-degree day can reach dangerous internal temperatures. … Continue reading

Water Safety for Pets

With the official start of summer just days away, this is a good time to take a look at water safety. Whether you’re bringing your pup along for a boat ride or just lounging by the pool, it is your responsibility to keep ALL family members safe. Do you know if your dog can swim? Closely supervise your pet’s first interactions with water. Forcing him into the water can lead to stress and fear — my brother tossed one of his dogs into the pool once and now she won’t go near it. Even if your dog is a strong … Continue reading

Travel Tidbits—Vehicle Safety Programs for Seniors and a Whale of a Good Time on the Big Island

It’s the program many parents want their parents to attend… and for good reason. The national CarFit program, sponsored by the American Automobile Association (AAA), is designed to reduce the risk of accidents among older drivers (age 65 and up)… and it’s coming to a city near you. During 2008 trained professionals will be visiting all 50 states to evaluate the “fit” of the driver to the vehicle. The program assesses features such as safety belt use, head restraint setting, position of driver to air bags, mirror adjustment and line of sight, and operation of vehicle controls. The service is … Continue reading

What Fall Means to Your Pet: The Good, the Bad, and the Sniffly

Just like many of us humans, animals rejoice in fall’s coming too. The milder weather lends to more outdoor time, which is good, but it can also be not so good. The Good: Outdoor Time My Murph likes fall because it means more time sitting on the back deck, longer walks, and more frequent trips to the park. It’s easy to both sneak in more exercise and relaxation at this time of year. The cooler weather also often revives Murph, making him a bit more perky and frisky. He’s more inclined to play tugga-tugga with his shaky ball in the … Continue reading

Cold Weather Care For Pets

Although winter doesn’t officially start until December 21st, the temperatures are starting to dip! At least… here in the Northern Hemisphere they are. So if you live in an area that’s heading into winter, keep these cold weather pet care tips in mind! Cold weather care tips for cats: Try to keep your cats inside during the cold weather months! Cats can easily become lost in the ice and snow — especially during a snowstorm. Check before starting your car — outdoor cats can sleep under the hood for warmth and be injured or killed when the car is started. … Continue reading