So much for which to be Thankful!

December 2011
Upcoming Events!
Angel Tree
Help a local animal
shelter this holiday season.
Vol. 09
So much for which to be Thankful!
Take the lead on a safe and happy holiday season.
Receive
a FREE
take-home Pet
Ornament with
each donation.
All proceeds go to
local animal shelters.
All designs subject to
availability.
It’s Meowvelous!
Fabulous
feline
package
Includes:
3 play times, nail trim, brushing
& catnip mouse to take home!
Santa Package
Your pet will receive
a visit from Santa;
receiving his/
her very own
Christmas present
on Christmas
morning, turkey
and rice Christmas
Dinner and special
tuck in service
Christmas night. With the
purchase of this package we will
email a picture of your pet (at the
Secret Santa exchange) for your
viewing pleasure.
* Hanukkah package also available on request
Ask about packages designed for:
older and younger pets as well as
athletic and intellectual dogs!
The holidays can present many new sights and smells that capture your pet’s
attention. From rich foods, to poinsettias, toys and tree water, it’s no surprise
some of the season’s accompaniments may not be safe for your pet. Here are
some considerations from our friends at the ASPCA that will likely serve as a
reminder in some cases and news in others.
Toy Joy
Looking to stuff your pet’s stockings? Choose gifts that are safe.
Dogs have been known to tear their toys apart and swallowing the pieces, which
can then become lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. Stick with chew
toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy
foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible.
Long, stringy things are a feline’s dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve
ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often
necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that’s too big to swallow,
a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer—and tons of play sessions
together. Stop in to see our holiday toy selection.
Forget the Mistletoe & Holly
Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And
many varieties of lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for justas-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.
Leave the Leftovers
Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your
furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won’t lead to
Continued on back page
Easy as Pie!
Tis the season!
Does your dog have
a cold?
Follow these tips to a healthy, happy,
holiday celebration for Bowser
It may be tempting to include the furry family members in the festivities by
sharing a taste of the yummy specialties, but keeping the human food on the
table and out of your pets bowl, is a good idea. Here are some thoughts on
making sure a merry time is had by all.
Discourage Begging
At it’s simplest, a
cold is an upper respiratory infection, also
known as Kennel Cough, and this airborne
virus has over 250 strains. Here are some
of the common symptoms:
* Nasal congestion and discharge
* A little difficulty breathing through the nose
* Occasional coughing
On the day of holiday meals, feeding your pet at his regularly scheduled
dinner hour is best. Lots of new guests and heightened activity in the house
may be too much of a distraction for your pet to concentrate on his kibble.
Once your pooch is fed, put him outside for some playtime. Consider setting
a room aside or a space such as a dog crate where your pet can relax and get
away from the noise of the holiday meal.
* Mild fever
No Doggie Bags
While these symptoms can make your
dog relatively uncomfortable, they’re not
severe. Most dogs will get over a simple
cold within about a week without any
treatment as long as they are kept warm
and hydrated. Whether you’re dealing with
Though well intentioned, people food is usually a bad idea. Some foods to
stay away from include anything with mayonnaise, gravy and pumpkin pie.
These tasty treats may be tempting to your pet’s palate, but these traditional
holiday foods are especially high in fat. High fat foods can also cause
Continued on back page
Welcomes our
new members...
He ’s hoggin’
the remote!
* Runny eyes
* Sneezing
* General lethargy
* Loss of appetite
Continued on next page
Ask about our Tiny Tot Holiday
Pajama Party at select locations.
This months special offer
FREE
TOY
Toy?!
from the
Club Woof Woof
“Bone-us” Basket
Ask for details
Expires 2/28/12
Mutt Mail
December 2011 • Vol.09
Pet Watch Continued
dogs or people, there’s still no cure for the common cold.
Here however, are a few ways to make your dog feel more
comfortable during the duration of his or her cold.
* Keep your dog warm and dry.
like symptoms. This is because their immune systems are
usually weaker than those of healthy adult pets, and a cold
is more likely to progress into pneumonia. With that said,
many owners prefer to err on the side of caution and take all
sick dogs to the vet for a professional opinion.
* Limit time spent outside during cold weather. Cold air
tends to make the bronchial tubes constrict; this makes it
more difficult for your dog to breathe.
* The symptoms become more intense.
just how severe your dog’s illness really is.
Do not board your pet or take it to
a dog park/dog beach while it is
ill. Kennel Cough is an airborne
virus and highly contagious.
* The dog develops a rattle in its chest.
* The dog is in obvious discomfort.
* Provide extra nutrition like boiled chicken and brown rice
to coax your dog to eat. This will keep his or her strength up * The dog stops drinking liquid.
and provide immune system support.
In many cases, a vet will prescribe an antibiotic to treat
* Run a cool mist vaporizer near your dog’s sleeping area to the illness; these medications can destroy invading,
opportunistic bacteria that make a dog even sicker while its
help keep the bronchial tubes moistened.
immune system is fighting off the original virus. Or, it could
* Encourage your dog to drink liquids, even if you have to
just be allergies.
tempt your pet with low sodium chicken broth. This will
Keep in mind that a cold is seldom as simple as it seems. Take
help keep nasal secretions thin and less likely to clog your
the condition seriously and provide your pet with veterinary care
dog’s nose.
if symptoms intensify and/or you believe it’s warranted.
Once you’ve determined that your dog may have a cold,
Doing so can keep your dog’s cold symptoms
you must decide whether or not it’s worth a trip to the vet.
Although some respiratory infections do get better without from developing into more serious
conditions such as respiratory infection.
medical intervention, as a layperson, it’s difficult to judge
The general rule of thumb is that a vet should examine
both puppies and senior dogs any time they have cold-
Style and good looks too!
“ask about our many grooming services!”
Ask about our package for the
“intelligent dog”.
Special stimulus includes:
• Problem solving games with rewards/treats
• One on one instruction with intellect games
• Great for dogs who don’t enjoy
socializing with other dogs
Are you tired of the same old
bandanas and bows?
Try the latest fashion dog accessory.
Your pet will look fabulous!
Mutt Mail
December 2011 • Vol.09
Mutt Mail
December 2011 • Vol.09
Thankful...Continued from front page
That Holiday Glow
cats, they can visit them in the room
where they’re safely staying while
the festivities proceed.
Wired Up
Your Christmas tree should
be very sturdy and perhaps
secured with wire or
sturdy string, so if the
cat jumps on it the tree
won’t come down.
costly medical bills.
Don’t leave lighted candles
unattended. Pets may burn
themselves or cause a fire if
they knock candles over. Be
sure to use appropriate candle
holders, placed on a stable
surface. And if you leave the
room, put the candle out!
Poinsettias, holly and mistletoe are
poisonous. If any pieces fall on the
floor, pick them up immediately before
your pet can ingest them.
Keep wires,
batteries and glass or plastic
ornaments out of paws’ reach.
A wire can deliver a potentially
lethal electrical shock and a
punctured battery can cause
burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable
ornaments can damage your pet’s mouth.
A Room of Their Own
Give your pet his own quiet
space to retreat to—
complete with fresh water
and a place to snuggle.
Shy pups and cats
might want to hide
out under a piece
of furniture, in their
carrying case or in a
separate room away from
the hubbub.
Easy as pie...Continued from inside
pancreatitis, a potentially life threatening condition that
causes the pancreas to become inflamed. Symptoms of
pancreatitis include vomiting, abdominal pain, lack of
appetite, depression, dehydration, and diarrhea.
Keep Trash Secure
If you have succeeded in keeping bowser well behaved
and healthy throughout the day, make sure he does not
find his way into the holiday trash. Dogs can gorge
on leftovers; it’s all fair game to them. Trash can be
especially dangerous because of the fatty leftovers, but
even moreover, because of bones. Turkey bones are too
brittle for your pet and splinter just as badly as chicken
bones. Sharp bones can obstruct the digestive track at any
point from an airway passage to the stomach
to intestines.
“You want to make sure that your cats
have a very safe retreat,
maybe put them in
another room because
you don’t want them
to inadvertently
escape when someone
opens the door. If your
guests want to see the
If you really want to give your pets
something they can be thankful for on this
special day, “take ‘em on an extra
long walk. All they really
want this holiday season, is
your time!
ENCINITAS
POWAY
OCEANSIDE
www.theanimalkeeper.com
PS_Newsletter9_111911
© 2011 Animal Keeper Management