Keeping Tails Wagging: Protecting your pets during New Years Eve

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

Protecting Your Pets During New Year’s Eve Festivities

As the clock ticks down to midnight on New Year’s Eve, many of us look forward to lively celebrations filled with laughter, fireworks, and cheer. However, while these festivities bring joy to us, they can pose serious dangers to our furry friends. To ensure your pets stay safe and comfortable, it’s essential to be aware of the risks and take proactive measures.

Fireworks: A Source of Fear and Stress

The loud booms and bright flashes of fireworks can be terrifying for pets, particularly dogs and cats. Many animals have more sensitive hearing than humans, making the sounds even more distressing. This can lead to:

  • Panic and escape attempts: Frightened pets may try to run away, putting them at risk of getting lost or injured.
  • Injury or damage: Stressed animals may scratch doors, chew furniture, or harm themselves in an attempt to find safety.
  • Health issues: Elevated stress levels can trigger symptoms like drooling, shaking, or even heart problems in sensitive animals.

Keep pets indoors during fireworks displays, provide a safe and quiet space for them to retreat, and consider playing calming music to drown out the noise.

Toxic Foods and Drinks

Holiday parties often feature a variety of foods and drinks that can be harmful or even deadly to pets. These include:

  • Alcohol: Even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, coordination problems, and in severe cases, respiratory failure.
  • Chocolate and sweets: Many desserts contain chocolate or xylitol, both of which are highly toxic to dogs and cats.
  • Fatty or spicy foods: These can upset your pet’s stomach and may lead to pancreatitis.

Ensure all food and drinks are kept out of reach of your pets, and inform guests not to feed them.

Party Decorations and Hazards

Decorations like balloons, streamers, and confetti can look like toys to curious pets, but they can be dangerous if ingested or chewed. Broken glassware or other party-related debris can also pose risks. Monitor your pets closely and clean up promptly after the party to remove any hazards.

Increased Risk of Escape

With guests coming and going, doors may be left open, giving pets an opportunity to slip outside unnoticed. The excitement and unfamiliar faces may also cause them to feel overwhelmed and attempt to flee. Use baby gates or keep pets in a secure room away from the main party area. Ensure your pets are microchipped and wearing identification tags in case they do escape.

Alcohol and Fireworks Residue

After the celebrations, fireworks debris and spilled alcohol can linger in outdoor areas. Pets may ingest or come into contact with these harmful substances while exploring. Thoroughly clean up outdoor areas after the festivities to eliminate potential dangers.

Your pets depend on you to keep them safe and comfortable, especially during times of heightened activity like New Year’s Eve. By planning ahead and taking a few simple precautions, you can help your furry companions stay happy and stress-free as you ring in the new year. Let’s make this New Year’s Eve memorable for all the right reasons—for both you and your beloved pets.

What Vaccines Does My Pet Need?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

 

Welcome to Our Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for following our Pet Care Tips Series where each week we talk to an animal expert in our community to get you one tip that every pet lover should know.

Guest of the Week: Dr. Debbie Sunken with Country Companions Veterinary Service

It seems like discussions about vaccines are popping up everywhere, whether it be for dogs, cats or humans. Humans are not our thing here, but Dr. Debbie Sunken was kind enough to join us to discuss the different types of vaccines your pet can and should receive. First she talks about what information you need to give your veterinarian so he/she can give you the best recommendations for your dog or cat. Then she tells us the differences between viral and bacterial vaccines and the basics of how they work. Nothing too complicated but it explains why different vaccines last for different lengths of time before needing a booster.

Then Dr. Sunken tells us about commonly seen vaccinations in dogs and cats and talks about why each is important. She includes a few dog and cat vaccines that have been getting a lot of hype lately but might not be the best for your pets.

This is a longer video that we normally do but it is packed full of information and I did not want to leave any out! If you are wondering if your dog or cat really needs all those shots, then this is the interview for you!

 

Country Companions Veterinary Service

Mobile veterinarians are becoming more and more popular, especially for pets who are elderly. The veterinarian is able to see your pets in your own home and look at factors such as the environment, arrangement of furniture and interactions between pets. Dr Debbie Sunken works in Northern Colorado and loves to pets in your own home.

If you are interested in learning about her practice, email her at ccvetsvc@gmail.com

Follow the Whole Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for reading this blog as part of our Pet care Tips Series! Every week we interview an animal expert in our community to ask them one question:

What is the one thing you believe all pet lovers should know?

This varies from tips about training, medical problems, general pet knowledge and more! We interviewed dog trainers, veterinarians, groomers, grief specialists and a variety of other pet experts, people you may not even know exist.

To make sure you see the whole series:

  • Subscribe to our YouTube channel for a new video each week
  • Subscribe to our Email Newsletter where each week we send out a summary with pet tips and tricks

Previous topics:

Are you a local pet expert? Contact us to become a part of the Pet Care Tips Series!

 

Should I Exercise My Arthritic Pet?

/0 Comments/in , /by

 

Welcome to Our Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for following our Pet Care Tips Series where each week we talk to an animal expert in our community to get you one tip that every pet lover should know.

Guest of the Week: Dr. Kelly Rohn with Hidden Springs Veterinary Care

Dr Kelly talks with us today about a very important subject: exercising your elderly or arthritic pets. It is easy to want to take pity on your pets by letting them take it easy and assuming that will help them feel better. But that is not the case! Dogs and cats need exercise in order to keep them from getting more sore and stiff. Dr Kelly speaks to us about why that is and how you can help your pets even when they are older or have arthritis.

 

Hidden Springs Veterinary Care

Mobile veterinarians are becoming more and more popular, especially for pets who are elderly. The veterinarian is able to see your pets in your own home and look at factors such as the environment, arrangement of furniture and interactions between pets. Dr Kelly does a great job considering the whole care of your pet. Truth be told, mobile vets are becoming more common for people who just do not want the stress of transporting their pets to a clinic or just want to try it out. If you want to try something a little different, consider contacting her, or a mobile veterinarian in your area to discuss options.

If you want to learn more about her, visit her online to learn more:

Follow the Whole Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for reading this blog as part of our Pet care Tips Series! Every week we interview an animal expert in our community to ask them one question:

What is the one thing you believe all pet lovers should know?

This varies from tips about training, medical problems, general pet knowledge and more! We interviewed dog trainers, veterinarians, groomers, grief specialists and a variety of other pet experts, people you may not even know exist.

To make sure you see the whole series:

  • Subscribe to our YouTube channel for a new video each week
  • Subscribe to our Email Newsletter where each week we send out a summary with pet tips and tricks

Previous topics:

Are you a local pet expert? Contact us to become a part of the Pet Care Tips Series!

 

What Can I Do To Keep My Dog Mentally Stimulated?

/0 Comments/in , /by

 

 

Welcome to Our Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for following our Pet Care Tips Series where each week we talk to an animal expert in our community to get you one tip that every pet lover should know.

Guest of the Week: Beth and Wayne with Canine Companion Consulting

Everyone knows that dogs need some exercise to be happy and healthy, but what about mental stimulation? Turns out dogs need to be mentally stimulated just as much as they need physical exercise. Beth and Wayne showed us some great tricks to entertain your dog inside using their own food and toys, without too much hassle! Watch the video to see their great ideas and then have some fun with your dog, especially during the cold winter months!

 

Canine Companion Consulting

Beth and Wayne are a dog training team in Northern Colorado who run dog training courses, conduct private training and behavior session as well as run unique groups like their monthly support group for Pet Parents with “Special Needs” pets. They work as a team so you have two trainers for the price of one!

If you want to learn more about them, visit them online to learn more:

Follow the Whole Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for reading this blog as part of our Pet care Tips Series! Every week we interview an animal expert in our community to ask them one question:

What is the one thing you believe all pet lovers should know?

This varies from tips about training, medical problems, general pet knowledge and more! We interviewed dog trainers, veterinarians, groomers, grief specialists and a variety of other pet experts, people you may not even know exist.

To make sure you see the whole series:

  • Subscribe to our YouTube channel for a new video each week
  • Subscribe to our Email Newsletter where each week we send out a summary with pet tips and tricks

Previous topics:

Are you a local pet expert? Contact us to become a part of the Pet Care Tips Series!

 

Does My Reptile Need UVB Light?

/0 Comments/in /by

 

Welcome to Our Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for following our Pet Care Tips Series where each week we talk to an animal expert in our community to get you one tip that every pet lover should know.

Guest of the Week: Kate with the Northern Colorado Herpetological Society

Kate is an expert in the care of reptiles and amphibians. When I asked her the ONE THING every Pet Lover should know, her answer was quick. Pet Lovers, especially those who are considering owning a reptile, need to know about UVB lights. In our meeting she discussed how much UVB light a reptile needs, which species need UVB light (and which do not) and how often to change the lights to ensure your reptiles are getting enough UVB to stay healthy. Reptiles are not as well understood by the typical Pet Lover, and thus are more likely to not receive the care they need to stay healthy. Overlooking proper lighting is a common and easy mistake to make. Watch the video to get all of the details!

 

Northern Colorado Herpetological Society

This amazing groups provides resources, education, and rescue options for reptiles and amphibians in the Northern Colorado area.

If you want to learn more about them, visit them online to learn more:

Follow the Whole Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for reading this blog as part of our Pet care Tips Series! Every week we interview an animal expert in our community to ask them one question:

What is the one thing you believe all pet lovers should know?

This varies from tips about training, medical problems, general pet knowledge and more! We interviewed dog trainers, veterinarians, groomers, grief specialists and a variety of other pet experts, people you may not even know exist.

To make sure you see the whole series:

  • Subscribe to our YouTube channel for a new video each week
  • Subscribe to our Email Newsletter where each week we send out a summary with pet tips and tricks

Previous topics:

Are you a local pet expert? Contact us to become a part of the Pet Care Tips Series!

 

Why Should I Learn Agility With My Dog?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

 

 

Welcome to Our Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for following our Pet Care Tips Series where each week we talk to an animal expert in our community to get you one tip that every pet lover should know.

Guest of the Week: Amy Creaven with Trust Your Dog Training

Amy is a Certified Karen Pryor Training Partner in Fort Collins, Colorado. She services northern Colorado and provides in-home consultations for behavior problems. She also teaches agility classes on her property, which you see in the video, and during the summers she teaches rattlesnake training using positive reinforcement methods. In our talk today Amy discusses the advantages of learning agility with your dog, beyond just that fact that your dog will run around and have fun! There is actually so much more to agility and almost any dog will love something about it, even it they are not the fastest one around the course.

 

Trust Your Dog Training

Trust Your Dog Training is located in north Fort Collins, Colorado. Agility classes are taught outdoors but Amy also provides provides private consultations.

If you want to learn more about Trust Your Dog training, visit them online or contact Amy to learn more:

Follow the Whole Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for reading this blog as part of our Pet care Tips Series! Every week we interview an animal expert in our community to ask them one question:

What is the one thing you believe all pet lovers should know?

This varies from tips about training, medical problems, general pet knowledge and more! We interviewed dog trainers, veterinarians, groomers, grief specialists and a variety of other pet experts, people you may not even know exist.

To make sure you see the whole series:

  • Subscribe to our YouTube channel for a new video each week
  • Subscribe to our Email Newsletter where each week we send out a summary with pet tips and tricks

Previous topics:

Are you a local pet expert? Contact us to become a part of the Pet Care Tips Series!

What is Fear Free and How Can it Improve My Trip to the Veterinarian?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

 

Welcome to Our Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for following our Pet Care Tips Series where each week we talk to an animal expert in our community to get you one tip that every pet lover should know.

Guest of the Week: Dr Julie Gamble with Gamble Pet Care

This week we met with Dr Julie Gamble from Gamble Pet Clinic in Fort Collins, Colorado. She discussed with us how Fear Free practices work and how to make your dog or cat more comfortable when going to see the veterinarian. Unfortunately a lot of pets do not visit the veterinarian as often as they should due to the level of stress and anxiety involved. In addition, once you arrive at the veterinarian your exam and care may not be as thorough as it could be if your pet is not willing to be handled easily. Fear Free is a new movement that you may not have heard of yet but is taking the animal community by storm! The general idea is to make visits to places like the veterinarian as stress free as possible for your cat or dog. This may mean taking steps in advance to coordinate with your veterinarian, breaking vet visits up into multiple trips, getting your pets used to the car and more. Dr Gamble talks about a lot of these ideas that you can use at home, or even better, discuss with your veterinarian and see if you can apply them to your visits.

*** Special note: Gamble Pet Clinic just received practice certification for Fear Free, making them the first Fear Free Certified Veterinary Practice in Larimer County, Colorado! Congrats!

 

Gamble Pet Clinic

Gamble Pet Clinic is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, and specializes in preventative veterinary care for dogs and cats. As a disclaimer, Dr Gamble has been my veterinarian (this is Liana writing) for my entire adult life and watching her clinic develop and grow over the years has been an amazing privilege. Not to mention that my pets have also all loved her and her staff!

If you want to learn more about Gamble Pet Clinic, visit them online or contact them to learn more:

Fear Free Happy Homes

Fear Free Happy Homes is the program developed by the Fear Free organization for pet owners. They have both a complimentary membership and a paid membership, but the free side is a great place to start to learn more. They provide tips and resources to enrich your pet’s life, as well as information specifically on improving visits to the veterinarian. To learn about about them and join their program, visit their website Fear Free Happy Homes.

 

Follow the Whole Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for reading this blog as part of our Pet care Tips Series! Every week we interview an animal expert in our community to ask them one question:

What is the one thing you believe all pet lovers should know?

This varies from tips about training, medical problems, general pet knowledge and more! We interviewed dog trainers, veterinarians, groomers, grief specialists and a variety of other pet experts, people you may not even know exist.

To make sure you see the whole series:

  • Subscribe to our YouTube channel for a new video each week
  • Subscribe to our Email Newsletter where each week we send out a summary with pet tips and tricks

Previous topics:

Are you a local pet expert? Contact us to become a part of the Pet Care Tips Series!

What Should I Use to Brush My Dog or Cat?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

 

Welcome to Our Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for following our Pet Care Tips Series where each week we talk to an animal expert in our community to get you one tip that every pet lover should know.

Guest of the Week: Eika with Purrrfect Paws Cat & Dog Grooming

Eika is a Certified Master Groomer and the work she does when grooming a dog or cat is amazing. Unfortunately, she seems a lot of pets with mats and there is no reason for your dog or cat to get them (she shows us some terrible ones that you can see in the video). When you look at brushes it can be daunting to try to decide which brush perfect for your dog since there are so many different types. Here Eika walks us through the different brush types so you can help which one should be used to brush your dog or cat. She also shows us methods for brushing different dogs so you can see the easiest way to keep your dog or cat mat free!

 

Purrrfect Paws Cat & Dog Grooming

Purrrfect Paws is located in Windsor, Colorado.

Purrrfect Paws is owned and run by Eika Haas, a Certified master Groomer and Certified Veterinary Technician. This gives her a wide variety of dog and cat experience and makes her uniquely qualified to work with your pet! She is the only groomer so when you make an appointment you know who you will be working with and that your cat or dog will receive the best care!

If you want to learn more about Purrrfect Paws, visit her online and contact Eika to learn more:

 

Follow the Whole Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for reading this blog as part of our Pet care Tips Series! Every week we interview an animal expert in our community to ask them one question:

What is the one thing you believe all pet lovers should know?

This varies from tips about training, medical problems, general pet knowledge and more! We interviewed dog trainers, veterinarians, groomers, grief specialists and a variety of other pet experts, people you may not even know exist.

To make sure you see the whole series:

  • Subscribe to our YouTube channel for a new video each week
  • Subscribe to our Email Newsletter where each week we send out a summary with pet tips and tricks

Previous topics:

Are you a local pet expert? Contact us to become a part of the Pet Care Tips Series!

How Can I Help My Older Dog Be More Comfortable?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

 

 

Welcome to Our Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for following our Pet Care Tips Series where each week we talk to an animal expert in our community to get you one tip that every pet lover should know.

Guest of the Week: Dr Alisha with Tails Animal Chiropractic Care

Dr Alisha was kind enough to tell us about how chiropractic care for dogs and how it works. We discussed a variety of options for helping to manage pain for elderly dogs so they can be more comfortable. There are many options that no one even realizes exist. Watch the video for all the details!

 

Tails Animal Chiropractic Care

Tails Animal Chiropractic Care is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, but Dr Alisha travels to a few locations in Northern Colorado. Chiropractic care, as well as  lasers, acupuncture and other “alternative” therapies are becoming more common for pets. Here we mainly talk about dogs, but these treatments can be used for most household pets. If you are not in Northern Colorado then consider looking for someone local to you that provides these treatments. We no longer have to depend just upon painkillers to keep our animals comfortable as they age.

If you want to learn more about Tails Animal Chiropractic Care, visit her online and contact Dr Alisha to learn more:

 

Follow the Whole Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for reading this blog as part of our Pet care Tips Series! Every week we interview an animal expert in our community to ask them one question:

What is the one thing you believe all pet lovers should know?

This varies from tips about training, medical problems, general pet knowledge and more! We interviewed dog trainers, veterinarians, groomers, grief specialists and a variety of other pet experts, people you may not even know exist.

To make sure you see the whole series:

  • Subscribe to our YouTube channel for a new video each week
  • Subscribe to our Email Newsletter where each week we send out a summary with pet tips and tricks

Previous topics:

Are you a local pet expert? Contact us to become a part of the Pet Care Tips Series!

How Should I Socialize My Puppy?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

 

Welcome to Our Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for following our Pet Care Tips Series where each week we talk to an animal expert in our community to get you one tip that every pet lover should know.

Guest of the Week: Cathie Lee with K9 Wisdom

Cathie was kind enough to discuss ways to socialize your puppy.

Tip: Puppies need a lot of socialization to grow up to be well-rounded dogs.

Cathie specializes in shy dogs that have behavior problems, so she is especially concerned about puppies being socialized properly to ensure they grow up as well adjusted as possible. Cathie talks  about different situations that help to socialize puppies as well as how puppies see the world around them. Watch the video for all the details!

 

K9 Wisdom

If you want to learn more about K9 Wisdom, visit them online and contact Cathie to learn more:

 

Follow the Whole Pet Care Tips Series!

Thanks for reading this blog as part of our Pet care Tips Series! Every week we interview an animal expert in our community to ask them one question:

What is the one thing you believe all pet lovers should know?

This varies from tips about training, medical problems, general pet knowledge and more! We interviewed dog trainers, veterinarians, groomers, grief specialists and a variety of other pet experts, people you may not even know exist.

To make sure you see the whole series:

  • Subscribe to our YouTube channel for a new video each week
  • Subscribe to our Email Newsletter where each week we send out a summary with pet tips and tricks

Previous topics:

Are you a local pet expert? Contact us to become a part of the Pet Care Tips Series!