Photo Quote de Jour

This is the season for giving. With so much need out there, often our four-legged friends get pushed to the bottom of the list. I received a heartbreaking e-mail this morning from Deb J. from Michigan. I have featured her beautiful little family of ferals a few weeks ago. Deb is on disability and needs some help with providing food and shelter for these cats. If you feel it your heart to help please e-mail her at  http://dljloco@yahoo.com
Please support your local shelter or cat rescue group with the donation of time, money or needed items. Every shelter has a wish list of needed items from blankets, toys etc.

Merlin enjoyed the sun today. Domino my outdoor feral preferred his cozy electric blanket nest.

I'm so used to my elderly cats, it was a treat to play with a friend's new kitten recently. This is Molly who embodies Curiosity with a capital "C".

Cats are smart but like us humans they can make poor choices. It's up to us to keep our kitties safe this holiday season.

Before you let your kitty nibble on the Christmas tree tinsel or let Fido outside without protection from the cold, here’s what you need to know about keeping your furry pal safe this holiday season and all through the winter, courtesy of Dr. Charles Lotz at the Animal Medical Center in Macomb, Ilinois.

What your pet should avoid : human food. The holidays always include plenty of food, especially at holiday party buffet tables. Keep your pet away from chocolate, raisins, grapes, avocado and onions. While not poisonous, they are toxic and will make your pet sick.

Lotz says people who are doing their holiday baking sometimes get distracted and leave thier pet alone with ingredients like chocolate or yeast bread dough. Lotz says he’s seen cases where a pet has consumed bread dough and come in sick because the dough has expanded in their stomach.

Medications

During the holidays, homes become crowded with visiting family and friends, who might leave their medications within your pet’s reach.Make sure your guests know to keep their medications where your pet won’t get them.

Plants

Poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, Christmas trees and plant bulbs are all toxic to dogs and cats.Dried potpourri should also be kept away from your pet. Vomiting, salivation and diarrhea are all signs your pet might have consumed something toxic. If you don’t notice any unusual symptoms but suspect your pet might have consumed something toxic, call your veterinarian’s emergency number immediately. Lotz said vomiting can be induced within two hours, which will help your pet recover.

Antifreeze

If you have outside pets, make sure your garage and driveway are free of antifreeze puddles. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, a sweet-tasting toxic substanceA lethal dose for an average Labrador retriever is only an ounce or two.Symptoms of antifreeze poisoning are a sweet breath odor, nausea and vomiting. Because it takes time for the ethylene glycol to poison your pet, there is a small window to get to a veterinarian for treatment. If your pet has consumes antifreeze, get to a veterinarian immediately.

Household chemicals and cleaning supplies

This is a no-brainer, but keep all household chemicals and cleaning supplies out of your pet’s reach.

The Christmas tree

Most dogs and cats don’t like the taste of pine and will probably avoid chewing on your real Christmas tree. If you see your pet nibbling at the branches, you can sprinkle a little hot sauce over the needles to discourage it. The tinsel on trees is especially attractive to cats, but it will cause an upset stomach. Dangling ornaments are also attractive to cats, who like to bat them around. Hang ornaments high up on your tree to avoid tempting your pet.

Holiday travels

Leaving pets home alone. Cats are more independent than dogs but a caretaker should still make a daily check.

Make sure your pet’s caretaker has an emergency number for a veterinarian. If your pet takes medication, make sure your caretaker is aware of that, too.

If you’re traveling by plane, you’ll need your pet’s vaccination history and a health certificate from your veterinarian. Small dogs can sometimes travel with you as a carry-on, but check with your airline first.

If you’re traveling by car, make sure your pet is on a leash to prevent him from making a break for it when you open the door.

No matter how you travel, make sure your pet has proper identification, like a microchip. If your pet becomes lost, it will be much easier to find them. It’s also a good idea to have a list of your pet’s medication, in case you need to see a veterinarian while you are traveling.

I'd like to add: the biggest danger I've experienced are candles. Merlin and Coco in their friskier days of leaping on tables, have singed their whiskers on candle flames and have even knocked a candlestick over. Please supervise your cats around lit candles.

Link of the week
Hanukkah sillingess for all the Jewish kitties out there. It's not a bird. It's not a plane. It's Hanucat!