October 14th, 2016

Halloween Safety Tips for Your Pets !!

Halloween can be a fun and festive time for you and your furry friends but, it can also be a time of stress and downright DANGER!!
With these helpful tips, we hope that you and your fur babies can safely enjoy the holiday!
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1. Beware of ALL chocolate treats!!! Chocolate can be lethal to dogs and cats. Also, avoid any candy or products with the artificial sweetener xylitol. Even a small amount of either chocolate or xylitol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, or an increased heart rate.
Check out these pet friendly treats for you furry family members:
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Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats (makes 25)   
allrecipes.com
You’ll need…
*2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
*2 eggs
*1/2 cup canned pumpkin
*2 tablespoons peanut butter
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

•  Whisk together the flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add water as needed to help make the dough workable, but the dough should be dry and stiff. Roll the dough into a 1/2-inch-thick roll. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces.  
• ​Bake in preheated oven until hard, about 40 minutes.

Thanks to allrecipes.com!
TASTY CAT CLAWS
Makes 18 treats
1/4 cup warm water
5 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons soft margarine
1 tablespoon cod liver oil
1 cup white flour
1/4 cup soy flour


2. Make sure your pets are in a secure area. Every year hundreds of pets go missing during the Halloween holiday. If you can bring your pets indoors, that is the safest option. Unfortunately, pranksters have been known to injure, poison, or steal pets.
3. Keep your pets away for from open doors. Even a friendly dog can be frightened by trick or treaters ringing the doorbell in scary costumes. Be mindful that dogs can easily feel threatened and defensive during the commotion of the holiday.
4. Black and orange cats should stay indoors a few days before and after Halloween. Every year the SPCA reports cases of these cats being abducted during the holiday period.
5. Please do not keep lit pumpkins around your pet. Yes, they are festive and pretty but they can easily be knocked over and cause fires.
6. If you are going to dress up your pets, please make sure they their costumes fit properly and supervise them your pets carefully while they are wearing them.


So, with your safety tool kit packed full, we hope you have fun celebrating with your fur babies this Halloween! If you do decide to opt for a costume, please enter our costume contest!
www.facebook.com/Foothill-Farms-Veterinary-Hospital-145165552182464/app/167200180055017/
​ We’d love to see your photos and know if your “kids” enjoyed their home baked cookies!
Happy Halloween from all of us at Foothill Farms Veterinary Hospital! 

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