If you haven't already realized pets are creatures of habit and love daily routines & stability. Often times moving to a new home or new situations can be stressful for anyone. We all know what its like to have the moving blues when rooms are filled with boxes upon boxes.
But moving with your beloved pet, although a joyous occasion and exciting adventure, can be a challenge. Like humans, packing, unpacking and the unfamiliar can be quite frightening and stressful for pets. Here are a few simple tips to help minimize your pets anxiety, acclimate them quickly and keep them safe during a move.
1. Microchips- Make sure you update your dogs or cats microchip contact information. You never know when your pet will get the itch to wander & sight see around the new neighborhood and get lost in transit.
2. Refuge- When packing and unpacking create a safe haven refuge area for your dog or cat to relax and de-stress. Setting the mood with soothing music will keep your pet calm amidst the constant moving commotion.
3. Welcome- Get out the welcome mat immediately. Pets feel safe when they are around the familiar. Unpack their bed, bowls, treats & toys so your pet feels right at home.
4. Explore- Pets are inquisitive and love to explore & sniff their surroundings. Spend sometime walking your dog through the neighborhood and home so he or she can identify the new smells of their new home sweet home.
5. Be prepared- Make sure you know where the nearest vet hospital is for emergency situations, expect the unexpected.
6. Set up home- If possible move your pet into your new home already arranged and unpacked, since chaos & clutter can cause any pet to go barking mad. Familiar furniture will make you, your pet and home fill more settled and lived in.
Don't forget to shop www.pawlux.comfor your doggie summer staples. We offer eco-friendly, all natural and organic goodies for your deserving furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks/Dog Treats / andDog Toys !
Our pets are like our children and we want to keep them safe. Although stubborn, mischievous, rough around the edges and inquisitive life would be boring without them. We would be the first to admit that sometimes it can be hard to live with them, especially when your dog has raided the garbage and turned your home into a frat house. But truth be told you surely can't imagine your life without them. There is so much joy that comes with pet ownership.
Like parents, it is a pet owners responsibility to lovingly care for our pets. During the summer months we need to take extra precaution to protect them from fleas, heatstroke and indoor & outdoor household hazards. So with summer forging ahead some of you are battling those weeds, pesky bugs and neighbors with the perfect the manicured lawn for the coveted bragging rights for best lawn. While you are partaking in this summers lawn care & garden wars remember safety first. Keep your pets safety in mind when you are gardening, landscaping and shopping at your local lawn care store.If you are an avid gardener, landscaper or lawn mower here are some healthy & eco-friendly lawn care and gardening pet safety tips to consider.
1. Grass is Greener, but is it Safe- Just like you, our plants need food & nutrients to live & grow. Although your neighbors lawn may be greener, the question is… is it safer? Certain fertilizers can pose as a threat to your pets digestive tracts, health and cause death. So fight the yard & lawn wars the all natural & eco-friendly way by using your lemons, egg shells, and banana as the secret ingredient to your fertilizer. You neighbor who wins lawn of the year every year won't know what hit him and will be asking whats your secret. Not only are you doing your part for Mother earth, composting your kitchen or yard waste (not dog poo!) will reduce your cost and need for chemical fertilizers. Homemade fertilizer is a great way to give your lawn & garden the essential nutrients that your plant and grass are shouting for.
2. Alternatives to Pesticides- It is common nature to reach for a chemical pesticide when you are faced with lawn or garden pest infestation. But do keep in mind that a lot of these harsh chemical have a big warning sign on the bottle aren't meant for human consumption, but also for four legged companions as well. Our pets who love to roam, explore and taste the world with their mouths. Using toxic pesticides & herbicides will expose them to these harsh chemicals with the likelihood of your pet consuming the plants sprayed with these toxic chemicals. Worse yet is that many of these pesticides are designed to stay in the environment weeks after application. So while your pet is rolling joyfully in the grass, munching on grass, and playing a game of fetch they are exposed to these toxins & put at risk for weeks. Did you know that last year the ASPCA received more then 2,000 calls related to fertilizer exposure.
Fortunately there is a solution & safer alternative for the average avid gardener, you can have the best of both worlds. You can rid your life of those garden & lawn pest and protect your pet. If you are having a problem with aphids, spider mites or insects they can be eliminated or reduced with a simple spray of water. Place your nozzle on the appropriate setting so your plants don’t wash away with those pesky insects. Or fill your watering can and shower away. It may take a few sprays or soaks but the infestation should clear up in days. Just make sure your hose & nozzle is turned off after use to conserve water.
Another great alternative is soap & water, amazing huh! If your insects are like the Terminator and won’t get the hint, you can add a teaspoon of dish soap to a gallon of water. Pick you weapon of choice and opt to reduce, reuse & recycle an old spray bottle. Just make sure the spray bottle you use has been properly cleaned so you are not tainting your solution. The soap acts as an irritant to insects and breaks down their exo-skeleton giving you the victory and joy of saying those famous words “Asta la Vista Baby”.
Lawn Care Food for thought! Read labels when choosing commercial lawn care products, fertilizers or insect sprays. Don't forget to go the all natural route that is both safe for pets, good for your plants and safe for earth.
3. Death by Chocolate Mulch-Many gardeners use cocoa bean shells to landscape their yards & gardens. But remember cocoa beans are a by-product of chocolate which is toxic to pets. Sure “Death by Chocolate” is a fun name for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, but when it comes to pets this saying can be taken literal. Dogs are not ones to have discriminating taste or be finicky eaters, they will tend to eat anything & everything in front of their noses. For a dog if it smells good, and taste good then it must be good for them, a misconception that dogs just don't understand.
But who can’t resist the sweet smell of chocolate, well like many humans, dogs don’t have the will power. Dogs let their snouts and tummies do the talking for them. Ingestion of cocoa mulch can cause some serious health problems from vomiting, diarrhea, tummy aches, muscle tremors, elevated heart rate, hyperactivity and seizures. Instead go with a less toxic alternative like shredded pine, ceder or hemlock bark. But remember the true key to pet safety is supervision, so keep an eye on your pet when they are outside. Because hey, you don't want your dog digging up your prized flower bed.
As my friends would say at the ASPCA or Pet Poison Helpline when in doubt call for help for a peace of mind!
Long live the lawn & garden wars! May the healthiest lawn or garden triumph.
Don't forget to shop www.pawlux.comfor your doggie summer staples. We offer eco-friendly, all natural and organic goodies for your deserving furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks/Dog Treats / andDog Toys !
If you haven’t already realized, like children, pets are very inquisitive and it is up to us as parents to keep Fido & Fluffy safe. There is truth to the saying “curiosity killed the cat” or in some instances really made him sick.
With the long dog days of summer comes many pet hazards to be aware of. Protect your dogs from having access to dangerous poisons that may lurk inside and outside the home by opting for pet friendly and eco friendly alternatives. Remember foods, herbicides, pesticides, mouse poisons, medications, cleaning products & plant life can signal danger. Although your home should be a safe haven, dangers can lurk in your cabinets & backyard. So safeguarding your pet from accidental poisoning should extend outside your home to your relaxing garden and backyard oasis.
This brings us to the topic of the hour the dangers of plants and the importance of pet proofing your gardens & indoor plants. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center gets thousands of calls each year involving pets who've potentially ingested or came in hazardous contact with insecticides, weed killer and pet toxic plants. In 2008, common household plants were the subject of nearly 8,000 calls in to the Animal Poison Control Center, a staggering number. While you are gardening, landscaping, and filling your home with the wonderful fragrance of flowers and indoor plants to welcome summer there are a few things you must know.
Keep in mind that although beautiful, some plants are toxic if ingested by your pet. Many contain toxins that can lead to mild nausea, diarrhea, skin allergies & and even death. Below is an informative video created the ASPCA that all pet owners should watch. As well as a list of plants that you should keep out of your pets reach. Don't be fooled, if your pet is motivated & determined he or she can & will get into anything and everything. Certain plant life can pose a threat to your furry family member. If you have suspected your pet has ingested a poisonous plant contact your vet immediately or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4335.
Here are some common plants that are toxic if ingested by your pet.
1. Lilies-highly toxic to cats, even if ingested in small amounts can cause severe kidney damage.
2. Marijuana- can cause depression of the central nervous system & incoordination, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, seizures & coma.
3. Sago Palm- all elements of this plant are poisonous, the the seeds or "nuts" contain the majority of the the toxin. The ingestion of one or two seeds can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures & liver failure.
4. Tulip- bulb contains toxins that causes gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, appetite loss, depression of central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.
5. Azalea- contain substance known as grayantoxins which causes vomiting, drooling , diarrhea, weaken central nervous system. Severe azalea poisoning could result in coma or death due to cardiovascular collapse.
6. Oleander- contains cardiac glycosides that can lead to serious effects such as gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and death.
7. Castor Bean- contains ricin, a highly toxic protein that can produce sever abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness & appetite loss. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma & death.
8. Cyclamen- contains cyclamine, but the highest concentration of this toxic component is typically located in the root portion of the plant. If consumed, Cylamen can produce significant gastrointestinal irritation, including intense vomiting. Fatalities have also been reported in some cases.
9. Kalanchoe-this plant contains components that can produce gastrointestinal irritation, as well as those that are toxic to the heart, and can seriously affect cardiac rhythm and rate.
10. Yew- contains a toxic component known as taxine, which causes central nervous system effects such as trembling, incoordination, and difficulty breathing. It can also cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac failure, which can result in death.
11. Amaryllis-common garden plants popular around Easter, Amaryllis species contain toxins that can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia and tremors.
12.Autumn Crocus- ingestion by pets can result in oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage and bone marrow suppression.
13. Chrysanthemum- these popular blooms contain pyrethrins that may produce gastrointestinal upset, including drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, if eaten. In certain cases depression and loss of coordination may also develop if enough of any part of the plant is consumed.
14.English Ivy-Also called branching ivy, glacier ivy, needlepoint ivy, sweetheart ivy and California ivy,Hedera helix contains triterpenoid saponins that, should pets ingest, can result in vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea.
15. Peace Lily (AKA Mauna Loa Peace Lily)-contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue in pets who ingest.
16. Pothos-if chewed or ingested, this popular household plant can cause significant mechanical irritation and swelling of the oral tissues and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
17. Schefflera-contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue in pets who ingest.
Don't forget to shop www.pawlux.comfor your doggie summer staples. We offer eco-friendly, all natural and organic goodies for your deserving furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks/Dog Treats / andDog Toys !
If you haven't already realized pets are creatures of habit and love daily routines & stability. Often times moving to a new home or new situations can be stressful for anyone. We all know what its like to have the moving blues when rooms are filled with boxes upon boxes.
