Category: Pet wellness

5 Household Products That Could Put Your Pet in the Hospital

As a pet owner, you want what’s best for your furry friend. Unfortunately, pets are often curious creatures and can wind up putting themselves in unsafe and unhealthy situations.

As a pet owner, you want what’s best for your furry friend. Unfortunately, pets are often curious creatures and can wind up putting themselves in unsafe and unhealthy situations. In many cases, products that are human-friendly can be downright dangerous for dogs and cats. So, if you’re not careful, your pet could wind up in the hospital.
The best way to avoid this danger is to know what’s unsafe so you can keep it out of your pet’s reach. Here are the five most common household products that can be dangerous or deadly for your pet.
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Human Medications

Most medications, even over-the-counter options, can be potentially toxic for your pet. Examples can include flu medicine, painkillers (such as Advil or Tylenol), cough medicine, and more. As a rule, you should never give your pet anything that hasn’t been approved by your vet. So, even if your pet is in pain, don’t try to prescribe anything, no matter how harmless it may seem.

Chocolate

Most people know that chocolate is toxic for dogs, but it’s also lethal for cats as well. Fortunately, cats tend to avoid chocolate, so there’s less of a chance that your feline friend will dig into a box of Hershey’s Kisses. As a rule, dark chocolate varieties are the most toxic, and even small amounts can cause vomiting and diarrhea in your pet. Overall, just keep chocolate away from your pup or kitty at all times.

Rat Poison

Getting rid of pests can be challenging as a pet owner because what’s lethal to rodents is also toxic for your furry friends. So, if you have a rat problem, you need to make sure to avoid putting traps where your pet can get into them. If you’re using rat poison, be sure to lock it up and put traps in hard-to-reach locations.

Alcohol

While a few sips can get your dog or cat drunk, the after-effects can be far more unpleasant than you may realize. Since your pet is much smaller than you, it doesn’t take much for them to develop alcohol poisoning. Effects can include diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, difficulty breathing, and even death.
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Soap

Unfortunately, hand soaps can often smell appealing to your pet, so you have to keep them out of reach. The soap can wreak havoc on your pet’s digestive system, which can dehydrate them and cause blockages.

Take Care of Your Pet With Animal Wellness Center

Even if you take steps to prevent your pet from getting into harmful household products, accidents can still happen. If your pet gets sick, we can help them get better. Contact us with all the details and set up an appointment ASAP.

4 Winter Pet Travel Tips

It’s winter and if you’ll be visiting relatives or family in a cooler climate and taking your pets with you, be sure to consider the following pet travel tips for winter.

It’s winter and if you’ll be visiting relatives or family in a cooler climate and taking your pets with you, be sure to consider the following pet travel tips for winter.

4 Winter Pet Travel Tips

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1. Plan for the Weather
If you and your pet are going to be in a cooler climate than Orange County, then be prepared. Your dog or cat won’t be used to the chilly weather. Pack a sweater or coat for your pet, but do not leave them unattended while wearing it, as they can present choking hazards and other dangers to your pet.
2. Fly Cozy
If you’ll be flying, research the type of pet travel crate you need and start crate-training your pet right away. You don’t want your dog or cat to be afraid while flying. Additionally, be sure to include a cushion, plenty of puppy pads in the bottom of the crate, and a warm blanket. If your pet does need to fly in a crate, it might also be a good idea to talk to our veterinarian about a sedative to reduce your pet’s travel-related stress.
3. Be Prepared for Emergencies
If traveling in a car, be sure to pack plenty of provisions for your pet. This includes warm clothing and/or blankets (just in case), plenty of water, food, pet medications, a leash and harness, a pet first aid kit, and travel pet bowls.
4. Wash and Dry Paws  
If your destination has snowy and icy sidewalks, then it probably also has lots of salt and de-icers. These chemicals are harmful and toxic for pets. They can stick to your pet’s paws when they go outside for a walk, and then pets can accidentally ingest them when they lick their paws. Be sure to wash and dry their paws thoroughly whenever you come inside from the outdoors.
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Schedule a Pre-Travel Checkup With Your Trusted Veterinarian

If you have an upcoming trip with your pet planned, we strongly encourage you to schedule a pre-travel checkup with our veterinarians at Animal Wellness Center. We’ll ensure your pet is healthy enough to travel, provide you with any of the travel certificates or vaccination records you might need, and help you determine if your pet should have any additional vaccinations or get a microchip before departure.
To learn more or schedule a veterinary appointment at your doorstep, please contact us today.