Preparing for the Unexpected

How to plan for the Unexpected with your pets. 

Recently, Dr Drewry was the guest on Alex Fullick's radio show on preparing for the unexpected. 

They discussed the many ways pet owners can be prepared and plan for unexpected events as a caring pet owner. 

Pet ownership is great, but some times, bad things can happen, and how we prepare for these things, can help reduce our risks, and minimize stress and trauma. 

Listen to this great podcast. 

Thank you to Alex Fullick for helping to get this information out to pet owners.

Don't Get these as Christmas Gifts

Please remember that when you are buying your pet's gifts for Christmas this year, do not include these items in their stockings.

Talk to the staff at Royal City Animal Hospital, your Guelph Veterinary Clinic, about Safe and fun treats for your dogs and cats.

Bad Christmas gifts

519-763-4992

Lisa Eidt and Randi Bowman are our dedicated Veterinary Technicians and want to help you do the best for your pets. 

Christmas Plants Toxic to pets

Do you know several #Christmas plants can be harmful to your pets? Keep an eye on your Pets this Holiday and ensure their safety.

to learn more about toxic plants -check out the ASPCA's toxic plant website.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

Pine Needles

Mistletoe

Holly

Amaryllis

Pointsettia

and more

Guelph Gives Back.at Royal City Animal Hospital DEC 5th

Join the Team at Royal City Animal Hospital in Guelph Ontario for 

Pet Portraits with Santa Claus

Saturday December 5th from 2-4 pm.

This is a FREE Christmas event, however we are encouraging and collecting donations for the Guelph Food Bank.

for more information call the clinic: 

519-763-4992

Royal City Animal Hospital

245 Edinburgh Rd S. 

Guelph Ontario.

Need Pet Health Care Advice?

Before you go looking to "Dr. Google" for your pets' health care needs, advice, and treatments, we have compiled a list of reputable websites that will help you get advice written by veterinary professionals, Pet Nutritionists, behaviourists, and much more. Here are a select few Sites that we recommend our client's visit.

Please bookmark these sites and refer back to them when you have a question about your pet's health.

Remember....these sites are intended for general information purposes only, and not meant as an actual diagnosis, or treatment plan for your pet. Please consult your veterinarian if you have a real concern or question about your pet's specific conditions. 

Cold Weather Life Saving Tip

Royal City Animal Hospital would like to remind everyone, that as the cold weather approaches, please bang on the hood of your car before you start the engine. 

You could be saving a life. 

In the cold weather many outdoor cats seek warmth and refuge from the elements by jumping up into the engine of cars. This can lead to injury or death if they are there when the car starts. In addition, some cats will be under the car, and can easily be run over when you move the car. 

Foods You Should Never Give Your Pet

We all love to give our pets a treat once in a while, it is all part of the Human-animal bond that we love to share. What we should be careful of is the foods we often share with our pets.

There are many food items we humans eat that our pets should never get a hold of. Some foods are toxic to pets, some foods cause choking hazards, some foods can cause diseases such as pancreatitis.
Before you give your pet a little snack from the foods you eat, check out this list of the most common household foods that can cause problems for them.

Image courtesy of Royal Canin Canada

As always - consult with your veterinarian if you have any questions about potential dangers of any food items, before you give them or if your pet has eaten anything you are not sure of. In addition, the ASPCA is always a great source of information for pet hazards and dangers.

Hot Cars Kill Dogs

The following video from Dr Ernie Ward demonstrates how hot it gets in a parked car.
Do not leave your pets inside the car on warm days.
Leave them at home where it is cool, comfortable, and safe.

Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day to everyone.

Keep your pets safe, and comfortable during the holiday weekend.
There will be fireworks all over our nation this weekend, and many pets are afraid of fireworks. If you need any advice on how to help your pet deal with fireworks, contact your veterinarian.

Have fun and enjoy your long weekend. 

Don't Leave your Dog in the Car

HOT CARS CAN KILL DOGS

With the warm weather we see far too many examples of poor judgement from some pet owners.

We have heard many stories this summer already of dogs being left in the car while their owners are running errands. This is never a good idea. Do not leave your dog (or cat or child) in the car in the summer for any length of time, not even a 'minute or two'. Many pets die each year as a result of being left in  parked cars during warm weather.

http://www.guelphmercury.com/news/local/article/748448--guelph-police-rescue-15-dogs-from-ovens-on-wheels

Temperatures inside a parked car, even with the  windows open and in the shade, can rapidly reach very

dangerous levels, even on a relatively mild summer day.

A dog’s normal body temperature is about 39º C (102º F). Because of a limited ability to sweat, even a short time in  a hot environment can be life threatening.

Hot Cars Kill Dogs

Leave them Home - where it is cool. 

Call Your Local Humane Society or Police Department if you see a dog locked in a car. 

Pet Care University -Science of Nutrition

Come join us at Royal City Animal Hospital on Saturday March 24th for our next class in our "Pet Care University" series.

"The Science of Nutrition"

Our guest speaker is Heather Lowe, AHT, MBA.
Some of the topics she will be covering include: 

• What is the difference between grocery store, pet store and Veterinary exclusive diets?
• Quality of ingredients, Nutrients vs. ingredients.
• If I can't compare food based on the label, how do I decide what is best for my pet?
• The Cost of pet food:  Cost per bag vs. Cost per Day feeding
• Raw food diets - are they good for your pet?
• Organic, holistic, and all natural diets: are they better or safer to feed your pet or just buzzwords?
• Should the first ingredient in the diet be meat?
• I have heard I should stay away from foods with corn....is this true?
• My Dog or Cat is a 'fussy eater' - he doesn't like anything else.
• What about people food - my dog loves eating my left overs
• I heard dry food is good for their teeth - so I don't feed canned. Is this true?
• Bones - are they good for my dog's teeth?
• What kind of Treats are good for my pet?
• How much is too much? - obesity prevention and treatment

If you have any other questions about pet nutrition, please bring them along with you.

Your veterinarian is always the best source for information on Your pet's Specific nutritional requirements.


Class is free to all who attend, however space is limited so please register to reserve your seat.


519-763-4992    rcahclients@rogers.com

Pet Care Tips From The Super Bowl

I confess I am not a football fan.  However, I do like to google the commercials the day after the Super Bowl.  As usual, animals were a big hit among this years group of ads. As I sat watching them I realized that there even seemed to be some good pet care tips behind all of the propaganda. 

So here is my Top 10 List of Pet Care Tips From The Super Bowl

10.  Even pets should wear a seatbelt in the car

9. Leave wild animals alone

9 continued

8. Teach your dog to be calm and well behaved when visitors come over 

7. Even animals need to brush their teeth

6. Keep your dog safe around water and wear a lifejacket

  

5. Rescued animals can be amazing pets if given the chance

4. Dogs paws can be sensitive so keep them clean and protected, especially in winter



3.  Cats are safest when they live indoors or are supervised outside

2. Human food should be reserved for humans, not pets

1.  Obesity is a leading disease in pets, it's never too late to start a weight loss program