Posts in Category: Pet Safety

Of all the things most pet owners are grateful for this time of year, their pet’s health typically ranks pretty high on the list. But keeping them safe, comfortable and healthy isn’t always easy. With all the potential risks that face them, a few seasonal reminders sure do come in handy! 

The concept of Thanksgiving pet safety may sound quite simple, but it’s more than just keeping your pet out of the kitchen. Whether you’re traveling or hosting this year, we hope that our tips keep your pet far away from harm. 

We all know how important water is to our survival, and the same goes for our pets. Because dogs and cats don’t regulate their body temperatures as efficiently as humans, it’s easy for them to become dehydrated – especially during the warmer months. With Pet Hydration Month occurring, it is the perfect time to discuss proper hydration for our furry friends.

Summer is the busiest time of the year. While your pet may seem to go with the flow, they probably wouldn’t argue with an extended nap in the hammock with their favorite person. 

But even quiet times can be punctuated with construction noise, traffic, lawn mowers, weed wackers, sirens, vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, and other sounds that have the potential to upset even the calmest animals. 

Similarly, thunderstorms and fireworks are common triggers of noise anxiety in pets. Fortunately, there are strategies to soothe and settle powerful fear reactions. 

While our average winter temperatures can’t be described as extreme, they still have an effect on the animals we love. While we can look up the weather on our phones and dress accordingly, our pets don’t exactly have this luxury. Sure, there are some extremely well-dressed short-haired dogs out there, but for the sake of other pets, let’s take a closer look at winter pet safety.

Know the Risks

Despite the fact your pet has a fur coat, they’re still at risk for hypothermia and frostbite. An exposed nose, paw pads, and ears are more vulnerable to the cold. Of course, you want to provide daily activities, even on the coldest days, but it’s critical to know when your pet has been outside too long. A good rule of thumb is if it’s too cold for you, it’s definitely too cold for your pet. While they may push their limit, winter pet safety means curtailing extended outdoor playtime. Continue…

During the summer, many of us are on the go. We’re outdoors playing, hiking, boating, or just hanging out in the backyard with friends and family. For pet owners, this also means including our pets in all the fun.  

However, the summer heat and humidity can cause problems for our furry loved ones. That’s why Clairmont Animal Hospital wants to take a moment to review some tips for summer heat safety for pets.

The Basics

Temperatures are rising all over the Decatur area, and it’s important to know that pets don’t sweat the same way that humans do. Imagine wearing a fur coat all summer long! It’s easy to see why preventing overheating in our pets is so important. If you think it’s hot outside (or inside!), it’s even hotter for your pet. Continue…

A lot of time and education goes into discussing heartworm in dogs. As a result, most dog parents are aware of this parasitic disease and take steps to prevent it in our canine companions. But most cat parents aren’t aware that cats can get heartworm, too.

Because mosquito season is on its way, your friends at Clairmont Animal Hospital decided that it was high time to give you a peek into this disease in our feline friends.

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It may seem indulgent to purchase and wrap presents for pets, but it’s actually very thoughtful. While we can’t necessarily speak for your pet in this situation, our best guess is that they appreciate anything you give them. Like us, animals like new stuff. They love to make things theirs. Whether it’s by slobbering all over them, cuddling them, or batting them about, the following pet gift ideas aim to please everyone in your household.

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Regardless of whether your pet was naughty or nice this year, you are probably adding them to your holiday shopping list. Here at Clairmont Animal Hospital, we agree that our pets deserve to share in our holiday traditions, but it’s also important to keep their safety in mind.

Finding safe pet gifts is an important responsibility, and one that we don’t take lightly. We’ve put together a list of gift ideas that we think are just perfect for showing your furry friend how much you appreciate him or her this holiday season.
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“My dog ate my homework” – although an age-old excuse for students, it is still a relevant concern among pet owners when it comes to pets eating something they should not. Pets have interesting habits. Of course, this is why humans feel so compelled to share time and space with species so unlike our own: it never gets old! When a pet’s proclivities turn dangerous, interesting quickly morphs into frightening.

When a well-meaning Lab simply cannot stop eating your gym socks, for example, understanding the reason why can only get you so far. If your pet ate something unusual, it’s more important to know what to do. Continue…

Considering all the potential mishaps that could befall your precious pet this summer, you might just resolve to stay home until September. Severe weather, heatstroke, accidental poisonings, and other dangers can quickly dampen a good summer mood. However, with our tips for summer pet safety, you can protect your companion from all the typical hazards this time of year.

A Neverending List

Some of the dangers to watch out for are fairly obvious while others are more surprising. Remember, the team at Clairmont Animal Hospital is always here to answer questions and concerns about summer pet safety. Continue…