PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

Do you have an emergency preparedness plan in case a fire would break out in or near your home? How would you evacuate your pets? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you definitely need to figure out a plan to protect your pets. Wildfires have continued to break out and burn in California, and according to the San Francisco Chronicle, the emergency fire costs have currently added up to $305 million. The fires have incinerated wildlife and homes, so what would you do if this happened to you?

In case of fire, you should prepare yourself and your family. Discuss and decide on ways you and your pet can safely escape when you are on different floors of the house. Keep a fire extinguisher or fireproof blanket on every floor of your home. Another important item to have prepared is a kit filled with everything your pet would need if you had to leave your home and stay somewhere else for a few days. This kit should have food, water, medication, litter, leashes, cleansing wipes, etc. And, of course, always make sure your pet has updated ID tags and a carrier, if your pet is small enough for one.

More →

Dogs love taking car rides, and it’s common to see dogs hanging their heads out the car window and breathing in the fresh air or barking at the car in the next lane. Although the dogs enjoy it, it’s not the safest way for them to travel. States like California, Virginia, New Hampshire and Illinois have all attempted to ban lapdogs or put restrictions on where dogs can be sitting when riding in the car. However, these states’ proposed legislation was not passed in November. While there might not be laws in place to prevent lapdogs in the car, you can still become more knowledgeable on the ways to provide a safer environment for your dog.

At the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona, the 2009 Arizona International Auto Show will be held from November 27-30. This car show will feature Bark Buckle UP, which is a company dedicated to pet safety. When a dog is in the car, it’s dangerous for the dog and the owner, and Bark Buckle UP discusses these issues and teaches people how to drive safer with a dog in the car.

More →

Halloween can be a stressful holiday for your pets. Strangers in gruesome and outlandish costumes knock on the door, unusual noises come from ghostly figures, and decorations transform your home into a graveyard. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says that Halloween can be dangerous for pets, so precautionary measures need to be taken to keep your pet as well as your guests safe.

Dogs can have different reactions to people in costumes. Some might understand that it’s just a costume and that a person is underneath it, while others might become aggressive or fearful of the individual. In order to prevent dog bites, take preventative action and put your dog in its crate or another place where it will feel safe and calm but be away from trick-or-treaters and other guests.

More →

Halloween’s coming, and that means pet owners should be thinking about their pets’ safety as well as holiday fun. Treats like chocolate and caramel can be harmful or even fatal to some types of pets. In addition, excitement and activities surrounding Halloween may frighten pets or place them in harm’s way. For a safe and fun Halloween with your pets, follow these simple suggestions.

Keep Pets Safe from Candy

Put all Halloween candy on a high shelf that pets can’t access until it’s time to start handing out sweets to trick-or-treaters. When it’s time to give out candy at the door, put dogs in their crates or a safe room, and shut cats in a safe room with food and water. Caged pets should remain securely caged. This will ensure that the pets don’t snatch a treat while you’re not looking. It’ll also prevent them from dashing out the door or frightening a child.

More →

You grab your pet and run out of your house as fast as you can, but when you get outside you realize your pet isn’t breathing. No one is around and you don’t have a cell phone to call for help, so what do you do?

This week a New Bedford firefighter, Al Machado, rescued a cat from a burning building by performing mouth to snout resuscitation. In another house fire in Gillette, Wyoming that occurred last week, over 50 pets were not so lucky. By the time firefighters arrived at the scene, the animals inside the home died due to smoke inhalation. Emergencies happen but your pet might have a better chance of survival if you know some basic first aid tips. Performing CPR and rescue breaths on an animal is different than when you perform it on a person, but if you remember your ABCs you will have no problem learning.

More →