Whisker Connection's Blog http://whiskerconnection.org/blog Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:50:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 It’s hot out there! http://whiskerconnection.org/blog/2010/07/its-hot-out-there/ http://whiskerconnection.org/blog/2010/07/its-hot-out-there/#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:45:42 +0000 Jenny http://whiskerconnection.org/blog/?p=64


Summer Tips for You and Your Pet

With this very hot & humid weather we’ve been having here in Ohio, I couldn’t help but think of how our pets are handling the heat. Below you will find a few tips we have gathered to help you and your pets beat the heat!

Whoa! It’s Getting Really Hot in Here!

NEVER leave your pets alone in a car.

On an 80° day, the temperature inside a vehicle can skyrocket to 114° or more in a matter of minutes. Dark interiors can easily reach 200°!  Cracking the windows or parking in the shade won’t help. Pets can quickly suffer heat stroke, brain damage, or even die in a hot car! When running errands, please leave your pets at home where they’ll stay safe & cool.

For a demonstration on how fast a car can heat up, visit the National Weather Service’s Heat Safety page.

Know the Signs of Heat Stroke

If your pet exhibits any of these behaviors, consult a veterinarian immediately!

  • Excessive panting
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Drooling
  • Stupor
  • Mild weakness
  • Seizures
  • Collapse

What to do if you discover a pet alone in a hot car, plus emergency tips on how to cool down an overheated pet:



Download our “Whoa! It’s Really Hot in Here!” fliers to hand out when you see a pet locked in a hot car.


More Tips

When it’s very hot, keep your pet indoors and provide a constant supply of fresh, clean water.  If you have an indoor/outdoor pet, be sure to provide plenty of shade & water outdoors.  Let your pet in during the heat of the day.

Walk your pet in the early morning or evening and be careful not to over-exercise him. Remember that asphalt can get hot! It can burn your pets paws and help raise your pet’s body temperature. Keep walking on asphalt to a minimum in very hot weather.


Keep unscreened windows closed to avoid falls or a lost pet.

Avoid spraying your lawn and garden with pesticides and when walking your pet, try to stay away from any lawn you think may have been sprayed.

Bring pets indoors during Fourth of July celebrations. The loud noises can scare your pet and he may run to get away from the noise. Many pets get lost this time of year, so be proactive and keep your pets indoors.


Supervise your pets around swimming pools. Keep a close eye on pets that are new to swimming.

Be sure to give a flea and tick preventive to each of your pets. Flea collars don’t really work and some flea/tick medications you buy at your local store can be harmful to your pet.  Ask your vet to recommend a safe program.

We hope with these tips, you’ll be on your way to a safe & happy summer with your pets! Enjoy!

Download our Hot Weather Tips brochure.

]]> http://whiskerconnection.org/blog/2010/07/its-hot-out-there/feed/ 1 Rehoming your Pet & Ways to Avoid Having to do it! http://whiskerconnection.org/blog/2010/07/rehoming-your-pet/ http://whiskerconnection.org/blog/2010/07/rehoming-your-pet/#comments Sat, 03 Jul 2010 18:36:44 +0000 Jenny http://whiskerconnection.org/blog/?p=37 Our pets rely on us for their every need and in return they provide us with unconditional love.  It’s important that you make every effort to keep your pet with you. Rehoming a pet is a difficult decision and all avenues should be explored before trying to find a new home for your pet.

Many problems can be solved simply by contacting your veterinarian. New behavior issues may be a sign of a medical condition and should be looked into before trying to rehome your pet.

If you are moving, look for pet-friendly housing. If you’re concerned about the cost of an additional pet-related deposit, consider having a garage sale or selling items on ebay to cover the cost. You’re moving, so you might as well get rid of some of that old stuff!

In the military and being deployed? There are organizations that can help you!

FosterMilitaryPets.com
Military Pets Foster Project
OperationNobleFoster.org
MilitaryPets.org

These organizations work to find temporary foster homes for the pets of deployed military personnel until they return home. If you are being deployed, contact these groups asap!

Allergies. If allergies have become a problem for you or your child, consult your doctor about ways to prevent symptoms. Shots or allergy medications can be highly effective. Other ways to reduce symptoms include regularly cleaning and vacuuming your house, bathe and groom your pet more regularly or have your pet professionally groomed, and use allergen-reducing cleaning products, carpet cleaners, and shampoos. Consider purchasing an air filtration system. A sure fire way to help reduce allergy symptoms is to always keep your pet off your bed and completely out of the bedroom!

Behavior Problems. If your pet is exhibiting any new “bad” behaviors, consult your veterinarian. Your pet may have a medical condition. Your veterinarian will likely be able to diagnose the problem and treat or offer solutions for the behavior issues.

If there is absolutely no way you can keep your pet, plan early to ensure they get the best possible chance of finding a home.

  • Contact all your friends and family to see if they can adopt your pet. This is a good option as you’ll likely be able to visit your pet in the future.
  • Spread the word on facebook, myspace, etc. Ask people to cross-post.
  • Consider posting on craigslist, but be very careful when screening potential adopters.
  • Ask your co-workers. If you’re allowed, send a companywide email asking for help.
  • Ask your veterinarian if she knows any clients looking for a new pet. Ask if you can post a sign at the clinic. Ask other area vets if you can do the same.
  • Be sure to carefully screen any potential adopters that you don’t know. Ask about declawing, if your pet will be kept indoors or out, etc.
  • Search a list of no-kill rescue groups and shelters in your state and surrounding states to see if any have space for your pet(s). http://www.nokillnetwork.org/
  • Rescue groups may be willing to put a courtesy posting on their website. You’ll be responsible for screening, but you’ll likely get a bigger audience of potential adopters than you would on your own.

Download our Rehoming Flier.

]]> http://whiskerconnection.org/blog/2010/07/rehoming-your-pet/feed/ 0 First Aid http://whiskerconnection.org/blog/2010/05/first-aid/ http://whiskerconnection.org/blog/2010/05/first-aid/#comments Thu, 06 May 2010 02:36:45 +0000 Jenny http://whiskerconnection.org/blog/?p=7 Do you have a first aid kit for your cat? Here are some basic items you will need to put together a kit. It’s important to always have these things on hand in case of an emergency.

Phone Numbers

  • Your Veterinarian
  • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435
  • Emergency Vet Clinic

Paperwork, including proof of rabies vaccination and other important medical records.

Cat First Aid Book

Cat First Aid Kit

If you want to put your own first aid kit together, the Humane Society of the United States recommends  the following items:

  • Rectal thermometer (a cat’s temp should not go over 103 or below 100)
  • Sterile gauze and pads
  • Adhesive tape
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Tweezers
  • Petroleum Jelly
  • Antiseptic lotion, powder, or spray
  • a pillowcase to confine your cat for treatment
  • a carrier
  • Cotton balls or swabs
  • Splints and tongue depressors
  • Towels
  • a muzzle or strips of cotton to prevent biting
  • Penlight or flashlight
  • Scissors
  • Needle-nosed pliers
  • Ice pack
  • Plastic eyedropper or syringe
  • Sterile saline solution
  • latex gloves
  • ear-cleaning solution
  • nail clippers

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/cat_care/keys_to_a_healthy_cat/your_cats_firstaid_kit.html

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