Labor Day Weekend and Pets

This was a great article that appeared from a veterinary clinic and it is a great reminder of how to keep our pets safe while we enjoy friends and family over the Labor Day Weekend. Here at Ashford Manor Labradoodles we want you and your Australian Labradoodle to be happy and safe as you celebrate this holiday weekend.

Labor Day Dangers

As  the Labor Day weekend approaches, the veterinarians at North Central Veterinary Emergency Center would like to remind pet owners of the dangers that can accompany many holiday events.

 Food

While it may be tempting to give your pet a special treat this holiday weekend, it is always best to keep them on their regular diet. Foods that are often present at cookouts and celebrations can be dangerous for pets. In addition to causing an upset stomach or diarrhea, many foods can be toxic to pets or cause pancreatitis, a serious illness. Be sure to keep these foods away from your pet:

• Fatty foods, such as hots dogs, hamburgers, ribs, steak, pork chops and fried chicken
• Cooked bones
• Onions and garlic
• Macadamia nuts
• Grapes and raisins
• Corn cobs
• Chocolate, including in baked goods
• Xylitol, commonly found in sugar-free candy, gum and baked goods

If you’d like your pet to join in on the holiday food, buy them a treat from your local pet store.

Keep Your Pet on a Leash

 When outside of an enclosed space, keep your pet on a leash. Even well-trained pets may become startled and bolt or bite in large or unfamiliar crowds. It’s also important to keep pets on a leash and under the control of a responsible adult while they are out on a balcony or deck.

 Many of the emergencies we deal with at our clinics are due to cats roaming outside or dogs who were off-leash and are hit by cars or bitten by another animal.

Introducing Pets

 Holiday weekends often mean visitors, and sometimes they bring their pets. Unfortunately, strange people and pets can cause stress for even the calmest animals. If you will be having visitors — people or pets — it’s important to make certain your pet is safe and under control and that you introduce dogs slowly and carefully to each other. Too often, visiting animals can cause stress and lead to dog bites.

 Remember, if your dog is bitten by another animal, it should be considered a medical emergency and immediate veterinary care should be sought.

 Here’s some tips on how to introduce dogs to each other

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/introducing_new_dog.html

 Identification

 Should your pet become separated from you, the best way to ensure its prompt return is with proper identification.  All pets should have:

• Tags with their name, your phone number and address
• A micro-chip that is registered with the micro-chip company
• Your up-to-date contact information registered with the microchip company

Microchipping is a safe and easy procedure done by your veterinarian. Ashford Manor Australian Labradoodles are microchipped before they go home. Our families are given information to register their puppies, and we hope they all do this before they would ever have a chance of getting lost.

Your Pets Safety is Important to Us!

Cheryl Sabens

Ashford Manor Labradoodles

765-714-1436