The St. Louis Senior Dog Project is a not-for-profit dog rescue organization specializing in older dogs but taking in and finding homes for dogs of all ages...even puppies. Meet and adopt your new best friend 11 to 3 Saturday,October 13, in the Kirkwood Petco. We can also arrange meetings at other times. To see our available dogs, go Here.
Today we have a guest writer, Amber Kingsley, writing about the importance of protecting your pets from unusual poisons and toxins.
By Amber Kingsley
When you love your pets, it’s important to keep them safe at all times. Chances are that you’re a lot more informed about the world and its various dangers than your animal companions though, so how can you keep them from accidentally hurting themselves? It’s a question that causes a certain degree of anxiety for almost every pet owner in the world, but there are plenty of things you can do to make the world a safer place for the animals in your life. One of the most important areas to pay attention to is what your pets eat.
A lot of animals will eat pretty much anything that you put in front of them. While this can certainly be convenient during weeks when you accidentally purchase the wrong brand of pet food, there are other times when it poses a serious health risk to the animals you love. Those of you with pets who frequently roam around the house or neighborhood unsupervised should be especially wary, since there’s always a chance your pet can consume something that doesn’t agree with their system. It’s far better to keep your pet satisfied with high quality food and reliable dietary supplements so that they don’t go off on their own to scavenge, and potentially swallow something that could be harmful to them.
Even so, there may be times when your pets escape your notice and consume unhealthy or unsafe substances (it should be noted here that different animals and different breeds have specific dietary preferences—certain dog breeds are natural ratters and will be more likely to chase after small animals, for example, which isn’t always healthy for either party involved). When the animal you love has eaten something dangerous, what should you do? We’ve got a couple of ideas for you. Take a look:
Make sure you know a reliable vet
A qualified and trustworthy veterinarian isn’t a luxury—it’s a must for all serious pet owners. Owning a pet without maintaining ties to a good vet is a lot like living in a city where you don’t have a good doctor—it’s irresponsible and dangerous. For that reason, you’ll want to do plenty of research on the best vets in your area, before you even buy a pet. This will ensure that you always have someone to turn to in the event of an emergency.
Pay Attention to Your Pets
You can’t control everything your animal does, but you can take away their motivation to engage in risky activities like eating trash by giving them the right food and supplements. Furthermore, having easy access to a quality veterinarian through a pet clinic or other similar facility can provide you with reliable professional help in case of an emergency. In the end, the more attention you pay to your pets and their dietary choices, the more likely they’ll be to avoid unusual poisons and toxins. Keep your furry friends happy, and they’ll stay healthy for you. It’s as simple as that.
Thank you for your attention to this issue. I'd like to emphasize the importance of not feeding your dog people food. Some of the foods we eat and enjoy are toxic to pets.
Ellen Ellick
President/Founder
St. Louis Senior Dog Project
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