November Tips of the Month
November starts the holiday and cooler weather season. Here are a few tips to keep your pet healthy and safe this winter!
People often have friends and family visit during the holiday season. If you plan on having visitors, keep in mind that these people are strangers to your pets. Take it slowly, introduce the guests and let the pet get used to the idea of having unfamiliar people around.
Many people are tempted to feed table scraps and human foods to their pets. Many of these foods are delicious to us but harmful or fatal to your pet:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Moldy or spoiled foods
- Onions or onion powder
- Salt
- Yeast dough
- Poultry bones (which animals can choke on) and large amounts of turkey or chicken (which can cause pancreatitis- a serious and often deadly condition in dogs).
Instead of feeding human food, try substituting with turkey flavored food or treats. This will help keep your pet free from gastrointestinal problems this holiday.
As the temperature drops, some pets require more care, especially older ones and ones that stay outdoors most of the time. Keep your pet groomed. Matted fur won’t properly protect your pet against the cold.
Staying warm outside means burning more calories, so you may have to feed your pet more when the temperatures drop.
Check your driveway ad garage for antifreeze. Antifreeze tastes sweet to pets, but most brands are very poisonous and can be fatal if consumed. If you pet injects antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately. Consider using pet safe antifreeze.
When your pet is outside, make sure there is plenty of fresh water available and it is not frozen. Animals can’t burn calories without water and if they can’t burn calories they can’t keep warm. Also use a tip resistant plastic or ceramic water bowl instead of a metal one, as your pet’s tongue can stick and freeze to cold metal.
Provide a dog house for your dog, so he can stay warm in the cold temperatures when he is outside. Make sure it is large enough for him to sit and lay down, but small enough to hold in his body heat.
Get in the habit of slapping the hood of your vehicle before starting it. In their search to keep warm outdoors, cats often seek shelter next to a warm car engine or tire.
BE PREPARED- Keep your veterinarian’s phone number and an emergency number in a convenient location.
Available Dogs: At the time this article was submitted there were no dogs available for adoption. This changes daily please check the Petfinder site listed below.
Truffles
Truffles
Featured Cats: Truffles and Napp
Truffles- Did I hear you say that you want a cute, fun, lovable, adorable, cuddly, energetic, and awesome cat?? Well, that’s me! Here I am!! Come and adopt me please! Seriously, I am a pretty great little lady, if I do say so myself! I just love life – every day is another day in which I can play, explore, and share my joy with those around me! I come when called. I have a pretty “swirly” colors to my coat and am quite Striking even if I do say so myself. Please won’t you come adopt me and make me your awesome, wonderful, adorable cat?
Nappy
Nappy- 8 years old. If you need a sweet and laid-back cat in your life, come visit Nappy! She is very loving and loves to be petted or have her chin scratched. She loves people that understand that not every cat is going to be super-outgoing all the time. She might not be the first kitty to scurry over to you when you walk in the room, but she’ll be the one to captivate your heart if you take the time to sit with her. She had a home but they could no longer keep her so she and her housemate came to the shelter. Her housemate was adopted and Nappy Misses having her friend nearby. Come meet this pretty dilute Calico!
Additional Cats:
Cinder”fella” Male 6-8 week old gray kitten
Eureka
Lance- Male 6 month old Gray tabby
Eureka- Male 2 year old Large orange and white tabby
At the time this article was submitted there were no other cats available for adoption. This changes daily please check the Petfinder site listed below.
All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to leaving shelter and receive 1 year rabies vaccination and city license. Ages are approximated.
The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter located at 795 Hardy Way is open for adoptions from 11am until 1 pm, Monday through Saturday, Sunday 1pm -3pm. Please call 702-346-7415 during these hours to speak to the front desk. Animal Control may be reached by phone or voicemail at 702-346-5268.
The animals submitted to the media may have changes so please visit our Petfinder website for a current listing and more detailed information on the animals. www.mesquiteanimalshelter.petfinder.com
