Summertime is a great season to enjoy the outdoors with your pet. Summertime is also the time when we need to be careful about exposing our pets to poisonous plants.

What plants are poisonous?

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a comprehensive list on their website. How many of these common ones do you have in your garden?

Aloe, Amaryllis, Almost all kinds of Lily, Asparagus Fern, Avocado, Azalea, Clematis, Cyclamen, most Ivy, Dieffenbachia plants, Daffodil, Elephant Ears, Foxglove, Gladiolas, Holly, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Iris, Yew, Morning Glory, Narcissus, Oleander, Onion, Philodendrons, Tomato Plant, Tulip, Yucca

Lawn Treatment

If you treat your lawn with a fertilizer, herbicide or fungicide, you need to be aware of problems this could pose for your pet. Even if your pet is not interested in eating grass, walking on the lawn and then licking their paws will mean they are still ingesting the chemical. Similarly if you walk on your lawn and then your pet puts your shoe in their mouth they will still be exposed to the fertilizer, herbicide or fungicide.

Should you suspect that your pet has ingested a poisonous plant or lawn chemicals, contact your veterinarian immediately!

Tired of neighbourhood cats in your garden?

You may or may not be a cat lover, but your garden is your sanctuary. What do you do when a neighbour’s cat is using your sanctuary as a litter box? A combination of the following tricks will work to cat-proof almost any garden and still allow you to keep good neighbourhood relationships.

• Vinegar - Spray a vinegar-water solution around the base of your acid-loving plants. Cats hate the smell.
• Orange Peels - Save those citrus peels and sprinkle them around shrubs and plants. To make the peels go further, grind them in a blender to release the citrus oils and mix with water.
• Roses - Fill your garden with roses, particularly the thorny kind.
• The Water Trick - You can purchase a device that connects to a garden hose and uses a motion sensor to spray water when an animal is detected.
• Be a Gracious Host - Find a corner in the back of your yard where you can put an outdoor litter box. It doesn't need to be large or elaborate. Once kitty discovers a convenient place to go, the rest of your garden will not be as attractive.

Things to keep out of your pet’s reach…

Chocolate
Chocolate can be dangerous to pets. Chocolate can be toxic to pets because it contains theobromine, methylxanthines and caffeine stimulants which can be hazardous, and even fatal to pets. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures, panting, excessive thirst or urination, and tremors. Unsweetened chocolate is the most dangerous, but other types, like milk or bittersweet, can also harm your pet. Prevention, however is the best medicine. Don’t leave chocolate where it can be found by curious noses.

Alcoholic Beverages
Many a curious pet has dared to try a beverage left unattended. Alcohol, if ingested, could cause vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, tremors, difficulty breathing, and coma. While these symptoms sound like what a human may experience if over doing it, remember that animals are not only smaller than us, they often metabolize substances differently. Pets are more susceptible to alcohol in smaller amounts than their owners.

Wrapping and Decorating
Pets can easily choke on decorations such as balloons, cellophane, tape, ribbons, bows or festive decorations. If ingested, they could prove hazardous to your pet’s health. Cats particularly appreciate ribbons, tinsel, or yarn, but these items can cause serious damage to your cat's intestines if swallowed.

Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has ingested any of the above substances.

Sharing Holidays with your Pets

Holidays are the perfect time to show your four-legged loved ones how much you care. Here are some ideas…

Puppy Love
Keep your pooch out of trouble on Valentines Day by presenting them with presents of their own. Try special home made treats “pup-sicles” (frozen gravy) or “pup cakes” (meat flavoured mini-cakes). There are many pet treat recipes on the internet. All you need is a few of your pet’s favourite ingredients and a heart shaped cookie cutter.

Day at the Spa
Take your pet for a grooming session. Not only do they look and smell great they often feel great too! Nail clipping, a moisturizing bath (to counter act indoor heat and winter dryness), and a professional bath means fluffy doesn’t go home wet. Perhaps find a groomer that also specializes in pet massage. Both cats and dogs love a good rub down!

A Little Something Special
Maybe now is the time to purchase that new bed for your dog or a new scratching post for your cat. Birds love mirrors or other fun items for the cage. Things that enrich their lives when you’re not at home are always the best gift. Keep their minds active and it will help reduce separation anxiety. How about a Kong for Fido or a furry mouse for Fifi…get creative, make your own pet gift.

Can’t Buy Me Love
The best gift for your pet is quality time, it is inexpensive and your pet will appreciate it. Do something they like to do. Go for a walk, play fetch in the park, get out the toys and play their game. Love is about quality time. Show your pet your love and appreciation by enhancing the pet and owner bond. Your time is the best gift you can give them.

Some pets are not suited for travel because of temperament, illness, or physical impairment. If you have any doubts about whether it is appropriate for your pet to travel, talk to your veterinarian.

If you decide that your pet should not travel with you, consider the alternatives:

• Have a responsible friend or relative look after your pet.
• Board your pet at a kennel.
• Hire a pet sitter to visit, feed, and exercise your pet.

Taking your pet...

Planning and preparation are necessary when traveling with family pets. A car-sick animal can make a trip miserable for everyone.

• Your pet should be current on all vaccinations and in sound health.
• Always attach your pet’s leash before letting your pet out of the car for a break.
• If you will be staying with friends, be considerate. Find out in advance if the pet is welcome.
• The same goes for hotels, motels, parks, and campgrounds. Always check whether pets are allowed or kennel facilities are available. If the pet must be left alone in a hotel room, place a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door and inform the maid and the front desk.
• Consider bringing along a portable kennel for use in hotel rooms or the homes of friends or relatives who are not comfortable with your pet loose when no one is home.
• Be sure your pet is properly identified with a current tag or a microchip.
• Grooming (bathing, combing, trimming nails) before a trip, plus having its favorite food, toy(s), and dishes available will make your pet more comfortable
• Have both proof of rabies vaccination and a current health certificate (be sure to obtain a health certificate within ten days of travel) when crossing state or international borders.

The best place to get a great new friend is the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society (KWHS). Here at the Centre it is our goal to ensure all pets are adopted into forever homes, that is why we are able to help you pick out the perfect pet present. Here is how our simple adoption process works:

• Pick out the new pet, either on our adoption page or here at the Centre.
• Everyone who will be living with the new pet must come down to the Centre and have a meet and greet. This way you can ensure you are giving the perfect pet present, because they picked it out themselves.
• Fill out our simple animal adoption survey. Any of our Animal Care Attendants will be happy to assist you.
• If you and the pet are a perfect match, you will be able to take your new pet home.

If the perfect match is not found during your visit to the Centre, we have gift certificates available. That way they are able to wait until the perfect pet is here, ensuring you are giving (and they are receiving) the perfect pet present.

The KWHS does not encourage people to give pets as surprise gifts.

Every family has their own collection of cherished holiday traditions. When pets join the family, new traditions are created to involve our four-legged friends in our activities. Below are some traditions worth incorporating into your holidays to help keep your pets safe and healthy during the festive frenzy.

1. Pamper your pet’s paws. After taking your pet for a walk around the neighbourhood to enjoy the festive lights, use a damp towel to wipe your pet's paws and underside. Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice on roads and sidewalks can irritate and burn your pet's sensitive paws, and can cause injury if ingested. Also, remove ice balls by placing your pet's feet in warm (not hot) water before drying them off with a towel. Consider using "booties" to protect your pet's paws.
2. Keep the sweets out of reach. Holiday sweets with chocolate are not for pets - chocolate contains theobromine which can be poisonous to many animals, such as dogs, cats and ferrets, depending on the amount ingested. And, the less sweet the chocolate, the more toxic it could be. For example, unsweetened baking chocolate contains almost seven times more theobromine as milk chocolate. Vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination and heart rate can be seen with the ingestion of as little as ¼ ounce of baking chocolate by a 10-pound dog.
3. Provide only pet-friendly platters (and drinks!). Maintain your pet's regular diet - just one "special" meal during the holidays may give your dog or cat severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals that have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. For example,
   poultry bones can splinter and cause blockages, and greasy, spicy and fatty foods can cause stomach upset. Keep garbage and alcohol safely out of reach. If your pet ingests alcohol, he can become very sick and weak and may go into a coma, possibly resulting in respiratory failure.
4. Make pet-level areas floral-free. Caution must be used when choosing to decorate your home with holiday florals such as mistletoe and holly berries, which can be potentially toxic to pets. Should a cat or dog eat mistletoe, they could suffer gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Holly can cause
   vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and lethargy if ingested. Common holiday plants such as poinsettias are considered to be very low in toxicity, but they can still cause mild vomiting or nausea if ingested by your pet, and can irritate your pet's mouth. Lilies, appearing in many holiday floral arrangements, can cause kidney failure in cats. You may want to consider silk or plastic floral arrangements as a safe alternative.
5. Decorate the top two-thirds of your tree. Christmas trees pose many dangers to pets. Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers and can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water may be full of bacteria, which could cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in your pet. If ingested, ribbons can cause intestinal obstruction, and sparkly lights can become life threatening if your pet decides to chew the cords. Consider leaving the bottom third of your tree decoration-free, or decorate it (at least the bottom third), with ornaments that are less likely to attract your pet's attention, such as dried non-toxic flowers, wood, fabric or pinecones. Secure your tree so that it can't be toppled. Supervise your pet and use barriers (e.g. baby gates) and topical pet deterrents (e.g. bitter apple spray, available from most pet stores) as necessary. If you have children's toys under your tree, be cautious with your pet playing with them as
   small parts can pose a serious choking hazard.
6. Make your pet feel like a king (or queen!). Ensure your pet always has a warm place to sleep away from drafts and off the floor. A thick cozy dog or cat bed with a blanket or pillow is great.
7. Keep your pet safe inside. With guests coming and going during the holidays take extra care that your pet does not escape outside and become lost. Cats in particular are prone to hiding and/or running away when guests, especially a large number of them, visit your home. Dogs should also be carefully supervised
   as they may become over-excited with all of the holiday celebrations. One solution is to place your pet in a quiet, safe and comfortable part of the house away from all of the guests, but with access to food, water, litter box, etc. Alternatively, you may wish to use a crate, baby gate or x-pen (a metal exercise
   pen for dogs that comes in a variety of sizes) for short periods to keep animals from getting underfoot during the festive frenzy, while allowing them to be part of the celebration.
8. Protect your pet from the cold. When the temperature drops below freezing pets should not be left outside for extended periods of time. Cats, short-coated dogs and puppies are particularly vulnerable in cold temperatures. Keep cats indoors and protect your dogs from frostbite or hypothermia by taking them
   outside for short periods during cold weather. Consider slipping your short-coated dog or puppy into a comfortable dog sweater or coat as an extra layer of warmth. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. As well, when bathing your dog in winter months,
   ensure he is completely dry before taking him outside. Outdoor dogs must be provided with adequate shelter and a constant supply of fresh water. The pamphlet "Ideal Doghouse for Ontario's Outdoor Dogs" is available from the Ontario SPCA website at www.ontariospca.ca/docs/Ideal_Doghouse.pdf.
9. Be wary of seasonal dangers. Ethylene glycol - found in antifreeze and brake fluids - tastes sweet, so animals may ingest it; even a very small amount can be fatal. Emergency veterinary care is essential. Clean up any spills and dispose of the rags as a hazardous waste. Also, be alert for antifreeze spills when
   out on walks. Be aware of cats seeking warmth under vehicles. When the vehicle motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. Make a point of knocking on the hood or sounding the horn before starting the engine. This will warn away any cats who may be hiding in your vehicle.
10. Think carefully before giving a pet as a present. The holiday season may not be the ideal time to bring a new animal into your home. If you have planned to add a new pet to your family during the holidays, ensure that you will be home to provide the care and attention your new family member will require as he adjusts to his new environment. Alternatively, you could adopt your pet before Christmas, but wait until after the holidays to bring him home. Honour your family's pet adoption by placing a photo of him under the tree, or a stuffed animal representative of your new pet, or pet products and accessories for when he does arrive. While planned pet adoptions as gifts are great, it is not recommended to give pets as "surprise" gifts to friends or family members.

Remember, the best holiday present for your pet is plenty of love and attention. Include your pet in your
holiday activities and give him lots of pats, play time and appropriate exercise.

If you have questions related to holiday hazards, please contact your veterinarian.