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
- PE PREPARED- Keep your veterinarian’s phone number and an emergency number in a convenient location. 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.
Featured Dog- Tig
Came to shelter with another dog after being found as strays. Friendly and playful, learning to walk on a leash. Tig should be the only dog in a quiet home. No young children please.
Other available dogs- Missy. German shepherd- Chronic eye problem, 1/2 blind and needs daily medication. NO OTHER DOGS
Featured Cat- Taz
Taz came to the shelter with his mother when the family moved and could not keep them. He is pure white with one blue eye ad one gold eye. Taz should probably be the only cat in the home as he needs your attention and love and does not seem to like all the activity that goes on around him at the shelter.
Other available cats
Paris Orange/White Tabby special diet
Katy black/white medium hair
Sissy Calico
Laverne Calico
Shirley Tortoiseshell
Nessie all white Taz’s mom
Cher gray/black MH
Jan gray tiger
Bella Tortoiseshell
All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to leaving shelter and receive 1 year rabies vaccination and city license. Ages are approximate.
The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter located at 795 Hardy Way is open for adoptions from 8:00 am until 4 pm Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), Saturday 11am-1pm , Sunday 1pm -3pm. Please call – Animal Control may be reached by phone or voicemail at 702-346-5268
The animals submitted to the media may have changed so please visit our Petfinder website for a current listing and more detailed information on the animals. www.mesquiteanimalshelter.petfinder.com
Please also check our Facebook pages for lost and found animals along with pet information. https://www.facebook.com/MesquiteNVAnimalControl and https://www.facebook.com/FRIENDSOFMESQUITENVANIMALSHELTER