 Trick-or-treat! Halloween is swiftly approaching and you may be wondering how to keep your night full of lots of treats and minimal tricks. For pets, some hazards are obvious, and some are not. Continue reading to learn about the pet dangers on Halloween and how to keep your pet as safe as possible.
Candy Candy is certainly an essential element to Halloween, who doesn’t love candy? The hazards of candy go beyond the toxicity in chocolate. In addition to chocolate, sugar free candies contain xylitol which can be deadly in both cats and dogs. Since nearly all Halloween candy is dangerous due to wrappers and artificial sweeteners, it’s best to steer clear of candy around your pets. Stash the candy bowl, be sure to pick up wrappers, and make sure the only one devouring treats is you! Costumes and Decorations In relation to all the spooky knick-knacks around your home, make sure your decorations are out of reach of your four legged pals. Decorations with tempting tinsel can be especially dangerous and cause damage to the intestinal tract if consumed; that being said, keep tinsel well out of reach. Use extreme caution with candles and lit jack-o-lanterns along with other porch decorations. Safety is always the priority, which applies to costumes too. Make sure your pet is wearing a comfortable and breathable costume if you choose to dress your pet-up. While Halloween night is a fun occasion, it’s also a night where you’ll want to keep a closer eye on your furry friend. Trick-or-Treating The Halloween season is packed full of spooky activities all leading up to the spookiest celebration of the year, trick-or-treating. Trick-or-treating is not necessarily intended for pets; however, if you decide to bring your pet along, you’ll need to keep a few things in mind. The most important thing is that your pet is easily identifiable. Make sure your pet is easy to spot, preferably in bright or reflective colors. Be sure to come prepared, and bring your own dog treats to reward your pet along the way. If you’re finding that you have to ask yourself if bringing your pet trick-or-treating is a good idea, the answer is probably not. That being said, the best way for your pet to spend Halloween night is at home. Pets tend to get riled up by neighborhood activity, we recommend keeping your pet away from the commotion and checking on them periodically. Halloween night is intended to be fun, but sometimes things happen. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. If something unexpected comes up, act fact and don’t wait until the morning to do something. And most importantly, stay spooky! Written by: Gracie Butler
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 We all know dogs' eyes are different from humans, but what do they actually see? A dog’s weakest sense is their vision; unlike their sense of smell, eyesight is not their strong suit. Dogs have dichromatic vision, meaning they can see violet-blue, yellow, and shades of gray. Humans on the other hand have trichromatic vision, which gives us the ability to see all the colors that we can. The world that people who are protanopia color-blind see is often compared to the world that dogs see, since their range and quality of color is similar.
It’s important to remember your dog’s vision is likely very different from yours. Because of these differences in vision, some dogs have trouble with depth perception on certain stairs and they may not be able to tell where that cliff is on your vacation. If you are in new surroundings, make sure to keep them on a leash until you are able to scope out potential dangers. And don’t ever forget, a chipmunk is much better at scampering down a cliff than your pooch is, so if they start a chase, it could end in disaster (even if they do see the cliff).
While dogs see the world in fewer hues than humans, our furry friends are not fully colorblind and rely on their superior senses, such as hearing and smell. Their world is just as beautiful as ours.  With summer winding down, and leaves beginning to change, school is nearly back in session! The transition from the summer season to the school year can be ruff on pets, continue reading for tips to prepare your pet for the smoothest transition possible.
Easing Into a New Routine The key to a smooth transition with routines is to start slow! By easing your pet into their new routine, they’ll be more likely to adapt faster. During the summer pets get used to lots of activity and sounds around the house, meaning its up to you to make sure your pet gets used to staying home alone. Starting three or four weeks before school starts, build in short absences during the week. The goal is to make your pet feel as comfortable as possible, normalizing the new schedule while it’s still summer prepares your pet for a gradual and smooth transition Bathroom and Meal Times It’s inevitable your pet’s bathroom and meal times will change with the new schedule. However, establishing specific times throughout the day can help smooth out the change of routine. Focus on consistency! Mapping out you or your family’s day is also critical in relation to letting your pet out and making sure they’re fueled. Talk to your family and establish a game plan for who’s taking your pet out, and who’s feeding your pet. Weeks before school starts, try to stick to the times you’ve picked for your pet; this will ensure your pet knows exactly what to expect! The adjustment might take some time, but with your help, your pet will adapt. Exercise Despite the busyness of back to school, your pet’s physical activity should not be compromised! Be sure to strategize how you’re going to fit in lots of walks and outside time for your pet with the new schedule. A dog or cat with pent-up energy that’s left home alone all day can become stressed and they may cause you extra stress if the diversions they come up with for themselves damage your belongings. An active pet is a happy pet, make sure exercise does not take a back-seat despite how crazy your schedule may feel. Quality Time We all love our pets unconditionally throughout every season, though it may be more challenging to find quality time to spend with your pet during some seasons. With all of the adjustments to your schedule, it’s important to make sure your pet isn't feeling neglected. Find a few blocks of time to play catch, use the laser pointer, or snuggle up with a magazine or book and your furry friend on the couch. You can also try and find activities that meet multiple needs. For example, you could bring your dog to the hardware store the next time the toilet breaks and it can be a fix it trip as wall as a walk. Separation Anxiety Separation anxiety is real! It’s natural to miss your pet, but making a big deal everytime you say goodbye perpetuates the idea that leaving your pet is a big deal. As you and your family get ready to spend more time away from your pet, normalize leaving. Go to the shop and simply say, “Goodbye, Fido” instead of making a big deal about leaving. If you make a big deal everytime you leave, your pet will think there is a problem and be more stressed for longer periods after you go then if you treat it as a normal occurrence that is not a big deal. (If you are the one experiencing the anxiety, fake it till you are out of the house and far enough away that your pet can’t hear you. I know, they’re your best friend! It is hard to say goodbye! But, you’ll be home in no time!) In Conclusion Keep in mind there’s not one perfect schedule, the best thing to do is practice your new routines and continue showering your pet with lots of love, care, and attention. Find time to spend with them and ensure that their basic needs are met and they should adapt to the new schedule. Written By: Grace Butler As the summer heats up, it gets more challenging to find weather appropriate outings for your dog. The extreme heat makes walks on pavement a big no-no mid-day, and the sun can cause your dog to overheat in no time. So, what is a dog loving owner supposed to do? Consider checking out some of these dog friendly patios in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area for your next brunch or lunch break with Fido  Name: Aster Café
Address: 125 SE Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55414 Cuisine: Sandwiches and Flatbread Dog Amenities: Patio Name: The Bar Draft House Address: 2101 Vermillion St, Hastings, MN 55033 Cuisine: Simple Bar Fare Dog Amenities: Patio Name: The Block Food + Drink Address: 7007 Walker St, St Louis Park, MN 55426 Cuisine: Home Style Fare & Health Conscious Bowls (Vegan Options) Dog Amenities: Patio (heated in the winter), yoga matts for lounging, dog menu Name: Book Club Address: 5411 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419 Cuisine: California Inspired Eatery Dog Amenities: Patio Name: Burger Moe’s Address: 242 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102 Cuisine: Burger Joint Dog Amenities: Patio Name: Duke’S on 7 Address: 15600 MN-7, Minnetonka, MN 55345 Cuisine: American Dog Amenities: Patio (heated in the winter), yoga matts for lounging, dog menu Name: Fletcher’s Ice Cream Address: 1509 Marshall St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 Cuisine: Ice Cream and Waffles Dog Amenities: Patio Name: The Free House Address: 701 N Washington Ave #101, Minneapolis, MN 55401 Cuisine: Gastropub Dog Amenities: Patio Name: Hai Hai Address: 2121 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 Cuisine: Modern Vietnamese Street Food Dog Amenities: Patio Name: Hola Arepa Address: 3501 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408 Cuisine: Venezuelan style stuffed arepas Dog Amenities: Patio Name: Howe Daily Kitchen and Bar Address: 3675 Minnehaha Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55406 Cuisine: Pub Food Dog Amenities: Patio (heated in the winter), yoga matts for lounging, dog menu Name: Lake & Irving Address: 1513 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408 Cuisine: American Dog Amenities: Patio Name: McCoy’s Public House Address: 3801 Grand Way, St Louis Park, MN 55416 Cuisine: Burgers, Pizzas, and Comfort Food Dog Amenities: Patio Name: Pub 819 Address: 819 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343 Cuisine: Gastropub Dog Amenities: Patio (heated in the winter), yoga matts for lounging, dog menu Name: Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room Address: 2500 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 Cuisine: Pub Food Dog Amenities: Patio (heated in the winter), yoga matts for lounging, dog menu Name: Stray Dog Address: 401 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414 Cuisine: Pub Food with many vegetarian options Dog Amenities: Patio Written by: Heather Mains Whether camping in a tent, a cabin, or a camper, there is nothing better than doing so with your best friend.
Picking your Partner In my case, my best pal is my pup, Ben. Now, he didn’t exactly have much of an option but to camp since we first crossed paths on a cross country road trip. Luckily for me, he is a natural in the outdoors. But, how can one tell if their favorite housemate is ready to camp? Some things to consider are your dog's comfort level with travel, their ability to change up their routine, temperament around people and animals, and of course, a desire to adventure. Ask yourself, can your dog handle a long (or short) car ride to your destination? If not, camping may not be for them. A camping trip does not need to be far from home, but generally involves some travel. Next, how does your dog handle change? For most of us, camping is quite different from our normal routine. This can mean a change in feeding and bathroom routines, as well as sleeping in a different environment. Take into account how you will be camping. Whether you are in a tent, a cabin, or a camper, think about how your dog usually sleeps. Keeping their routines as close to normal as possible will help ensure you both enjoy your camping experience. Depending on your location, it is likely you will encounter other campers of all ages, as well as their pets. If you are at a public campground, RV park, or cabin resort, it is important that your dog be comfortable with strangers. Lastly, what kind of adventures does your dog enjoy? In my case, Ben likes anything that involves water, fetch, and getting pets from anyone, especially kids. Is your dog high energy like mine? Or are they more content with an afternoon basking in the sun? Any dog can be a camping partner as long as you find the right trip for them!  Location, Location, Location While any dog can be a camping dog, not every location will allow them to be. When looking for a place to camp, there are a few things to consider. Private campgrounds make-up their own rules. While many campgrounds, RV parks or resorts post their pet policy on their website, it is always a good idea to call to make sure your partner in crime will be welcome. State park and state forest campgrounds tend to be more pet friendly. Keep in mind, your pet will need to be leashed at all times while in the campground and on trails. This is for your pet’s safety, as well as for others. Campgrounds are often busy with both car and foot traffic. As always, bring plenty of bags to pick up after your pet! One thing to note is that in my experience, state park and state forest yurts and cabins do not allow dogs. Wherever you choose to camp, it is a good idea to keep your pet leashed. If your pup is well trained to be off leash, do so in an area that is designated for off leash, or is free of other visitors. I like to bring a long wire tether for Ben, as he has a habit of chewing through anything he can when tied up! This gives him freedom to roam, but keeps him a safe distance at all times.
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You know the saying, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing… The same can be said about camping! Luckily, Ben and I enjoy cool weather together. And, while we both melt in the heat, it can be much more dangerous for him. One way that we help beat the heat is by camping near water. Ben is great at knowing his limits and will find his way to water when he starts to overheat. However, it is still important that you keep an eye out for signs of heat stress. Dogs don’t sweat the same way we do, so it can be more difficult for them to dissipate heat. If your dog is panting heavily and acting lethargic, this is a sign that they are too hot! The best way to combat his heat is to provide them with plenty of cool water to drink, shade, and a cool space to rest. Wetting your dogs fur and going for a drive with the windows down is another way to help lower their body temperature. When camping in cooler weather, make sure to provide your dog with a warm place to curl up. Ben’s double coat makes him an ideal winter dog, but smaller dogs and dogs with short fur are not. If you notice your dog shivering, give them a blanket to lay on or cover them with. In a pinch, you can usually put one of your sweaters or jackets on, putting their front legs through the sleeves. Hot or cold, camping is always best when done with friends. Once you know your pup is ready for an adventure and you’ve found a place, plan some fun activities. Go for a hike, a swim, play fetch, or take a nap, because any adventure with your dog is a good one. Written by: Samantha Glowacki There are so many toxic plants that can harm your furry friend if they are ingested. We know that this area of pet care can be difficult to navigate, especially when you do not know what kind of plant you have. We recommend checking the ASPCA's toxic plant list before bringing any new house plants into your home. When you are in the store you can ask for help identifying the plant or flower from staff members so that you know what you should look up. The ASPCA's toxic plants list can be found here. Personally, I keep the site bookmarked on my phone for easy searching. You can also look through the flashcards below to see the most common (with a focus on the most deadly) poisonous plants and their impact on your pet if they should ingest them. Click on the next button to view the detailed information about each group of plants. If you suspect your pet ingested something toxic, call the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) and your veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately. The sooner they receive treatment the more likely there will be a positive outcome! Do NOT take a wait and see approach, as this can lead to death.  As temperatures begin to rise, a common issue that all pet owners should be aware of is heatstroke. Heatstroke occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature and most often occurs when the body has been exposed to hot temperatures over a prolonged period of time. Since dogs don’t have the same sweat mechanism as humans, they are far more susceptible to heatstroke.
The most common causes of heatstroke in dogs are the result of a pet parent mistake. Leaving a pet in an unattended car, forgetting to provide water and shade outdoors, or excessive exercise on hot days are the leading reasons pets suffer heat stroke. To prevent your pet from getting heatstroke, remember that hydration is key! When a dog loses body fluid faster than they can replace it, they will suffer from dehydration. Dehydration greatly increases chances of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. You can read more about hydration and heat protection here. It is always a better choice to prevent heatstroke in the first place, but knowing the symptoms can help save your pet’s life if a mistake is made. The most telling signs include heavy panting, heavy breathing, lethargy, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, and bruising on the skin or gums. Less obvious symptoms could involve a fever, lack of urine, rapid pulse, and muscle tremors. If you suspect that your pet is suffering from heatstroke the first thing to do is call your veterinarian or closest emergency animal hospital and let them know what happened and that you are on the way. While doing so, immediately remove your dog from the heat. The best ways you can take care of your dog post-heat stroke is providing a surplus of cold water along with cooling your dog off with cold-damp towels. Any hot environment can cause heat stroke in any breed of dog, however, some dogs are more prone to heatstroke than others. Dogs with thick fur, short noses, and brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced dogs such as pugs, boxers, and bulldogs) are the most at risk. As a pet parent, you are in charge of your pet’s health, which is an amazing privilege and tremendous responsibility. The best summer yet with your pup is within reach, just be sure to stay cool! Written by Gracie Butler  A pet fountain is a water fountain for your pets. Many dogs and cats prefer running water to drink from, so having a pet fountain that is a source of running water will grab the attention of your pets and can help keep them hydrated. Generally, cats are picky water drinkers so a device like this helps encourage them to drink more.
Pet fountains maintain a temperature that is 1 - 2 degrees cooler than a traditional pet water dish. Pet fountains can also carry 1-6 liters of water, which means you don’t have to constantly refill your pet’s water. Because the water in a pet fountain is constantly circulating it helps prevent dirty build-up, unlike a traditional water bowl. Some pet fountains even have filters to collect any dirt in the fountain, keeping the water clean and safe for your pets. However, this doesn’t mean that you can get by without cleaning the fountain. It is a good idea to clean the fountain at least once per week. Most fountains have a filter that will last for about a month, make sure to replace it as recommended by the manufacturer. Pet fountains can be especially helpful for pets with kidney or liver problems as well as diabetes. Since you can not reason with your pet to get them to drink more, having appealing sources of water for your pet can be a great health benefit. Because of this, you should consider having multiple sources of freshwater for your pet around your home so they are always close to an attractive water source. One fountain in an inconvenient location will not increase the amount your pet drinks. When looking for a pet water fountain, make sure you get one that is specifically made for pets or says that it is made of food safe materials. Many decorative fountains contain minerals or chemicals that are dangerous for people and animals to consume. What are your experiences with pet fountains? Please comment below. Written by Shaniya Payton and Heather Mains Cats and dogs are amazing for countless reasons, but have you ever seen your pet do something strange and wonder why? Today we’re counting down some of our favorite funny pet behaviors and breaking down the meanings behind each action.
Written by: Gracie Butler
 One of the most avoidable pet-fatalities occurs when pets are left in cars. Whether you’re running into the grocery store or popping into the post office, it is never safe to leave an animal in a hot car unattended. According to studies, hundreds of pets die from car-related heatstroke every year; studies also show the first 15-30 minutes are critical. Parked cars can become ovens fast. Even on a day a moderately warm day, a parked car can rise from 75˚F to 100˚F in just ten minutes. You may have heard of a “safe period”, the amount of time in which your pet can be left in a car. However, it is not prudent to follow a “safe period” since there are external factors that you can not control, such as the sun shifting. Since there are many factors as to why a car heats up, there’s not a safe amount of time to leave your pet. Another thing to remember is your pet’s inability to sweat. You’ll need to keep in mind when you’re warm your animal is even warmer! Most dogs and cats are covered with a thick coat of fur making it difficult for them to dissipate their body heat. Warning signs that your pet is in distress include heavy panting, tongue hanging out, restlessness, anxiety, clawing at window, trembling, vomiting, disoriented, foaming at mouth, diarrhea, collapsing, and seizures. What can you do if you see an animal trapped in a car that appears unsafe? The state of Minnesota prohibits leaving a dog or cat unattended in a standing or parked motor vehicle in a manner that endangers the dog's or cat's health or safety. For this reason, you can feel justified calling law enforcement. You could also wait nearby for a few minutes to see if the owner returns quickly. All pets are at risk of developing heat stroke if left in a car, this can lead to severe illness or death. We urge you to recognize it is always your responsibility to keep your pet safe and spread awareness! Ultimately, the goal is to avoid the heartache of losing your pet’s life to a hot car.  Written by: Gracie Butler
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