Benefits of Microchipping Your Pet

We’ve seen them on street-side mailboxes and taped to utility poles; the infamous Lost Dog or Lost Cat poster. A runaway or missing pet can be an incredibly difficult time for any pet owner and their family. The primary method of reuniting separated pets and their owners is through microchipping. This inexpensive and universally recognized method of linking pets with their people has proven effective.

Low or Reduced Cost Microchip Implant

While there is most often an initial cost to having a microchip implanted in your pet, there are several organizations who will periodically offer free or reduced cost procedures. The Arizona Humane Society, Washoe County Regional Animal Services, and El Paso Animal Services, are all organizations that have established programs to provide free microchips for pet owners. Search Google for “free pet microchip” and include your home town to see if any ongoing or limited time programs are available near you.

Safe Procedure For Your Pet

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the process to implant a microchip is no more painful than a regular injection. The procedure does not require anesthesia or surgery. The chip sits just beneath the skin surface around the scruff of the neck. This is a universally known location, that veterinarians, animal control authorities, and pet shelters locate to scan for a chip.

No Personal Information Stored on the Chip

The only information stored on the chip is a unique string. It can be a 9-15 numeric or alphanumeric (containing letters and numbers). Each chip manufacturer sets their own length, but no two numbers are duplicated among manufacturers. In order for the information string on the chip to be linked to the owners address, this ‘link’ needs to be established in a Registry. HomeAgain is one such registry. Once an account is created and the chip string (ID) is linked to the owners address. Any time when the chip is scanned, the veterinarian (shelter, or animal control authority) will ask the registry for the contact information linked to that ID.

Linking the chip string (ID) to contact information with most registries is free. Often, the company operating the registry will offer additional services (like dog tags, certificates, magnets, or enhanced account services) for an additional fee. Be sure to read the process carefully as you create an account to ensure you don’t sign up for unneeded subscription services.

Chips Are Easy To Maintain

Thankfully, the chip itself is maintenance-free after being implanted. It does not have a power-source, so no batteries to replace. The chip does not need to be ‘updated’ when new technology comes out. It is dangerous to remove a chip which usually requires a surgical procedure.

The Registry information requires the most maintenance. If the owner moves, or the dog changes owners, the information in the registry must be updated to ensure proper unification.

There are discussions about the evolution of chip technology and manufacturers using different radio frequencies to transmit chip information. This may cause concern for some owners worried that old chips may not be read by new scanners. This is a valid concern. Veterinary offices, animal control agencies, and other groups who regularly scan animals are increasingly using forward- and backward-looking scanners that can read multiple frequencies.

If a pet were to move to a different region in the world, the technological standard may be completely different and a second chip implant may be required.

“Check The Chip” Day

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) joined together to create “Check the Chip Day” which is set for August 15th each year.

On this day pet owners are reminded of two things:

1. Make an appointment to have your pet microchipped, if they are not.
2. Check your Registry information to ensure it is up to date.
   Phone numbers and addresses change over time, so it is important to ensure the Registry is up to date!

Check out this information for more information about microchipping:

American Animal Hospital Association

American Humane

ASPCA Microchip Position Statement

Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animals

The Humane Society of the United States

Central California SPCA

Peanut “Brittle” for Dogs

First, let’s be clear that did should not eat real, human, peanut brittle. There is far too much sugar, and the broken pieces are sharp and could cause internal injuries.

That doesn’t mean that our fuzzy friends can’t enjoy a peanut-y treat. Below are a few recipes for peanut brittle alternatives.

Two things to remember about dogs and peanuts are:

1. Use unsalted peanuts and peanut butter.
2. Read the peanut butter jar to ensure xylitol is not an ingredient as this is toxic to dogs.

Check out this list of foods safe for dogs, and read about dogs and spicy food.

Key Ingredient – Dog Peanut Brittle

Husky Haven – Doggie Peanut Brittle

The Lazy Pitbull – Peanut Butter & Apple Sauce Cookies for Dogs

Husky Haven also has a very extensive list of other dog safe recipes.

Happy #PeanutBrittleDay!

As always, if your dogs eats something you suspect to be poisonous, be sure to seek medical advise as soon as possible.

The Pet Poison Helpline is available 24 hours per day and 1-855-764-7661. 

For day to day peace of mind, consider having a Pet First Aid kit, such as this one by the AKC, available.

Traveling with Dexter

This year we’ll be traveling with the dogs. I wasn’t sure what or how much to travel with, but this neat kit on Amazon had me inspired. It features a container for dry food, a water bottle, bowls for food and water, a waste bag dispenser, and keeps it all contained in one easy-to-carry bag.

I was looking for a checklist so I didn’t forget anything, and these seem to be common things people need to remember:

– air-tight container for food
– leak-proof container for water
– bowls for feeding
– treats (for motivation to come and go to new spaces)
– extra leash
– walking harness
– papers! ownership, updated shots, any contracts or agreements for airlines or countries.
– waste bags
– something to keep the waste bags in, if you don’t have access to trash
– favorite toy, or new toy they will like
– raw-hide or a long-chew bone to keep them occupied for long trips
– current tags for rabies shots.
– printed copies of their home veterinarian, and pet hospitals at your destination
– Emergency number for poison control (for example: www.petpoisonhelpline.com/ this is a pay-per use service)
– Lost pet registration (HomeAgain, PetHub, etc.. with current contact information)
– Long outdoor tether, screw-type ground stake
– comfortable travel accommodations (blankets for crate, pillows)
– something from home; a bed, blanket or something that smells like home
– prescriptions, with enough for the duration of the trip

Check out the Travel Tips from the AKC

Rescue Your Pet From Fire

I have to order a couple of these for our entrance doors. They are stickers that let the firefighters know what you have some fur children that need rescuing. You can get generic ones that alert the fire brigade that you have a number of pets, or you can get specific ones that list their breed, the number of pets, and they are all made with reflective material so they stand out when a flashlight or floodlight shines on them.

http://www.petrescuestickers.com/

I’m not an affiliate so I don’t make money off the link, I just want to bring awareness to the issue.

While the order might vary by department, the basic premise is that firefighters prioritize life safety, fire suppression, then property protection; but there are some great stories in the news of firefighters saving kittens, and puppies. Here are some pictures.

If the fire is small, and human lives are saved they may be able to safe our pets given the situation. Providing awareness to them that pets are in the home gives them one piece of knowledge and might result in many more years with your pet after a disaster.

(c) ABC News. New Jersey firefighters rescue a puppy in distress. Click for the story.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dog-rescuing-firefighter-does-it-again/

http://www.wilshirethefiredog.org 

Keeping you dog safe in the winter

With snow coming to most states across the country its time to take precautions to keep your fuzzy family members safe:

From the Humane Society of the United States, remember these tips:

1) Keep Pets Indoors and Warm
Leaving pets outside and unattended increases their exposure to quickly changing temperatures, and exposed noses and paws, and lungs can quickly freeze.

2) If your dog does stay outside, provide protection
Provide shelter with a raised floor, covered with straw or a bed, and ensure the opening faces away from the wind.

3) Dietary Needs Change
When pets are outside their metabolism runs faster. They may need more food and more water as their body works harder to stay warm. Plus, Dexter likes to run endlessly in the snow. In the summer he just walks around the yard.

4) Protect pads and paws
Use dog boots or thoroughly wipe paws after coming indoors to prevent salt ingestion and dried-out pads.

5) Avoid Antifreeze
Watch out for vehicle leaks in the garage and driveway. With more antifreeze used, make sure leaks are plugged, jugs are sealed, and drips are cleaned immediately.

6) Keep your Pet With you!
Not only are pets safer when they are with their family, they are also safer!

Read the full list at the Humane Society website and make this a safe year for your pets!