Maintenance Tips

• Always provide fresh, clean water for your pet. If the weather is cold, please check their water for ice formation and remove the ice.  Or get a heated bucket.

• Indoor pets should be provided with a warm, dry area free from drafts. Provide bedding that off cold floors, and wash bedding weekly if possible.

• Outdoor pets should have dry shelter out of the wind. Bring cats and dogs into the house if the weather conditions are rainy , snowy or weather conditions are super cold. 

• Staying warm requires extra calories, pets may need more food or a change in diet. Talk to us!   

• Ice, snow and mud-Remove ice, salt, mud, snow from your pets coats, feet as soon as possible. If the skin looks reddish, white or grey in cold weather, may be scaly or peeling, suspect frostbite if the weather has been really cold.  For dogs that are out in the snow and ice for long periods of time, you might consider getting boots for them, they can be purchased online or at Petco.

• Transportation- We all love to put the dogs in the back of the pickup and let the wind run thru their hair... but we see so many dogs fall out of trucks with some very sad endings.  Please purchase a carrier for your dog and strap it in the back of your pickup.  They are available at thrift stores for a very reasonable price.

• Antifreeze smells good and tastes very sweet, Very small amounts can kill your pet. If a cat walks through in and then licks its paws, it will get enough. The damage is done but chemicals crystallizing in the kidney, so symptoms may not show up for a few days and then it may be too late. Thoroughly clean up any spills, store antifreeze in tightly closed containers and store where pets and children can't get to them. Sierra make a non toxic antifreeze. Do not dispose of antifreeze by pouring into the gutter and never let your pet drink from the gutters.

• Fall is the most common time of year for male cats to "block" or forming small " stones "that block the flow of urine from the bladder through the urethra. Any cat that seems to be straining "to go to the bathroom" should be checked right away.  The problem may have to do with decreased water intake.

• Halloween. Candy is not good for your pets, especially chocolate. Keep cats inside to avoid tricksters and possible encounters with cars, make sure that the dogs are kept safe ,with all the visitors and open doors to sneak out of, dogs can also get confused and frightened by the costumes.

• Holiday food. Alcoholic beverage, candy, chocolate, turkey and fixing, pork , fish, bones, just to name a few hazards...keep your pet on its regular diet.  Refrain from table scraps.  Another food related hazard is the plastic six-pack beverage holders, kittens especially can become entangled in them. Cut them up before putting into the garbage. This will also help the wildlife at the landfill too (especially birds).

• Poisonous plants - Many plants , including Christmas rose, holly, mistletoe, philodendron, dieffenbachia are toxic to your pet. Keep them out of your pets reach.

• Holiday paraphernalia- Electric cords, tinsel, glass ornaments, candles, spray on-snow (some are non-toxic-read the label), ribbons, plastic or foil wrapping, etc. can be dangerous to your pet. Cover up or hide electric cords, never let your pet chew on them.  Monitor your pet if you put a costume on them.  They can easily be tempted to chew them or get tangled in them.