If you are getting ready to see 2008 out in fashion this year with a special house party celebration make sure you don’t expose your four-legged friend to any homely hazards. Preparing yourself for the 31st can reduce the chances of an unnecessary emergency vet visit in 2009.
Take me for example, this time last year, Milo managed to hoover up an excessive amount of left overs and god knows what else from under the table as well as winning over family members to give him a few extra treats here and there. On the 2nd January I found myself walking out of the vet £250 out of pocket and a very poorly pup under my arms. Turned out that my mini Milo had suffered a mild bout of pancreatitis caused by over-eating.
So to help you avoid a similar situation, here are some tips to keep you extra vigilant during your house party so that you don’t have to start the New Year with a poorly pooch or poorly pocket!
Stick to your routine - If you're having a house party try not to interrupt your daily routine with your dog, stick to his/her normal feeding and walking habits, dogs love routine. You might want to walk him/her slightly earlier to avoid any late night activity like fireworks. For more information about your dog and fireworks have a read of our 5th November blog.
Good guests - Make sure that any friends or new guests are well aware that you have a dog in the house so that he/she doesn't slip out the door in all of the confusion. Remind your guests not to give your dog any alcohol, or feed him anything other than dog treats you allow him to eat. Most human foods like chocolate, onions and even berries can be highly toxic for your pooch and cause upset sensitive stomachs or diarrhea.
New visitors - Even if your dog is particularly friendly with most people he/she may not be familiar with new faces and may act differently towards them. Watch out for children they are most vulnerable because they may not understand how to treat or act towards a dog. If you are not sure how to introduce a guest to your dog correctly check this page out.
Homely hazards - Watch out for objects which can easily fall on the floor during a party or gathering such as toothpicks, plastic food packaging or foil. These items can smell or taste of food and can be very tempting for your pet, but if they get swallowed up they can damage his/her intestines and could even be fatal.
Decorations - Burning candles, Christmas trees, decorations and lights can attract curious puppies or playful dogs. Make sure that you pet proof your home during the holidays. If you think your dog will cause himself or others harm it's best to put him in a the safety of a closed room with a cosy bed, food, water, toys and some soft music to drown out the noises.
Home sweet home - If you will be going out for New Years Eve make sure that you prepare a safe and calming environment for your dog. It may be a good idea to leave some classical music playing for him/her and make sure there is plenty of water and that any dangerous objects are well out of reach. Keep your dog inside in case of fireworks or other noisy celebrations by your neighbours at midnight and don’t forget to check that his/her I.D. tag is up to date and on his collar in case he is frightened and escapes out of your yard or during a walk. Check here to see if your dog is wearing the correct information.
Have a safe and Happy New Year! And we will see you all in 2009 where we will continue to feed you with more tips and tricks to get you out of those canine conundrums.
Be the first winner in 2009 – enter our prize draw to win a bag of Pooch & Mutt’s Bionic Biotic! Click here.
As winter descends rapidly upon us it becomes evident that with the change in seasons comes Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, a dilemma which can affect our four pawed friends as well as us.
According to a study by the veterinary charity PDSA, one in every three dog and cat owners notices a dip in their pets' moods during the colder and darker months of the year. Pets also echo humans in turning to comfort food to combat symptoms of fatigue and depression.
So as we retire to our winter wardrobes to try and combat those chilly daily walking sessions with our furry friends here are some tit bits to help you fight the winter blues indoors and outdoors.
Practice party tricks - if the weather outside is particularly lousy why not give your pooch a good workout inside. Throw a toy up and down the stairs or challenge him/her to learn some new party dog tricks which you can show off to your family and friends after Christmas dinner.
Change the chow - Offering a variety of pet food and will help keep your pet healthy and interested in eating. You might want to consider reducing the amount of food you are feeding your dog since they are often less active during the winter months. If your dog has gone off his food or is showing signs of depression, digestive problems or a sensitive stomach try adding a natural dog supplement such as Bionic Biotic for your dog’s health and vitality and to protect against illness.
Winter pet accessories – If your dog is small, has short hair, or is older, you may want to consider purchasing a nice winter jacket to help keep him warm and dry on walks or a heated pet bed or dog igloo for bedtime. If you don’t fancy splashing out on too much then you can opt for a warm pet blanket.
Play hide and seek – This is always a very engaging activity for your pooch. Try hiding a favourite toy or some healthy treats around the house and let your dog sniff them out. This will not only stimulate him but it will put an end to those boring evenings indoors for both of you. If it’s snowing outside why not hide a few treats in the snow and let your dog dig for them.
Get active and warm up – We can’t avoid taking our dogs on walks this winter so when we are faced with those really cold days keep warm by running with your dog instead of walking. That way you get to keep warm and your dog gets rid of all that pent up energy which can build up when you stay indoors. Still cold? then keep your hands warm with a pair of clickable heated pads. Or keep them in your pockets with a wrist walker.
If your dog suffers from joint stiffness and its harder for him to move and exercise during the colder months add a spoonful of Mobile Bones with glucosamine for dogs to his/her regular food to promote looser joints and healthier bones.
Glowing for walks – As the days get shorter and it gets darker earlier outside invest in a flashing collar and lead set. This will not only keep you both safe from any traffic or cyclists you encounter on your walks but will allow you to spot your dog up to a mile away in large fields or shrubs in case he/she wonders a step too far.
Don’t forget that just spending time with your dog can be the cure for those depressing nights in. A simple stroke or walk with your dog is proven to have therapeutic effects on humans.
Let us know your own tips for keeping your dog happy and active during the winter months.
Enter our monthly prize draw to win a bag of Bionic Biotic.
