It is that time of year when many of us are getting loved ones gifts. We at ACF hope that you don’t forget your furry (or scaly) loved ones and want to share some easy homemade gifts you can share with your (or someone else's) pet!
Rodent, Bird, and Reptile Toys:
Many of the above cat and dog toys can also serve as reptile, rodent and bird toys. You can find some specific Reptile toy recommendations on the Reptiles Direct page here. Check out The Spruce Pets article by Lianne McLeod, DVM for some great rodent toys. (Though this is targeted to rats, many would be great for rabbits, mice, hamsters, gerbils, and more!) Bird toy ideas can be found at Exotic Direct here. These are targeted to parrots, so size down if you have smaller birds!
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With the fall season rapidly approaching, here are a couple of activities that you and your fur baby can add to your fall bucket list to do together to celebrate the season!
Apple Picking
Picking apples is the perfect fall activity to do with your dog. Ammodts Apple Orchard and LuceLine Orchard are great dog-friendly apple orchards located in Minnesota. You and your pup can snack on apples together, pick them, and then bring them home and create a delicious treat.
Go For a Walk, Drive, or Hike
You and your furry friend can take in the fall colors by going for a nice long walk, taking a drive down the scenic route with the windows rolled down, or by going for a hike. There are many dog-friendly hiking trails located in Minnesota that are ideal for exploring and admiring the fall leaves.
Visit a local Taproom or Restaurant
Do you ever wish that you could have a beer, a bite to eat, and spend time with your pup? Luckily, at Unleashed Hounds and Hops, your dog can hang out with you and other dogs while you grab a beer and some food from the taproom. Saturdays and Sundays in October you can stop by Unleashed Hounds and Hops for BarktoberFest, where they offer a specialized menu, prizes, and great brews. There are other local outdoor dog-friendly restaurants that you can take your pup to though, I would double-check with a quick phone call to make sure that they are in fact pet friendly.
Plan matching Halloween Costumes
Whether you plan on going trick or treating or not, it is always fun to dress up for the occasion. Once you and your dog have decided on your Halloween costumes, you can take a photo and enter the Animal Care Foundation Pet Halloween Costume Contest. The winner will receive a Starbucks gift card!
The holidays are jam packed with fun activities, family, and festive decorations! While these times are great fun for us humanoids, they can be dangerous for our pet family. Check out these tips to keep your pet safe this season:
1. Decorations: Whatever holiday is being celebrated (Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, or New Year’s) we love to decorate! Unfortunately, all the new things we bring into our homes can be dangerous for Fido and Fluffy. Often these new items are potential toys to our furry friends. Chewing on them can cause mouth lacerations, while eating them can cause digestive blockages. Both likely resulting in a trip to the emergency vet. Block off new and interesting decorations from your pet family or consider decorating in a room that can be closed off when you are not able to monitor your pet’s activities. Some specific dangers to pay particular attention to include: Confetti from New Year’s celebrations can cause intestinal blockage if eaten by your pet. Christmas Tree water from pines, spruces and firs often contains pesticide residue. The sap in some trees is also toxic to pets. Make sure they can not access the tree’s water reservoir. Pets will often investigate your Christmas Tree. Ensure that it is well supported by the stand and tie the top to a hook in the ceiling with fishing line to prevent it from falling during your fur family’s explorations. Check that the bolts in the base are tight every few days as they can loosen over time. Tinsel is especially tempting to pets. Eating tinsel can lead to intestinal problems including blockages. Many plants are poisonous to pets. Avoid placing holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias where pets can chew on them. Lights pose a problem if pets chew on them or their cords. They can also become tangled in them and potentially be strangled. Make sure they are not accessible to your pet. 2. Gifts We often exchange gifts with family, friends, and neighbors at this time of year. Keep these out of reach of your pets until you know what is in them. It would be a real bummer if Fido at that fancy chocolate you didn’t even know was there and had to be rushed to the vet! By keeping presents in a location inaccessible to your pet until it is time to open them, you’ll ensure that you got the chocolate, not Fido! 3. Food Your furry friend is likely interested in tasting the delicious food surrounding them. Be aware some of it is very poisonous to them! Be especially aware or grapes, raisins, chocolate, and alcohol. Left over bones from your meal should not be shared with your pet. They splinter as your pet chews them and can cause cuts in the mouth and lacerations to their intestines as they travel though the digestive track. Food bags should not be left alone with pets as they may stick their head inside to eat the leftovers or simply lick the residue. This can lead to suffocation in just minutes as the bag suctions onto their head. 4. Socializing While many pets enjoy the extra company and noise that comes with the season, some do not. And some pets that are normally very social could become overwhelmed. If your pet is showing signs of stress or acting oddly provide them with a break in a room away from the noise and stimulation. The last thing anyone wants is to need to doctor a bite to a family member or friend. The Holiday Season is a time filled with joy and excitement for many of us. Make sure to keep your beloved pets safe during this time by following the advice above! Additional information can be found at: Pet MD “10 Pet Safety Tips for the Holidays” ASPCA “Holiday Safety Tips” Dog Time “6 Helpful Christmas Safety Tips for Pet Owners” Image created by rawpixel.com accessed at www.freepik.com Winter can be a dangerous time for pets. Keep these recommendations in mind during the cold months to keep your pets healthy and happy.
Adapted from https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cold-weather-safety-tips Photo from www.freepik.com |
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