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Winter brings pet hazards
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (December 1, 2007)
- Winter brings excitement regarding the holiday season filled with family and
friends, however, it also brings many health hazards for family pets.
Keeping cats and dogs out of the cold isn't the only step pet parents should
take this winter to ensure their health and safety.
"It's easy for pet parents to get caught up in holiday festivities," said Brent
Hinton, former Kentucky Humane Society director and current PetFirst Healthcare
CEO. "It's still important to keep our four-legged friends safe among all the
chaos."
PetFirst Healthcare suggests taking these simple steps to protect family pets
from falling prey to holiday threats that are often overlooked, resulting in
symptoms as mild as lethargy and vomiting to some as serious as death:
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Knock on the hood of your vehicle or honk your horn before starting the engine-
Cats like to nap on warm places and seek refuge on car engines during cold
months
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Wipe pets' feet and undersides after being outdoors- Ice-melting
products contain chemicals that can irritate pet's skin, especially the pads of
their feet
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Clean up any antifreeze spills and store in a secure location-
Antifreeze has a sweet taste, but even the smallest amount can be fatal to dogs
and cats if ingested
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Cover live Christmas tree stands- The mixture of pine sap, water and
fertilizers become a poisonous concoction for pets
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Keep holiday plants out of pets' reach- Many festive arrangements, such
as poinsettias, mistletoe, holly and lilies are poisonous plants
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Pick up any ornament hooks, tinsel or ribbon- Pets can experience
serious internal injuries from ingesting these items
"This is the time of year we start to see a lot of claims for illness and
injury due to winter pet hazards," Hinton said. "Many of these can be prevented
if pet owners know the dangers and take the proper precautions."
About PetFirst Healthcare
PetFirst Healthcare is a privately owned pet insurance company based in
Jeffersonville, Ind. Underwritten by an A-rated insurance carrier and available
nationwide, PetFirst provides affordable and reliable coverage for dog and cat
medical expenses along with fast and effective claims processing. For more
information about individual and family plans and pricing, visit
www.petfirst.com or call 1-866-937-PETS.
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