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7 Plants That Can Harm Your Pets
Apr
26
2012
Your pet is vomiting, seems lethargic, and has tremors. Most likely, your pet has been poisoned. Of course, seeking immediate veterinary care is the first step. However, in the aftermath of the situation, you might reconsider the plants you have growing in your yard or potted in the windowsills of your home. Many popular, beautiful plants that we keep around our homes are poisonous to dogs and cats. Our animals may have an uncanny sixth sense for some things, but they can’t always know what they shouldn’t eat. It’s up to us to decide whether it’s worth the risk of letting potentially lethal plants grow in areas accessible to our pets. Lilies Lilies are toxic to all your...
read more»WARNING: Lilies Can Be Deadly to Cats
Apr
5
2012
BY ELAINE WEXLER-MITCHELL / FOR THE REGISTER If you own a cat, you know they love to chew on plants. Bouquets containing lilies are especially common during spring and Easter. Lilies are probably the most dangerous flower that cats can accidentally ingest. U.C. Davis veterinarians note that while all plants of the Lilium genus should be considered extremely hazardous to cats, calla lilies and peace lilies, which don't belong to the Lilium genus, are harmless to cats. Lilies contain a chemical that damages the kidneys. All parts of the lily plant are potentially toxic, so if you suspect that your kitty has chewed one, get her in for immediate veterinary treatment. If therapy is started within...
read more»The CATalyst: Poison Prevention for Cats by Steve Dale
Mar
15
2012
The CATalyst: Poison Prevention for Cats By Steve Dale, CABC Posted: March 8, 2012, 8 p.m. EST March is Animal Poison Prevention Awareness month. Some think finicky cats wouldn’t scarf down something unhealthy; somehow, cats might know better. Of course, that’s not the case. With indoor/outdoor cats, you simply don’t know what the cat may get into outside, from grazing on a dangerous plant, to lapping up potentially deadly antifreeze to dining on a rodent that has swallowed rodenticide. Indoors, chomping on dangerous plants might still be an issue even if you are there to supervise. What if you didn’t know the Easter Lilly, for example, is dangerous if swallowed? According...
read more»Pet Sitters International Recognizes Individual Contributions, Collective Growth During Professional Pet Sitters Week
Mar
5
2012
March 4-10 marks the 18th annual observance of Professional Pet Sitters Week. “A commitment to professionalism, sound business practices and continuing education differentiates professional pet sitters from other pet-care options, such as relying on neighbors or friends,” said PSI President Patti Moran. King, NC (PRWEB) March 03, 2012 Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s largest educational association for professional in-home pet-care providers, recognizes the contributions of its professional pet-sitter members and celebrates the growing in-home pet care industry during Professional Pet Sitters Week (PPSW), March 4-10. Introduced by PSI in 1995, PPSW is an annual observance...
read more»February is Pet Dental Month
Feb
21
2012
Most of use love nothing more than kisses and cuddling up with our furry friends. Sometimes that means smelling some seriously bad breath - of course with Greenies, CET chews, NylaBone dental chews, doggy toothbrushes/toothpaste, water dental additives and the myriad of other products out there...we as pet owners think we're doing pretty good! Sometimes our furkids need a good dental cleaning just like their humans! According the AMVA February 1 marks the beginning of National Pet Dental Health Month. More than just a cosmetic issue, bad breath and yellow teeth can be a sign of serious disease in our pets, which may affect their kidneys, livers, and hearts. Oral disease is the most frequently...
read more»The Five Things You Need to Know About Ice Melts
Feb
13
2012
From the ASPCA and Dr Molly at Nixa Animal Hospital Most of us know how to protect our pups in freezing temperatures (doggie sweaters, here we come!) but not everyone is aware of another winter danger for dogs: the ubiquitous rock salt used to melt ice. In the past five years, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has received hundreds of calls about ice melt exposure. Here’s everything you need to know to keep Fido safe from salt melts till spring: 1. Ice melts are poisonous to dogs if ingested. Dogs who lick their paws after a wintry walk may be exposing themselves to toxic chemicals like potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium carbonate and calcium magnesium acetate...
read more»4 Tips For A Pet Friendly Thanksgiving
Nov
15
2011
As a member of Pet Sitters International we get updates and tips to pass along to our clients and faithful readers. Here are 4 tips that can make your Thanksgiving fun and pet friendly!! Holidays can be extremely fun for humans, but are often a dreadful experience for pets. The culprits of the top Thanksgiving pet emergencies involve guests and food. Pet Sitters International (PSI) offers pet owners four tips to ensure everyone remains thankful this year. Keep Medication Out of Paw’s Reach. One of the most common pet-related holiday emergencies is the consumption of human pharmaceuticals. If company’s coming, be sure that all guests safely store their medicine. Knock, Knock. Who’s...
read more»Winter Pet Care
Oct
26
2011
Here in the Ozarks the weather changes at a moments notice sometimes. As we are enjoying the cooler weather and the lovely changing leaves of fall, it is time to start preparing for the winter months. Just as we bundle up and protect ourselves from the inclement weather, our furkids need to be bundled as well. Smaller pooches and those with a lean frame or short hair can benefit from booties, sweaters, and even moving their beds away from windows or outer walls of the home. According to to the American Animal Hospital Association cold weather can be hard on pets, just like it can be hard on people. Sometimes owners forget that their pets are just as accustomed to the warm shelter...
read more»Autumn Safety Tips from the ASPCA Website
Sep
20
2011
Ah, fall—there’s nothing like crisp, cool air, the first months of school and luscious foliage to get you excited for the changing seasons. Your pet, too, is probably welcoming the break from hot, sticky weather. But pet parents, beware—fall is also a time of lurking dangers for our furry friends. From household poisons to cold weather hazards, the season is a minefield! Here are some tips to keep your pet snug and healthy during the autumn months. The use of rodenticides increases in the fall as rodents seek shelter from the cooler temperatures by attempting to move indoors. Rodenticides are highly toxic to pets—if ingested, the results could be fatal. If you must use these...
read more»Howling Good Time for Kids and Pets 4th Annual Pets & Pumpkins Festival
Sep
13
2011
Once again 417 Pet Sitting is sponsoring the annual Pets and Pumpkins Festival on historic Commercial Street!! This year's Pets and Pumpkins Festival takes place on Saturday, October 22nd from 12pm to 5pm. Families with kids AND pets won't want to miss this day of fun. Two blocks of Historic Commercial Street, between Robberson and Campbell, are sectioned off for the event, which includes, trick or treating (for both human and fur-kids), marshmallow roasting, inflatables, food, music and more. Pets and Pumpkins is also host to one of the largest costume parades in SW Missouri. Sponsored by TAME Pet Magazine, both pets and people are invited to enter the walking parade/contest. Winners...
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