The month of April is filled with plenty of National awareness holidays for our beloved pets. From animal cruelty awareness to Pet ID Weeks, april is all about loving our furry companions. With that in mind, we thought it was important to remind our readers of some useful tips to get your pet through a season of Allergies, fleas and ticks and potential activity injuries associated with the warmer, longer days of Spring. Since April also happens to be National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, Smithtown Today went digging for a few good tips that could help prepare, protect and possibly save your pets from the dog days of Spring.
We all have an at home first aid kit for our family in case of unexpected accidents. Keeping an emergency kit for your pets can come in handy on more than one occasion and help in emergency situations like a natural disaster or a mandatory evacuation. The ASPCA online shop carries a basic emergency first aid kit for pets which also includes a medical emergency instruction guide. For the working dog or the highly active pup, splurging on a kit from Ready Dog Trauma Kits may seem pricey (Between $90-$170) but when compared to the hundreds of dollars for the Vet visit, this first aid kit is well worth the price tag. Ready Dog kits come equipped with surgical grade Shears and Forceps, a Skin Stapler, emergency first aid manual, Tourniquet and lifesaving Medications like hydrogen peroxide, providone-iodine swabs, aspirin, anti-histamine, and honey. These kits come in handy especially for hunting and service dogs but could save a life when time is of the essence.
For the Cat Lovers who refuse to evacuate without their favorite feline, Petco sells a cat evacuation kit for $60. The bag doubles as a carrier and includes everything your cat needs to survive for 3-5 days including a bag of kitty litter, toys, treats and basic first aid supplies like antiseptic wipes, Triple Antibiotic Ointment and Nitrile Gloves. We also recommend including a calming pheromone for your cats in an emergency situation. Bach Rescue Remedy is the most commonly available brand, most grocery shops will carry. However, if you can get to your natural pet supply store, they will most likely recommend Aroma Cat Nap Anxiety Remedy. Both are priced at approximately $14 for a small bottle. Spray the contents around the emergency carrier before your cat is inside to prevent further irritation.
Spring means new plant life, but some of the beauty growing in the garden can mean sudden death or severe illness for your pets. Avoid planting lilies (indoor plants too), azaleas, aloe, begonias, Ivy and Clematis where your dog or cat play. The ASPCA has a full list of toxic plants based on the species of pet, which is well worth investigating.
In addition to toxic plants, remember to read labels on fertilizer and pesticides to assure the brand you use is non-toxic for animals. There are many organic brands which prioritize pet safety worth investing in. EcoSmart, carries a wide variety of green pest control products with a special emphasis on guaranteeing it is a pet friendly brand.
Spring is a great time to connect with your Vet and make sure your pets heartworm prevention medications and flea and tick treatments are up to date. A wonderful holistic measure for flea and tick prevention is the inclusion of garlic supplements in your pets daily nutritional regime. Also, be sure to maintain proper grooming during these outdoor months. Wipe down fur gently with a damp towel and gently brush through your companions coat in case a pesky critter or two found a temporary home during play time.
Finally and most importantly, there is nothing more traumatic for pet owners than the sudden emergency situation that occurs when you don’t know what to do to save your little guy. Paws-n-Claws 911 is a group that offers first aid class specifically with these sudden situations in mind. Locally, Three Village Veterinary Hospital in Stony Brook offers these classes. Choose to sign up for a 4-hour “CPR & First Aid For Your Pets” the 8-hour “PetSaver” class which includes CPR, First Aid and a great educational course on general pet wellness. For more information on classes, times, fees and contact information visit Paws N Claws 911 or call (631) 721-8129