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Hide the Pills February 28, 2008 Childproof bottles (and any pill container for that matter) can easily be broken into by dogs, so keep all pills and medication out of canine reach. Easy on the Spinach February 21, 2008 Some owners give their cats fresh spinach for a little greenery. The ASPCA poison experts say a tiny bit should be OK for most, but since it contains calcium oxalates, which can cause urinary tract crystals, don’t feed it regularly. Also, any cat with a history of urinary problems should never eat spinach. Watch What You (and Your Dogs) Eat February 14, 2008 Onions and garlic – even if they’re cooked – can be very tough on a dog’s system, causing severe gastro upset that sometimes requires vet care. Fire Safety for the Whole Family February 7, 2008 Big, bright “save our pets” decals will inform fire fighters precisely how many and what kinds of animals to search for if there’s a fire. You can check the number of dogs, cats and birds, and also fill in a blank area if you have other types of pets. Stick them in windows by your front and back doors. Two Pet Alert four-by-five-inch decals are $4.99. Call 1-561-502-2194 to order. Careful for Dry Cleaning February 1, 2008 Keep those plastic dry cleaner bags out of trash cans, closet bottoms and other spots pets can access as the suffocation risk when they find one and begin playing with it is real. Choke Change January 24, 2008 When dogs swallow coins it can be dangerous as choking or blockages can occur. Pennies made after 1982 are particularly problematic because they’re 99.2 percent zinc, and when one sits in your dog’s stomach, the zinc leaches into red blood cells, which causes anemia and kidney problems. See your vet immediately if you suspect Fido has consumed coins. Keep It in the Cabinet January 17, 2008 Child-proof bottles (and any pill container for that matter) can easily be broken into by dogs. So keep all pills and medication out of canine reach. Macademia Dangers January 10, 2008 Macadamia nuts can cause temporary rear-leg paralysis in dogs 1 to 3 days after ingestion. The animal will recover without medical intervention, but some dogs have been euthanized because the owner assumed a stroke, not a connection to macadamias. Tag … Kitty's It! January 3, 2008 Even indoor-only cats should wear collars with ID information to help them get back to you in case they escape through a broken window or screen. Winter + Cars + Dogs = Danger December 27, 2007 A car is just not the same as a doghouse, which retains the animal’s body heat. In fact, cars, because of their size, are actually like refrigerators in cold weather. Cars lose the heat generated by the heater while you were driving, making it extremely uncomfortable for most dogs in a very short time. Double-Dog Dare December 20, 2007 If the outdoor water bowl you’ve been using is metal, replace it with plastic for the next few months. During the winter, a dog’s (or cat’s) tongue can freeze to the side or bottom of the bowl. Death by Bread? December 13, 2007 Snarfing up raw, yeast-based bread dough can be deadly to counter-surfer dogs. The belly is the perfect environment for dough to rise, and it does, creating all sorts of awful fallout. Get to a vet immediately. Pee Problems December 6, 2007 If your cat is suddenly urinating everywhere but the litter box, there may be a medical cause. He may have a urinary tract infection, stones in the bladder or even an urinary obstruction. Or it may signal diabetes or kidney, thyroid or liver disease. Get a vet to do some tests. In Case of Fire … November 29, 2007 “Save our pets” decals inform fire fighters how many and what kinds of animals to search for if there’s a fire in your absence. Check the number of dogs, cats and birds in spaces provided (and also fill in a blank area if you have other types of pets). Place in windows by your front and back doors. Two Pet Alert 4-by- 5-inch decals are $4.99. Call 1-561-502-2194 to order. Keep the Home Fires Burning September 27, 2007 As the coldest regions of the U.S. and Canada prepare for frigid temperatures, it’s worth noting that animals can experience frostbite in sub-freezing temperatures when there’s no shelter from the cold and wind. Frostbite can result in limb or ear loss. Most vets say they see more cats with frostbite than dogs. Popeye the Kitty Cat? September 20, 2007 Some owners give their cats fresh spinach for a little greenery. The ASPCA poison experts say a tiny bit should be OK for most, but since it contains calcium oxalates, which can cause urinary tract crystals, don’t feed it regularly. Also, any cat with a history of urinary problems should never eat spinach. Heart-Happy Traveler September 13, 2007 If you’ll be traveling with your dog from a Northern state where heartworm is rare to a region where it’s prevalent (even in winter), ask your vet about using heartworm preventive before leaving. It takes only one second and one infected mosquito to contract heartworm. Choke Collars are No Joke September 13, 2007 Never, ever leave a a dog unattended in a chain-choke collar. Some dogs have strangled when the end of the collar gets caught on a crate, a fence, a piece of furniture or even when they’re rough-housing with another dog. No Leashes in Cars September 6, 2007 Never keep your dog leashed in a moving or stationary vehicle. Hundreds of dogs are hanged annually during car wrecks or when left alone in a car for a few moments and the leash gets tangled on something while the owner does a quick errand. No Mints, Gum for Dogs August 30, 2007 If you use sugar-free gum, candy or other sweets, check the ingredients. If xylitol, a sugar substitute, is listed, take extreme measures to keep it from your dog. Eating even one xylitol-sweetened mint can cause canine kidney failure. Fido, Phone Home! August 14, 2007 When traveling with your pet or moving, get new ID tags with updated contact information. Thousands of owners never receive word when pets are found because the phone number on the animal’s collar is outdated.
Adopt a pet at
PetFinder.com (Results will appear on PetFinder.com)  Ways to Welcome Home a New Feline
From Allie Phillips of King Street Cats, a cat-rescue group in Alexandria, Va., which holds open adoptions at downtown locations every Sunday
A new home can seem huge, intimidating and overwhelming. So find a room that will allow the cat to get accustomed to the smells and sounds. Placing a cat-calming Feliway plug-in device in the room may also help.
Make introductions slowly
If you have other cats or pets, a several-step introduction is best. First, allow your current pets to see the new cat through a baby-gated doorway or by someone holding the new cat while your current pet is held and petted (to reduce anxiety and jealousy.) Cats will invariably growl and hiss during introductions. Keep petting and talking to all pets. Let the pets decide when they want to get closer to sniff each other, which may take days or even weeks.
Kitty-proof your home
If this is your first cat, be sure electrical cords are hidden or secured to avoid chewing; check tables and shelves for breakable items; beware of lit candles on low tables; and be sure basements and other areas don’t have small openings to the outdoors. Lock away cleaners, chemicals, fertilizers and other toxins with baby-proof hinges. Have at least one litter box per cat.
Provide supervision
During the first weeks of allowing your new cat to roam free in your house, it's best to be watchful. You can help it locate litter boxes and food/water bowls and you'll discover its hiding places. And if you have other pets, you can ensure there are no conflicts.
Give lots of love
Keep your level of attention for existing pets consistent when a new cat arrives. If you suddenly stop or reduce the level of play and interaction with current pets, jealousy can ensue and the new cat could become the target of attacks. Engage in playtime with all the cats together.
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