Autumn Pet Safety Tips for Your Pet

There’s nothing like the start of the Autumn season. The leaves change color, crisp air begins to drift in, and we prepare for our favorite holiday celebrations. While there is much to look forward to this Fall, this season also brings with it dangers to your pet. To make sure your dog or cat stays healthy during these cozy next few months, check out these following tips. 

Full Tummies 

With the Autumn season comes a transition into cooler weather. Your pet will need more energy to stay warm in these cold temperatures. Therefore, consider feeding your pet a little more food. This will allow them to generate more body heat, and stay warm on those chilly Fall nights. Be sure to discuss your pet's needs with your local veterinarian before making any significant changes their diet. 

Rodent Danger

You and your pet aren't the only ones adjusting to the cold this month. Rats and other rodents begin to search for warmth indoors around this time, which could mean an infestation of mice in your home. Be careful when setting mouse traps and using rodenticides and poisons. Many of the products available today are very toxic to pets, and could even be fatal if ingested. Research safer methods of pest control, and if you must use rodenticides, keep them out of reach from your pets. 

Be Mindful of Mushrooms

Fall, much like spring, is a season in which an abundance of mushrooms pop up in forests, and even your backyard. Although 99% of these mushrooms are not dangerous, 1% can be highly toxic to both you and your pet. The problem is being able to distinguish the safe mushrooms from the life-threatening ones. When you take your dog for a walk try avoiding areas in which mushrooms are growing. If you believe your pet may have ingested a toxic mushroom, immediately contact the the ASPCA Animal Poison Control center. 

Bring your pet to Morris Animal Inn this Fall. Our building is specially designed for your pet's safety. Special features of our facility include climate control with air purification systems, soft natural lighting, skylights, and background music in every room, private residence on premises and 24-hour camera surveillance. Visit www.morrisanimalinn.com for more information on our luxury accommodations. 

Source: Pet Health Network, North Shore Animal League of America, ASPCA

Take a Hike! Tips for Hitting the Trails with Your Dog

There’s nothing like a nice, long hike with your dog. Cooler fall days make for perfect hiking weather, meaning there is no better time than now to take to the trails. There are, however, some precautions that you should take in order to make sure you and your pup are safe. Here are some essential tips that you should follow whenever you bring your pooch hiking or on a long outdoor adventure.

Make sure that your dog is wearing an ID tag: If your pooch runs off, proper contact information is crucial. All ID tags should list the following things:

• Pets name
• Your cell phone number
• Additional contact number 
• Hometown: This way, if your dog is lost, anyone who finds them will know how far your dog is from home.
• Medical issues and/or medicines: If they are lost and no one can contact you, this is vital information for whoever found them to know.

Make sure your dog is in good physical condition, and respect your dog’s limits: Start small and work up to bigger hikes..

Find a good, dog friendly trail: Some hiking trails aren’t dog friendly, including a good amount of trails in National Parks, so do your research before you go.

Hike during the cool parts of the day: Morning and late afternoon or evening are the coolest times of day. Your best bet is to get on the trail as early as possible so you aren’t walking during the midday heat. 

Pack plenty of water: Dogs don’t sweat, so they will need water to keep them hydrated throughout your hike. Stop frequently to give your dog water breaks and remember not to let your dog drink from ponds, lakes, streams or any natural bodies of water you may come across. These are breeding grounds for bacteria that could make your dog sick.

Bring a properly packed hiking kit: It’s always good to carry items that your dog may need while on a hike, including:

• Treats: Always have rewards for your dog easily accessible. Whether you’re passing an aggressive dog, a person who doesn’t like dogs or another animal or stimuli in the woods, treats are an easy way to get your dog’s attention and distract them.
• Water: So important, it’s worth mentioning twice! Make sure your pooch stays hydrated throughout the hike.
• First Aid Kit: First aid kits aren't only for humans! Trails are full of sharp rocks and sticks that your dog may not be used to walking on.  A kit will help provide temporary care in case of emergency.
• Air Horn: Should you get injured or need assistance on your hike, an air horn is always good to have on hand to get the attention of nearby hikers or rescue teams. There is also research that shows air horns may ward off curious bears, so especially for hiking in New Jersey, which has a high black bear population, carrying an airhorn is always a safe bet.
• Cell Phone: Your phone is essential on a hike not only for safety, but for a lot of great apps with the ability to show you trail maps and track your hike. 

Ask permission before letting your dog approach anyone, humans or dogs: Not all people or dogs are friendly, so it is always better to be safe than sorry. Even if your dog loves everyone, it doesn’t mean that everyone will love your dog.

Make sure your dog isn’t eating plants along the trail: Keep an eye on your dog at all times! There are plants in the area that can be poisonous to pets if ingested. To prevent any issues, it’s best if your dog doesn’t eat anything found in the woods on your hike.

Prepare yourself for ticks and fleas, and check your dog after your walk: Make sure you thoroughly check your dog after every walk in order to make sure they are free of tick and fleas. If you do find them make sure you treat the problem right away.

Pick up after your dog! Just because you are in the woods doesn’t mean you don’t have to clean up after your dog. If your dog eliminates, pick it up. Leave a clean environment for future hikers and their pets; many dog diseases are spread through feces, so it’s best not to leave anything behind.

Following these simple tips can mean a safe fun hike for both you and your pooch. Remember to use your best judgment on the trail and to always pay close attention to what your dog is trying to tell you. Safe hiking!

Source: ASPCA & REI 

Autumn Safety Tips for Your Pets

Summer is surely coming to an end -- the kids are back to school and the days will slowly become shorter and cooler. The end of the sweltering heat isn’t always a bad thing! Autumn is a great time for some outdoor adventures with your pet; the air is crisp and there is nothing better than rolling in a pile of red and gold leaves together. Just like any other time of year, the start of the new season brings new risks for your pet.

Here are a few risks to be aware of in the upcoming season:

Back to School Supplies. Items in your kid’s pencil box like glue sticks, pencils and magic markers are considered “low toxicity” to pets, which means they're unlikely to cause serious problems unless they ingest large amounts! However, since gastrointestinal upset and blockages certainly are possible, be sure your children keep their school supplies out of paw's reach!

Rodenticides. As rodents seek shelter from the cooler temperatures by attempting to move indoors, the use of rodenticides increases in the fall. Rodenticides are highly toxic to pets—if ingested, the results could be fatal. If you must use these products, do so with extreme caution and put them in places inaccessible to your pets.

Mushrooms. Unfortunately, most of the highly toxic mushrooms are difficult to distinguish from the nontoxic ones, so it’s best to keep them away from all mushrooms. Be especially cautious of parasol-shaped mushrooms and all small brown mushrooms. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning can range from mild vomiting and diarrhea to severe digestive problems to complete liver failure.

Grumpy Snakes. Autumn is the season when snakes who are preparing for hibernation may be particularly “grumpy,” increasing the possibility of severe bites to those unlucky pups who find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pet owners should know what kinds of venomous snakes may be in their environment—and where these snakes are most likely to be found—so they can keep pets out of those areas.

Engine Coolant. Many people choose fall as the time to change their car's engine coolant. Ethylene glycol-based coolants are highly toxic, so spills should be cleaned up immediately. Consider switching to propylene glycol-based coolants—though they aren't completely nontoxic, they are much less toxic than other engine coolants.

Bonfires. Fall is a great time to snuggle up around a bonfire. However, fire can be a great danger for your curious pets. Make sure that you close up your fireplaces, block off any fire pits, and keep your pet away from the spark zone.

Heating Devices. If you use an indoor electric heater in your home when it starts to get chilly, be sure that you turn it off each and every time you leave the house in order to keep your pet safe from any potential accidents or house fires.

Hunting. October is the peak season for hunting. Make sure both you and your pet are wearing proper bright colors to ward off any hunters in your area! If your pets are allowed to be outside unsupervised, make sure they are unable to wander into a hunting zone.

Source: ASPCA, PetAg, Agway