• Dangerous Foods: The following can be toxic to pets: chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, garlic, onion, alcohol, caffeinated beverages, bread dough, and sugar-free candy and gum containing the artificial sweetener xylitol.
• Regular Foods: Despite tradition, bones should never be given to pets. Even beef, ham, and other “regular” foods that are not considered toxic can cause illness in pets. If your pet is a moocher, keep a saucer of his regular treats on the table to offer when he asks. He probably won’t know the difference!
• New Treats and Toys: Even a pet-safe treat can cause stomach upset if it is new to your pet. Offer only one of these at a time (ideally, separated by a few days). If your pet becomes ill after eating a holiday treat, it will be easier to trace the source and discontinue it. Also, check new toys for sharp edges, pieces that can be chewed off, or other potential hazards.
• Plants: Hazardous plants include mistletoe, some evergreens (including some types of pine), and holly bushes and berries. Try to keep these plants away from pets, or at least supervise pets when dangerous plants are nearby.
• Decorations: Tinsel, tree ornaments, ribbons, string, and garlands are some items that can be dangerous if eaten by pets. Keep these items away from pets — especially when pets are unattended. Don’t forget to cover any electrical cords or keep them out of reach.
• Fire and Carbon Monoxide: Monitor pets near fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, candles, and portable heaters. Also, don’t forget to check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are functioning properly. Space heaters, furnaces, and idling cars (in a garage) can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in pets and humans.
• Christmas Trees: Monitor your pets when they are around your holiday tree. Pets may eat the needles (even from artificial trees) or drink water from the base of the tree, which can be toxic (especially if there are preservatives in it). Keep electrical cords and decorative lights out of reach, too.

In many cases, if your pet has eaten something toxic, warning signs will include gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Other signs may include tiredness and lack of appetite, especially in cats that have eaten lilies. If your pet shows any of these signs, or if you think he or she has eaten something dangerous but is not showing any signs yet, please call your vet right away. Treating your pet as soon as possible is essential!

Pet Safety Tips For The Holidays

New Zealander Annette Swoffer got the surprise of her life when she found a baby seal in her kitchen, who later began to snooze on her couch, the New Zealand Herald reports.

According to the report, the seal wandered from the bay waterfront, through a residential area, across busy roads, under a gate, through a cat door, and up some stairs before he was found at around 9:30 p.m.

Read the rest of the story: Baby Seal Enters House, Sleeps On Couch

Pictures courtesy of Huffington Post

Baby Seal Enters House And Sleeps On The Couch

This all changed about 5 years ago when we adopted a new furry cat friend. She was the runt of the liter, and has remained really tiny making it easy for her to get into things. Including climbing to the top of an 8 foot Christmas tree and taking a nap. Seriously!

Every year around this time she just knows what’s about to happen. She sees those green totes come out of storage and her little face just lights up with excitement, and mischief. Within minutes of the tree going up, she’s hard at work destroying all my hard work.

We’ve resorted to having an artificial tree, because cleaning up all the pine needles from her destruction on an hourly basis got to be too time consuming.

The decorations stay on the tree just long enough to snap a picture every year, then they are strewn all around the house. Have you ever stepped on a ball hook with bare feet? Ouch!

Every single year I say, “Never again! I’m not dealing with that hassle and the constant cleaning up.” Yet every year here I am digging the totes out of storage and getting in the holiday spirit.

Oh LOOK! Just typing that sentence out on my blog brought her up on my lap. She knows what’s happening today…she’s ready and waiting! She’s lucky she’s so cute.

I am sharing my holiday home decor and cleaning tips for the chance to win prizes from The SITS Girls and Great Cleaners.

Christmas and Cats – They Don’t Mesh Well

And for my HUGE AWAITED COMEBACK POST here is something very profound…a picture of my cats, HA!

My Profound Comeback

6 weeks old, and HE still has no name. Any suggestions?

Oh Hai Another Kitten Post

5 Week Old Kitty – Still No Name

Well “oooops” on me. Today we got a note on our door about the RAT INFESTATION that has turned up in our neighborhood. Sigh.

They are asking us to call the HOA and Animal Control to complain if we’ve seen any, and to set traps.

Now here’s the problem I have with that. I have THREE cats and these lazy spoiled princesses let a mouse in my house? Grrrr I told them tonight (yes I talk to my cats) that I was going to send them to the country to learn how to be cats if I see another mouse in here. LOL!

I should make a note that says “Three cats free to good home” now and put one on all the neighbors doors! ROFLMAO!

Rats? I Own Three Cats!

The guy went on to tell me he was 10 months old and his name was Boomer. He works with children and the kangaroo brings them smiles and joy. Awwwww.

Baby Kangaroo in Best Buy

Oh No, My Kitty Is Emo

I won’t get rich doing it since the average yearly income is only $33,000, but it’s a step in the right direction to reach my goal. Plus the trend shows it going up! Now to find a school in Las Vegas so I can research it more.

Source: Indeed.com

Veterinary Assistant/Technician