Tips for Keeping Pets Safe this Memorial Day

Hopefully, you're having too much fun out with friends and family to be reading this blog! But maybe you're just checking your email while drinking your morning brew, and we can put a bug in your ear to remind you of things to keep in mind to have a safe day today and any day worth celebrating! And we do have a lot to celebrate and honor our veterans who have made this such a great place to enjoy each other, including the freedom to dote on our pets!

Picnics and barbeques are great ways to enjoy the bounty of this great country. Perhaps you're camping (with a signal?!), heading to the beach, or just enjoying the backyard. Your dog has perfected his puppy-dog eyes to beg for that bratwurst and other delectable treats. They will look for the unmonitored plates of children and help themselves to an eye-level buffet. Remind your guests that you've already fed Fido today, and he might get a tummy ache from unaccustomed treats.

Poisons at the Picnic

• Chocolate. This is a standard food group available at my family gatherings. Unfortunately, this is a big no-no for dogs. Strangely, many dogs are attracted to this substance (can we blame them?) but it is toxic for dogs.
• Avocados. This is a great, healthy, human snack we love to put on burgers, in salads, or make guacamole with. This snack will make dogs and birds very ill.
• Onions. Not only will these take you out of the dating pool for the day, these smelly things appeal to dogs, so take care to keep them where dogs can't reach.
• Grapes and raisins.
• Alcoholic beverages and other recreational drugs. Pets do not metabolize these substances like humans do. Exposure to them does not induce a high or a "buzz" in animals. Visible symptoms in animals who have partaken of these products are signs of toxic illness and require immediate veterinary attention. Be honest with your vet about what your pet has been exposed to. They can treat only what they are aware of, and it could save your pet's life.

Water Safety

This topic has been covered more extensively in a previous blog, but remember not to leave pets unattended around water as not all dogs are natural-born swimmers. In addition to drowning hazards, simply having a drink from puddles and ponds might introduce parasites into your dog's system, so always keep plenty of fresh water available to your dog.

Sun,  Heat, and Bug Safety

Always have shade available for pets, and never leave pets in a car, even for just running into the store for a bag of chips. A car can become a lethal oven for dogs and children in a matter of minutes, even with cracked windows. Don't use sunscreen or bug spray that's not approved for pets as it can make them sick when they lick it. Try some of our lightweight patriotic tanks and tees for hairless varieties and Doggles for eye protection. We also carry bug repelling products that are safe for pets. Take advantage of our extra 40% off Memorial Day Sale today!

Getting together with friends and family is a great way to enjoy the day, but increased activity can be stressful for your pets. Make sure they have a quiet place to retreat to if they need a break. Remind people to watch gates and doors so a pet doesn't get loose and run into traffic.

We hope you have a wonderful day enjoying everything we've been blessed with that's been made possible by the men and women who have fought for our freedom!

Patriotic pup photo courtesy of Randy Robertson.