Monthly Newsletter
For The Love of Animals is an independently owned and family operated pet supply store.
November Newsletter
Welcome to our November newsletter. This month I've included tips on how to protect your pet during the winter months.
Photo Contest Winners
I want to thank everyone that entered our photo contest, it was great seeing photos of your wonderful pets. It certainly wasn't easy picking our winners, but after much debate, here are our winners. You can see the winning photos in our News section:
Michael M with Monty the African Grey Parrot
Victoria M with Olive the parsley loving Guinea Pig
Liz P with Skully the dog
Carmen Z with Oscar Wilde the cat and his teddy bear
Congratulations to all our winners! Winning photos will also be displayed in our store for everyone to enjoy as of Tuesday October 19.
Protecting Your Pet During the Winter Months
Most pets enjoy being outside and playing in the snow. It is also a time of real hazards. Here are a few tips to help make sure your pet is kept safe this winter both inside and outside.
Avoid Pet Burns
Be sure to keep pets away from fire places and other heating surfaces. When stoking a fire, keep pets away. A single burning ember or a hot poker can cause severe burns. A jumping cat, wagging tail, or running dogs can easily knock a candle over. Be sure the candle is heavy enough to stay put, and that it has a dome on it to keep pets safe.
Cars and Pets Don't Mix
The ethylene glycol in antifreeze is extremely toxic and can be fatal, even in small doses. There are many brands of antifreeze made with propylene glycol (reduces both the toxicity and flavour appeal) which are safer around pets and wildlife. Be sure to cap the jug tightly and keep out of the reach of children and curious pets.
Cats are known to warm up next to a warm engine. This can be fatal when the engine is started and the cat is hit by the vehicle's fan. Blowing the horn and bang on your car's hood before starting the engine will often scare a cat away.
Dangerous Weather Elements
Frostbite can happen when your pet is exposed to freezing cold temperatures, especially if accompanied by high winds. Frostbitten areas may appear gray, white, or red, and may peel. Paws, ears, tail and nose are most likely to be affected by frostbite. If frostbite is suspected, the frostbitten area should be soaked in warm water for 20 minutes. Don't rub the frostbitten tissue. As soon as the pet has warmed up, wrap him in blankets and bring him immediately to the nearest veterinarian.
Make sure to keep your dog warm by putting a sweater or coat on them if they have short hair or are small. Also, animals that suffer from medical conditions such as heart disease or kidney disease etc are less able to regulate their body heat. Pets that are very old or young are also more vulnerable to the cold.
The salt used to melt ice on driveways and sidewalks can burn your dogs paws. He could also suffer from diarrhea and vomiting if he licks his paws and ingests some of the salt. Your dogs paws and stomach should be wiped with warm water and a damp cloth after being outdoors in treated snow to remove any salt and other chemicals. Products such as Invisible Boot, or actual dog boots, also help to protect your dogs paws from the salt and ice.
Arthritis
Just like people, arthritis in pets is aggravated by the cold weather. A thick blanket wrapped around a hot water bottle, warm rice or oat bag can be helpful.
Dry, Irritated Skin
Animals can suffer from dry, itchy skin due to indoor heating during the winter months, just like humans. Essential fatty acid supplements can help some pets, but in the case of extreme irritation that causes a pet to scratch and bite at his skin to the point of opening sores, consult a veterinarian.
Subscribing to our newsletter
If our newsletter was forwarded to you, why not subscribe and never miss an issue. To subscribe to our monthly newsletter, send an email to info@loveofanimals.ca with "subscribe" in the subject. Be assured that your email address will never be given out or sold.
Specials during the month of November
Each week we feature an item we think our customers would be interested in. For the month of November, we have the following on sale:
November 1 - 6 - All Wellness food - kibble & canned 10% off
November 8 - 13 - 10% off All Kong products
November 15 - 20 - All Iams food - kibble & canned 10% off
November 22 - November 27 - All Oxbow hay and pellets 10% off
November 29 - December 4 - All in-stock cat scratching posts 10% off
That wraps it up for this months newsletter. We hope to see you at the store soon!
Marilyn Murray ~ Owner