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Greetings,

   As the holidays are quickly approaching us, I thought I would pass
along some tips that I find come in handy for our furry friends. Some
of these tips are to keep in mind if you have to leave your pet
unattended for any amount of time during the holidays. Others are tips
that may come in handy on a daily basis. Please feel free to pass this
information on to family and friends that may have pets as well!



1. Dogs and cats alike seem to love the smell, taste and texture of
trash, and they will go
out of their way to play in that arena while you're away. The problem
is many things in our trash that may seem benign to us can be
dangerous to pets, including chicken bones, which are choking hazards
because of their brittle nature. Take all the trash outside when you
leave for any length of time, or place trashcans out of reach of your
pets. Trust me, if given the opportunity... they will find a way into
it. Like they say, "One mans trash is another mans treasure!"

2. Do sweat the small stuff. Remove small toys, string, raw hide
chews, nylabones and other choking hazards such as rubber bands from
your pet's area in your home. They may love these things as toys, but
the risk of choking is high. Consider, too, if your pet's toys are
sized appropriately for him. A ball meant for a smaller animal can
lodge within a larger one's throat.

3. Holiday cheer means even more risk. Halloween, Thanksgiving and the
Christmas holidays bring more than cheer to your home. The influx of
candy, ornaments and shiny objects will capture your pet's attention
and imagination quickly. Remember that chocolate is poisonous to most
small animals and that tinsel and Christmas tree ornaments can harm
your pet in a very short length of time. Popular plants including
poinsettias, mistletoe and holly are poisonous as well. Be extra
vigilant during these times for your pet's sake.

4. Eight lives and counting. Cats aren't always as nimble footed and
self sufficient as legend has it. Check for places where they can
become stuck, such as behind the refrigerator or in fireplace
openings, and seal up those openings. Close all toilet lids before you
leave the house. Finally, put away those toys you may enjoy with your
feline friend that include strings. Left alone with one, your animal
can quickly choke.

5. An idle mind is the devil's workshop. Pets enjoy their routines.
And if you're going to be away for an extended period of time, or if
you're going to be away at times of the day when you're usually at
home with your pet, consider hiring a professional pet sitter to help
your pet stick to its schedule. It is reassuring to the pet, and can
help alleviate some of the mischievous exploring that often leads to
disaster. A good pet sitter knows how to think like a pet and can
quickly scan your pet's environment for known dangers.

6. Salt and ice melts can be harmful. Ice melts are available in both
liquid and solid forms. They are used to melt ice and snow on slippery
sidewalks, roadways and driveways. In many cases the ice melt is
simple salt. Although the foot pads of dogs and cats seem fairly
tough, salt is still very irritating to them. In addition, some pets
may ingest the ice melt as they lick their paws, or may eat it
directly off of the ground. In small amounts this could result in
drooling and diarrhea. If large amounts are ingested, the pet may show
excessive thirst, weakness or fainting due to low blood pressure,
decreased muscle function and, in severe cases, seizures, coma and
even death.

If you know your pet has been in a heavily-salted area, take a moist
towel and clean off the salt. If your pet has very sensitive feet, you
may want to consider providing boots for your pet. They come in
various styles and sizes. Be sure to measure your pet's foot so you
know what size will be best.

On your own walkways and driveways, use a salt-free ice melter. These
products, such as Safe Paw, contain nontoxic granules, which will not
burn or injure your pet's paws like ice melts that contain salt.

7. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of
cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by
the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on
the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to
escape.

8. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during
a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More
dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make
sure yours always wears ID tags.

9. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat
will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder
months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a
walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater
with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the
tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.

10. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A
car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and
causing the animal to freeze to death.

11. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be
difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be
sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If
your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type,
take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

12. Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities?
Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his
fur—in tip-top shape.

13. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be
sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider
using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene
glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.

14. Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the
floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm
blanket or pillow is perfect.


Sherri Adkins - Owner of Kanawha Valley Pet Sitters