One of the most common resolutions after the start of a new year is to get in shape. We all know what it takes - eat healthy, eat the proper amount, get enough exercise, and be consistent in these habits. The hardest part is sticking to those rules! Imagine if we had a personal trainer who could guide us through the process...someone to let us know which food is best, prepare healthy food for us, lead us through exercise routines, and give us fun games to keep in shape. Well, we may not all be able to get that help for our own resolutions but lucky for your pet they already have this personal trainer - it’s you!
Holiday Holi-dos and Holi-don'ts
The holiday season is a joyous time that often brings friends and families together to celebrate, and of course eat lots of yummy food! While bringing large groups together around food can be a great time, it can also pose risks for your pets. We’ve put together some tips on how to have a safe and happy holiday for you and your fur-family!
Eating the wrong type of food (or even too much of something that is usually safe) can lead to pancreatitis, stomach upset, choking, diarrhea, and death. Please make sure your pet does not have access to the following food items during your holiday celebrations:
Onions / Chives / Scallions
Garlic
Raisins
Grapes
Fatty foods (turkey, turkey skin, ham, pork)
Mashed potatoes
Milk / Dairy
Mushrooms
Alcohol / Caffeine
Chocolate
Sugary foods like cookies and pie (especially if they contain an artificial sweetener called Xylitol)
Cinnamon / Nutmeg
Macadamia Nuts
Yeast
Cooked bones
Strings used to tie turkey
Food packaging
Festive plants (Such as amaryllis, Baby’s Breath, Sweet William, some ferns, hydrangeas and more)
Secure all trash. Pets can be quick and tricky, so it is important to make sure that all trash and food remains are out of reach at all times. A common cause of GI upset or blockages is food packaging, food waste (corn cobs, bones, pits, seeds), and string used to tie meats.
Let your guests know your pet’s food rules. Many people don’t know what is safe for pets, so please advise your guests of what they can and cannot feed to your pet. (It may be best to just say to not feed anything so you don’t have to worry.)
Limit your pet’s intake of extra food as much as possible. Even if your pet is eating safe foods, eating too much can cause problems as well. If you’re going to give your pet human food, give it in small amounts. If you’re feeding treats during the day, consider reducing the amount of dinner they get that night.
If you know your pet is stressed or overly excited about visitors, plan ahead. Separate them into a quiet room or their crate with their favorite toy or a puzzle feeding toy (Kongs are a great option!) to distract them and reduce stress.
Pay attention to the door. People will be entering and exiting frequently, try to avoid opportunity for your pet to escape. Just in case, make sure that your pet has proper up to date identification (microchip, collar with tag).
Be thoughtful with decorations. Your pets may be interested in eating things that you don’t think look appetizing (like tinsel, pine cones, festive plants, strings, etc.). They also may knock over candles or lights that could cause a fire hazard. Try to put these types of decorations out of reach, or keep a close eye on them.
What should you do if your pet eats something it shouldn’t have?
Call a veterinarian immediately.
If you suspect your pet ate something or are noticing signs of distress, every minute matters. Signs of pet distress include: sudden changes in behavior, depression, pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.
All-Pets Hospital will be closed on:
November 28th
December 24th
December 25th
January 1st
If our office is closed, please call Iowa Veterinary Specialties (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) at 515-280-3051. If for some reason you are unable to speak with a professional (try to always do this before taking action steps!), please refer to this guide on how to safely make your pet vomit at home. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-make-a-dog-throw-up/
If you have any questions about managing your pet’s safety during the holidays, don’t hesitate to call our office at 515-262-8535. We hope you have a happy and safe holiday season!
Getting Your Cat to the Vet
Pet Food - What's Important and What's Not
Giving Your Pet the Best Life
Firework Fears
No matter how well you know your pet, noises and lights that they aren’t used to can make them act unpredictable. It has been said that more pets run away during fireworks season than any other time of the year. The Veterinarians of All-Pets Hospital in Des Moines have put together a checklist of things to do to prepare for a safe and happy Independence Day.
Uh oh - Urine Trouble
Finding Baby Wildlife
It’s spring. The flowers are blooming, the sun is coming out, and there are adorable baby animals being welcomed into our world by their mothers. But what happens when you find a cute little ball of fluff that seems to be injured or left behind? We get calls about this frequently, so here's some information if you find yourself in a situation like this!
Bark Parks
Dangerous Heat & Dehydration
While exercise and the outdoors can be wonderful for our pets, it’s important for us to remember that not all animals handle heat in the same way. Even if you are comfortable, your pet may not be. All-Pets Hospital has few tips to make sure your furry friend is enjoying the weather as much as you are!
Hello, world!
We're so happy you found our blog. The All-Pets team always has fun stories from our day-to-day life at the clinic, as well as a ton of tips that we would love to share so we've decided to maintain a blog here on our website. This is for you to have a sneak peek into what it's like working with animals daily and to hopefully answer some questions that we get asked frequently by our clients. So please -- Sit! Stay! and join the All-Pets team as we try to save the world one pet at a time.
