Spring Ahead With Some Seasonal Pet Safety Tips ~ And Farewell to a Friend


Tomorrow morning at 2 AM we welcome Daylight Saving Time (DST) here and in many areas of the world...and after the deep arctic freeze and copious amounts of snow that has occurred in our area this year, we humans are certainly looking forward to being able to "spring" our clocks ahead an hour, which means...Spring is on its way with daylight giving us longer days to have more fun running, playing, swimming, and eating! (Can you say BBQ?! Nom-nommmms!) Daylight Saving Time is also the time of year we like to remind everyone about some very important seasonal health and safety tips:


  • PET MEDICATIONS TIME: If your pet is on specifically timed
    medications (like our Epi-Husky Gibson who is on meds he must take 12 hours apart), you can help reset your pet's internal clock for these medications by staggering them by a half-hour starting on Sunday. Example: If your pet had been receiving their dosages at 7:30 AM before DST, then under the first day of the new time, give it to them at 8:00 AM*; then do the same for the PM dosage. On the second day, you can return back to the normal time by backing up the dosage another half hour bringing it to the designated 7:30 dosage time. This way, there will be no long delay in their dosage schedule that could possibly affect the gentle balance of medication levels. *This is the method I use. It may not be right for everyone's pet, so please check with your vet.

  • BATTERY CHECK: Replace batteries and check connections for pet cams, room/baby monitors, and smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors.

  • FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. Check to see when the last time your fire extinguishers were checked and verified. Be sure they are working properly.

  • PET ALERT WINDOW CLINGS: Be sure pet window clings are
    visible on the outside so fire fighters can easily see, and be sure they are not faded from time and sun. If you need a replacement, you can Google "Pet Window Clings," or visit ASPCA for a FREE safety pack, that includes a pet safety window cling, their Poison Control info on a magnet to keep handy.

  • PET ID TAGS: Check all pet tags to be sure they are all up to date with current info.

  • MICROCHIP: Check your pet’s microchip information and be sure it has been updated with any new info, such as a new address, new vet, new phone numbers, etc. Be sure to update info with not only the as microchip company, but also your vet’s office. If your pet is not yet mircrochipped--please have it done just in case your pet gets lose, lost, or is stolen.

  • HEARTWORM/FLEA/TICK PREVENTATIVES: If your pet is on Heartworm and flea/tick preventative, and you do not do it all year long, be sure to visit your vet, have your pet tested for Heartworm and parasites, and start them on the preventative for the season before the warmer weather begins. 

  • PET FIRST AID KIT: Review your pet's emergency/First Aid Kit to be sure things are up-to-date. Replace anything that has expired. With the arrival of bees, it's a good idea to check with your vet about including Benadryl® in the kit and what the proper dosage for your pet would be.

  • BEDDING: Take the time to check out all the winter bedding and give them a good spring cleaning or replacement. Buying new beds? Why not wash up and mend the old ones and see if your local dog shelter could use them.

  • EXPIRATION DATES: Check all pet meds, vitamins, food, and
    care products for expiration dates (and be sure they are kept out of reach of furkids).

  • EMERGENCY CONTACTS: Update all vet and emergency contacts, including Poison Control, in your home and in your cell phones. Do you have the Pet Poison Helpline Phone App? Click HERE for info.


Put Us On Your Fridge & By Your Phones:

If you’re calling from Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands, you can reach Pet Poison Helpline toll-free at 877-416-7319. Other Caribbean islands can reach us at 011-1-952-853-1716.
 
A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.


  • GEAR: Check out all leashes, harnesses, and collars to be sure they are not frayed, chewed, or otherwise compromised.


  • OUTDOOR SAFETY #1: With the arrival of warmer weather, give your yard a good safety check and remove any dangerous or poisonous items and mend any broken fences, gates, etc. Get down to your pet's level and see it from their perspective. Is there anything dangerous lying around that was hidden under snow, water, or mud? Any "escape" holes? Any places where wildlife or insects can build a home? Any salt or poisonous winter items around where they can now get to them? 


  • OUTDOOR SAFETY #2: With the unveiling of pools and grills, be sure you have safety mechanisms in place so your beloved pet can not get burnt, drown, or get hurt. If you have an in-ground pool, even if you have it gated, be sure you have a pet ladder so if they accidentally fall in, they have a way out.

  • KEEP 'EM COOL: Invest in a kiddie pool or two now before they are sold out for the summer. A fun, inexpensive way for your pet to cool down on the upcoming hot days.

  • WATER: Always keep fresh, cool water available. 

  • CORD SAFETY: Test run fans and A/Cs and check the cords to be sure they are not frayed, cut, or chewed.

  • BEAT THE HEAT: Remember when walking your dog in the warmer weather, to do so during the coolest points of the day - early AM and late PM - so as not to overheat them. Also be conscious of the hot pavement and roads on their paws; keep to the grassy sides if possible or shady areas. And always bring along a bottle of water.
Let's all be safe, and here's to a great Spring! 

*  *  *  *  *

For you, Norwood.

Today's blog post is dedicated to one of our longtime bloggie pals who, along with his hu-momma, took us on great armchair adventures by land and by sea...the courageous, fun, silly, and very handsome Norwood of Norwood Unleashed blog and @NorwoodsWorld on Twitter and Instagram. Norwood has embarked upon his final journey to the Rainbow Bridge, where we know he will be having an eternity of fun. While we were very saddened to hear the news, we know the skies are bit brighter now with the addition of the froggie Norstar. Run free and have some great adventures, Nordude. You will be sorely missed.

Comments

  1. Golden Woofs! SUGARMarch 7, 2015 at 7:36 PM

    Great list of reminders. Oh! we did not know about Norwood, Golden Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FiveSibesMomMarch 9, 2015 at 8:40 PM

      Thanks, Sugar! We felt so bad about Norwood...it's so hard losing our Bloggie friends.

      Delete
  2. UnknownMarch 10, 2015 at 9:28 AM

    Aw poor Norwood, so sad :(
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FiveSibesMomMarch 10, 2015 at 1:06 PM

      It really is...we are going to miss his adventures. Longtime blog pal. :-(

      Delete
  3. UnknownMarch 17, 2015 at 10:27 PM

    Sometimes it's easy to forget about supplying your animal with enough water. I sometimes forget if I have filled up their bowl with water and so now I just give them a big bowl and fill it up in the morning and in the night time. Walking them in the coolest part of the day is very important, especially for their paws. http://www.seatonhackney.com/our-camps/

    ReplyDelete

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