Grapes and raisins are a lesser known toxin to dog and cat owners, but one that every pet owner should be aware of! This toxicity can be even more dangerous than chocolate! Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney damage or even life-threatening kidney failure. Often, owners don’t realize grapes and raisins are toxic and feed them to their pets. Other times, mischievous pets get into a bowl of
read moreJust as you might keep a first aid kit for you and your family in your home, it’s also a smart idea to keep one for your favorite four-legged furry friend! It is recommended to have these kits where you and your pet enjoy each other’s company. The size and components of each kit can be customized, depending on the location. The largest kits should be kept in the
read moreMost dogs love to be petted! Belly rubs and ear scratches-what’s not to like? But how about a massage? Massage is “touch with intent” and is one of the oldest healing arts. Massage therapists use their hands to create various forms of movement and pressure which improves one’s health and well-being. As humans, we know all too well the benefits of a massage. Do these same principles apply to
read moreSpring is here, and that means it’s time to get outside and work on the garden! Before your green thumb gets busy, however, make sure your garden is pet-friendly. Here are a few things pet owners should avoid having in the garden! 1. Toxic Flowers and Plants For a full list of toxic and nontoxic flowers, check out the ASPCA plant list. Below are the more common flowers and
read moreSomeday, in the not-so-far-off future, we may be calling flea and tick season flea and tick year. Here in Minnesota we’re used to a six-month or more reprieve from creepy crawlies, but are they moving closer to being year-round guests? Climate change gets a lot of press for creating extreme weather and threatening coasts with rising tides, but a problem that isn’t often discussed is the risk to our
read moreFour common toxicities we see in the ER during Easter are chocolate, candy, plastic grass, and Easter Lily flowers. Chocolate Most people know by now that chocolate is a no-no for our pets, but it bears repeating. Chocolate toxicity can range in severity depending on the type of chocolate (milk, dark, cocoa powder, etc). The toxin found in chocolate is called theobromine; it affects the neurological system, cardiovascular, and
read moreSpring is here! And with spring comes heartworm season. Your vet may be encouraging you to get your dog heartworm tested, and you may be ready to start your dog on preventatives. We’ve all heard about heartworms for years and have faithfully used preventatives, but in the northern U.S., you may have yet to meet someone whose dog has had heartworms. Many people associate heartworms with southern states and
read moreWhile many of us want our pets and children to instantly fall in love, that’s not often realistic. Relationships take time to build, and we want to help ensure that the one between your pet and your baby gets off on the right foot! First things first, though! It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway – any contact between baby and pet must always be supervised.
read moreWe all know that dogs should avoid chocolate and to keep those Easter lilies far away from cats. But what about those lesser known toxins lurking around our homes and gardens? To help keep you in the know, we’ve written about five less familiar toxins that you may not know are dangerous to your pets. 1. Tea Tree Oil Essential oils are all the craze nowadays and are often
read moreDid you sneeze? Bless you! Pardon me while I take a drink of water – this nagging cough has been bothering me for a couple of weeks. Cold and flu season is here, and it’s a difficult one this year. Seems like everyone is getting sick and the crud is hanging on forever! The natural reaction when you feel achy, sniffly, and congested is to reach into the medicine
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