Search Results for ‘toxic foods’

The holidays are a time for feasting, and many people loosen the reins on diet restrictions and enjoy the many delectable foods that can be found on holiday tables. As our pets also gather around the table and plead with you with their eyes to feed them, it can be easy to forget about how some human food can be harmful to your pets. Your friends at Dupont Veterinary Clinic want to help you figure out which foods to avoid giving to your pets this season:

It’s that special time of year that includes family time, fall hikes, and delicious Thanksgiving dishes. Unfortunately, it’s also that time of year that may include a scenario like this: the trash can on the floor, its contents all over the kitchen, leftover turkey carcass and bits of foil smeared everywhere.

As you clean up the mess, you may be wondering how much and what your pet ate. Instead of rushing to Dr. Google, please call us to ensure your pet’s safety!

While this scenario can occur at any time of the year, holidays like Thanksgiving definitely see an uptick in pets ingesting foods that can be harmful to them. To help you navigate the holiday, Dupont Veterinary Clinic wants to alert you to thanksgiving foods that can be harmful to pets, and give you some safe and healthy alternatives.

This time of year, most of us begin focusing on the upcoming holidays. Who will host? What dishes will we make? Is it too early to begin decorating (of course not!)? However, while our to-do lists may be long, holiday pet safety should remain a top priority.

No Feasting for Fido

Keeping pets out of all the delicious food is one of the chief concerns around Thanksgiving and other meal-centric holidays. It’s also important for owners to resist sneaking their fur pals a bite of turkey or gravy at the table. Not only do these habits pose a risk for poisoning, they also increase the possibility of gastrointestinal injuries/obstructions and pancreatitis, a potentially dangerous and painful condition.

 The 4^th of July is a time to prepare the barbecue and Oooh and Aaah at the “rockets’ red glare”. While this holiday may be one of our favorites, it can be a very dangerous or stressful time for our pets. It is important to consider how our pets may react during the 4^th of July festivities, especially during the fireworks show. Our pets may be content around a lot of people and commotion, but it is common for pets to become stressed or anxious during really loud noises, such as thunderstorms or fireworks. We at Dupont Veterinary Clinic have a few tips for you and your ‘fur family’ so you can enjoy a safe and happy holiday.

During the fireworks show it is best to keep pets inside where it is quieter and they can feel safe. If your pet is crate trained, keeping them in their crate with or without a blanket lying over the top can help them feel more secure. Drowning out the outdoor noise with a T.V. or radio turned on while your pet is inside can also be soothing for them. If your pet becomes anxious during thunderstorms or fireworks it is best to not encourage their anxiety. For example, owners should remain calm and go about their day so the pet doesn’t feed off of the owner’s anxiety. Often times if the owner is anxious, the pet will become even more anxious as they sense that there is something to fear. During the 4^th of July, numerous pets go missing each year. This is because they become anxious and try to flee, which is why keeping them indoors where they are safe is often best. Anti-anxiety medications can be very helpful to get anxious pets through this noisy holiday. Call or stop by Dupont Veterinary Clinic to speak with your veterinarian about whether or not adding anti-anxiety medications is right for your pet. Thundershirts are also helpful for pets during storms or fireworks as the snug-fitting jacket helps to swaddle and comfort your pet during times of stress. Thundershirts can be found at Dupont Veterinary Clinic, so bring Sparky by to find the right fit for him!

Fireworks aren’t the only hazard for pets at this time of year. S’mores left out by the campfire or food near the barbeque can also be dangerous for your pet as they can lead to stomach irritation or obstruction of their intestinal tract. Toxic foods for pets include chocolate, grapes or raisins, avocados, onions, alcohol, macadamia nuts, and xylitol (a sugar-free sweetener found in gum, some candy, and some foods). Glow in the dark wrist bands or necklaces, while not toxic, can cause significant stomach or intestinal irritation if ingested by your pet. If you’re barbequing ribs or Buffalo wings this 4^th, remember to keep the left over bones out of reach of your pets. These bones are often not digested and can cause serious stomach or intestinal blockage.

We hope these tips and tricks will help to keep you and your fur-kids safe and happy this 4^th of July. Please fee free to call Dupont Veterinary Clinic at 637-7676 to speak with your veterinarian about what is best for you and your pets over this holiday. We are always here to help.

By age 3, up to 85 percent of pet dogs and cats exhibit some signs of periodontal disease. Untreated periodontal disease can spell big problems for a pet, including damage to the heart, kidneys, and other major organs, not to mention possible tooth loss and significant pain.

Anything a pet owner can do to reduce the amount of plaque and tartar buildup on their pets’ teeth will have a big impact on the overall health. Regular home pet dental care is key in keeping your pet’s pearly whites healthy. Good oral health can add years to a pet’s life, and can keep those years more comfortable.

Those button eyes and sweet faces make hamsters adorable pets, and their small size makes them suitable for small spaces. But there is a lot to learn about hamster behavior and care before deciding to bring this exotic pet into your home.

It’s odd that the ways in which we celebrate the holidays are also responsible for negatively impacting pet health. Between the foods, guests, and routine disruptions, pets are inadvertently placed in the crosshairs. To counteract the effect that the seasonal holidays have on our ability to mitigate disaster, we offer this guide to holiday pet safety. The more you can stay in front of at home, the better. 

Ever so adorable and endearing, guinea pigs have long-enjoyed their status as popular family pets, particularly for those looking to adopt a fur-friend that is both inexpensive and non-destructive. 

That said, there are also a slew of popular misconceptions about guinea pigs. These misnomers include the belief that they are low-maintenance pets who do not require much space, social interaction, or veterinary care. 

Whether you are considering adopting a guinea pig, or already have, it’s important to educate yourself on guinea pig care and what these adorable creatures need to not only survive, but thrive as a member of your furry family.

Many of us struggle with winter weight gain, and our pets may be no different. Whether the struggle lies in preventing it or shedding it afterwards, winter weight gain is a concern for pets because a few extra pounds can cause secondary health concerns like joint problems, diabetes, and even heart disease, to name a few.

Dupont Veterinary Clinic knows that winter is coming, and there’s no better time to prepare for how to keep pet winter weight gain at bay. Keep reading for our best tips and ideas. 

If your precious pet is about to play second fiddle to a squirming, crying human baby, he or she might not have the best reaction. After all, your pet was your first baby, and now you’re going to upset the perception that he or she is the center of your universe.

If you have visions of a happy family life complete with a cat’s purr or dog’s wagging tail, don’t worry. There are many ways you can prepare your pet for a new baby. Achieve household harmony by continuing to place your pet’s happiness, security, and health at the top of the list.

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