Written by Marissa Greenberg
What a change in our weather over the last few days! It feels like fall is here, especially after our record-breaking temperatures. Here are a few things to think about for your pets with the change of season.
1) The days are getting shorter and many of us find ourselves having to take our dogs for walks in the dark now. For safety, make sure you are wearing reflective clothing or a headlamp, and put a reflective collar and/or a blinking safety light on your dog.
2) With the shorter days, you may not be able to spend as much time outside getting exercise with your dog. If this is the case, keep in mind that you might need to cut back on the amount of food that your dog eats in order to maintain an ideal Body Condition Score (BCS). Please call for an appointment with one of our veterinary nurses to help you evaluate your pets’ BCS.
3) It is starting to get a little colder and even a little wet! Make sure that your pet has a place to get away from the elements. We’ve already had some fall thunderstorms, and there will likely be more to come. If you have a dog or cat that is scared of storms, we can help you. Please contact us for information about desensitizing your pet to loud noises. In some cases, we may need to consider drug therapies to help your pet work through their fears.
4) With the holidays just around the corner, there are hazards galore for dogs and cats alike! The first one is the Halloween candy and decorations. Be sure to keep all candy locked securely away somewhere that your pet can’t get to them. Keep all holiday decorations out of reach to prevent the need for an emergency surgery to remove one from the gastrointestinal tract! With family gatherings and yummy meals for the holidays, remind family members that what tastes good to us, isn’t always healthy for our pets. It’s best to avoid any handouts from the table for your four-legged friends, especially bones that can cause blockage of the intestinal tract or a choking hazard.
What a change in our weather over the last few days! It feels like fall is here, especially after our record-breaking temperatures. Here are a few things to think about for your pets with the change of season.
2) With the shorter days, you may not be able to spend as much time outside getting exercise with your dog. If this is the case, keep in mind that you might need to cut back on the amount of food that your dog eats in order to maintain an ideal Body Condition Score (BCS). Please call for an appointment with one of our veterinary nurses to help you evaluate your pets’ BCS.
3) It is starting to get a little colder and even a little wet! Make sure that your pet has a place to get away from the elements. We’ve already had some fall thunderstorms, and there will likely be more to come. If you have a dog or cat that is scared of storms, we can help you. Please contact us for information about desensitizing your pet to loud noises. In some cases, we may need to consider drug therapies to help your pet work through their fears.
