Dog Care 101

While you are decking the halls and trimming the Christmas tree here are a few ways to make your tree safe for your furry family members.

1. Cover your tree stand with a tree skirt to prevent your pet from drinking the water in the base. This liquid can make your animal sick.

2. Have pet treats on hand to distract your pet away from the tree. The needles can easily get lodged in the animal's throat, making it hard to swallow.

3. Place decorations that contain mistletoe, poinsettias and holly only in high sections of the tree, where your pet will be unable to get the tempting leaves and berries. They can cause heartbeat and blood pressure to drop.

4. Remove strings and ribbons from gifts that are left under the tree. These items may seem like toys to an animal, but can easily choke him or her.

With Thanksgiving just days away their is so much to be thankful for. Now your pet can get into the Holiday Spirit and partake in the festivities. Our friends at Animal Planet made a list of Top 5 Thanksgiving treats for pets worth sharing with you.

Top 5 Thanksgiving Treats for Pets by Joy H. Montgomery

As you gather around the table this Thanksgiving and give thanks for good food, good friends and even your cranky family members, don't forget the furry or feathery member of the family -- your pet. Of course, a pet doesn't need a toast in its honor to feel appreciated, but a special treat would probably elicit an extra lick or cuddle from your best four-legged friend. Just remember that the holidays aren't an excuse to break from tradition and serve your pet chocolate or other foods that might upset its sensitive stomach. However, there are some terrific Thanksgiving treats that are perfectly pet-safe and guaranteed to make your critter feel extra-thankful for such a thoughtful pet parent. Here are just five.

1. Fruits & Veggies

If your pet is on a restricted diet or doesn't usually handle new food well, pick out a toy that your animal will go gaga for. Consider a squeaky toy shaped like a turkey bone or a carrot. Some retailers carry "pampered pet" lines, in which you'll find toys shaped like wine bottles or sushi (if turkey and all the fixings isn't your thing). McCulley recommends interactive toys that dispense treats as a great way to keep your pet occupied while you're entertaining human guests. By the time your furry friend has gotten all of the kibble out of the toy, you'll be cleaning off the table and ready to spend the afternoon curled up in a turkey-induced coma with your pet.

Some one-on-one time like this is probably the best treat of all for your pet, but any of these five ideas can also help make sure your pet is a grateful gobbler this Thanksgiving.

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Many people will be traveling this Holiday season with their furry co-pilot in tote or in the back seat for a festive reunion with family and friends. It is important to plan ahead and take extra precaution if Fido or Felix is coming along for the ride. Here are some tips to make sure travels are merry and enjoyable for the both of you.

1. By Air, By Land or By Sea! Be fair warned, if you, Fido or Felix are flying the pet-friendly skies expect turbulence even before you arrive at the check in point. This is going to be a chaotic & bumpy ride to your final destination. No one likes to spend the Holidays in those dreaded & crowded airport terminals & long lines. With massive amounts of baggage  to be claimed at least one frequent flyer's suitcase is bound to get lost in transit during the Holiday rush.

If you are flying this Holiday with your pet just keep in mind that delays, cancellations, layovers and poor weather are to be expected. The Holiday's, especially air travels can put increased stress on everyone involved, including your pet. If your final destination is in driving distance we suggest you pack up the car and head on the road.

If you are flying make sure you get direct flights to avoid long layovers where your pet may be stuck in baggage areas, particularly the cold winter months. Like humans, pet also get car & air sick so we suggest feeding your pet less. You may also want to consider visiting family & friends before the Holiday or delaying & postponing your travels after the busy holiday travel season.

2. Pet Friendly Accommodations. Whether you are staying at a hotel, resort, house rental or with friends and family make certain your pet is welcomed. Call before hand to double check that a welcome mat will be eagerly & joyful awaiting your pets arrival. Often times friends and relatives, although they love us, may not be comfortable with having pets as a temporary house guest. Confirm your reservations in advance to make sure you both have a comfy place to rest your head this Holiday. You may also want to discuss any restricted areas or rules that your pet will need to heed during their stay. If your pet is a pleasant house guest most likely he or she will be invited to many more Holidays to come.

3. Pack Your Pets Suitcase! Make sure to enlist the help of a checklist for all your pets essentials. Nothing spoils a Holiday season then a whiny, grumpy & sad dog that misses his favorite binky or chew toy. Pack the following: collars with id tags, first-aid kit, medications, vaccination records, bowl, food, toys and your vets emergency phone numbers. Don't forget to bring blanket to make the trip more cozy & comfortable.

4. Brush up on obedience. Traveling will be an adventure for your pet in more ways then one. Your pet will be introduced to new places, scents and people on the journey homeward bound for the Holidays. Make sure your dog understands boundaries and the basic obedience commands like "Sit", "Stay", "Down" and "Drop It" prior to the trip. Knowing these simple training commands can make the difference between life and death keeping your dog from bolting, greeting guest inappropriately, and ingesting things that are harmful.  Proper etiquette & training will make sure your dog stays off Santa's naughty list and on the nice list.

5. Silent Night & Safe Refuge. With all the chaos that comes with the Holiday's it is important to provide your pet with their own place or corner of retreat. With the constant ringing of doorbells, carolers, kids running up & down stairs & the rush of party goers the festivities can be stressful. Your pet will need a moment of silence and a place to regroup away from the over joyous crowd. Make sure to bring their bed, crate and favorite toy so they can relax and enjoy the Holidays stress free.

6. Keep your pet's normal schedule.With so many things to do, people to see and the overall excitement of the Holidays it is easy to get busy. Often times, quality time with our pets suffer amidst our hectic schedules. With the lack of a schedule around the Holiday's pets can become overwhelmed and easily stressed. So, what is the antidote to stress? Routine!  Make sure to feed and exercise your pet on their normal schedule, this can reduce their anxiety. Set an alarm to remind you of your pet's feeding time. Also don't skip your dogs daily walk & playtime, exercise is a great stress reliever & waistline trimmer for the both of you! With so much feasting we humans need all the help we can get.

7. Avoid Certain Toxic Foods. Your pet will be getting a whiff & feasting their eyes on some yummy holiday dishes this season. With those sad puppy eyes gazing at that succulent ham you may be tempted to spoil your pet with some of your holiday favorites.  But remember that it is VERY important to stick to your pet's normal diet while you're traveling. Stay consistent with feeding times and amounts, and be on guard against illegal snacks. Keep in mind that certain foods are toxic & deadly to pets and can cause gastrointestinal distress. Beware of onions, raisins, macadamia nuts, chocolate and alcohol. Don't give your dog poultry bones to chew on they can splinter causing serious health issues. Also, make sure to inform other dinner guest & party goers of your pets strict diet and to not share tasty indulgences.

8. The tree is off limits. Make sure the home you are visiting is pet proof. Its important to keep your eyes open for any Holiday pet hazards such decorative Mistletoe, Poinsettia and other festive plants. Pets are drawn to anything shiny and can be easily injured if they ingest or chew on tinsel or ornaments off the beautifully lit tree. Make sure your pet does not drink the water in the tree stand it can contain harmful  preservatives or bacteria. Although cats have a huge fascination with climbing Mt. Ever green & booking a stay in the Christmas trees pent house it can be dangerous. Pets should not be allowed around, under or up the tree, enlisting the aid of a gate or barrier around the tree works wonders.

9. Stay Calm & relax. We can't help but to get over-excited, anxious and stressed during what most deem as the most wonderful time of the year.  But please keep in mind that dogs can pick up on your emotions so stay relax & calm this season.

10. Get Vet Checkup! It is important that your pet sees the vet 2 weeks in advance prior to your travels. Make sure your pet is caught up on vaccinations and gets a clean bill of health before the big road trip or long flight. You may want to book an appointment now since your vet office will get very busy as more pet owners are travel with their pets for the Holidays.  If you are traveling by airlines you will need proof of updated vaccinations & health certificates from your vet dated within ten days of takeoff. Regardless of your form of travel make sure to bring your pet's medical records with you when you travel. It important to pack your pets medical records in a safe place that is easily accessible and within reach.

Have a safe & Happy Howlidays!

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Let's talk turkey! How will your dog be spending Thanksgiving? We will be the first to admit that like many dogs, Sushi & Espy will be spending Thanksgiving as begging scavengers on the prowl for dropped Turkey morsel with all the fixings. Although we do not encourage owners to feed their dogs table scraps, we understand that many pet owners want to include their dogs in the Thanksgiving feast since it only happens once a year.

It can be hard to resist a dog’s soulful eyes begging for just one little gobble-full of turkey, besides we are only human. Wafting alluring aromas of sweet potatoes, herb-filled stuffing, roasted turkey & gravy will prevent even the most well mannered pup can't help but to beg for a tiny bite or steal a drumstick. So if you do have the hankering to let your dog partake in the Thanksgiving feast here are some healthy and safe options.

Here are a few healthy Thanksgiving choices for dogs:

• White meat turkey without the skin
• Plain baked or sweet potatoes without the skin
• Steamed carrots, broccoli, or string beans without any butter, sauce or seasoning
• Salt-free canned chicken broth
• Plain canned pumpkin, but not the pumpkin pie filling
• Sliced raw apples

Check out our Festive & Delicious Merrick Canned Dog Food your canine companion can enjoy all year round!

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Although the Thanksgiving menu is chalk full of delicious bounty for humans to enjoy. The smell of roast turkey in the air makes it even more tempting to share some of your food scraps with your salivating, begging loyal dog. If your dog is like our pugs Sushi & Espy then you will probably find their hungry eyes glued to the oven door watching their favorite cooking show "All Things Turkey". Truth be told there are a few thanksgiving foods that are dangerous and potentially deadly to pets. Here is a list of foods that your pet should avoid at all cost courtesy of Dr. Bill Craig, DVM.

Bones - Many pet owners want to hand over left over bones from the turkey, ham or steak to the dog, but these small bones can become lodged in the throat, stomach, or intestinal tract or break into splinters, causing extensive damage to the stomach and gastro-intestinal tract if swallowed, even puncturing the small intestines.

Raw or undercooked turkey - may contain deadly salmonella bacteria

Dough and Cake Batter - The combination of raw bread dough and the pet's body heat can cause the dough to rise inside the stomach, resulting in vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating. The batter used in cakes and pies usually contains raw eggs which could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.

Fat trimmings or very fatty foods - Rich, fatty foods such as turkey skin and dark turkey meat are difficult to digest and can cause vomiting and diarrhea in your dog, and in extreme cases, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) .

** BBS Side Note: Symptoms of pancreatitis include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever. If you suspect your dog has helped himself to a turkey dinner and showing signs of having these symptoms seek vet help ASAP!

Onion and Garlic - These ingredients contain sulfides, which are toxic to animals and can cause the destruction of red blood cells, especially in cats, causing Heinz body anemia.

Sage - This, as well as many other herbs, contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets, especially in cats.

Raisins and Grapes - They are a choking hazard to pets and ingestion of either can cause significant kidney damage.

Walnuts and Macadamia Nuts - These can cause weakness, depression, incoordination, and tremors. In addition, the high fat levels of these nuts may cause pancreatitis in dogs, resulting severe vomiting and diarrhea.

Chocolate - Chocolate can be toxic for pets, or even fatal, due to a substance called theobromine found in chocolate.

Mushrooms - These can produce damage to a number of internal organs, including kidneys, liver, and the central nervous system. If a dog eats mushrooms, seizures, coma, vomiting, even death can occur.

Chewing Gum and Candy - Many contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can cause a severe drop in blood glucose in dogs and As soon as 30 minutes after ingestion, dogs can begin to show signs of depression, loss of coordination, and seizures. Xylitol may also lead to delayed onset damage to the liver occurring days to weeks after ingestion. Xylitol toxicity in pets may be fatal and requires immediate medical attention.

Beer - Alcohol, especially the hops in beer, can be particularly harmful to dogs, causing intoxication, panting, fever, racing heart, liver damage, even coma, seizures and death.

On behalf of Sushi, Espy and the Best Bully Sticks team, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

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