November has finally rolled around and for many, cool weather and even snow. Its the pawfect time to look for a companion to enjoy the Holiday Season and many seasons to come. This November we will be covering Thanksgiving food safety and some tips on how to make it through a big family gathering and ease some of the stress on you, guests, and your pets. This month also marks the last of Hurricane season, if you haven't checked out our 'Do You Have A Plan' section, its never to late or to early to prepare for natural disasters.
We hope everyone has a great November and always remember, if we don't have the next warm fuzzy blanket of your family, there are many others in Shelters and Rescues who could very easily warm your Lap or your Heart! - ALPRAS Team |
Cat Cabin Fever
Autumn is full of easy things to love. Changing leaves and cool weather often brings out the adventurers in us to go outdoors to camp and take long hikes exploring nature. We aren't the only ones! Many house pets long to do the same. Dogs get the better end of the stick in most cases. (Could be because they are carrying that stick around!) They get to go on walks and sometimes join in on long excursions with family and friends.
Cats are a different story. Most of them (unless they are outdoor or indoor/outdoor cats) are spectators safely behind glass. For cats not acquainted with the outdoors, going outside poses a far greater danger as they have little to no experience to guide them away from dangerous situations or find a way back home. There's no question that cats are safer indoors but if you have a cat who is longing for the experiences there are things you can do to keep them safe and let them have a chance to stretch their legs.
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Autumn Safety Tips
Thanksgiving Foods that
are Dangerous for Pets
Turkey Skin
Turkey may sound like it would be an awesome treat, but the reality is that our
Turkey Dinner can very dangerous to our pets. All of that fat and seasoning is dangerous for dogs. The fat content can cause Pancreatitis, and as listed below, many salt and seasonings can be harmful to any of our pets. If you do want to share, make sure you cook their meat skinless and without seasonings or bones.
Turkey may sound like it would be an awesome treat, but the reality is that our
Turkey Dinner can very dangerous to our pets. All of that fat and seasoning is dangerous for dogs. The fat content can cause Pancreatitis, and as listed below, many salt and seasonings can be harmful to any of our pets. If you do want to share, make sure you cook their meat skinless and without seasonings or bones.
Onions
Onions contain an ingredient called thiosulphate which is toxic to cats and dogs. The ingestion of onions causes a condition called hemolytic anemia, which is characterized by damage to the red blood cells. Onion toxicity can cause the red blood cells circulating through your pet's body to burst.
Onions contain an ingredient called thiosulphate which is toxic to cats and dogs. The ingestion of onions causes a condition called hemolytic anemia, which is characterized by damage to the red blood cells. Onion toxicity can cause the red blood cells circulating through your pet's body to burst.
Cooked Bones
Any bone that breaks into sharp shards is dangerous for your dog or cat.
Never feed cooked fish, chicken, or beef bones as they can easily splinter, damaging gums, teeth, and throat; causing pain and even potential injury. If your dog swallows the shards from these cooked bones, he also runs the risk of internal injury.
Cats can choke on small bones as well and run the risk of the stiffer pieces getting caught in their palate or esophagus potentially even piercing it.
Any bone that breaks into sharp shards is dangerous for your dog or cat.
Never feed cooked fish, chicken, or beef bones as they can easily splinter, damaging gums, teeth, and throat; causing pain and even potential injury. If your dog swallows the shards from these cooked bones, he also runs the risk of internal injury.
Cats can choke on small bones as well and run the risk of the stiffer pieces getting caught in their palate or esophagus potentially even piercing it.
Garlic
Garlic is considered to be about five times as toxic as onions for cats and dogs.
While minute amounts of these foods in some pets, especially dogs, may be safe, large ingestion can be very toxic. It can cause oxidative damage to the red blood cells, gastroenteritis, and other clinical signs of anemia. Onion and garlic poisoning may have a delayed onset, and clinical signs may not be apparent for several days.
Garlic is considered to be about five times as toxic as onions for cats and dogs.
While minute amounts of these foods in some pets, especially dogs, may be safe, large ingestion can be very toxic. It can cause oxidative damage to the red blood cells, gastroenteritis, and other clinical signs of anemia. Onion and garlic poisoning may have a delayed onset, and clinical signs may not be apparent for several days.
Alchohol
Some alcoholic beverages are more dangerous to dogs and cats than others. Beer contains the lowest concentration of alcohol, usually around 4%. Wine averages 10% alcohol by volume, but some hard liquor can be as high as 90% alcohol.
Even small amounts of hard liquor can potentially kill a small dog or cat.
Some alcoholic beverages are more dangerous to dogs and cats than others. Beer contains the lowest concentration of alcohol, usually around 4%. Wine averages 10% alcohol by volume, but some hard liquor can be as high as 90% alcohol.
Even small amounts of hard liquor can potentially kill a small dog or cat.
Nuts
Nuts some nuts are more dangerous than others but nearly all cause some form of physical distress. All nuts are hard to digest and can give your pet gastroenteritis or cause an obstruction. Walnuts can contain tremorgenic mycotoxins which can cause neurological issues and seizures. Nuts like Macadamia and Pistachios are rich in fat and like turkey skin can cause pancreatitis. Stick to Xylitol-Free Peanut Butter.
Nuts some nuts are more dangerous than others but nearly all cause some form of physical distress. All nuts are hard to digest and can give your pet gastroenteritis or cause an obstruction. Walnuts can contain tremorgenic mycotoxins which can cause neurological issues and seizures. Nuts like Macadamia and Pistachios are rich in fat and like turkey skin can cause pancreatitis. Stick to Xylitol-Free Peanut Butter.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg contains a toxin called myristicin. The small amount of nutmeg used in recipes is very unlikely to cause serious toxicity, though mild stomach upset could occur if a small amount is ingested. If a large amount of nutmeg is ingested, myristicin toxicity can cause symptoms including hallucinations, disorientation, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, dry mouth, abdominal pain, and possibly seizures.
Nutmeg contains a toxin called myristicin. The small amount of nutmeg used in recipes is very unlikely to cause serious toxicity, though mild stomach upset could occur if a small amount is ingested. If a large amount of nutmeg is ingested, myristicin toxicity can cause symptoms including hallucinations, disorientation, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, dry mouth, abdominal pain, and possibly seizures.
Dough
Unbaked bread dough can be poisonous to dogs and cats. When ingested, the unbaked bread dough expands in the warm, moist environment of the stomach and can result in a bloated stomach (called “bloat”); this can then progress to a
gastric-dilatation volvulus (GDV), which is a twisted stomach.
This deserves an immediate trip to the vets office. Bloat can kill quickly!
Unbaked bread dough can be poisonous to dogs and cats. When ingested, the unbaked bread dough expands in the warm, moist environment of the stomach and can result in a bloated stomach (called “bloat”); this can then progress to a
gastric-dilatation volvulus (GDV), which is a twisted stomach.
This deserves an immediate trip to the vets office. Bloat can kill quickly!
Chocolate
The toxic component of chocolate is theobromine. Humans easily metabolize theobromine, but dogs process it much more slowly, allowing it to build up to toxic levels in their system. A small amount of chocolate may only give your dog an upset stomach with vomiting or diarrhea but depending on size, sensitivity, and prior chocolate exposure, it could be deadly. For cats it can be lethal.
The toxic component of chocolate is theobromine. Humans easily metabolize theobromine, but dogs process it much more slowly, allowing it to build up to toxic levels in their system. A small amount of chocolate may only give your dog an upset stomach with vomiting or diarrhea but depending on size, sensitivity, and prior chocolate exposure, it could be deadly. For cats it can be lethal.
Batter
Batter, more often than not contains Raw Eggs. raw eggs can contain Salmonella which can be dangerous to humans and pets. Some batters can cause some of the same effects raw dough can. Additionally, many batters already contain other harmful ingredients which can include various spices, salt, chocolate, nuts, raisins, and sugar. Just like with any of these harmful ingredients, the dog's size is a big factor.
Cats also share issues with some of the ingredients but unlike dogs, who can sometimes have a walking vacuum to trash bin stomach, cats do not. They are not built for digesting many ingredients in human foods and this is definitely one of them.
Batter, more often than not contains Raw Eggs. raw eggs can contain Salmonella which can be dangerous to humans and pets. Some batters can cause some of the same effects raw dough can. Additionally, many batters already contain other harmful ingredients which can include various spices, salt, chocolate, nuts, raisins, and sugar. Just like with any of these harmful ingredients, the dog's size is a big factor.
Cats also share issues with some of the ingredients but unlike dogs, who can sometimes have a walking vacuum to trash bin stomach, cats do not. They are not built for digesting many ingredients in human foods and this is definitely one of them.
Rasins
Grape and raisin (dried grapes) toxicity is well documented in dogs. Although the exact substance that causes the toxic reaction is not yet known, neither dogs nor cats should eat grapes and raisins because even small amounts can prove to be fatally toxic causing Kidney Failure. One or two can be lethal for small dogs and cats.
Grape and raisin (dried grapes) toxicity is well documented in dogs. Although the exact substance that causes the toxic reaction is not yet known, neither dogs nor cats should eat grapes and raisins because even small amounts can prove to be fatally toxic causing Kidney Failure. One or two can be lethal for small dogs and cats.
Xylitol
Xylitol has been shown to be extremely dangerous for dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, liver failure or even death in dogs. It can caused many deaths from merely ingesting a piece of gum containing Xylitol to surprising places such as Peanut Butter, Jams and Jellies, Protein Bars, Flavored Water, Cosmetics, Prepackaged goods, and Honey.
Some cats may also be at risk for these factors although research is ongoing.
Xylitol has been shown to be extremely dangerous for dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, liver failure or even death in dogs. It can caused many deaths from merely ingesting a piece of gum containing Xylitol to surprising places such as Peanut Butter, Jams and Jellies, Protein Bars, Flavored Water, Cosmetics, Prepackaged goods, and Honey.
Some cats may also be at risk for these factors although research is ongoing.
Thanksgiving Foods that
Dogs and Cats CAN Eat
WELL COOKED
Skinless and Boneless
Turkey and Chicken
Skinless and Boneless
Turkey and Chicken
Cooked or Baked Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes are a great treat,
especially when Baked into
yummy Jerky for Dogs or
a mixed Pate for Cats
Sweet Potatoes are a great treat,
especially when Baked into
yummy Jerky for Dogs or
a mixed Pate for Cats
Green Beans
Green Beans are filled with Iron and Vitamins
beneficial to both Dogs and Cats.
Fresh or Cooked, this is a safe healthy treat to share with your pet
Just remember: NO SALT
Green Beans are filled with Iron and Vitamins
beneficial to both Dogs and Cats.
Fresh or Cooked, this is a safe healthy treat to share with your pet
Just remember: NO SALT
Cranberries
Cranberries have many benefits for Dogs and Cats
which include Teeth, Brian, Eyesight, and Kidney Health.
Use Dried Cranberries in small amounts with the dogs size in mind.
Make sure you don't use a fruit or trail mix as they often contain other toxic substances for pets such as
Chocolate, Nuts, Salty tidbits, and especially Raisins.
Don't use Cranberry Sauce as it has very high Sugar content.
Cranberries have many benefits for Dogs and Cats
which include Teeth, Brian, Eyesight, and Kidney Health.
Use Dried Cranberries in small amounts with the dogs size in mind.
Make sure you don't use a fruit or trail mix as they often contain other toxic substances for pets such as
Chocolate, Nuts, Salty tidbits, and especially Raisins.
Don't use Cranberry Sauce as it has very high Sugar content.
Carrots
Carrots are another excellent treat for both Cats and Dogs.
Dogs teeth can benefit from crunching on them and help with losing weight as they are low in calories and high in fiber.
Cats get a lot of nutritional benefits including Beta-Carotene just remember that cats need to have their carrots cooked and cut in small pieces or turned into a Pate.
Carrots are another excellent treat for both Cats and Dogs.
Dogs teeth can benefit from crunching on them and help with losing weight as they are low in calories and high in fiber.
Cats get a lot of nutritional benefits including Beta-Carotene just remember that cats need to have their carrots cooked and cut in small pieces or turned into a Pate.
Apples
Apples are another high fiber food filled and Vitamins A and C.
Some simple safety rules for sharing with your Dogs and Cats:
No Seeds for the same reason they aren't great for humans
No Core in general as it can be a choking hazard
No Skin for cats
Apples are another high fiber food filled and Vitamins A and C.
Some simple safety rules for sharing with your Dogs and Cats:
No Seeds for the same reason they aren't great for humans
No Core in general as it can be a choking hazard
No Skin for cats
Fire Safety
During the holiday season the risk of fires go up exponentially due to electronic decorations, greater use of candles, heaters, outdoor grilling, fire pits, and backyard campfires.
Knowing the importance of fire safety for both people and pets, we turned our attention to
American*Humane - First to Serve™ for some excellent facts and safety tips.
American*Humane - First to Serve™ is an organization
that has been around for more than a hundred years.
American*Humane has been the first in promoting the welfare and safety of animals
and strengthening the bond between animals and people.
Pet Fire Safety
Each year, more than 500,000 pets are affected by house fires, with 1,000 house fires started by pets!
In order to prevent and prepare for a possible house fire, it is important to remember your pets when thinking about your fire preparedness plan.
PREVENTING A FIRE
In order to prevent and prepare for a possible house fire, it is important to remember your pets when thinking about your fire preparedness plan.
PREVENTING A FIRE
- Reduce open flame exposure – Pets are curious and may try to investigate your unattended candles or fireplace. Opt instead for flameless candles or an enclosed fireplace to prevent an accidental knock or escaped ember from burning out of control.
- Put covers on or remove stove knobs and discourage climbing in the kitchen – An accidental nudge of a stove knob is the number one cause of house fires started by pets. By preventing your pet from interacting with a stove, you can take a big step toward preventing fires.
- Secure loose wires – Pets may like to chew on wires and cords, but ensure that these items are out of reach from your pet, as they can lead to fires.
- Never put a glass bowl on a wooden porch – The sun’s rays can heat the bowl and cause a fire on your wooden deck. Opt instead for ceramic or stainless-steel dishes when outside.
- Include your pet into your family emergency plan and practice taking them with you. Talk with your family members to determine who is responsible for grabbing your pets and who should grab their supplies (food, medication, photo, leashes and carriers, medical records) during an emergency so you can reduce scrambling and redundancy when speed and efficiency are needed.
- Put a decal in your home’s front window indicating the number and type of pets you have – Providing this information can cut down on the time responders spend searching your home in the case of a fire.
- Make sure your pet’s updated contact information is reflected on their ID collar and in the microchip database – If your pet gets lost during a fire, this will help rescuers get him or her back to you.
- Use monitored smoke detectors that are connected to emergency responders – Should a fire start while you are away from your home, you’ll rest assured that your pet has access to emergency response services even if no one is home to call them.
- Know your pets’ hideaways and create ways for easy access to them in case of an emergency – It’s nice that your pet can get away if he or she wants to, but in an emergency, you need to be able to locate and extract your pet as quickly as possible.
Autumn Dangers
Taste of the Wild offered some pawsome Autumn Safety Tips,
so we thought we should share them with Everypawdy
in a slideshow and add some adorable pictures too!
It’s the time of year when the scent of pumpkin spice wafts through the air and dogs are wont to roll in piles of crispy leaves. It’s also a great time to protect the safety and well-being of your pet from potential seasonal dangers. Here are ten items that should be on your radar:
Hidden Home Dangers
Different season bring different challenges.
During the Autumn months a few pop up in particular.
Rodents are more likely to come in looking for food,
pulling winter wear from storage with Mothballs,
Compost and Mulch piles being formed from culling, leaves, and failed vegetation,
and Mushrooms all create potential problems with pets.
Below are a few helpful indicators that your pets may have gotten into something they shouldn't.
Rodenticides
Symptoms: Weakness, Lethargy, Difficulty Breathing, Vomiting Blood, Dehydration, Inappetence, Excessive Vomiting, Distended Stomach, Tremors, Seizures
Can result in Kidney Failure and even death
Symptoms: Weakness, Lethargy, Difficulty Breathing, Vomiting Blood, Dehydration, Inappetence, Excessive Vomiting, Distended Stomach, Tremors, Seizures
Can result in Kidney Failure and even death
Mothballs
Symptoms: Drooling, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain,
Lethargy, Tremors
Can Result in Blood Changes and possible Organ Failure
Symptoms: Drooling, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain,
Lethargy, Tremors
Can Result in Blood Changes and possible Organ Failure
Compost & Mulch
Symptoms: Drooling, Vomiting, Inappetence, Agitation, Choking Uncoordination, Tremors, Seizures, Inability to pass Stool
Can result in a variety of dangerous conditions depending on what is in or on the piles, aspiration, or intestinal blockage
Symptoms: Drooling, Vomiting, Inappetence, Agitation, Choking Uncoordination, Tremors, Seizures, Inability to pass Stool
Can result in a variety of dangerous conditions depending on what is in or on the piles, aspiration, or intestinal blockage
Mushrooms
Symptoms: Drooling, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Walking Drunk, Tremors, Agitation, Seizures
Can cause Organ Failure and even Death
Symptoms: Drooling, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Walking Drunk, Tremors, Agitation, Seizures
Can cause Organ Failure and even Death
Featured Dog of the Month
Hi! My name is Willow!
I may look like salt and pepper, but i'm a total sugar rush! I'm looking for a home with someone who is an expert snuggler, and a play buddy in a hooman, tiny hooman, dog, cat, or all four! I love everyone I've met so far, although I'm a little shy at first. If you are someone who likes to shower your pup with Treats and Toys, I want in! Toys are so much fun that I'm happy playing by myself, but I share super well with everypawdy. I'd really like a dog brother or sister to play with and show me the ropes (literally!) I'm a smart and observant and I'm doing a pawsome job learning sign language. I even have a special sign for my own name! They say I'm a really user friendly pup, but don't just take my bark for it, let's meet pup...err....up! |
Interested in adopting a Dog?
Pupdates!
New Pupdates Coming Soon!
You can find some of the recent past pupdates on our Success Stories page.
Recent Adoptions!
Congratulations, Tedd E. Bear !!!
Keep an eye on the Success Stories page for pupdates and pictures!!!
Pet in Need
Currently all animals in the rescue are doing well with no medical emergencies.
Any and all donations will go to general care, including routine veterinary care, of those in the Sanctuary.
Any and all donations will go to general care, including routine veterinary care, of those in the Sanctuary.
Saying our Goodbyes,
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