Being a dog or cat owner brings joy and is an instant best friend for many. Deciding to have an additional responsibility takes a lot of work. Hence knowing proper knowledge of caring for pets is a must.
These lovely creatures need more than just food and shelter. Just like humans, they also need love, attention, time, proper nurture, and companions who can play with them and communicate with them. They also have feelings and needs as humans do. That said, aside from cuddling, talking, and playing with your pets.
If you take your pets with you on vacation or trips, here are some tips on Auto Safety For Pets 2023
Caring for Pets
Providing a safe, protected, and clean environment for your pets. Keeping your pet safe is just like taking care of your child. You must ensure that everything is safe and secure. Your house must be clean and organized enough for your pet not to accidentally hit just everything he touches. Here are the things you have at home that you must consider getting pet-proof ready:
Your Fragile Stuff Must Be Secured in a Higher Area
We all know how goofy and playful pets can get. That being the case, all fragile and easily-broken things must be out of your pet’s reach, like vases, figurines, television sets, jars, appliances, and other delicate stuff inside your house.
Secure Your Yard by Putting up High Fences
Playtime is a must for your pets to ensure they have exercise and breathing time. Letting them run around your backyard is a good outlet for your dog and cat. And you can only do that if your fence is secure enough for your pet not to escape. You don’t want to run outside the neighborhood to chase your pet. Hence putting an escape-proof barrier is a must. A six-foot fence is an ideal height with a secured lock.
Don’t Leave Any Leftover Food Outside Your Backyard That Is Within Your Pet’s Reach
Leaving food outside can lead to many problems, such as spoiled food that might get eaten by your dog or cat and may cause food poisoning, leftovers that can attract stray animals, or wild animals that can harm you, your family, and your pet. Also, leftover food attracts insects that can affect you and your pet.
Remove Any Sharp Edges, Thorny Plants, Stagnant Water, and Wasp Nests
Any hazards that can harm anyone, whether your family or pets, must be eliminated. Your backyard must be a safe area where anyone can run around without worrying that anytime someone might get stung by bees, stuck by thorns from a plant, or might ingest things that they shouldn’t have.
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Things to Consider When You Have A Dog
Let Your Dog Play and Breathe Fresh Air
Of course, this depends on your location. Still, daily outdoor activity is suitable for your pet when the weather is fine. It is a great exercise that can prevent obesity. Dogs that spend most of their time inside the house tend to gain more weight than those with regular playtime outside.
Obesity Is Dangerous for the Health of Your Pet
Some breeds of dogs need regular exercises, such as huskies, collies, and beagles. In addition to that, playing outside can give mental stimulation to your pet and can prevent depression. Your dog needs activities to release their physical energy because if not, by nature, dogs will be aggressive and irritable.
Getting Vitamin D From Sunlight Is Always a Good Idea
Almost all living things need the right amount of sunlight to grow and stay healthy. Sunlight is an excellent source of energy and calcium that can strengthen bones in the body. Ensure you do not let your pet stay under the sun for too long because too much exposure to heat can be dangerous to your pet. Remember, anything that is too much is not good. Dogs, especially those who are light-colored and have pink noses or thin coats, are more prone to skin cancer.
If you’re a busy fur parent and often worry about leaving your doggo at home, this may be an interesting and insightful read for you: How to Choose the Right Doggy Daycare for Your Beloved Pet
Have Your Dog Regularly Check-up by a Veterinarian
Just like how we take care of our kids, taking care of your pet is the same. Having a pet is indeed a huge responsibility. And making sure that their health is always good is a must. Your vet will provide you with the proper knowledge regarding which vaccine your dog must take, deworming your pet, and preventing your doggy from parasites.
Grooming and Bathing Your Dog Is Important
We, humans, know how vital self-cleanliness is. Being all groomed is such a nice fresh feeling. How much more to your dog, who walks, plays, and runs around on their bare feet? Dirt means bacteria, and staying dirty can cause many problems like sickness, fleas, and other parasites gained through uncleanliness. Long-coated dogs are more prone to have ice balls in their hair. Their nails must also be regularly trimmed, for it can cause them not to walk correctly.
Moreover, long nails can break anytime, which is painful for your dog. Aside from that, you and your loved ones can be scratched anytime you play with your pet.
Give Your Pet Proper Food and Enough Water to Hydrate Them
Eating right is a must in every kind of mammal. Always make sure that your pet is eating proper food to ensure that pets have the right source of nutrients that they need. Also, giving them the right amount of water every day. There must be a water dispenser where they can get water at any time of the day to keep them hydrated. On the other hand, avoid giving your dog treats or human food. Aside from the fact that human food might have some ingredients that can harm your dog, giving treats can also make your dog gain too much weight, which is unsuitable for its health.
Consider Putting an ID Chip
ID Chip is a tiny microchip injected under the skin over the shoulder blades. Each chip has a unique number registered under a database with your contact details. So, in any case, if your dog has been stolen or lost, the chip will be set as an identification that will match your dog and you as the owner.
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What Are the Plants That Can Be Poisonous to Your Dog?
When most of us want to stay at home to keep safe during the pandemic season, growing plants inside our houses and backyards are more popular than ever. We are all thinking of ways to keep ourselves healthy, and having some fresh air to breathe is one of those ways. However, not all plants are safe for your dog. Hence, choosing only safe house plants is a must. If you are a plant lover and want to have some plants at home or already have one, you must first know what plants are safe for pets. Some plants are poisonous to cats and dogs. Believe it, or not few of them are very common and are usually seen in our kitchen or backyard.
Garlic
This is one of the essential spices that can be found in our kitchen. Who would have guessed that this could be dangerous to our dog? But garlic is unfortunately not safe for your dog to ingest. It can be poisonous if your dog eats it, leading to a breakdown of red blood cells that can cause your pet to have anemia and general weakness. It can even affect your pet’s heart rate and can be fatal.
Aloe Vera
We all know that this fantastic medical plant can do wonders. It is famous for its healing capacity. Hence, it is known for its topical uses worldwide. On the contrary, ingesting the plant’s leaves and roots by your dog can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Aloe vera contains saponins that can cause your dog to get sick.
Apple Tree
Yes, apple tree means the tree and parts of it. The leaves, stem, trunk, roots, and seeds inside the apple fruit contain cyanide that can cause your dog to dilate its pupils, have difficulty breathing, and pant. If you have an apple tree in your backyard or have a troll with your pet during the fall season, be cautious with falling leaves that your pet might eat.
Amaryllis
It is a traditional Easter Flower. Who would have thought this harmless-looking flower could poison your pet? Amaryllis can make your dog drool too much and cause stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
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Grapes
Unfortunately, this delicious fruit we enjoy in its many forms is poisonous to dogs. Fresh grapes, raisins, and currants are all toxic to your pet. Though the toxicity varies depending on the breed of each dog and the dog itself. Once ingested, your dog may vomit and become lethargic, and even may have liver failure if your pet happens to overeat. Bring your dog to the vet if your pet accidentally ate any grapes. Because after 24 to 48 hours, your dog will begin to have kidney failure, so urgent help is needed if this happens.
Tomato
Really, we can never tell what is safe and what is not! This one is as common as garlic. We can find this in most dishes that we have. But don’t fret. Tomato fruit is safe. You can breathe now if you once shared your favorite pasta with your pet. For it is the plant’s leaves and stems that are toxic to dogs and even humans. Therefore, if you grow tomatoes in your backyard, you must be very cautious. Ingesting its leaves and body parts can cause severe abdominal pain, dilated pupils, slow heart rate, depression, and too much salivation.
American Holly / Winterberry / Inkberry
This holiday plant is dangerous. It contains saponins which can cause diarrhea and vomiting for dogs and even humans when ingested.
Autumn Crocus
This plant has two kinds, spring and autumn crocuses which are both poisonous. The autumn crocus has a higher toxicity level than the spring crocus. Autumn crocus causes your dog to have liver damage, seizures, and a burning sensation inside the mouth. On the other hand, spring crocus can cause gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, and too much drooling.
Azaleas
It is one of the plants that can be fatal to your dog. Its leaves are highly toxic, and just eating a few can cause a quick reaction in your dogs, like vomiting and diarrhea. You can also quickly notice if your dog ingested it because it immediately irritates your dog’s mouth. If this happens, you must bring your dog directly to a vet.
Bay Laurel
Bay is a known houseplant and food seasoning. This tasty plant is, unfortunately, dangerous to your dog. It contains eugenol that causes dogs to vomit and have diarrhea, kidney failure, and drooling.
Begonia
Every part of this plant is toxic to dogs, but the roots are the most poisonous among its parts. It has very high calcium oxalates, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
Calla Lily
It is also known as a trumpet lily. It contains calcium oxalates which can cause drooling, irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty swallowing.
Cherry
Though this plant is delicious, its tree’s toxicity is also extreme. Farmers who grow this tree are indeed aware of this knowledge. Cherry leaves and branches contain cyanogenic glycosides that harm humans and animals. If your dog eats parts of the cherry tree, it can cause your pet to have difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, and can even go into shock.
So you’ve decided to find a place for your dog the next time you have a business trip.
Here are some tips we have for you: Top 3 Things You Should Ask Before Boarding Your Dog
Cyclamen
This plant is also known as sowbread. It can be fatal for your dogs when this is ingested. It can also cause seizures, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Daffodil and Tulips
The whole part of daffodils and tulips is toxic to dogs, especially the bulb. Ingesting it can cause your dog to have abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, seizure, and even a decrease in your pet’s blood pressure.
Daisy
Daisies are known for their beauty and are just like roses. They are common flowers that you can see in every flower shop. Who would have thought that this lovely flower contains sesquiterpene, which can cause excessive salivation, uncoordinated movement, diarrhea, and vomiting when eaten by your dog?
Dieffenbachia
It is famous for many plant lovers. Known as Dumb Cane, this plant can cause swelling of your dog’s mouth and throat, as well as too much drooling and stinging.
English Ivy
It is also a common plant that you can find anywhere. Hence, this is one of the reasons why the more familiar a toxic plant is, the more dangerous it is for your dog. It has saponins that, when ingested, your dog can have abdominal problems such as stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive salivation.
Fleabane
It is a medicinal plant known as a great help as a tea for urinary tract infections in humans. This plant is also good at keeping fleas away. Hence, its name can attest to that. But despite the big help this plant can give to many, it is, unfortunately, a toxin to your dog. Although its toxicity is not that high, it is still enough to make your pet feel sick, upset its stomach, and can cause indigestion.
Mistletoe
This romantic plant during the Christmas season is surprisingly deadly to your pet. There are two types of mistletoe plants, American and European, which are poisonous if ingested in large portions. It can cause ataxia, seizures, drooling, diarrhea, and vomiting; if not treated immediately, it can lead to death.
Foxglove
It is one of the classic garden plants. Foxgloves are native to Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands. Some species of this plant are being cultivated due to its attractive flower spikes. However, even though this plant is beautiful, its toxicity level is high because all its parts contain cardiac glycosides and are considered toxic to humans and animals when ingested. It can make your heartbeat slow and can cause an irregular heartbeat rhythm.
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Hops
Also known as seed cones or strobiles. It is the flowers of the hop plant. It is commonly used as a bittering agent, a stability agent in beer, and a flavoring for its fruity and citrus taste and aroma. But this tasty plant can cause your dog to pant and increase its body temperature, which may lead to seizures and even death.
Hosta
It is cultivated in many parts of the world as a shade-tolerant foliage plant. Hostas contain saponins that are poisonous to dogs. They can cause your pet to have abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and bloating.
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are beautiful, but they’re also poisonous to dogs. They contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can cause lethargy, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased heart rate and body temperature.
Iris
This purple plant is native to North America, Eastern United States, and Eastern Canada. It can be an irritant to your dog’s skin and stomach. It can cause your dog to drool, vomit, have diarrhea, and be lethargic.
Jade Plant
It is also known as a rubber plant. It is included in the Crassulaceae family. Unfortunately, all plants included in this family are poisonous to dogs regardless of dog breed. When ingested, your dog may have vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, weakness, depression, convulsion, and even a slow heart rate, which can be fatal for your pet.
Juniper
The blue star juniper plant is poisonous to dogs because its fruit ( berries ), needles, and parts of its body contain compounds that can make your pet sick. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea when eaten.
Kalanchoe
Has different varieties, and they look different. Some are pink, yellow, and purple. These cute and pleasant-looking plants can be one of your choices if you love planting. But eating it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abnormal heart rhythm for your pet.
Lilies
Like kalanchoe, lilies have many types, but each plant has different toxicity levels. Some are less poisonous, and others are highly toxic. Calla, Peruvian, and Peace are all in the same group of lilies. All of these lilies have the same effect when eaten. Drooling, mouth irritation and redness may occur to your pet.
On the other hand, a group of lilies can be deadly when the leaves are ingested. It can lead to kidney failure for your dog. These lilies are the Tiger Lily, Asiatic Lily, Day Lily, and Easter Lily, which are the favorite of many during the spring season.
Locust
This tree is also called a “weed tree “because of its reputation of being flexible, that it can grow everywhere and is hard to maintain due to its messy nature. Its branches, leaves, and seed pods usually all fall to the ground. And if your dog ever eats any part of this tree, it can lead to diarrhea with blood, vomiting, and difficulty breathing which can be fatal.
Morning Glory
The morning glory flower can be white or purple, depending on the species. Ipomoea is native to the United States, and it grows every year. This vine that can be a great decor in your backyard is poisonous for your doggy. Eating can cause diarrhea, vomiting, incoordination, and agitation.
Oleander
This plant with pretty flowers is harmless, but it is one of the most poisonous plants for humans and animals. It contains cardiac glycosides that can cause heart irregularity, vomiting, muscle tremor, and diarrhea.
Pacific Yew
Ingesting the leaves of pacific yew can cause seizures, tremors, vomiting, respiratory distress, and even heart failure, leading to certain death. In other words, Pacific yew has very high toxins and is one of those severely dangerous plants for your dog.
Knowing how your dog’s basic digestive system is a lifesaver for you and your pet. Dog’s stomach can handle more food than humans, but their metabolism is way slower than ours. The food they eat stays inside their stomach for eight hours, while we can digest it in half an hour.
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Catty Behavior
This fur baby can be cuddly and moody at the same time. Cats have distinguished behavioral characteristics, and most cat owners already know that. But in case you have yet to notice, here are some behavioral traits cats have:
Cats Are Quite Sensitive About Their Personal Space
Talking about distinctive characteristics, though cats don’t have a hierarchy, they also want to have their personal space separate from their territory. This is common during the introduction of a new family member or a new cat. You will notice them change their behavior during those times.
When Threatened, Cats Can Be Difficult
Professional vets and pet sitters are usually aware of this behavior. This is a common thing that often happens when newcomers are introduced, or they can’t get along well. You will perceive that the cat will be stubborn and hard to handle for a couple of hours. Yes, you heard it right. For hours, cats can be a brat. They need time to calm themselves first before going back to normal.
They Have a Classy Way of Showing Affection
This one is very noticeable. Compared to dogs who jump, run, and bark loudly once they see their owner, cats meow, rub against their owner’s legs, and circle around gracefully.
Thinking of going on or spending a holiday with your pet in tow?
Here’s a good read: Holiday With Pets: Keep Them Safe and Calm
Ways To Take Care of Your Cat
Now that you know the characteristics of a cat, the next thing you need to know is how to take care of them. Here are the things to see for you to be a great cat owner:
Feed Them Nutritious Food
Like any other pet, proper feeding is essential to a healthy pet. This is one of the most fundamental parts of having a pet in your house.
Always Make Sure To Leave Food
Leave food in your cat’s bowl so your pet can eat anytime, even when you are not home. It depends on whether you will feed your cat homemade or store-bought cat food. We do suggest organic cat food. Still, it’s better to ask your vet what food is best for your pet’s breed. Of course, you don’t want to feed your pet just anything because, like dogs, certain foods will be harmful to cats.
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Proper Grooming for Your Fur Baby
Cats are clean animals compared to other pets. However, they still need the same grooming effort that you give to other pets. Bathe your cats. Though cats can clean themselves, it is still best for them to be washed. Fleas are very attracted to cats and dogs or simply furry ones. Bathing them will not just wash off any unwelcome parasites but also will help them feel fresh and relaxed. But, if you are too busy to groom your pet, you can also bring them to a pet station for grooming services. They will do all the grooming for you, like trimming their nails and furs and cleaning their eyes and ears.
Make sure that your home and backyard are cat-proofed
Just like having dogs, cats can be very clumsy as well. Hence making sure that all the fragile stuff is placed in a high area where your cat can’t reach it is a must. Remove or keep any items that can be harmful to your cat, like yarns that can lead to your cat accidentally being choked or strangled. Moreover, cats love playing with and eating plants inside and outside the house.
Ten Plants That Are Most Poisonous To Cats
- Sago Palm
- Hyacinth
- Lilies
- Rhododendrons
- Azaleas
- Tulips
- Oleander
- Kalanchoe
- Cyclamen
- Dieffenbachia
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What Should You Do In Case Your Dog or Cat Was Poisoned?
Do Not induce vomiting. Making them vomit more doesn’t always mean they can spit the poison out. Sometimes it can even make the situation worse. Remember, bringing your pet immediately to the nearest vet is always best if this accident happens. Make sure to collect any leftovers of what your dog or cat ate that caused its sickness so the vet would know.
For any emergency, you can also call the Animal Poison Control Center or APCC. They have a 24-hour emergency hotline number- 1-888-426-4435.
What Can You Do To Prepare For Any Kinds Of Inevitable Accidents?
Secure Your Pet as Well as Your Savings by Purchasing Pet Insurance
According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, 179 million pets in North America totaled $58.5 billion in annual spending for vet care. Vet care is the third largest expenditure. It costs pet owners about $15 billion annually. That being the case, it can only show how it can affect your savings dramatically. Purchasing Pet Insurance can be your best option to save money in the future. Here is why you must get insurance for your pet:
Premiums for Pet Insurance Are Cheap
You can pay as low as $14 per month for your pet’s insurance. Although the same rule applies, each state has policies and ways of calculating its rates. It also depends on your pet’s breed, age, and location. You may not need another monthly bill to pay. But if you calculate it, having Insurance for your pet can save you a fortune once an incident happens. You will never know when accidents can occur; hence, being prepared is the best defense you can take.
Pet Insurance Has Simple Policies That Are Easy To Understand
Most of the companies have simple and few tiers to choose from, which is why it is easier to comprehend. For more information, you can contact us! Our professional agents will be happy to assist you with your concerns.
You Can Choose Your Vet
Most pet lovers already have a vet of their choosing. If you happen to have your vet, don’t worry because as long as your vet is licensed, there will be no problem. Most pet insurers allow their clients to choose their vets.
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Caring for Pets is Love
We know you love your fur baby, so you want to know more about caring for pets. But another way is to make sure they’re covered with the right accident, health and wellness coverage they need. Get a quote started here! Contact us at Advantage Insurance Solutions for further information about Pet Insurance. We are happy to provide you with all the necessary knowledge you need for your pets’ safety and care.
Call or text us today at (877) 658-2472!