Creature Comforts Pet Services, LLC

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Archives for December 2024

Dangerous Dough Ornaments & Pets

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This favorite holiday tradition can prove deadly to pets!   

Three simple ingredients:  

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup water 

can be mixed, flattened, and shaped into the doggone cutest tree ornaments, but if ingested by the family dog, joy can turn tragic due to the abundance of salt in the recipe!  Additional complications can arise from the paint and glitter that make the design sparkle, and…the hook the ornament hangs from!  Cats too can suffer from eating bread dough ornaments, yet they are less likely to consume the decoration.  

Salt toxicity, also known as hypernatremia, can result in the death of your pet!  Signs include:

  • Vomiting and/or diarrhea
  • Lack of coordination, tremors, seizures
  • Excessive thirst and urination
  • Decreased appetite
  • Lethargy or collapse

If creating dough ornaments is a family tradition, take extra measures to hang them high on the tree out of paws reach and secure the tree to the ceiling so that it cannot topple down.  If your pet consumes a dough ornament, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately for life-saving measures.  

Although labeled non-toxic, non-allergenic, and even non-irritating, it is important to note that children’s Playdoh is made from the same three ingredients:  water, salt, and flour, so if ingested by pets, the same ill effects can result. Some homemade playdough recipes also contain tartaric acid (potassium bitartrate ), the deadly toxin also found in grapes.  Be aware of doggie dangers and keep them out of paws reach by signing up for a Pet First Aid Class today by contacting Creature Comforts Pet Services at [email protected]

Pets Safety Tips and your Holiday Tree

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Whether artificial or real, you must look out for your pets when decorating for the holidays. To keep dogs and cats safe, here are four pet safety tips concerning the holiday tree:

1) Male dogs and cats pee on trees.  It is that simple, so when their pee station moves indoors, it becomes confusing when you say, “No!”  Consider leaving your tree undecorated for a day or two, teaching pets to stay away before you decorate. Also, choose the location wisely.  Do not place your tree in front of the window Fido watches for the mailman or the windowsill kitty suns herself daily.  To keep pets away, a short white picket fence around the tree may look festive, or giving them their own new and interesting thing to check out may do the trick. 

2) To further dog or catproof your tree, try bitter-scented sprays or position oranges, lemons, or grapefruit underneath, but only if you know these citrus scents are unappealing to your pet.  Attaching the tree, with an invisible fishing line, to a cup hook in your ceiling, could prevent it from falling over should your cat decide to use it as a jungle gym.  Of course, never place candles on the tree and tape down light cords so that pets cannot chew or get caught in them, but always supervise when any fixtures are plugged in. 

3) Never tempt pets by hanging dog biscuits, popcorn garlands, candy canes, or other food items on your tree.  Also, take care with scented packages (i.e. food, soaps, potpourri) placed underneath as well as ribbons, tinsel, ornament hooks, and string.  Any of these objects inside your dog or cat can be CAT-astrophic!  

4) Real trees require water, so cover the tree water securely with foil, plastic wrap, or a plastic lid with an “X” cut through (where the trunk goes).  The oils seeping into the water from the tree are toxic!  Additionally, cut trunks are often coated with preservatives and pesticides, so your pet will get sick and need quick veterinary care if he drinks tree water!  Pine and fir needles are sharp and can cause digestive upsets, so pick up any needles that drop before your pet ingests them or gets them caught in a paw or fur. Fake needles are not safe either if consumed, so monitor pets around ALL holiday decor.  

When you have a dog or cat, you have a furry toddler for their lifetime, so being mindful of potential problems and keeping dangers out of paws and claws reach can keep ‘the merry’ in your holiday season. Make it a New Year’s resolution to sign up for a pet first aid class by contacting Theresa at Creature Comforts or check out www.creature-comforts-pets.com  for 2025 classes!