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It’s understandable that you want to spend money on your pet. They are definitely worthy of a little gift every now and then, but when money is tight, less money spent is better. Your pet will love you whether or not you spend loads of cash on them, so, how about giving them priceless gifts that really only require your attention? Check out these “gift” ideas that will make you pet and your wallet happy.

The gift of health

It’s no secret that pets have their own issues with obesity, so one of the best gifts you can give to your pet is making sure they are healthy. Regularly take your animal to get some exercise; even just going out for a walk is helpful. In fact, getting your pet exercise may even help you stay in shape! As far as a healthy diet, your pet can’t exactly head out to the drive-thru window or use the microwave---the owner is the one provoking the bad eating habits! Be sure to give your animal the proper portions at meal time, cut back on those treats. Your pet will be forever thankful.

The gift of time

Sadly, it’s not unusual that many pets end up spending most of their lives alone. People gets busy with work or school and rarely are at home. So it is truly a gift to your pet to have time to spend with you! Obviously you can’t avoid work or school considering those are pretty essential, but the time you spend on the internet or watching television can be replaced by playing with your pet. Always look for opportunities to hang out with your little buddy!

The gift of training

A well-trained pet typically has a better relationship with his/her owner. Through training, a pet and its owner are able to establish a good means of communication and get to spend more time together. Don’t know where to start? Call up your veterinarian for referrals to a local trainer.

The gift of safety

Making your home a safe place for your pet to live is crucial! Lock up those cleaning supplies and put those toxic plants out of reach. Most importantly, don’t forget to put a collar and ID tag on your pet. This is the best way to ensure that if your pet gets out, he/she will make it home safely.

So go ahead and show your love to your furry friend! Remember, it isn’t about how much you spend. It’s the thought that counts; even when it comes to our pets. 

For many, the holidays are a free pass to indulge in whatever sweet treats may come their way. Whether they are chocolates, candy canes, brownies, or cookies, all we humans have to worry about is fitting into our jeans at the end of the day. For our pets, however, sweets can prove to be a serious hazard. As you are probably aware, chocolate is toxic to man’s best friend.

Why is Chocolate bad for my dog?

• The first problem is that sweets are high in fat. A fatty meal can create a lethal metabolic disease in pets called pancreatitis.
• Chocolate is toxic because of the theobromine. Theobromine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, tremors, and in severe cases, death.

Toxic doses of theobromine are 9mg per pound of dog for mild signs, and up to 18 mg for severe signs. Milk chocolate contains 44 mg / ounce of theobromine, semisweet chocolate contains 150 mg per ounce, and baking chocolate contains 390 mg per ounce. It takes four days for the affects to leave the dog’s system.

The key is to be vigilant and watch your pets and make sure your children know not to feed the dog chocolate. To be cautious, always reach for a dog biscuit when you want to treat your dog.  This will make sure you have a safe and happy holiday with wonderful memories to share with your whole family: pets and all.

The holiday season is upon us and one of the best gifts to receive for a child is a dog. One crucial element in purchasing or adopting a dog is choosing the name that is right for your new addition to the family. While in the process of getting a dog, have names in mind before you bring the dog home for the first time. When the dog first arrives, you must start using the name so the new addition will be familiar and will adapt easier to its new surroundings.

Picking a name is always an interesting process, but when choosing a name you should select a name that has meaning to your family. Be creative, because like your child, you want your dog’s name to stand out and not be generic. Traditional names are outdated for dogs such as Spot, Sparky, etc. Avoiding aggressive names for family dogs is key.

Here are some ideas for finding a good name:

• Words from nature (star, moon, shadow)
• Human names you like
• Words related to your faith and personal beliefs
• Characters from movies or books that resonate with you
• Words from your favorite song or poem.
• Words from history or culture that are significant to you

Remember that your dog’s name will have great significance to you and your family as you go through life together. Every dog and animal you have will always have a significant impact in your life and will create memories that will last forever.

The winter holidays are coming quicker than some of us are ready for, but we’re all ready for a much-needed break and some fun! With all of the excitement in the next couple of months, we still need to keep in mind our pets’ safety. We like to say, “You don’t know what you don’t know,” so we have provided you with the following tips to help your pet stay out of danger this holiday season!

Food is one of the best parts of the holidays, but certain ones can be very harmful to our pets. Listed below are some of the foods and beverages that may be hazardous to your pet and should be avoided:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Chocolate (baker's, semi-sweet, milk chocolate)
• Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans)
• Moldy or spoiled foods
• Onions, onion powder
• Fatty foods
• Salt
• Yeast dough

Don’t know what to get your neighborhood for a gift this year so just decide on purchasing a plant to liven up their holiday spirits? There are many winter plants that are popular for the season, but be sure to keep the following plants away from your pet this year to avoid any issues:

• Lilies: could be deadly to your cat. Many types of lily, such as Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Easter, Stargazer, and the Casa Blanca, can cause kidney failure in cats.
• Poinsettias: generally over-rated in toxicity. If ingested, can be irritating to the mouth and stomach, and may cause mild vomiting or nausea.
• Mistletoe: has the potential to cause cardiovascular problems. However, mistletoe ingestion usually only causes gastrointestinal upset.
• Holly: ingestion could cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and lethargy.

If you are celebrating Christmas this year and can’t wait to put up your tree, keep in mind your four-legged friends that are running around. There are many items that go along with the Christmas tree that you should be careful with around your pets.

• Christmas tree water: may contain fertilizers, which, if ingested, can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can be breeding grounds for bacteria, which can also lead to vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, if ingested.
• Electric cords: If chewed, they could electrocute your pet. Cover up or hide electric cords, never let your pet chew on them.
• Ribbons or tinsel: can get caught up in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction.
• Batteries: contain corrosives. If ingested they can cause ulceration to the mouth, tongue, and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Glass ornaments: can cut the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract if ingested.
• Potpourris: Pets are often exposed to liquid potpourri by direct ingestion from simmer pots, by rubbing against leaky bottles or simmer pots containing the potpourri, or from spilling the containers upon themselves. Oral exposures result following grooming. Exposure of pets to some types of liquid potpourris can result in severe oral, dermal, and ocular damage. Dry potpourri generally doesn't cause those issues, but there may be problems due to foreign body and (possibly) toxic plant ingestion.

Visit http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=463&EVetID=900000089 to read about more winter holiday hazards and items to be on the look out for this year. Have a great holiday season, and don’t forget to pick up an extra toy or two for the little pals!

Holidays are a wonderful time to be with family and friends, but they can also be stressful, especially if you are traveling. Travel becomes even more chaotic when traveling with your pets. Avoid unnecessary travel stress by following these simple rules:

1)   Do not: Open the carrier for a final pet as your animal may escape

2)   Do not: Use a low quality carrier that can open or break

3)   Do: Get your pet used to being inside the carrier prior to travel to minimize travel anxiety.

* Keep in mind that brachycephalic (short-faced) dog breeds may have difficulty breathing when agitated.

Here are some tips and precautions for flying with your pet:

Flying your pet in the cabin with you:

- Most airlines require pets to be 15 pounds or less to fly in the cabin with their owners (includes weight of pet and carrier).

- Be sure to confirm with the airline the day before travel that your pet is coming with you.

- Also the carrier must fit under the seat in front of you.

- Most airlines sell carriers, but be sure to check before your arrival at the airport.

- Keep in mind the possibility of tranquilizers if you know your pet becomes stressed or frightened by travel.

Your Pet as Checked Luggage:

          - Some airlines have maximum weight requirements. Be sure to check, if you have a big dog.

 - Most states will not accept animals younger than 8 weeks of age. Such youngsters will not be allowed to travel by air.

- Federal Regulations require each kennel be properly labeled.

Following this advice will ensure that you and your pet arrive at your holiday destination in a great mood, ready to enjoy your time with friends and family. After all, that’s what this season is all about!