Thanksgiving Tips

Friends, family and feasts. The main ingredients for holiday fun can actually result in distress for pets. Not only can too many table scraps set furry tummies a-rumble, but many animals get anxious at the change in household routine. Says the ASPCA's Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President, Animal Health Services, which includes the ASPCA.s Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, IL, "As you begin to prepare for a festive season, remember to be wary of activities that can be potentially dangerous to pets."

The following safety tips will help to ensure a safe and fulfilling Thanksgiving for you and your pets:
• Talkin' Turkey: Giving your pets a little nibble of turkey is okay, just be sure that it's boneless and fully cooked. Raw or undercooked turkey may contain salmonella bacteria, and dogs can choke on bones, which splinter easily.
• A Feast Fit for a Kong: While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Stuff their usual dinner - with a few added bits of turkey, dribbles of gravy or vegetables like sweet potato and green beans - inside a Kong toy. They'll be happily occupied trying to get their meal out, and way too busy to come begging for table scraps.
• Sage Advice: This peppery herb makes stuffing taste delish, but sage also contains essential oils and resins that can cause pets to suffer stomach upset and possible depression of the central nervous system.
• Battery Power: The holiday season means lots of cameras, radios and other battery-operated electronics. Please don't leave batteries lying around. If swallowed, they can cause choking or obstruction; if punctured, the chemicals in alkaline batteries can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus.

Hot Weather Tips

• Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle - hyperthermia can be fatal. Even with the windows open, a parked automobile can quickly become a furnace in no time. Parking in the shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day.
• Always carry a gallon thermos filled with cold, fresh water when traveling with your pet.
• The right time for playtime is in the cool of the early morning or evening, but never after a meal or when the weather is humid.
• Street smarts: When the temperature is very high, don't let your dog stand on hot asphalt. His or her body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.
• A day at the beach is a no-no, unless you can guarantee a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water for your companion. Salty dogs should be rinsed off after a dip in the ocean.
• Provide fresh water and plenty of shade for animals kept outdoors; a properly constructed doghouse serves best. Bring your dog or cat inside during the heat of the day to rest in a cool part of the house.
• Be especially sensitive to older and overweight animals in hot weather. Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus, as well as those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
• When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. And please be alert for coolant or other automotive fluid leaking from your vehicle. Animals are attracted to the sweet taste, and ingesting just a small amount can be fatal. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect that your animal has been poisoned.
• Good grooming can stave off summer skin problems, especially for dogs with heavy coats. Shaving the hair to a one-inch length-never down to the skin, please, which robs Rover of protection from the sun-helps prevent overheating. Cats should be brushed often.
• Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.
• Having a backyard barbecue? Always keep matches, lighter fluid, citronella candles and insect coils out of pets' reach.
• Please make sure that there are no open, unscreened windows or doors in your home through which animals can fall or jump.
• Stay alert for signs of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting and drooling and mild weakness, along with an elevated body temperature.

KEEP VACATIONING PETS SAFE WITH OUR AIR & ROAD TRAVEL TIPS

• Please visit your veterinarian before traveling to make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations and has all the medications he needs. Also ask about parasites or other health risks native to your destination.
• Your pet should always wear a collar and ID tag clearly stating an address or phone number where you can be reached-that includes cell phone number and destination info.
• Always bring plenty of plastic jugs filled with bottled or tap water from home. Drinking water she's not used to could upset your pet's stomach. If flying, freeze water in a bowl the night before. It won't spill during loading and it'll melt by the time she's thirsty.
• Fly your pet in a USDA-approved shipping crate large enough for her to comfortably stand, sit and turn around in. Write "Live Animal" in large letters on at least two sides of the crate, and draw arrows indicating the crate's upright position. (Of course you should ask the airline if small animals can fly with you in the cabin.)
• If driving, never leave your pet in a parked automobile. On a hot day, even with the windows open, a stationary vehicle can become a furnace in no time, and heatstroke can develop.

To ensure your trip is a good one, please read our complete air and road travel tips.

BE IN TOUCH WITH YOUR DOG'S BEHAVIOR

Growling, biting, wincing, or avoidance of physical contact may be a sign of an acute injury. Reserved or withdrawn behaviors may indicate chronic pain. If your dog suddenly exhibits a need for constant attention or seclusion, or if he or she is excessively irritable, submissive, listless, or restless, contact your vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment.