Make sure your pet is well taken care of when you go away!

Heading out of town? Diamond Pet Foods would like to remind you of the importance of finding a good kennel for your pet before you go. Picking the right kennel requires some research and should not be left for the last minute. Don’t forget that your extended absence may be a stressful time for your dog or cat. Add that and an unfamiliar environment and it can contribute to health and behavioral problems. Finding a kennel with qualified staff that is trained to identify and respond to your pets’ issues can relieve that stress.

There are several things you can do to ensure your beloved pet will have a happy and healthy stay while you are away. When looking at a boarding kennel, you’ll want to take a tour of the facility (before the boarding appointment). Ask about exercise time and facilities. For instance, is there a large area for dogs to run? Are there cat condos so that your kitty can climb and scratch? How much time do the pets stay in locked kennels?

You’ll want to make sure that your pet will have playtime and contact with both humans and other animals alike. In short, if your pet is going to be alone for as much or more time than they would if they were left at home, then you will want to find an alternate facility. A good way to find kennels is to talk to your vet, or others whom you know care about animals.

Another option is a qualified pet sitter who will come to your home or even keep your pets in their home. References are very important to check if you do not know the pet sitter personally. Make sure to specify exactly how many times per day (and at what times) the pet sitter should come. An added bonus of a pet sitter is that they often will collect your mail or papers and might even water your plants while you are gone!

When you leave, do so with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your animal is safe. Diamond Pet Foods wishes you a good trip and a safe return and remember that our primary concern is the health and well being of our animal friends.

Are you hurting your pet? ... Giving your pet human medication can cause your pet to become ill or worse!

If your pet has a sore paw or is just feeling a bit under the weather, it can be very tempting to search your medicine cabinet for a quick fix. Never give your pet any medication without first checking with a qualified veterinarian. It’s true that many medications are the same for pets and humans, but the dosages can be very different. Also there are many medications that are ok for humans but can be toxic to your pet. For example, acetominophen (medication in Tylenol) is very toxic to cats and ibuprofen at high dosages is poisonous to dogs.

Cats lack a specific enzyme in their bodies that is required to properly break down acetominophen. When cats ingest even a very low dose, it can lead to a medical condition called methemoglobinemia. When the veterinarian draws your cat’s blood to help make a diagnosis, the blood will be very brown instead of red. Usually rapid breathing and blue tinged gums and ears are signs that you might notice at home. One tablet is enough to be toxic to your cat, so if you suspect that your cat got into the Tylenol, get to your veterinarian right away. Treatment should be started before the symptoms appear.

Dogs that have arthritis pain or have injured themselves during play or exercise should be diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian. Ibuprofen or even aspirin can be used in dogs, but only under the direction and close supervision of your veterinarian. Often, the dose that is required to relieve the pain is too high and can lead to stomach upset and ulcers and even problems with the kidneys or liver. There are many good medications designed specifically for dogs that your veterinarian can prescribe with much smaller risk of side effects.

At Diamond Pet Foods, we know how deeply you care for your pet and we urge you to never give them any kind of medication without first checking with your vet.