PetFirst Prepares You and Your Pet for Holiday Hazards
Jeffersonville, Ind (PRWEB) November 30, 2013 -- There’s so much excitement around the holidays with family visiting, purchasing of gifts, attending parties and eating family favorite recipes. In all the hustle and bustle, sometimes we forget that our pets need routine, consistency and a watchful eye. Here are few suggestions from the experts at PetFirst.
• Keep a consistent feeding schedule. This is more important for dogs since cats tend to nibble most of the day. By feeding your dog at their regular time and asking family & friends not to feed them table scraps or sweet treats, you will avoid the risk of upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Keep the Christmas tree in a corner, best if out-of-sight from your pet (out-of-sight, out-of-mind, right). If that’s not an option, try putting something that rattles or making your own rattle with an empty water bottle and tie it to the tree limbs. This will alert you when your pet is sneaking around! Christmas tree water is not only toxic to your pet if they drink it, but you could end up with a dried out tree and a major fire hazard on your hands.
• Lit candles on the Menorah or for decoration can be a serious danger for multiple reasons: singing curious whiskers or tales that get to close, and paws that like to bat at the flame; or being accidentally knocked over leaving the potential to start a fire. As always, never leave candles unattended.
• Warm, sunny days can turn to cold, frosty nights this time of year with the drastic temperature changes. Most likely if you are cold, your pet is cold. Watch for pets going in and out and if you know the temperature is taking a dip, bring your pet indoors or have their outdoor housing ready with extra blankets or straw. And don’t forget to check under the hood of your car – cats have been known to get in car engines to stay warm so remember to tap or honk before turning the key.
• Liquid scents or potpourri is a danger to pets, especially to cats causing long term problems with just a few licks. Scented oils in a simmer pot are also toxic and can results in severe chemical burns in the mouth, fever, difficulty breathing and tremors.
Always have your veterinarian’s phone number close by just in case your pet becomes ill. Also have the number to your local 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital for treatment recommendations.
About PetFirst
PetFirst is the fastest growing pet insurer in North America offering easy-to-understand lifelong coverage for dogs and cats. PetFirst’s comprehensive coverage is unique in the industry providing simplified policies with coverage for hereditary, chronic and breed-specific conditions with no per diagnosis limits. PetFirst offers pet insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia through animal welfare agencies, retailers, employers as well as other partners. PetFirst polices are underwritten by American Alternative Insurance Corporation (Munich Re) which is rated by A.M. Best as A+. Additional services are underwritten by Lloyd’s. For more information about PetFirst pet insurance, call 877-894-7387.
Lynne Choate, Petfirst, http://www.petfirst.com, +1 (812) 206-6982, [email protected]
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