Watch for Signs: Bloat

In April 2015, Merry Pets sadly lost one of our beloved Merry pack mates, Charlie, to bloat. This condition, also known as gastric dilation-volvulus (GVD), came on quickly and took Charlie, a healthy dog who loved hiking and playing with his brother, Rocco, within hours. We miss Charlie, and we want to keep our other pack mates safe from suffering from bloat (which the ASPCA says kills 25% to 40% of dogs), so we’re sharing the signs to watch for in order to keep your dog healthy and happy.

Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes bloat, but according to WebMD, it can happen just after your dog eats a large meal, drinks a lot of water after eating or performs brisk exercise before or after eating. Any dog can develop bloat, but middle-age and older dogs, as well as large breed dogs with deep chests are more prone to develop this condition.

Bloat can progress rapidly, so watch for the following signs and bring your dog to the vet immediately if he shows:

• Bloated stomach or abdomen

• Cool body temperature

• Fast heartbeat

• Shortness of breath

• Salivating excessively

• Pale gums

• Weakness or collapsing

• Vomiting or belching without production

Print out this list of 24-hour veterinary clinics around the Wasatch Front in case of emergency. Getting your dog to the vet at the first sign of bloat is the best way to keep him or her healthy.

Charlie, a Merry pack mate, passed away from bloat in April 2014. Know the signs of bloat to keep your dog from developing this often fatal condition.

6 Frozen Pet Treats for Summer

During the dog days of summer, one of the best ways to help your pet beat the heat is to give him or her some frozen treats. The refreshing cool taste of your pet’s favorite flavors will be a switch from drinking plain water and a delicious treat. Try one or more of these fun recipes to give your dog, cat or parrot a memorable, tasty frozen treat this summer.

Frozen Treats for Dogs

Frozen Banana Treats. Mix four cups of plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and 3 mashed, ripe bananas together till smooth. Spoon the mixture into disposable cups or ice cube trays. Freeze; remove from the cups or ice cube trays and serve in a dish or bowl. (from Food.com)

Chicken pops. Spread pieces of cooked, chopped chicken breasts evenly into disposable paper cups. Mix 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of dried parsley in a bowl; pour the mixture over the chicken pieces. Freeze; remove from the cup and serve in a dish or bowl.  (from Doggy Dessert Chef)

Frozen chicken pops make for delicious treats for your pup on hot days. Photo by Doggy Dessert Chef.

Frozen Treats for Cats

Seafood treats. Mix a can of water-packed tuna or salmon with approximately a ½ cup of water together in a bowl or food processor. Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze. Remove from the trays and serve in a dish or bowl. (from Modern Cat)

Seafood treats for cats are made fancier by putting them in ocean-themed shaped ice cube trays like seahorses. Photo by Modern Cat.

Goat’s Milk-sicle. Spread ¼ of a packet of The Honest Kitchen’s Pro Bloom Instant Goat’s Milk into four disposable cups. Mix well with water, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Freeze; remove from the cups and serve in a dish or bowl. (from Catster)

Frozen Treats for Parrots

Summer Treats. Freeze water or 100% fruit juice in ice cube trays about 70%. Add cut up fruit pieces to fill each partially frozen ice cube and freeze completely. Remove from the ice cube trays and serve in a dish or bowl. (from Birds N Ways)

Frozen fruit in water or juice makes a delicious summer treat for your pet bird. Photo by Pip and Ebby.

Frozen Yogurt for Birds. Blend 4 cups of plain yogurt, I cup of mashed fresh fruit, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and 2 tablespoons of honey together in the blender. Place in disposable cups or ice cube trays. Freeze; remove from the cups or trays and serve in a dish or bowl. (from Cockatiel Cottage)

These frozen treats are nutritious and delicious–and your pets will love them!

Autumn Dog Hiking Fun with Merry Pets!

Autumn is in full swing, but that just means we have a more colorful playground for dogs on group hikes in the mountains with Merry Pets! We love seeing the happy looks on dogs faces as they explore, get good exercise, fresh air and socialization!

Look at these happy, energetic dogs!

We’d love to have your dogs join us on the trail! Give us a call at 801-897-8022 to schedule your pup today.

3 Winter Safety Tips for Walking Dogs

Colder temps may make us humans want to stay inside all bundled up, but they don’t always slow down our companion animals, many of whom like to walk, hike and explore outside–with or without their pet parents. If you’re planning to take your pup for a walk, let him play outside and more, follow these tips to keep him healthy and safe in cold winter months.

Tip #1: Scout out your route. Before you head out on a hike or walk, check out your route to be aware of possible winter hazards. Be aware of puddles, heavily salted as well as unplowed or unshoveled parts of the path to avoid, keeping you both from getting wet and overly cold. And watch for chemicals on the road, such as antifreeze, that can be poisonous if ingested by your pooch.

Tip #2: Accessorize for warmth. Our dogs’ coats do protect them from cold temps when we’re walking outside, but only to a degree. If their fur coats get wet, they can speed up the colder temps, too. Consider putting a sweater or coat on your pooch prior to him going outside to further insulate him from cold and keep him warm and healthy.

Tip #3: Protect their paws. Dogs’ paws can need extra protection in cold weather, especially if they will come into contact with the snow and salt on the roads. Booties for pups help protect their feet from damage that the cold can bring. But since not all dogs are used to wearing protective footwear, first try your pup out with a pair of baby socks on his feet as a test run before investing in booties.

Taking a few extra precautions will help you and your dog get the benefit of outdoor exercise as well as stay safe walking in the cold winter months.

This article was contributed by The Advocates Personal Injury Lawyers

5 Possible Pet Allergy Signs

Spring brings new life in blooming flowers and trees, and, with that beauty, seasonal allergies can sometimes be an issue. And humans aren’t the only ones affected–our furry and feathered friends can be sensitive to allergens, too. If you notice any of the 5 signs of allergies below in your pets, call your veterinarian for a visit.

1. Runny nose. We’re used to wet noses from our canine friends, but discharge can be a sign of allergy irritation.

2. Sneezing. Occasional sneezes are normal, but if you notice an increase in frequency, that could be allergies.

3. Difficulty breathing, including a stuffy or congested nose, as well as wheezing or coughing. Snoring may be a sign of difficulty breathing as well, so watch for that sign, too.

4. Excessive scratching. Unlike scratching due to pests like fleas, itching due to allergies can be excessive, even including chewing paws, rubbing the face or ears or even consistently licking, causing irritated skin or loss of hair or feathers.

5. Skin irritations. Sometimes rashes, hives or bumps are a sign of allergies, so keep a watch out for them.

Excessive itching can be one sign of seasonal allergies in your pet. Photo by Vetstreet.com

Tips for Dog Water Safety

Playing and swimming in the water is a wonderful way to beat the summer heat for both you and your pets! And while some dogs love water more than others, following just a few tips will help your pooch stay safe while you’re out and about in pools, lakes and more.

1. Follow your dog’s lead. You may think all dogs love the water, but even breeds known for water loving can be hesitant until they get comfy. Make time to help your dog get comfy around and in water. Don’t force your pup to go in the water, and choose a shallow body of water to try going in together to play and interact.

2. Take precautions. A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to water safety. Try:

1. Choosing a body of water that’s safe for and welcomes dogs prior to getting wet.

   1. Checking the tide report to make sure rip tides aren’t going to be an issue before swimming in the ocean.

   2. Fitting your pup for a life vest for extra safety, especially if you’re going out on a boat.

3. Keep a close watch. Whether your dog has been swimming for years or is just starting out, keeping a close watch when he’s in the water is important to stop issues before they start. Tired pups are more prone to accidents and, unfortunately, drowning, so know your pup’s limits and take him out of the water at the first signs of fatigue.

4. Provide fresh water for drinking. Chemicals and bacteria in water bodies can be bad for your dog to ingest, so bring fresh water to encourage him to drink water that’s safe.

5. Rinse off. After swimming in a pool, lake or the ocean, take time to rinse off with fresh water to help your dog’s skin be free of salt, chlorine and other things that could dry out his skin.

Taking a few precautions can keep your pooch safe when playing and swimming in water. Photo by Pet Friendly Travel Blog.