Category: Safety

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Thanksgiving Safety

Thanksgiving has arrived and we know many of you are already familiar with food safety for your dogs, but for those of you who are new to owning a pup or you require a quick refresher, this post is for you!

Since our pups are family, we want to treat them with the same things that we enjoy, but it’s important for their safety that we be conscious of their specific needs when we spoil them. Unfortunately, many of the foods that we enjoy on Thanksgiving can be upsetting or even deadly for our pets, so it’s important to use caution on Thanksgiving. Raw vegetables and fruits like carrots or seedless apple slices as well as lean bits of meat are fine to share with our pets, but fatty or sugary foods are hard for your pup’s digestive systems to handle.

Sadly it is all too common a problem that dogs are given fatty foods like butter cookies or turkey skin and end up at the vet with acute pancreatitis as a result of Thanksgiving treats. It is important to make sure that your dog doesn’t get a hold of fatty table scraps even by accident during Thanksgiving dinner.

Another risk to your pup is sugar, which can be tough to digest; non-sugar sweeteners are even worse, they can be toxic to your dog. Xylitol is a natural sweetener that can be found in many human foods like chewing gum, peanut butter, and desserts. Xylitol can cause seizures, severe hypoglycemia and death in dogs who eat even a small amounts. Before sharing sweet treats, always check the label.

Turkey bones might seem like a good treat for dogs on Thanksgiving, but most Vets discourage this. Cooked bones are much more brittle than the smoked or raw bones made for dogs and can splinter into sharp pieces leading to internal injuries or blocked intestines. So if you want to give your pup a bone on Thanksgiving to keep them busy while you enjoy your meal, make sure it’s one made and sold just for them.

While it’s true our furry family members deserve some extra love on the day when we celebrate how thankful we are to have them in our lives, there are a lot of safe ways to do so; special bone or turkey chew is a great way to spoil your pup and keep them busy while you cook and celebrate. You can also pick up or cook them their own special turkey dinner that is dog-approved and purchase or make them their own doggie pumpkin pie, cookies or dog ice-cream for dessert!

Please stop by our recipe section here at Paws Give Me Purpose for many ways to spoil your pup on Thanksgiving and throughout the year!

From all of us here at Paws Give Me Purpose, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

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Summer Pet Safety

As temperatures soar into the triple digits, it’s imperative we keep our pets cool and safe. Here are some hot weather safety tips to help you do just that!

Leave pets at home. Dogs cool themselves by panting which precipitates convection meaning their panting exchanges warm body temperature for cooler air outside. If the outside air isn’t significantly cooler than their body temp, their cooling system doesn’t work and they can get heat stroke.

Studies show that on a 75 degree day, temps inside a car (with windows cracked) can rise to 100 degrees in 10 minutes. Temps in dark-colored cars can rise even more, reaching temps of 200 degrees!

Keep plenty of fresh water accessible in deep bowls. All that heavy breathing takes a toll and dogs lose body moisture much faster than humans, so they should always have access to fresh, cool water. Deep bowls of cool water will stay chilled longer than shallow bowls, and you can also add ice to prolong the chill.

Avoid burnt paws. If the pavement is too hot for your bare feet, well guess what — it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. Always check the pavement before bringing your dog outside. If you can’t avoid walking your dog across hot pavement, invest in a product that protects your pups feet.

*Exercise early in the morning or late at night when the sun’s intensity is less. Even then, watch for signs of heat stress, some of which can include: excessive panting, increased salivation, glassy eyes, and pale gums.

To keep bored dogs occupied during the day, try making a “pupsicle”. It will help keep your dog cool and occupied for hours. Please check out the Frozen Goodies in the Recipe section of our website for some delicious and nutritious treats!

Do you suspect heat stroke? If you think your pet has overheated, place cool (not ice-cold, as this can do more harm), wet wash cloths on his head and neck, and cool compresses on his belly and under his back legs. Call your vet’s office immediately and seek their advice about next steps. Heat stroke can quickly lead to coma, cardiac arrest, or even death, so don’t hesitate to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.

Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds may have a harder time cooling themselves in hot weather. Owners of flat-faced breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, Pekingese etc., should keep exercise to a minimum and take extra care to keep their dogs cool.

These summer safety tips apply to dogs in general, but no one knows your dog better than you. Summer is a terrific time to be a dog owner. It lets you run, swim, and play with your dog in nicer weather than any other time of the year. However, summer also brings unique risks to your dog’s health that you should keep in mind throughout the season.

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Fireworks Safety

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

It’s that time of year again, the Fourth of July, and that means fireworks. Fireworks can be quite scary for dogs, and believe it or not, the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve are the two days when pets go missing the most. This is largely due to them being frightened by fireworks and running away. Some dogs are not bothered by the sounds, but if your pooch is, here are some suggestions that can help.

Play it safe, never take your dogs to fireworks displays or leave them outside alone during fireworks. Keep them indoors and if possible, stay home with them. Keep all your windows, curtains, and blinds closed. There have been stories of frightened dogs that have attempted to jump through windows, even on higher floors.

To help your dog relax, turn on a radio that’s tuned to a classical music station, the TV, window air conditioning unit, fan, or dehumidifier to help drown out the sound of the fireworks. Distract your dog by playing games and be generous with treats for ignoring explosions (in addition to being a reward, food has a beneficial effect on their brain chemistry). A “Thundershirt” sold at most local pet supply stores, provides gentle, consistent pressure that can help your dog feel more secure and relaxed during fireworks displays and thunderstorms.

Supplements such as Melatonin and Rescue Remedy can work wonders to calm dogs, as does the use of the lavender essential oil. There are also many other natural calming supplements for dogs, including herbs, and homeopathic remedies, available at your local pet supply store – please consult your own Veterinarian before starting something new. 

One VERY important thing is to make sure that your pets are ALWAYS wearing collars or harnesses with an up-to-date ID tag and a microchip is also highly recommended; make sure it’s registered. 

It is up to us to keep our furry companions calm and comfortable. Follow the above suggestions to make your dog feel safe and secure this 4th of July, and share these tips with your family and friends!