Keeping your pets calm through the holiday hustle
For many, the holidays are often filled with togetherness, happiness, and warmth, as friends and family gather at one’s home in celebration of the season of giving.
For pets, however, this time can be distinctly different, with disruptions to familiar routines, new and unfamiliar people in the house, and on days like New Year’s Eve, loud and frightening fireworks. There are numerous ways for pet owners to keep their animals calm and safe during this chaotic time of the year, experts say.
To keep pets calm, an owner must recognize when they are out of sorts. PetMD’s Dr. Wailani Sung lists numerous signs of stress and anxiety in dogs and cats in her article “How to Keep Your Pet Calm During Social Gatherings.”
Sometimes, a pet may need help from a veterinarian to alleviate their anxiety, according to Dr. Megan Beaumont of Brentwood Veterinary Hospital.
“If a family’s concerned that their pet will need medicine, or a supplement, or some training techniques to keep calm, reaching out to a vet is a good idea,” Beaumont said. “They should do it well beforehand as well, so that they can be well-prepared.”
Anxiety symptoms in dogs include excessive licking, panting, and vocalization; pinning back of the ears; feigning of sleep; and refusal of food. Cats may become more vocal, hide, or refuse to use the litter box when they need to relieve themselves, instead doing so in inappropriate locations. If you have a pet with severe anxiety symptoms, such as a history of long-term stress vomiting or colitis (bowel inflammation), Sung recommends reconsidering hosting an event entirely.
“If your pet shows these signs, then having people over at your house may be too much for your pet,” Sung says.
If hosting a holiday event is necessary, or you believe that your pet can weather such a storm, then create a safe space for your animal. This is a separate, enclosed area of the house that serves as a temporary living space
and refuge for your pet away from where your visitors are gathering. Within this space, your pet should be able to enjoy a comfortable bed, soothing tunes and white noise, pheromone emitters, and toys to play with, according to the O’Neal Lane Pet Hospital in Baton Rouge, La. Pets should be familiarized with safe spaces in the weeks leading up to an event; encouraging them to take refuge there with treats is a good strategy, according to Sung.
When fitted with blackout curtains, these spaces can also serve your pet well during firework-heavy holidays-the curtains block out the sudden flashes of the fireworks, while the music and white noise help to dampen the deafening sound.
There are also preventive measures you can take to burn off your pet’s stress before an event. Sung and the O’Neal Lane Pet Hospital recommend exercising, playing with, or training your pet in the time leading up to the event. Sung specifically recommends 30 minutes of exercise for dogs, 15-20 minutes of play for cats, and 5-10 minutes of training for either.
For more information, contact these local veterinarians:
♦ Brentwood Family Pet Care
Daniel Howland 925-240-7387 daniel.howland@nva.com
♦ Lone Tree Animal Care Kristina L’Amoreaux / Mandeep Sandhu 925-450-3800 lonetreeanimalcare@gmail.com, dr_mandeepsandhu@hotmail.com
♦ Oakley Veterinary Medical Center Sandra & Dave Lafferty 925-625-3722 davefrank69@yahoo.com, sllafferty@sbcglobal.net
♦ Brentwood Veterinary Hospital Staci Woods 925-634-1177
brentwoodvh@brentwoodvet.net, staci.woods@ brentwoodvet.net
CONNOR ROBLES
Photo courtesy of Metro Creative
The holiday season can be a stressful time for pets. Here are some tips to help keep them calm.
elta Dog Camp opened its doors in 2009 and has been providing happiness to canine campers ever since.
With an owner who has over 30 years of experience with dogs, the camp offers overnight boarding, daycare, baths and nail trims.
Kerry Dorn, owner and operator of Delta Dog Camp, has always had a passion for dogs. She spent many years training, showing and breeding dogs. She left her career of 19 years in the corporate world after her employer closed, and decided to make her passion her profession.
“Working with animals is very fulfilling to me,” Dorn said.
After about six months of searching for a location, Delta Dog Camp became a reality when its flagship location opened in Oakley. The business expanded in 2013, when Dorn opened a second location, this one in Antioch at 2400 Devpar Court. Delta Dog Camp was the first facility of its
kind to open in both cities.
“It’s more of a camp atmosphere because the dogs get to play during the day,” Dorn said. “We have six outdoor play yards, so whether it’s raining outside, or if it’s hot, we get to play all day. In the summertime, we have pools in all of our yards so that the dogs can go swimming, and we do enrichment activities.”
Two out of the six yards are partially indoor so the dogs have options for where they want to spend their time. There are also play structures throughout the yards.
Dorn, Owner and Operator of Delta Dog Camp in Antioch
Dorn said she believes the “at-home” atmosphere is what sets them apart. She said the best part of owning the camp, other than it being personally fulfilling and caring for the animals, is the response they get from the community.
“We try to keep everything as homelike as possible for the dogs as far as their daily routine, just like they do at home,” Dorn said.
If you ask the dogs, Dorn said the human interaction is their favorite part of being a camper — and belly rubs.
“Our staff is very hands-on,” Dorn said. “Everybody thinks it’s about the dogs playing with each other, but the dogs really enjoy the one-on-one contact with the staff.”
To join Delta Dog Camp, each dog must meet certain requirements before they can register, such as having their vaccinations and being on flea and tick prevention. A list of requirements for new clients can be found at www.deltadogcamp.com.
“I think it’s important that dogs, once they hit the age of receiving all their vaccinations, get to do socialization, not just with other dogs, but with other people,” Dorn said. “It helps them be very well rounded when they are able to be taken care of by multiple different people, so that’s what is really important for us and why we do evaluations. The dogs come in and have personal contact with us, and they don’t think that every time that they go someplace with their parents it’s going to be the groomer or the vet.”
The Oakley location closed in 2021, but the Antioch location is still thriving, Dorn said. For more information on Delta Dog Camp, visit www deltadogcamp com or call 925-757-2600.
NICOLE BECCHINA
Photo courtesy of Delta Dog Camp
Kerry
Establishing kids’ roles in caring for
Children and pets living together can make for a boisterous, but happy, household. Having pets is an ideal opportunity to introduce children to some measure of responsibility, and it may encourage youngsters to become advocates for animal welfare.
Pets require all sorts of care and companionship. Introducing children to age-appropriate pet-related tasks can set the groundwork for a lifetime of loving and caring for companion animals. Children shouldn’t be given all of the responsibilities of caring for pets, but there are some notable roles they can play.
Teach gentle interactions
Toddlers and even kindergarteners may be unaware of how rough they are being. Therefore, they will need a lot of supervision and reinforcement to learn how to be gentle when petting or engaging with companion animals. Young children also may think that pets are toys and that there are no consequences when animals
are handled roughly. Parents and other caregivers may need to spend a lot of time emphasizing gentle play with pets.
Start off with some play sessions
Playing together is a great way for kids and pets to bond and get some exercise. Purina behaviorist Dr. Annie Valuska suggests games like high-five, rolling over, finding treats in hidden places, and practicing tricks or commands. Children also may be able to do short training sessions with pets, like helping them get acclimated to
Pet owners must remember to ensure young children and animals are never together without adult supervision.
a new pet carrier, wearing a leash, or even moving the vacuum cleaner nearby so the animal overcomes its fear of it.
Family vet visits
Children can learn a lot about pet health and care at the vet’s office. Bring youngsters along to help out and see what is involved in routine veterinary visits. Kids can soothe and distract the pet during the adminstration of vaccines and watch how a vet assesses an animal’s overall health. Watching a pet go through a physical examination also may help a child become more brave in relation to his or her own medical check-ups.
family
Participate in feeding and bathing
Children can be responsible for putting pre-measured scoops of food in the bowl for feeding and help refill the water. Kids also may be able to offer treats to pets who are able to take them gently out of hand. When it comes time to groom a pet, children can assist with scrub downs in the tub or at a grooming station in a nearby retail store. More hands available can help wrangle a wet and slippery animal, after all. Kids may find it soothing to brush pets, but they must do so gently.
Teach about quiet time
Pets need opportunities to rest, and children should understand that quiet time means the pet should be left alone. Kids can help set up a cozy napping spot where a dog or cat can retreat when they need some rest.
Children can be taught responsible pet care when their parents feel they’re ready. With trial and error, family members can see where kids’ strengths lie in caring for pets and gauge the animals’s tolerance for interaction with youngsters.
– Courtesy of Metro Creative
Photo courtesy of Metro Creative
Should you gift a pet? Only with the proper preparation, humane societies say
Pets of all kinds can bring immeasurable joy into a person’s life, so it may seem like a good idea to surprise someone you love with an animal as a holiday gift.
The ASPCA, citing studies from 1996, 1999, and 2000, says that “pets given as gifts are less likely to be relinquished than pets acquired by the individual [owner].” According to the ASPCA and the Animal Humane Society, however, giving a pet should not be a surprise, but a process in which the giver and the recipient work to prepare to welcome an animal into the latter’s life.
The Animal Humane Society says that the most important question to ask is “does the person want a pet?”
The ASPCA, similarly, “recommends the giving of pets as gifts only to people who have expressed a sustained interest in owning one, and the ability to care for it responsibly.”
A recent ASPCA study found that pets received as gifts generally have a low return rate. According to the survey, 96 percent of the people who received pets as gifts thought it either increased or had no impact on their love or attachment to that pet. The survey also revealed no difference in attachment based on the gift being a surprise or being known in advance.
Another possibility is to pay for the adoption fees. You can visit a shelter and preemptively pay the adoption fees if you know that a person will be adopting a pet soon. This way you can make the gift a surprise and enable the recipient to choose the right timing to go pick out a pet.
One suggestion is to offer supplies instead. Another pet-related gift idea
is to offer a gift card to a nearby pet retailer so that the person will be able to stock up on supplies when the time comes to get a pet.
Some important factors in determining whether to gift a pet are time, space, resources, and lifestyle, according to the Animal Humane Society. Is the intended recipient often busy, leaving little time for a pet that may need play and exercise? Is their living space too cramped for an animal to properly roam in? Do they have the money for veterinary bills, food, toys, training, and all the other essentials for a healthy pet? Are they allergic to many common pets? Do they already own a pet that may not get along with the one you are planning to give them?
Instead of an unexpected gift of a pet itself, the Animal Humane Society suggests surprising the recipient with the experience of selecting a pet together. This way, the recipient can choose a pet that they feel is right for them, and whose personality and needs fit their lifestyle and resources.
“All pets have unique needs and personalities, and the selection process can be a rewarding and fun experience,” the Animal Humane Society says.
from trusted sources, including “animal shelters, rescue organizations, friends, family, or responsible breeders – not from places where the source of the animal is unknown or untrusted.”
If you choose to give a pet as a gift, you should keep in mind that what you are actually giving is the responsibility of caring for a living creature, with all the lifelong investment that such a responsibility entails. Is the intended recipient willing and able to shoulder this responsibility? If not, perhaps you should reconsider, both groups say.
The ASPCA additionally recommends that pets should be acquired
For more information about rescuing a pet and possibly giving it as a gift, contact Chris Johnson at Ruff Day Rescue in Brentwood at 408-892-6869 or at ruffdayrescue@gmail.com.
CONNOR ROBLES
Protect pets both inside and outside the home
Newly adopted pets waste little time becoming beloved members of a household. But much like young children, pets are a significant responsibility, and they rely on their human caretakers to ensure their safety.
Pets are susceptible to illness and injury just like their human companions. The Pet Poison Hotline reported a 51 percent increase in the volume of calls between 2020 and 2021. Banfield Pet Hospitals also saw about half a million more pet visits in 2020 than in 2019. Furthermore, Dogster reports that 47 percent of pet owners had to deal with a serious medical issue or took their pets to emergency care in 2021.
Keeping cherished pets safe in and around a home is no small task. But with some diligence, it is possible to ensure health and happiness for companion animals. Follow these tips, courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Old Farm Veterinary Hospital and Security.org.
Consider an indoor and outdoor security camera system
Having eyes on pets while you’re away from home enables a quick response should something happen.
Avoid leaving pet food outdoors overnight
Dog and cat foods can attract other animals, such as bears, raccoons, foxes, and opossums, depending on where you live. Wild animals grow accustomed to receiving easy meals and this could decrease their trepidation about being around a home or yard. Run-ins between your pets and
including pesticides and weed killers, as well as any cleaning products used indoors. Pets can ingest or inhale these products and get sick.
Pick up potential choking hazards
String, small pieces of toys, rawhide bone fragments, and other items can be choking hazards to pets. Be diligent about removing these items from the floor so that pets will not swallow them.
Tap on your car hood
Families who allow their cats outdoor access should thump on the car hood when it is cold outside, as sometimes cats take shelter near a warm engine block. Cats can become injured if you start the car while they are under the hood.
Stay up-to-date on vaccinations
Whether pets never step outdoors or have free rein, always vaccinate companion animals against common parasites and other pests.
Microchip your pets
wild animals should be avoided at all costs.
Skip the retractable leash
Walking a pet on a non-retractable leash allows better control of the pet in the event of an encounter with a person or another animal.
Be cautious with chemicals
Carefully consider any chemicals you use in your yard,
Microchips not only protect pets should they get lost, but they also can help track down animals that may have been stolen. Remember to keep microchip data current to ensure a swift recovery.
Keep foods and medicines out of reach
Many human foods can be toxic to pets, as can medications that are kept in a home. Pets can be curious and easy access to these items may make them quite ill.
Welcoming a new pet into a family can be an exciting time. Pets are wonderful companions and can even be beneficial to their owners’ overall health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that pets may create increased opportunities for exercise. In addition, studies have shown that relationships with pets may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol and reduce triglyceride levels, feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and other ailments.
A new pet requires owners to make various changes to help both humans and companion animals. It can take a period of transition for everyone involved to determine their new roles. Here are some strategies to help pets and people acclimate to new living situations.
♦ Create a safe place. Any person who has moved understands that relocating can be stressful. Pets may be on edge when moving into a new home because they don’t have the capacity to process why a move is taking place - even if the eventual result will be something positive. Establish a quiet spot that is away from high-traffic areas so the new pet can grow accustomed to the sounds, smells and routine of its new environment. Then he or she can retreat there when necessary.
♦ Retain some of the pet’s items. Owners may want to buy their pets new toys and supplies, but they should utilize some of the pet’s original and familiar items to make it easier for the animal to adjust.This familiarity can be comforting for the animals.
♦ Consider the 3-3-3 rule. Animal rescue and training organizations, such as Alpha and Omega Dog Training, say the general rule is that pet owners can expect three days of a new dog feeling overwhelmed and nervous; three weeks of settling in; and three months of building trust and bonding with new owners. New pet owners should not feel disappointed if it takes some time for a pet to settle in. Cats and other animals may acclimate differently.
♦ Be patient with behavior. Pets who have moved to new places may temporarily forget their training. This means engaging in undesirable behavior, such as having indoor accidents (or those outside a litter box), jumping up on people, howling, barking or meowing, and more. It will take some time for pets to feel safe, so reinforce training with patience.
♦ Stick to a routine. Animals prefer knowing what is coming next and are creatures of habit, says the American Kennel Club. Individuals should establish and stick to daily routines where feedings, play time, walks, and other activities occur at roughly the same time. This will help pets feel more relaxed.
– Courtesy of Metro Creative
How to spot pet hazards around the house
Pets brought into a household changes life for the better. When a pet joins the family, members now have a companion to enthusiastically greet them when they return home from work or school.
Pets require attention and routine veterinarian visits to stay healthy. Homeowners may need to assess their living areas to ensure that the spaces are as safe as possible for new pets, as there are many potential hazards around the typical home. Unfortunately, those hazards may not be obvious to new pet owners. The following are just a handful of potential pet hazards in a typical home.
Food hazards
Kitchens can be tricky spaces for pets. Cleaners that contain chemicals tend to be stored in kitchens, where hot appliances are periodically on as well. The kitchen also is where people prepare food, including some that could be unsafe for pets. Many foods that are safe for people are not safe for pets, and these include:
♦ Alcoholic beverages
♦ Avocado
♦ Caffeine
♦ Chocolate
♦ Fatty foods
♦ Garlic
♦ Grapes and raisins
♦ Onions
♦ Xylitol (a sweetener)
Chemical products
Chemical products may be unsafe to use around pets.
It’s important to read labels and use products accordingly.
♦ Bleach
♦ Phenols
♦ Cleaning products (use all with caution)
♦ Antifreeze
♦ Lawn fertilizers
♦ Ice melt
♦ Mothballs
♦ Liquid potpourri
♦ Paints and solvents
♦ Fabric softener sheets
♦ Pest baits
♦ Swimming pool chemicals
Plants and flowers
While they may be natural and beautiful, plants and flowers can potentially prove hazardous to pets. The level of toxicity may vary depending on the animal that consumes the plant.
♦ Almond, apricot, cherry, nectarine, peach, and plum trees
♦ Aloe vera
♦ Chrysanthemum
♦ Cyclamen
♦ English ivy
♦ Foxglove
♦ Hibiscus
♦ Hydrangea
♦ Oleander
♦ Poinsettia
Other hazards
♦ Ovens, gas or electric burners
♦ Corded appliances
♦ Candles
♦ Ornaments and glass items
♦ Laundry (ingested socks or other items can cause obstructions)
♦ Small toys
– Courtesy of Metro Creative
