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Pet Friendly Winter Activities

1/17/2023

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Winter is in full swing, burr! Despite the frigid temperatures and frosty air, it’s important to continue spending quality time with your pets, in addition to engaging with the Minneapolis and surrounding community! Continue reading for a schedule of dog friendly events this winter. If you have an event that you don’t see on the calendar that you’d like us to add, please send us an email or comment below!
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1. Drink for Dogs
Date and Time: Thursdays 4:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Unleashed Hops and Hounds, 200 East Lyndale Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Details: Support a rotating list of wonderful nonprofits by heading over to Unleashed Hops and Hounds with your pup every Thursday.  Make sure that you register your pup ahead of time and upload their vaccine records.  A Day Pass is $9 for your dog and reservations are recommended.  

2.  Healing Hearts Rescue Adoption Event
Date and Time: Sun, January 22nd 1:00pm-3:00pm
Location: Saint Paul Brewing,  688 Minnehaha Ave E, St Paul, MN 55106
Details: Join Healing Hearts Rescue at the taproom for their monthly adoption event. Play with their foster pups and enjoy a beer!

3.  Beer for Better with Lost and Found 
Date and Time: Sun, January 26th  2:00pm-5:00pm 
Location: Lakes and Legends Brewing Co, 1368 Lasalle Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Details: Join Lost and Found for their Beer for Better event at Lakes and Legends Brewing! The Beer for Better fundraiser supports mental health relief and suicide prevention. Enjoy a fun night out with your pup supporting a great cause, note that a percentage of beer sales will go to the fundraiser. 

4.  Winter PupFest with Save-A-Bull Rescue 
Date and Time: Sun, January 29th 2:00pm-5:00pm 
Location: Lakes and Legends Brewing Co, 1368 Lasalle Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Details: Enjoy fun seasonal activities including a valentines photoshoot, and play games for the opportunity to win free beer! Brought to you by Save-A-Bull and Lakes & Legends, this free event will help you get out of those mid-late winter blues and into the spirit for the holiday of love. 100% of donations will go to Save-A-Bull Rescue of Minnesota

5.  Doggy Depot 
Date and Time: Sat, February 4th 10:00am-3:00pm 
Location: Union Depot 214 4th St E St Paul, MN 55101 
Details: Union Depot is going to the dogs for this year’s Doggie Depot! The event kicks off on Saturday, February 4 at 10 AM. Start the day with a doga session (dog yoga) taught by Studio 9-to-5. Shop local pet vendors in the Waiting Room and celebrate the grand crowning ceremony of the 2023 Saint Paul Winter Carnival Canine King & Queen with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival Royal Family. Follow Union Depot on social media for highlights of local vendors, rescues, dog products and adoptable pups the entire month of February.

6.  Art Shanty Projects 
Date and Time: Sat, February 4th 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: Northwest corner of Bdé Umán/Lake Harriet Minneapolis, MN
Details: Operating in an urban winter wonderland, the frozen festival held on the lake!  The festival features performances, art actions, and hot food and beverages. Note that pet attendance is encouraged, however be ready for unfamiliar sights and sounds that could potentially stress your furry friend out. 

7.  City of Lakes Loppet Festival
Date and Time: Sat and Sun, February 4th-5th 8:00am-9:00pm
Location: Bde Maka Ska North Beach, 2707 Lake Street West
Details: The City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival is a two-day festival featuring various magical winter events. Activities such as cross country skiing, fat-tire biking, skijor, and snowshoe events will take place all weekend long both at the competitive and recreational levels.

8.  Beer for Better with YouthLink
Date and Time: Sun, February 23rd  2:00pm-5:00pm 
Location: Lakes and Legends Brewing Co, 1368 Lasalle Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Details: Support YouthLink at their Beer for Better fundraiser at Lakes and Legends! YouthLink is an amazing organization that works to support youth struggling with mental health, homelessness, and other varying basic needs. A percentage of the beer sales will go to YouthLink. 
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Salty Paws: What to Know

1/10/2023

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It is so important to ensure that your dog continues to get exercise, even in the winter months.  But with the colder temps, there are new safety concerns that need to be taken into account.  

Salt that is put down on sidewalks and roads to act as a deicer can be dangerous for your pup!  These chemicals can cause irritation in their paws after walking on walkways and internal medical issues if ingested even from licking their paws post walk.  To keep your canine friend safe, take the following precautions when you go out for a walk:
  • Bring a towel on walks. When taking your dog for a walk, be sure to wipe its paws off when you get home, before your dog has time to lick its salt-covered paws. You could even dip the paws in warm water before wiping them off if they have been through a truly saturated area. This will keep the salt and chemicals from sitting on the pup’s skin and will also decrease the amount that they may be able to ingest by licking their paws.  
  • Trim the nails and hair around the paws. When your dog’s hair around its paws is long it can form ice balls between their toes, causing pain to your pup. It is also important that your dog’s nails are trimmed. Long nails make it easier for snow and ice to get in between the paw pads.
  • Dog boots. Another good way to protect those precious paws is by purchasing boots for your dog. Dog boots can be easily found at pet retailers. Boots will keep your furry friend’s feet dry and away from salt and snow, plus they will not get as much into their fur for later licking!
  • Paw balm. You can use a paw balm on your pup’s paws before and after you take them for a walk. The balm reduces dryness, keeps paws soft, and protects from salt and ice. 
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Check out our post over the rest of the month for other tips to keep your dog warm and healthy in the winter.
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Tips for Keeping You Pup Warm on Winter Walks

1/4/2023

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While your dog does come with a built in coat, of varying warmth levels depending on the breed, you can’t assume this is enough in our cold climates!  It is so important to ensure that your pup is warm enough when you take them out in the winter.

Listen to your dog. When walking your dog this winter, don’t forget to watch for signs that your dog may be too cold such as whining, shivering, and lifting its paws or holding one up as they walk. If you notice these signs, get them somewhere to warm up as quickly as possible.

To ensure that they stay warm enough check out these tips:


1. Cut back on walks on very cold days. On colder days limit the duration and the number of walks to protect your dog from frostbite and hypothermia.  

2. Protect their paws. Make sure your dog’s toe hair is trimmed so that ice and salt don’t get caught in it. You can also buy your dog winter water-resistant boots.  These will keep the snow, ice, and cold water off their sensitive feet.  

3. Don’t allow your dog to eat snow on cold days.  Eating snow dangerously lowers your dog’s body temperature which makes them more susceptible to cold related injury.  Additionally, there could be chemicals or hidden objects buried in the snow that could be very harmful to them.  If the snow is in a space that you know is chemical free and they are not out for a long period or it is a warm day, you can let them have a snow treat.  
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4. Get them a jacket or sweater.  Even though your dog comes with a built in jacket, most breeds are not equipped to handle Minnesota's coldest days or long periods outside.  A jacket or sweater can help keep them warmer so you can be out longer or on colder days.  


With these simple shifts, you and your dog can continue to enjoy the benefits of your daily walks even in cold months!  Happy walking!
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​Keep Fido and Fluffy Safe this Holiday Season!

12/13/2019

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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”
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Winter Pet Safety

11/13/2019

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Winter can be a dangerous time for pets.  Keep these recommendations in mind during the cold months to keep your pets healthy and happy.
  • Provide a warm place for your pet to sleep.  A place away from drafts and off the floor is ideal.  A cozy cat or dog bed is perfect.
  • If it is too cold for you, it is probably too cold for your pet.  Keep them indoors.  If left outside, pets can freeze or become ill. 
  • Do not leave pets in cars, they can act as a refrigerator intensifying the cold.
  • Coolant and anti-freeze are lethal to your pet.  Clean up spills immediately and if possible, keep your pet out of spaces where the chemicals are stored.
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  • Salt and other chemicals can get on your pet’s paws or belly during time outside.  Wipe them off when they come inside.  Petroleum jelly can also be massaged into their paws to provide protection before heading outside.  Booties are another good option.
  • Coming in from outside repeatedly can cause itchy dry skin for your pet, just like it can for you.  Drying off paws and bodies when they come in and keeping your home humidified can help.
  • If you are going on a long walk, bring a towel along to remove irritating ice clumps from between their toes.
  • Do not shave your pet in the winter, the extra fur helps keep them warm in the cold months.
  • Bathe your pet only when necessary in the winter as baths remove essential oils and can increase their chances of having dry, itchy skin.
  • If your pet spends a lot of time outside, they might need additional calories to replace the ones lost while attempting to remain warm.  Consider providing a bit of extra food.
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For more information check out https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cold-weather-safety-tips
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    Animal Care Foundation

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P.O. Box 24525
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