Pet products may be hazardous to your pets

There are few events more distressing than the injury or death of a pet. Psychologists have likened it to the death of a family member. After the recent pet food contamination that killed some pets and made many others sick, worldwide attention focused on making sure pet products are SAFE. Can you honestly trust most manufactures to do that for you?

Products we normally use on our pets – shampoos, odor eliminators, etc. – may create health concerns for our pets just as they can impact our health. Toxic synthetic chemicals used in personal care products are also used in pet care formulas. When scientific studies show these ingredients cause cancer, heart disease, hormone disruption and other aging diseases in humans, the tests on animals generally have the same results.

We need to be aware that chemical ingredients cost pennies and profits are huge, so incentives to inform consumers may be missing. Our pets’ lives are more important than that. I, for one, am willing to spend more to protect my pets and extend the quality of their lives.

Living on a ranch presents a host of unique problems every day. Our horses, dogs and cats are exposed to more things that require greater care than you can imagine. So, I have had the opportunity to identify a variety of solutions for these four-legged loved ones. That includes protecting them from various problems in the environment, small critters and the irresponsible actions of two-legged creatures as well.

Here is what I have learned:

Shampooing is a major effort that can be very messy. Putting your dog in the bathtub or shower isn’t exactly fun for them or you. I recommend using a safe, ToxicFree® pet shampoo. Remember, you are applying it all over their body and most of the time it is not all rinsed out of their hair. So you’ll want one without harmful ingredients or drying agents that will irritate their skin. Find a natural, organic shampoo without synthetic chemicals that can affect your pet’s overall health. It may cost a few pennies more per application, but the safety of our pets is worth it.

Can you imagine having your pet sprayed by a skunk? It’s the worst smell and it lingers for days! Our dogs have greeted us with this unpleasant odor and it nearly drives us out of the house. We use an oxygen-based odor eliminator to neutralize the worst pet odors safely. I recommend you look for products with NO artificial fragrance. Synthetic fragrance is toxic for pets and humans. These petroleum-based ingredients settle and hover about 12” off the floor where pets and babies (if you have any) spend a lot of time – walking and crawling through non-biodegradable toxins!

As an informed consumer, you can make effective, healthy choices –for yourself AND your pets. I recommend you avoid the following at all cost:

•Sodium laureth sulfate: ethoxylated cleanser found in most shampoos – may contain dioxane, which is banned by the California Safe Cosmetic Act.
•DEA (diethanolamine): carcinogenic foaming agent; significant risk to children (National Toxicology Program; FDA Office of Cosmetic Fact Sheets)
•Propylene glycol: can cause brain, liver and kidney abnormalities (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry)
•Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl, ethyl): xeno-estrogens which may contribute to sterility and hormone imbalances (Brunel University)
•Fragrance (usually contain phthalates): highly toxic; can affect central nervous system (Environmental Health Network; FDA Office of cosmetics Fact Sheet).

I sincerely hope this information is helpful. We all love our pets. Now you can protect your little friends and feel confident you are making the very best choices for them. Extend your pet’s life…now.

Linda Chaé is a prominent researcher, formula consultant, educator and consumer advocate. She has met with many Congressional Leaders fighting for public protection from unsafe chemicals in products. For organic pet products or more information about
pet care visit www.chaeorganics.biz

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Christmas Kitten Jamie Edwards

1. Holiday Plants: even though they are beautiful, they are also poisonous if ingested. Some poisonous plants include holly and holly berries, ivy, lilies, pine, mistletoe and poinsettia. If your pet ingests these plants, common symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and lethargy.

2. Christmas Trees: Using a tree stand with water that your pet can drink from is very dangerous- the water may be contaminated with chemicals or insecticides leached from the tree itself. Also, look out for the metal hooks that display your ornaments, you don’t want your pet swallowing them for obvious reasons. Most cats love to play with string, ribbon, rubber bands and tinsel. What cats don’t know is that if these items are ingested, they can cut their intestines.

3. Food: Unfortunately, you can’t share your holiday food with your pets. Turkey and ham should never be given to your pet because they contain large amounts of dangerous bacteria. Do not feed your pet bones- especially poultry bones that splinter easily. Each year, pets are treated for consumption of splintered bones which cause pain and sometimes death. Sweets, chocolate, macadamia nuts, raisins, grapes, coffee, alcoholic drinks and even bread dough can also be fatal if your dog ingests it.

4. Toys: Be sure that small toy pieces, crayons, and paints are put away in a safe place. More often than not, ingested plastic or cloth toys must be removed surgically.

5. Other Holiday Items: Wrapping paper, ribbon, tape, candles, and styrofoam.

If you are hosting the party, surely you will have some form of stress getting everything ready. What you forget is that your pets can usually feel that stress too, since they are much attuned to your emotions and what you are up to. During a party, make sure you have a place to bring your pet to relax from all the commotion. The excitement can sometimes stress them out. Also, be sure to have a collar on your pets- with the front door opening and closing constantly, there will be no doubt that your pet will think of this as an opportunity to take a little walk around the neighborhood. Be sure that they are safe and not walking around in the streets- with people rushing all over the place, it just takes one driver to ruin your holiday spirit.

We hope these tips will help you and your pet this holiday season!

by NewSun

The Corner Animal Hospital is an online pet pharmacy/ store (www.shop.corneranimal.com) and veterinary service (www.corneranimal.com) in Long Island, NY. Other services include : annual physical exams, vaccines, heart worm tests and preventative measures, dental exams and cleaning, spays and neuters, x-rays, soft tissue surgeries, ultrasound, endoscopy, orthopedic surgeries, and boarding.
Submitted by NewSunGraphics (www.NewSunG.com)

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Pet birds are easily affected by unwholesome smells, similar to wild birds. Common household appliances and items such as Teflon pans, aerosol sprays and even innocuous furniture polish can be fatal for birds. The best policy when handling anything that may give off a strong odor is to use it in a well-ventilated area that is well away from your birds.

Pet birds have a strong desire to chew, and this can prove to be a serious danger. Lead poisoning can be caused when a bird chews on soldered joints found on welded items. In addition, birds like to nibble on potted plants. Despite contrary belief, poinsettia plants are not poisonous. It is important to remember that if you are unsure if a plant is toxic or not, it is best to err on the side of caution and move the plant away from the bird. A small pot of innocuous parsley can be helpful to the bird to overcome the desire of nibbling on houseplants as it is a safe substitute.

Fresh food that is fed to your birds will do them a whole lot of good; however, food like coffee, chocolate and avocado are fatal for birds and they should never be given such foods.

As the holiday season approaches, most people will bring a tree into their house. Many people associate a tree with a birds natural habitat and assume that their birds will enjoy climbing it. While the birds may in fact enjoy such an activity, many pine trees are toxic to birds, especially if they have been treated with any type of preservatives. In addition, ornaments and electric lights can pose a safety hazard to your birds.

If your bird does not have its wings clipped, there are quite a few additional safety concerns to be addressed. Firstly, all glass doors and windows should be shielded one way or another. A good bet is achieved by blinds, shades or curtains. Placing safety decals on windows and glass is another option, besides curtains or blinds, to alert the bird that the glass is there and help avoid serious or fatal accidents. Mirrors and other large reflective surfaces should be treated similarly when your bird is out of its cage.

Standing water can pose as a form of danger as well. Your bird can drown in a toilet or full kitchen sink in a matter of seconds. Cooking while a bird is out of its cage is not advised, especially if you have an uncovered pot on the stove.

Finally, always be mindful of the whereabouts of your bird even if its wings are clipped. Even a bird with clipped wings can soar for a considerable distance if there is an upward breeze. It is easy to forget that your bird is perched on your shoulder when your doorbell suddenly rings and you rush to answer it but you must remember never to carry your bird to an open door regardless of whether or not its wings are clipped.

By Moses Wright

Moses Wright is a an experience bird owner. He created a web site to help fellow pet owners with their home pet problems You can get more free information on bird care problems on his site.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

I love reptiles and I bet you do too (or you probably would not be reading this article!). You may have noticed that reptiles are becoming more and more popular as family pets. Reptiles such as turtles, iguanas, snakes, geckos, horned toads, and chameleons can make great pets because they are fascinating, quiet, don’t require daily feeding/walking, and can be kept in a cage with relatively very little fuss. However, there is a cautionary note folks need to be aware of when taking on a reptile for a pet. Reptiles sometimes carry a bacteria called Salmonella that can cause serious illness in people.

Although many people think of salmonellosis as an illness caused by contaminated food, it can also be caught by handling a pet reptile or contact with its environment. The trick is that you can’t tell by looking at a lizard, snake, or a turtle if it is carrying Salmonella. You see, Salmonella occurs naturally in many reptiles and the bacteria doesn’t usually make the animals sick.

If you have ever had about it, you most likely won’t ever forget it. Salmonellosis is a serious infection of the gastrointestinal tract. Diarrhea is the most common symptom of Salmonella infection, but other symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting can also occur. It can sometimes be extremely serious and even fatal for young children, the elderly, and persons with weak immune systems. Salmonellosis is not to be taken lightly. For that reason, families with children aged 5 years or younger or persons with weak immune systems should think twice about having pet reptiles.

Bacteria, including Salmonella, are easily passed from pet reptiles to people. Research by the Center for Disease Control shows that a person who handles reptiles can easily pass germs to others because bacteria are able to cling to skin, clothing and other surfaces. To reduce the chances of getting sick with salmonellosis by handling reptiles, here are some tips to follow as a reptile pet owner:

• Wash hands with soap and water immediately after handling a reptile; Launder any clothing the reptile might have touched
• Do not allow reptiles to roam the house freely
• Keep reptiles out of the kitchen
• Use soap or a disinfectant to thoroughly clean any surfaces that have been in contact with reptiles.

Another thing to keep in mind is that it is illegal in the United States to sell or distribute turtles with shells that measure less than 4 inches in length. This size was chosen because some small children treat smaller turtles as toys and put them in their mouths. Yuk! Despite this ban, these small turtles can still be found in some pet stores.

Of course, children will still catch wild turtles and lizards and bring them home to keep as pets, which is what kids are supposed to do. Just keep in mind, whether store-bought or caught in a friend’s backyard, a reptile can carry Salmonella and might not be the best choice of a pet for your family, especially if there are young children or persons with compromised immune systems in the household.

By Tom Vaughan

Tom Vaughan is an avid admirer of reptiles, especially snakes. He caught his first rattlesnake (pygmy rattler) at age 10 and hasn’t stopped catching reptiles since. A favorite website is http://www.reptilefile.com

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

It is often risky and impractical to try to move fish. Fish are most sensible to to temperature changes that can hardly be avoidable during a move. So if they don’t have any special sentimental value to you – just don’t move them. Many aquarium stores may accept them and even offer a store credit, which you can use in another location close to the place you moved in. But if you don’t have this option here are some suggestions you may consider during your move:

Firstly, you need to take fish out of the aquarium and move them separately. Tanks are rarely built to withstand the stress of a move, especially with water inside. So you need to drain it after, of course, you finished putting all your fish in carrying containers. The main concern when moving a fishtank is its filtration system. The aerobic bacteria needed to preserve the life cycle of an aquarium and the life of fish starts to die after few hours without a flow of oxygen-laden water. It is not as crucial when you move short distance. What you need is to move about half of the water you’ve had in you fishtank to a new location to make sure the colony of aerobic bacteria survive. If you are moving long distance you’ll have to set up the tank exactly like a new one at your destination including one week delay.

Disassemble your aquarium before the move; heaters, pumps, filters and other media should be packed separately like fragile items. The tank itself should be in bubble wrap and packed in moving blankets. If possible, it is better not to use a moving van for transporting a fishtank but to put it in a trunk of your car.

Provided you are moving local, the actual move of your tank can take about a week with all the neccessary precautions making sure your beloved fish won’t sufer from the New Tank Syndrome. During this period you can put them either into your friend’s tank or into the pet store aquarium. Some pet stores do it for free, some can even offer additional services like packing and air shipping your fish for additional fees.

Now we came close to the actual packing and moving of the fish. Long before the move prepare the accessories you’ll need to move your fish. It might be styrofoam boxes, polythene bags, a cooler or other compartmentalized container. Take the fish out of the aquarium 15 minutes before you’ll drain it and put them in bags or styrofoam boxes: one fish per each container. Fill the fish containers with tank water and don’t forget that about a half of a container space should be left for the air pocket. Don’t feed your fish 24 hours before the move in order to make water in the containers as clean as possible. As a matter of fact, fish would feel too stressed to eat during the whole move – so don’t worry about feeding them; fish can live more than a week without food. Seal the styrofoam boxes with lids and bags – with rubber bands; to reduce the chance of leaking you can double bag your fish. Put the water plants in the separate containers too – they also need to be wet during the move. After you’ve finished packing the fish put all the bags with your pets into a container that can hold steady temperature during the whole period of the move – it might be a cooler. If you are moving far – it might be a good suggestion to get a battery powered air pump and occasionally change air in fish containers.

When you arrive to the place you’re moving in – set up the aquarium first. Add gravel, preferably from your old home; gravel contains ammonia-eating bacterias that are crucial for the aquarium not to go through New Tank Syndrome. Then fill the tank with the water you brought from the old place adding some chlorine remover. Fill the tank up with tap water of proper temperature, and turn on the filters. As the water is clearing out you may add a fish or two and watch closely for their reaction. It is absolutely normal for fish to panic and breathe harder in the new surroundings. But if a fish lies on the side and doesn’t move for few seconds put it back to a travelling container and check the tank for the proper temperature and water chemistry. Watch your fish and regularly check the tank during the first week to be sure your beloved ones haven’t got any disease.

http://www.ezmoving.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Kazaryan
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Make-a-Smooth-Move-with-your-Pet—Moving-with-Fish&id=147315

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

How to Protect Dog from Sunburns

Yes, dogs can also get burned by the sun! What then can you do to protect your dog? The first thing that you need to do is keep your dog away from the sun when it’s most intense.

Also you can apply some sun block to areas on your dog that are exposed the most; the tip of the ear as well as the nose.

I wouldn’t recommend applying sunscreen on your dog’s lips since there is a high chance that your dog will ingest it which can harm him. Thirdly, check if your pet has a lighter colored fur. If this is the case, the dog will be vulnerable to the damaging effects of the sun just like humans. Should you notice that any part of of your dog’s skin becoming red, please seek the services of a vet

How to Protect Your Dog from Heat-Related Conditions

A few precautions can help protect your dog from exhaustion caused by heat as well as heat stroke.

First of all, its not a good idea to leave your dog in your car without turning on the air conditioner. A few minutes out in the hot sun can send the temperature inside your car soaring to fatal temperatures if the doors and windows are closed.

If you know you will be away for some considerable amount of time from your car, its best to leave your dog at home.

Secondly, make sure your dog is left in a well ventilated resting area that is constantly shaded regardless of the position of the sun. When the sun is hottest, the recommended place for your pet is an air conditioned structure.

The third tip is to ensure that your dog has constant access to clean and cool water. Have the water placed in a cool area that will not get warmed up as a result of direct sunlight.

Stagnant water can cause bacteria to thrive so do change it often. If the dog will be outdoors most of the day, give him a shaded wading pool filled with water. This will allow your pet to cool himself by jumping in and out of the water.

The fourth tip is to make sure that your dog is not in a situation that will have him stand on a sun-baked surface for long periods of time. Such surfaces include streets, beach sand and sidewalks, streets and beach sand.

What will happen is that the heat will burn the skin of your dog and can prevent your dog expelling heat from his body in an efficient manner

Treating a Dog Affected by Heat Stroke

Your dog can develop heat stroke if his temperature gets too high. Symptoms that show your dog suffering from heat stroke include excessive panting, pronounced fatigue, collapse, unconsciousness & seizures.

Should your dog show these symptoms, get him away from the heat and place him in a shaded area. Also, you can place the dog in a tub with cool water. Its not advisable to use cold water or ice on him as this will make the blood vessels of the dog to contract & prevent the animal from releasing heat from its body. When your dog shows signs of heat stroke, please seek the professional advise of a vet

Visit http://www.dogperfection.com, a site for dog lovers. Get more information on dogs and also learn more on dog obedience training.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Amid all the activity, it’s important that we consider our pets. The holidays can be stressful for pets, with all the additional comings and goings and changes in the daily routine.

If you are having company over, consider designating a “safe spot” for your pet. A room where he is comfortable that is in the quietest part of the house.

If your dog is truly not comfortable with a lot of strangers coming into the home, it might be wise to put him in a boarding kennel for the evening. This will eliminate the chance of him becoming overwhelmed and possibly deciding that you need to be protected from your guests. If he is sociable, he can come out and greet people, but make sure he always has a place to get away from everything. Even the friendliest of pets can become stressed by a holiday party.

Holiday by Rail Johanna Kriesel Buy this Print Now from Art.com

If you are traveling and decide to take your pet with you, make sure that you arrange it in your travel plans. Airplanes have pet restrictions and often require advance notice of pets that will be on board. Be sure you know the pet policies of any hotels you plan on staying at. Some hotels have a size restriction, some limit pets to certain rooms, and those rooms could be booked. Don’t wait too long before making reservations.

If you will be traveling with your pet, make sure to have a packing list for him that includes a crate and his food, water, dishes, leashes and collars, and maybe a couple of toys. Get the pet used to the carrier well in advance of travel, as well as used to car rides, especially if you will be driving to your destination. If your pet is prone to car sickness, it might be better to make arrangements to have someone care for him at home or to board him. Crates can be a lifesaver while traveling with pets. If you stop for gas or food or anything else, you don’t want the pet jumping out of the car when a door opens. A pet who is stressed from the travel and in an unfamiliar area can quickly become scared and run off.

The holiday season is a very busy time of year for boarding kennels and pet sitters. Many are booked up months in advance, so it is important that you make arrangements with them as early as possible. Before leaving your pet, make a list of contact phone numbers where you can be reached while you are away, as well as veterinary contact information and instructions as to what should be done in a veterinary emergency. Make sure you have enough food and any medication he might need for him for the duration of his stay, plus a little extra.

With all of the holiday meals, you might want to let your pet enjoy some of the food. If you do, it’s important that you just give him a small piece of these treats and make sure he still eats his regular diet. Too much holiday food can be very difficult on your pets digestive system, making him sick.

All of the decorations put up for the holidays make for a number of additional hazards for your pet. Garlands and ornaments are sometimes mistaken for toys. Every year around the holidays, we hear of pets who ate ornaments. Hang them high enough that the pet can’t reach them, or limit them to a room that can be off limits to your pet.

Also plants, such as Christmas trees and poinsettias are toxic to pets. Take extra care to prevent curious animals from nibbling on them. Put them in inaccessible locations, use baby gates or scat mats to prevent access, and don’t leave your pet unsupervised with the plants.

Often people think that pets would make for a great holiday gift. In actuality, they don’t. One reason why they don’t is that if they are going to be a surprise, then it is impossible for the recipient to be a part of the selection process, in which case the pet might be incompatible with his new owners. If you want to give a pet as a holiday gift, it is better to give an IOU, with perhaps some pet care items, and then let the individual choose the pet he truly wants.

The holiday season is not the best time of year to acquire pets. All of the traveling and activities make it very difficult for a new pet and his owner to set up a much needed routine and to bond correctly. The stress of going to a new home on the pet is compounded by the stress of the holidays. Again, it is best to wait until the holidays are over so that your new pet can settle into a quiet and loving home when you have time to attend to his needs during the adjustment period.

By Liz Shulman

Liz Shulman has over 20 years experience with animals, and 10 years with dogs. Learn more about dogs at http://www.corgipower.com/

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Five Tips for Safe and Humane International Pet Relocation

Owning or adopting a pet should be for life, regardless of what corner of the world your career or other circumstances happen to send you. When planning an international move transporting your beloved pet is only part of a long, daunting list of preparations that have to be made. Many people feel forced to find new homes for their animals rather than subject them to a traumatic transportation – however there are steps that can be taken to ensure the journey is as easy as possible on your companion.

1. Contact the local consulate of the destination country: The first step in planning an international trip with a pet should be to contact the consulate of the destination country for your pet’s importation requirements. Some countries require a lengthy quarantine; others have more rigid standards and some only accept pets at certain airports within that country. The most important thing to remember is just like human travel, pets also need additional documentation in order to enter its desired country. Each country is different, as they all require their own documentation when accepting pets.

2. Find an airline that will work with you: Contact the airlines that fly to your proposed destination, select one and then check with them to confirm that they will accept your pet on the day and flight that you prefer. This will allow you to see if this date works, or how you can work around their flight times. As soon as you get on the plane, ask a flight attendant to confirm that your pet is on board. That way, if there’s been any mix-up and it has not been loaded, you have a better chance of getting something done about it. Some airlines will allow you to carry small pet carriers with you in the main cabin, but only if it will fit under the seat in front of you.

3. Visit the vet prior to the flight: Your Veterinarian must be consulted well before your departure date. They will give your pet a full check up and advise you on any potential problems and can also assist you with questions or concerns that you may have. Make sure you have all the required documentation, as noted when you contacted the consulate of your destination.

4. Limit food intake the day before travel: Although they may initially disagree, your animal’s potential for a comfortable trip can be increased by limiting their prior food intake. Prepare your pet for its journey by reducing the quantity of food the day before flying. Allow for normal water access as dehydration is a serious danger. Make sure to walk your dog before you go to the airport and before check in, which should be 1-2 hours before the flight.

5. Equip your pet’s carrier or crate with the vital necessities: The big day has arrived! While your pet is out of your sight and care, make it as easy as possible for airline staff to care for them. Your animal’s travel crate must meet the airline’s standards and be large enough for the pet to lie down comfortably turn around and stand freely in. Mark the crate with “Live Animal – This side up” and include your name, address and telephone number. At least two water bowls and dried food must be attached to the top of the carrier in case there are any flight delays. Any medication that is used for your pet must also be recorded with the name of the drug, the time and directions of administration.

While you can make all the arrangements yourself, nothing is worse than having your pet impounded or lost because of an oversight or lack of knowledge. Make it a point to double-check all requirements and to follow up on each aspect of them.

If you are pressed for time, or are more comfortable placing the care of your pet in the hands of international pet transport professionals, reputable companies such as www.PetRelocation.com can assist you. Their specialists have successfully completed thousands of international pet relocations with fully customized travel itineraries to the most remote places on the globe, and their in-depth understanding of the pet relocation market is unparalleled.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

The first plant on the list is the Azalea (Rhododendron sp.). This is a poisonous plant, though consumption does not usually result in death, it does cause severe irritation. The symptoms of ingestion include stomach irritation, abdominal pain, an abnormal heart rate or rhythm, and convulsions. Sometimes, in great quantities of Azalea consumption, a coma and/or death can result.

Castor bean (Ricinus communis) is a common plant that can be very harmful if it is eaten. The primary toxic ingredient in this plant is called ricin. Ricin has been used as poison for decades, and about 1 milligram is enough to kill an adult human. These plants may be grown as an ornamental plant, or they can be a household plant. Though the seeds are primarily the most harmful part of the plant, consider the whole plant toxic. The symptoms of ingestion are vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, shortness of breath, dehydration with excessive thirst and muscle twitching or convulsions.

English Ivy (Hedera helix L.) is a beautiful plant that can be found almost anywhere. They are gorgeous and elegant as they climb up the side of the house, or as they hang from a plant holder in your home. English Ivy’s beauty may be deceiving, since this plant is very toxic to dogs if consumed. The symptoms of ingestion include stomach irritation, diarrhea, difficulty breath and coma resulting in death.

Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) is not a household plant, but it grows heavily in meadows, fields, by rivers, ponds and lakes. So if you live in a rural area and have a pet that loves to roam around outside, you will want to be familiar with the appearance and symptoms of Johnson grass poisoning. The symptoms of consumption include difficulty breathing, severe anxiety, convulsions and coma. There is an antidote available, so be sure to take your dog to the vet as quickly as possible if you suspect Johnson grass poisoning.

Lantana is the final plant that is harmful if eaten. It is a popular plant that adorns gardens almost everywhere. It does not always cause death, but it can in severe cases. The leaves and berries of the Lantana plant are the most toxic part. The symptoms of ingestion include weakness, sluggishness, and bloody diarrhea. If the case is severe, death will occur within 2 to 4 days time.

Protecting your pets by considering what plants you put in your home and in your garden is an important thing to do. Since you can’t keep an eye on your pets all the time, the safest and best solution is to simply remove these plants or avoid them altogether so there won’t be an accident. Your pets will thank you for keeping them safe!

Visit Dog-Training-Collars.org and Hunting Dog News for more great content.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

In the U.S. alone, more than 30 million people each year take their pets with them while camping. Yet, when we first started RV-ing with our dogs, we were unable to find much written on the subject. Sure, there were the occasional articles in magazines that reminded us to use pet ID tags, bring plenty of water, and take their favorite toy. But in terms of providing genuine support or bottom–line information, there was nothing out there. Since it was something that we felt was badly needed, we decided to write this article.

While there are numerous issues to consider while camping with dogs, these are some of the most important.
1. Make Sure that Your Dog Can’t Get Lost
It’s one thing if your dog gets free in your neighborhood. It’s another when you’re at a rest stop, nine hundred miles from home. Either train your dog to come when called or make absolutely sure that they’re on a leash at all times.

2. Get All of their Vaccinations Up to Date
If your dog gets into an altercation with another animal (or a person), the central issue will become their rabies shots. If you stay at a campground that has a demanding pet policy, you’ll need to verify your dog’s vaccination records. If you cross into Canada, you’ll have to confirm that your dogs have had their shots. You get the idea.

3. Make Your Dogs Easy to Identify
If your dog does get lost (unfortunately, it happens all the time), the ability to easily identify them will become critical. For permanent identification purposes, consider tattoos or microchips. At a minimum, make sure they wear tags that show their name, your current phone number, and the date of their last rabies vaccination.

4. Clean Up After Your Dog
The biggest complaint about dogs has nothing to do with their bark, their bite, or their behavior. If you pick up after your dog, you’ll be helping dog owners everywhere.

5. Learn How to Provide First Aid to Your Dog
If a medical crisis occurs while at home, you drive to your local veterinarian. But if you’re heading down a dark highway in a strange town, it will seem like a bad dream. Although there are ways to get help while on the road, it always takes more time. In the meantime, your ability to provide competent first aid could save your dog’s life.

6. Involve Your Dog in Everything You Do
If you really want your dogs to have a good time, include them in your activities. Take them with you on long walks. Buy a cheap plastic wading pool and let them play in the water. Throw a ball. Cook them up a hamburger. If you do stuff like that, they’ll do cartwheels the next time you decide to take them camping.

7. Call the Campgrounds Before You Go
Even if a park claims they’re pet–friendly, always call ahead to confirm their policy regarding your dogs. We’ve arrived at parks (with our two German Shepard dogs) after a long day on the road only to discover that “pet–friendly” meant dogs weighing under 20 pounds.

8. Plan Ahead for the Unexpected
Have a plan (for your dogs) in case of a flat tire, a serious accident, or a fire in your RV. Start with a few extra leashes, a pet carrier, and an extra fire extinguisher. Then have a fire drill to identify potential problems.

9. Learn About Your Camping Environment
The U.S. is a huge country with a vast assortment of dangerous wildlife, treacherous plants, unpredictable weather conditions, and demanding environmental challenges. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you might inadvertently be putting yourself and your dog in danger.

10. Recognize and Respect the Views of Others
While some of us can’t imagine traveling without dogs, others can’t image traveling with them. If you keep your dog under control and clean up after them, you won’t give others much to grumble about.

Happy Camping with Rover!

About The Author: Julee Meltzer. The authors of Camping & RVing with your pets are avid pet lovers and campers. They are authors of a new book, “Camping & Rving with Your Dog”. In addition, they are full-time RVers, who RV in a Class A with 2 large dogs and 3 cats, at last count! Jack and Julee Meltzer have traveled over 100,000 miles with 5 cats and 2 dogs. They have stayed in campgrounds, public lands, state and Federal Parks, and the occasional Walmart parking lot. Subscribe at http://www.petsrv.com and receive by email their free handy checklist “What to Bring When Camping with Your Dog” Contact Julee Meltzer at julee@desertwindspress.com or julee@petsrv.com

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