PET CARE & ENRICHMENT

Updated: September 26, 2023 Like many holidays, Halloween’s a great excuse to stock up on sweets and treats. Having all of these extra goodies around is not only a major temptation to people, but also our pets. As our friend Dr. Ted Purcell says, “Have a plan for today!” “Treats and candies are not safe in a bag on the floor, a chair or bench – you need to be very mindful on Halloween, not just during, but also before and after.” Beware of These Halloween Hazards for Pets Here are some things for pet guardians to keep in mind to ensure they and their pets have an enjoyable evening. Protect Your Pet from Toxic Treats Amongst all the candies, chocolate is one of the most toxic for pets – Smaller chocolate covered items, such as raisins, are double trouble. Not only are both chocolate and raisins (dried grapes) toxic to pets, but the size and shape mimic many of the popular treats our companion animals may be used to scavenging from under chairs or tucked in cushions. The effect on a pet will depend on the amount and type of chocolate as well as the size of pet. Should your pet ingest something dangerous, we recommend you contact your veterinarian or for [...]

Updated: May 31, 2023 Prepping Pets for Fireworks Celebrations Celebrations that involve fireworks can be very stressful for our pets, since they experience the world differently than we do. For an animal, fireworks are unexpected and unpredictable, and the noise and physical sensations fireworks create can cause a lot of stress. Here are some helpful tips and strategies to help make fireworks less scary and keep your pets safe. Before the Event 1. Seek Veterinary Advice: If you have concerns, speak with your vet before the event. Your vet may be able to prescribe medication or treatments to help your pet feel more comfortable during the fireworks. Contacting your vet ahead of time will give you time to try the medication and make sure it’s right for your pet. Pheromone devices like Adaptil and Feliway plug ins or collars may be useful for calming some pets. 2. Practice - If there is a holiday where fireworks are typically set off, help your pet learn to associate loud noises with good things. Practice by carrying treats with you and any time your pet hears a loud noise, like something being dropped on the ground, or a loud car passing by, give your pet plenty of treats. Desensitizing your pet in a positive way, can help them better cope. 3. Set Up [...]

Published: September 18, 2020 / Last Update: May 16, 2023 Top Reasons to Get Outdoors With Your Pet! Exploring the outdoors isn’t just for dogs – you can do it with your other pets too! Why should you get outdoors with your pets? Being outdoors can support the mental health of people and pets by reducing boredom, depression and anxiety. It’s an opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and sunlight. Staying active has numerous health benefits and can help lift your spirits. Letting your pet roll around in the grass, on sidewalks or patios can help your them cool off and scratch some itches they may be unable to reach on their own. Always be sure to brush their coat before they go back indoors or into your vehicle to keep them from consuming anything they may have rolled in. Spending time outdoors together is a great way to bond with your pet! If you are enjoying time outdoors with your pet, the first thing we recommend is to check your local weather and air-quality conditions. We want to make sure everyone stays safe and has a great outdoor experience. Check Your Local Weather Check Your Local Air Quality 10 Outdoor Pet-Cautions Here are some other things to keep in mind when outside with your dog, cat or rabbit – the three [...]

Published: June 6, 2021 / Last Update: May 2, 2023 In Case of Emergency: Being Prepared with Your Pet Unexpected trouble can unfortunately strike at any time. While it’s not something we like to think about, being prepared for an emergency in advanced will give you peace of mind that both you and your pets will have what you need if a crisis occurs. The following are recommendations for building your own pet emergency kits. You can also download this list as a PDF to print at the bottom of this post to be kept as part of your emergency kit. Step 1: Prepare Your Supplies, Including... Food & Water: Non-perishable foods are best and should be kept in airtight, waterproof containers. Also ensure you have enough water for yourself, family and pets. We recommend having 10-14 days of consumables for all members of your pack.  Medication & Medical Records: Important medications and health records should be kept in a waterproof container. Prepare a document that outlines the feeding and medication instructions for your pet. Include copies of up-to-date vaccination records, in case your pet needs to be housed at a boarding facility temporarily. First Aid Kit: Work with your veterinarian to determine what these supplies may include for your pet. Standard kits often include: cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors, [...]

Be Kind to Animals Week You don’t need a special day or week to celebrate the human-animal bond by being kind to animals big and small in your community. This year's Be Kind to Animals Week is celebrated from May 7 - 13, 2023 and we are sharing five simple ways you can make a paws-itive impact on the lives of companion animals. 1. Get Your Pet from a Reputable Source Check your local animal shelter first if you or someone you know is thinking about expanding the family to accept a new pet. There are always homeless animals in shelters in need of a loving home, and pets adopted from reputable shelters, such as EHS, will have essential health checks, up-to-date vaccinations, and are spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted litters. Shelters like EHS also help ensure that the people and the pets are a good match for one another. If your are unable to find a suitable pet for your family at a shelter, do your research to find a responsible breeder. A responsible breeder will: provide information on the animal’s pedigree, let you see where the animals are being raised and let you meet at least one of the parents, and have health certificates and records of veterinary visits. Humane Canada offers a complete checklist of the essential [...]

UPDATED: December 1, 2022 Every year we get the opportunity to celebrate many holidays with our pets, which includes lots of food, gifts, and the excitement of gathering with loved ones. With all this activity, it's important to ensure we’re taking some extra precautions for the paws underfoot. To give you some peace of mind when preparing for holiday festivities with your pet, we’re sharing some of our top tips on how to keep pets safe, plus a few gift ideas when your shopping for a special cat or dog in your life. Mind the Decorations From hanging ornaments to lit candles, both the appearance and presence of your favorite decorations might lead your pet to think of them as toys or things to be chewed on. Here are some common items to watch for: Wrapping, ribbons, tinsel, lights, and small ornaments: If consumed, these may cause your pet to choke or have an internal blockage. Glass and metal hooks: Put delicate items up high to avoid breaks as these items could cause a nasty scratch or puncture to your pet. Electrical wires: Many animals are prone to chewing on cords which can lead to electrical shock, burns, and blockages if ingested. Christmas trees and standing displays: Curious pets, especially those prone to climbing, can knock over these [...]

Obesity is a common health problem for our companion animals. For many pet lovers, an overweight animal is an unfortunate reality, and one that can cause issues for pets and pet guardians alike. For National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, we want to help you identify if your pet is overweight and suggest some diets that can help support your pet reaching a healthier weight. How Do You Know If Your Pet Is Obese? Check out these obesity charts for both dogs and cats, so you can see how your pet’s weight compares. What Do You Do If Your Pet Is Obese? We recommend always asking your vet for guidance first and considering changes in your pet’s diet and physical activity. To help manage your dog or cat’s weight, ORIJEN® pet food has specially crafted formulas made to help support a healthy weight in dogs and cats. This includes ORIJEN Fit & Trim Recipe for dogs, a lean, protein-rich recipe to help support a healthy body weight in dogs, and ORIJEN Fit & Trim Recipe for cats, a food that includes balanced calories from protein and fat, plus naturally occurring L-carnitine to help maintain a healthy body weight. Taking your pet for more frequent or longer walks and adding extra play time, is a great way to increase your pet’s daily [...]

Behaviour During COVID 5 Canine Considerations There is no denying that 2020 caused a major disruption in our lives. It has also caused a lot of change for our canine companions. Some changes to our routine or schedule may benefit our pets, but others can cause stress. Below we've assembled a few tips and resources to help prevent behavioural issues from developing while we move through 2021 with our best furr-iends. 1. Socialize Your New Puppy Socialization promotes healthy development and that can prevent future behavioural issues. During times of social distancing and gathering restrictions, it has made it difficult to get young puppies the appropriate socialization they need to thrive. Puppies undergo a sensitive developmental period until about 3-4 months of age, where they learn about their world and develop important memories. If a puppy is inadequately socialized or has negative experiences during this period, it can cause them to develop fearful behaviour. That is why it is essential that your puppy is introduced to various experiences during that time. We've developed a free printable resource on basic Puppy Socialization, which you can find along with others on our Behaviour Resources page. Socialization activities may need to be modified to follow public health measures, so we're sharing some strategies which allow for social distancing: Bring your puppy outside in [...]

November 9th, 2020 An Introduction To Clicker Training Clicker training is an easy and effective way to train your pet so we wanted to share some helpful tips to help you get started. A clicker is a wonderful tool used to train all types of animals! Used in training basic obedience, tricks, and behavioural modification.  The clicker creates a sharp sound that marks the precise moment when your dog does something correctly. Because the sound of the clicker is so distinct, it makes it easy for a dog to recognize exactly what they did right. The clicker sound replaces words like, “good dog!” If a dog is startled by the clicker sound, you can use a softer clicker or use a verbal marker, such as saying the word “yes.” For deaf dogs, you can use a hand signal or flashlight. Loading the Clicker The clicker works because it is paired with food. The clicker itself is a neutral object until the dog learns (with repetition) that the clicker sound is quickly followed by a yummy treat! This is called classical conditioning. When the dog hears the click, they know food is coming! To get your dog to understand what the click means, take a handful of treats or kibble. Click the clicker (avoid clicking next to your dog’s ears) and drop a treat for your dog. Make sure the click comes before the food, and not after! Repeat this until you’ve finished the handful of treats or [...]