How to Keep Pets Safe from Backyard Wildlife

Rocco LOVES his backyard!

I love having a backyard and safe place where we can play and I can let Rocco run off leash.

One of my neighbors recently asked if I let Rocco and his pals out back unsupervised.  I do have a completely fenced in yard, but my answer is NO!

Why?

Because even though I live in the city with a six-foot high fence, there have been all sorts of wildlife sightings in the area. And with small dogs, especially, I don't want to take any chances.

Here are a couple of things I do to help keep things safe so that Rocco and his pals can enjoy their heathy, active lifestyle in the backyard!

HOT Tips to Keep Pets Safe This Summer (and #Giveaway!)

With the July 4th weekend approaching, we're bringing you this reminder to help keep your pets safe and sound this holiday weekend and all summer long.

The ASPCA has provided the graphic with safety tips below. AND, they're also providing a really nifty and useful Summer Pet Safety Pack that one of our readers will have the chance to win. Make sure to read all the way down to enter the giveaway!

 Five Summer Dangers for Pets

This July 4th weekend, don't let your dog become of the lost-dog statistics. Loud noises like fireworks can cause dogs to bolt, so be sure to keep them in a safe and secure place. Here are five things to keep in mind so you can enjoy a healthy, active summer with your pets.

HOT tips for summer pet safety

In addition to the above, here are our HOT tips to keep in mind this summer.

5 Tips for Keeping Your Pet Safe This Summer

Thanks to the Human Society of Silicon Valley for this nifty pet safety infographic. Check out these great tips to keep your pet safe from summer dangers like heat, ticks and dehydration.

Stay cool!

4 Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe This 4th of July

We love the 4th of July -- all the pretty fireworks, picnics and outdoor fun. But it's also a day that's not particularly dog friendly.  Check out these stats and tips to help ensure you keep your pets safe and secure this holiday weekend.

Happy 4th of July! We hope you have a terrific and safe holiday weekend!

Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe This Halloween

We received this nifty infographic from TheUncommonDog.com, just in time for Halloween! Great tips to keep your dog happy and safe!

Check out more good safety tips for both cats and dogs from Pet360 and petMD.com.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Rocco the Taco is ready for Halloween! He also wants you to know we are walking to support cancer research for pets and people this Sunday with 2 Million Dogs. That's the organization inspired by Luke Robinson's 2008 cross-country trek with his two Great Pyrenees, Hudson and Murphy. When Luke lost his pup Malcom to cancer, he wanted to do all he could to help eradicate the disease and 2 Million Dogs was formed.

Now, Puppy Up! Walks are held around the country as part of the 2 Million Dogs campaign. Rocco and I will be walking this Sunday in memory of Cosmo Havanese, who lost his battle with lung cancer late last year. Please consider making a small donation to help us help fight cancer.

Happy 4th of July! Keep it safe for your pets sake!

Cosmo says, have a happy 4th of July but remember, pets and fireworks don't mix! Keep these tips in mind for a safe and healthy holiday.

Have fun!

Pictures of fireworks ARE safe for pets!

Have a safe and happy 4th!

Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe This Spring

April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month and the folks at Wag’N Enterprises, the pet emergency experts, offer a few tips to help keep your pets safe this season and all year round.

1. Initial response and care is vital, says Wag'N Enterprises founder Ines de Pablo. To learn vital pet life-saving skills, consider attending a pet first aid class. PetTech offers classes nationwide from trained instructors and Wag’N Enterprises offers pet CPR, first aid and care classes in the Washington, D.C. area.
2. Keep important pet lifesaving phone numbers both in your cell phone and displayed on paper copy in a prominent area of your home and vehicle. Important numbers include your primary veterinarian as well as emergency veterinarian's phone number, the ASPCA Poison Control Center Number (888) 426-4435 and the National Poison Control Number (800) 222-1222.
3. Invest in the PetTech Pet Saver App, available for iPhone, Android phones and Windows 7 phones. The app covers topics such as CPR, heat and cold injuries, choking, snake bites, how to transport an injured pet and more. While not a replacement for first-hand pet first-aid training, the app offers a handy health and safety resource.

What do you do to prepare for pet emergencies?

Ho-Ho-Holiday Pet Safety Tips

It's that most wonderful time of year when...  ♫♫ There'll be much mistletoeing, and hearts will be glowing, when love ones are neaaaaar! ♫♫

But what may bring us holiday cheer can also be dangerous for pets. So while you're preparing to roast chestnuts on an open fire, consider these holiday safety tips from VCA Animal Hospitals.

Cosmo Havanese and Santa

Protect and cover all prepared and uncooked foods, especially uncooked dough which can expand and cause severe stomach pain in your pet.

Every pet parent should know: keep all plants (especially poinsettias, peace lilies and mistletoe) out of your pet’s reach.

Tasty treats are very tempting for dogs and cats, so try to keep them out of reach and most certainly off the ground when you are unwrapping gifts.

Hanging lights and ornaments can be inviting to extra playful pets, but they can also be dangerous. Be sure to keep all decorations out of a pet’s reach.

Opening presents is fun, but it’s best for pets to stay away from all ribbons, wrapping paper and “linear foreign bodies” to avoid accidental ingestion and internal complications.

Left by themselves, pets may get into holiday food that can be potentially dangerous to their health. Foods with grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts can cause problems ranging from digestive upset to possible organ failure.

If you haven’t been warned already: keep all chocolate out of your pet’s reach! There are toxins present in chocolate which can cause problems ranging from mild digestive upset to seizures and can even be fatal. For more details about the hazards of chocolate, see this article on "Chocolate Poisoning".

Dinners around the holidays are all about sharing. Although you may want to share with your pets, try to keep in mind that sudden rich diet changes are likely to upset a pet's stomach. If you wish to feed your pet a special treat, give only a small amount of table food mixed in with their regular dinner.

Any cords you may have near the floor can be a real danger to your cat. Their sharp teeth can easily puncture electrical wires.

You should try to keep your pets out of the kitchen during the hustle and bustle of the season, as to avoid them getting burned or otherwise injured.

Keep Pets Safe this Winter with Salt-Free Ice Melters

Cosmo braves the Atlanta snow last winter

Snow and ice are a bit of a novelty in our neck of the woods, in Atlanta. But for many folks, and especially those in the Northeast this weekend, ice can pose a danger to you and your pets.

The salt that you may use to keep  from slipping and sliding can also be harmful to your pet. To help keep pets safe this winter, consider a salt-free ice melter.

Morton Safe-T-Pet has introduced a new salt and chloride free formula this year which is safer for pets' paws and stomachs than other salt/chloride based melters. Safe-T-Pet can be purchased online or at Walmart and other major national retailers. Find a store located near you.

Safe Paw also offers a salt-free product, developed in 1996 to answer a demand for an environmentally sound product that's also safe for pets and children. Safe Paw is sold a most major pet stores and at many online stores, grocery shops and national retail chains. Find a store located near you.

How you can help keep more pets safe with just one "Like"

Morton Salt and the ASPCA have launched a Keep Pets Safe in Winter campaign, and as part of this program, Morton is making a donation of $20,000 to the ASPCA to help keep pets safe in homes and in shelters. In addition, for every "like" received on Morton's Facebook page from now until January 31, 2012, Morton will donate $1 to the ASPCA, up to $55,000. The additional funding from Morton will be used by the ASPCA to raise awareness about the importance of proper winter pet care and safety.

The campaign will culminate with "National Keep Pets Safe in Winter Day" on December 22.

After you "Like" Morton come on back for the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop!

Halloween Pet Safety Tips

Cosmo Havanese says Do Bee a safe Bee this Halloween season so that you and your family can enjoy Halloween and all its festivities to the fullest. Practice these Halloween Pet Safety tips to keep your pets safe for a spooktacular Halloween!

First, Cosmo says Bee comfortable in your costume. Cosmo says he's quite comfy but not all pets tolerate dress-up. Make sure your pet has room to move normally, can see and breath (of course!), and watch for any parts that can be chewed off or ingested.

Do Bee a treat watcher. Cosmo always has his eye on the treats but chocolate and candy can be harmful and even deadly to pets. Cosmo says to keep the Halloween goodies secure and out of pets' reach and toss him a nice doggie treat every now and then!

Do Bee in a secure place in your home. Cosmo says he's a relaxed pup most of the time, but lots of doorbell ringing and squealing ghosts and goblins can put any pet on edge. Be sure to keep your pets in a safe, secure place so that no one slips out the door by accident. 

Don't Bee a candle tipper. While most of the year it may be safe to zoom around the house in a blur, Halloween candles are dangerous for playful pets. Keep candles WAY out of reach or consider some other kind of illumination this Halloween.

Do Bee a safe Bee and have a happy Halloween!

Cosmo is wearing the Top Paw Bee Costume from PetSmart!

Scary Blog Hop and Halloween Pet Safety

Sir Wags-a-Lot aka Cosmo Havanese may not be too spooky this Halloween but his Knightliness brings you a bit of dogged advice about Halloween Pet Safety this Blog Hop Saturday.

First, be comfortable in your costume. Cosmo says he's quite comfy but not all pets tolerate dress-up. Make sure your pet has room to move normally, can see and breath (of course!), and watch for any parts that can be chewed off or ingested.

Sir Begs-a-lot has perfected the eye for treats.  Chocolate and candy can be harmful and even deadly to pets. Keep the Halloween goodies secure and out of pets' reach.

Sir Sleeps-a-Lot may be a relaxed pup most of the time, but lots of doorbell ringing and squealing ghosts and goblins can put any pet on edge. Be sure to keep your pets in a safe, secure place so that no one slips out the door by accident. 

And, while most of the year it may be safe for Sir Plays-A-Lot  to zoom around the house in a blur, Halloween candles are dangerous for playful pets. Keep candles WAY out of reach or consider some other kind of illumination this Halloween.


Happy Safe Halloween!!!  MWUAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Get in the mood with some Halloween tunes and trick or treat on down to the Hop!!