Posts Tagged: Pet Safety

Fragrant gravy ladled over a steaming mound of mashed potatoes, crisp and golden turkey skins, vibrantly colored cranberry sauce that’s both sweet and tart. If your mouth is watering just thinking about a traditional holiday meal, you can imagine how excited your pet becomes when his or her heightened senses picks up on the aromas of the Thanksgiving and other winter holiday dinners.

It’s tempting to slip a morsel or two to a begging pet, or to nod off after a big meal before putting away the leftovers or taking out the trash, but we can be sure that our pets haven’t overlooked any of these temptations. As delicious as our holiday foods are, some of them pose serious risks to our pets.

Before the holiday season is in full swing is the perfect time to bone up on the principles of food safety for pets.

By: Karen Fazio, CDBC

Back to school is an exciting time for most families, but not always for their pets. Sudden changes in routines, withdrawal of attention, and turning back clocks can cause some pets to exhibit unwanted issues.  These issues can include depression, separation anxiety and destructive behaviors.

Luckily, there are some things we can do, 1-2 weeks before school starts, that may help your pet(s) adjust to such a big change in their schedule and routine.

“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy…”
Who can resist all the wonderful outdoor activities this time of year? There are so many fun opportunities for exercise, socializing, and rest and relaxation! The benefits increase tenfold when we’re able to share the great outdoors with our pet family members.

Like most things that involve our animal companions, outdoor safety and your pet is a topic that deserves close attention. Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital has some key pointers to help you prepare for summer fun in New Jersey with your favorite furry pal.

When our pets are injured or seriously ill, it seems like nothing else matters. But sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish between pet emergencies and other health conditions that can wait for a scheduled appointment. Certain situations indicate true pet emergencies, and our team at Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital has put together a list of 10 to keep in mind.

Before you bring a puppy, kitten, or adopted pet home for the first time, it’s important to make your home as hazard-free as you can. Pet-proofing your home aids in accident prevention, keeping your kitties or puppies safe and sound as they get used to their new home. 

The team at Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital has tips to help you get your home primed for pet safety. 

When our pets cannot join us during travel or a long work day, it can feel pretty devastating. Our little furry friends are often a big part of our family. It’s the least we can do to make sure that they are in good hands when we have to be away. Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital has some tips to help you find the perfect pet sitter or dog walker for your family. 

There have been many famous (and famously eccentric) pet owners over the years. Audrey Hepburn had a connection with a fawn, Elvis kept a kangaroo, and Salvador Dali split his affection between an ocelot and an anteater. Why? Because they could!

Modern day pet ownership continues to have several outliers, including tigers, kinkajous, and teacup pigs, but the strongest pet trends involve the most common companion animals: cats and dogs. 

By Karen Fazio, CDBC

Each Halloween our pets witness very weird situations… adults and children begin sprouting objects from their bodies (hats, cloaks, sticks, candy bags), friendly faces morph into strangers (masks and makeup), and they hear all sorts of odd sounds. One of the spookiest experiences for most is the monsters who threaten to enter the pet’s homes in search of candy. Many pet owners wonder how can I keep my dog or cat safe on Halloween?

Halloween is a fun thrill for most of us, but it can be a really scary experience for a lot of household pets. This is especially true if these pets weren’t exposed to similar experiences while preparing pets for Halloween in a pleasant way when they were puppies or kittens. For example, if a cat was given candy by a costumed guest during the socialization period (8- 12-weeks for dogs, 2-7 weeks for cats) may never be frightened of costumed youngsters as an adult. However, if the pet wasn’t afforded proper socialization, it will likely grow up to be terrified or even aggressive in response to such experiences.

At some point in time, almost all pets eat something other than their designated food. Whether it is scraps from your dinner, a tempting treat left out accidentally in the path of a curious critter, an innocent treat from your grandma, or a trash can raid, pets eat things that they shouldn’t. 

Knowing what potential problems your pet might encounter in your home can make you a better pet parent. One common danger that can lurk in the average home is xylitol. Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital wants all of our readers to be aware of xylitol poisoning in pets and how to best prevent it.

Regardless of how long you’ve shared your space with a four-legged companion, you are probably well aware of their propensity to sniff out food wherever it may be.

The contents of a backpack, purse, lunchbox, craft supplies, or even e-learning supplies at home can be particularly tantalizing, and with school back in session, the opportunities for scrounging are nearly endless.

Unfortunately, these seemingly harmless items can actually pose a significant risk to our pets in the form of toxins such as certain foods, medication, and even chewing gum.