Below is a list of Special Pet Holidays and Tips to Maintain Your Pet’s Health!
January
- With the new year, remember that a once a year pet visit to the veterinarian is like you visiting a doctor once every 7 years. It is recommended that a pet have two check-ups per year, so now is a great time to set-up your first visit.
- On cold mornings, remember to check under your car hood, honk, or tap on the hood before you start your car or truck engine. A cold cat will curl up against a car engine to stay warm.
- Train Your Dog Month
- Walk Your Pet Month
- National Bird Day (Jan. 5)
- National Dress Up Your Pet Day (Jan. 14)
- Seeing Eye Dog Day (Jan. 29)
February
- Keep your pet’s away from chocolate. Even small amounts can cause vomiting and restlessness in pets, while larger doses can be fatal. Consult a veterinarian if accidental consumption occurs.
- Pet Dental Health Month. Schedule your pet’s dental cleaning this month and see what discounts we have available for Pet Dental Health Month. Proper dental care can detect dental disease that not only affects the mouth, but can also lead to more serious health problems such as heart, lung, and kidney disease.
- Responsible Pet Owners Month
- Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week (Feb. 7-14)
- Pet Theft Awareness Day (Feb. 14)
- Spay Day USA (Feb. 23)
- National Dog Biscuit Day (Feb. 23)
March
- Consider scheduling a grooming visit for your pet to prepare for spring.
- National Horse Protection Day (Mar. 1)
- National Poison Prevention Week (Mar. 18-24)
- National Puppy Day (Mar. 23)
April
- Consider throwing out old pet toys and replacing for the new season.
- National Pet Month
- National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
- Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
- National Farm Animals Day (Apr. 5)
- National Pet Day (Apr. 10)
- National Pet ID Week (Apr. 18-24)
- National Kids & Pets Day (Apr. 26)
- World Veterinary Day (Apr. 28)
- Hairball Awareness Day (Apr. 30)
- National Animal Control Appreciation Week (Apr. 11-17)
May
- Plan ahead for your summer vacations and set-up your pet boarding facility.
- Now is a great time to review and update your pet’s identification tag and microchip contact information.
- Make sure your pets vaccinations are current and you have a record to carry with you as you travel.
- NEVER leave your pet in a car unattended, even with the windows rolled down or parked in the shade. The temperature in a car can rise very quickly in a minimal amount of time.
- Go Fetch! Food Drive for Homeless Animals Month
- National Pet Week (First Week of May)
- Be Kind to Animals Week (First Week of May)
- Animal Disaster Preparedness Day (May 12)
- National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 13-19)
- National Disabled Pets Day (May 3)
- Hug your Cat Day (May 30)
June
- Make sure your pet has adequate fresh water and a cool place to avoid the heat of summer.
- Do not overdue your pets activity levels during the heat of the day. Wait until early morning or late evenings.
- If at the beach, keep fresh water available for your pets at all times. Salt water is dangerous, and excessive intake can result in severe hypernatremia or salt poisoning.
- Adopt a Cat & Shelter Cat Month
- National Micro-chipping Month
- World Pet Memorial Day (Jun. 13)
- Animal Rights Awareness Week (Jun. 17-23)
- National Pets in Film Day (Jun. 19)
- Take Your Dog to Work Day (Jun. 22)
- Keep pool chemicals out of reach from your pets. Chlorine Shock Water Treatments and Algaecides are generally safe once appropriately diluted. However, many undiluted pool chemicals are corrosive and if ingested directly from the bucket or in tablet form, can result in severe ulcers resulting in life-threatening punctures of the GI tract. Always store your pool chemicals in a secure area.
July
- Keep pets in a safe, secure place during July 4th festivities.
- Do not use fireworks around your pets!
- Never give pets alcoholic beverages and do not leave open containers in reach of your pets.
- Keep insect products/oils and citronella candles out of your pet’s reach. Ingestion can cause stomach irritation and even effect the central nervous system. If inhaled, the oils can also cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.
- Dog House Repairs Month
August
- Your pet needs a 12-month treatment program for parasite control. Fleas can cause irritated skin, hair loss, hot spots, and infection. Fleas can also introduce other parasites into your cat or dog. Mosquitoes can cause heartworms, which can lead to heart failure and even death. Remember, parasite medications made for dogs can be fatal to cats, so make sure to use the right medications for your individual pets.
- National Assistance Dog Day (Aug. 5)
- International Homeless Pets Day (Aug. 15)
- National Dog Day (Aug. 26)
- National Holistic Pet Day (Aug. 30)
September
- September is National Preparedness Month! Make sure to have plans in place for potential disasters, such as a home fire, flood, tornado, etc.
- National Wildlife Day (Sept. 4)
- National Dog Week (Last week of Sept.)
- World Rabies Day (Sept. 28)
October
- Keep your pet’s away from chocolate and candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol. Even small amounts of chocolate can cause vomiting and restlessness in pets, while larger doses can be fatal. Consult a veterinarian if accidental consumption occurs.
- Make sure your pet’s identification is current before taking your pet with you trick-or-treating. Make sure to keep them on a lease as well.
- If you dress up your pet, make sure the costume is not restricting or unsafe for your pet. Remove the costume if your pets shows signs of distress or discomfort.
- Adopt a Dog Month
- National Walk Your Dog Week (Oct. 1-7)
- National Pet Obesity Awareness Day (Oct. 10)
- National Feral Cat Day (Oct. 16)
- National Cat Day (Oct. 29)
November
- Turkey bones can be a danger to your dog. They can become lodged in your dog’s digestive system. And remember that turkey skin is bad for a dog’s digestive system, so make sure she gets skinless, boneless turkey.
- Do not overindulge your pet, which can lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea or pancreatitis, which is a life-threatening condition. Too much fatty foods is not good for your pet.
- Sage and some other herbs have essential oils that can cause tummy upset and central nervous system depression if a dog eats them in large quantities.
- Senior Pet Month
- Pet Cancer Awareness Month
- Pet Diabetes Month
- National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (Nov. 5-11)
December
- Holiday lights mean more electrical cords for kittens and puppies to chew. Be sure you have cords secured and out of the way.
- Make sure your tree is well secured if you have a tree-climbing cat or large dog. Also, preservatives often used in the water in a tree stand can cause gastric upsets, so be sure it is inaccessible or not used. Avoid sugar and aspirin additives in the water as well.
- Remember to never leave lighted candles unattended and make sure to keep them out of your pet’s reach. An exuberant tail or a swat of a paw can turn candles and hot wax into an instant disaster.
- Provide a special quiet place with a blanket and fresh water for your pets to retreat to when the festivities get too stressful.
- As in November, remember that is not good to overindulge your pet! This can lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea or pancreatitis, which is a life-threatening condition. Too much fatty foods is not good for your pet.
- National Mutt Day (Dec. 2)