Tips on How To Pet Proof your Christmas Tree!

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‘Tis the season for decorating, gifts and holiday cheer!  The Christmas tree is a great indicator of what a family may be like with ornaments being passed down over the years.  Everyone knows our family pets love to play, chew and eat everything in sight, especially when they are bright and shiny. 

Here’s a few pet-proofing the Christmas tree tips to avoid having your favorite ornaments plucked off by our furry friend.

• Wagging tails and frisky cats tend to knock off ornaments.  It’s best to place the fragile ornaments up higher where they may be out of reach from a clumsy pet.  Using household items such as foil or tape also help.  If the pet is larger, it’s a good idea to anchor the tree to the ceiling or wall to prevent it from falling over.

• Tree water, which is usually easily accessible for pets, can contain fertilizers, preservatives, and pesticides.  Although used to freshen trees, they can be harmful and deathly for family pets.  A simple tree skirt or covering should deter your pet from using it as a water bowl.

• It’s best to keep electrical cords hidden and out of sight.  Cords are another item that your furry friend can chew on.

• Tinsel are beautiful decorations but highly dangerous for family pets.  Pets of all sizes can easily choke or swallow on hanging tinsel. 

• Fallen pine needle can be dangerous to pets if they are swallowed.  Pine needles can be very toxic to cats, which may lead to liver damage.  It’s best to regularly clean up fallen needles to avoid future problems.

Taking effective precautions will ensure a safe and healthy holiday season for you and your pet!  For more information and updates visit our Facebook page, Linked HERE!

Biologist Film Rare Cat in Borneo

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A team of biologists have captured a rare young female leopard on film in a Malaysian forest.  The Sunda clouded leopard was originally discovered as a distinct species in 2007.  Clouded leopards are the smallest of the big cats, which distinguishes them from other cat species.

“We saw an unusually big pair of eyes about ten metres ahead,” biologist Dr. Hokkanen told BBC Nature.  “The eyes pointed at us and did not move and a round face was just about visible in the flashlight.”  That was the moment Dr. Hokkanen began following the mysterious animal to film its every move.  “I knew it had been a cat.  It could not have been anything other than the Sunda clouded leopard.”  This is believed to be the only close up footage of the rare cat in its natural environment.  Back in 2010, the clouded leopard had first been captured on film, but from a distance.

The future of the Sunda clouded leopard and many forest animals are at risk due to forest clearing on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.  The members of the International Union for Conservation for Nature (IUCN) are working every day to preserve these forests to protect the many distinct species who call these forests home.

The rare footage can be found at bbc.co.uk/nature/20627836.  For more information and updates, please visit our Facebook page Linked HERE!

Pets for Christmas!

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It is always fun to get your pets involved in the holiday season!  With Thanksgiving now over, the Christmas season is well underway.  It’s time for children to start making their wish lists to send to Santa with all of the items they've been wishing for all year!

Two things often found on children’s Christmas lists are a puppy or kitten to cuddle with! However, keep in mind, taking in an animal can become a huge responsibility.  Small animals require a lot of patience and care.  Christmas may not be the best time to bring a new animal into your home.  Children can be distracted with all of their new toys to give this animal their full attention.  There needs to be an agreement with the whole family about the responsibilities not just a surprise gift.  It can be a special bonding time for your family, while training your new member of the family and also teaching your children responsibility, compassion and empathy. 

It’s important to wait for the right time and also specify the requirement and obligations before getting a pet. 

Will you be purchasing a pet for your child this Holiday season? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE! 

Holiday Safety Tips for Pets!

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Pets are becoming more and more a part of the family, and people like to include them in everything especially holiday events.  Although we tend to eat a little differently during the holiday season it is important to try and keep your pets diet and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible.  

It is important to securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn't fall, causing injury.  Also keep your pet away from the water under the tree, which can contain fertilizers and bacteria.  It is almost common knowledge not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, make sure to keep your pets away from the table and any unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on all garbage cans. 

Do not feed your furry friend any leftovers including bones.  Cooked bones can easily crack and cause a choking hazard.  Mistletoe and holly can be a real health hazard for pets; they can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and cause gastrointestinal and cardiovascular problems. Don’t leave any wires or candles unattended because your pet could be shocked or even start a fire. Cocktails and other adult beverages are usually served at holiday parties, it is important to keep them out of the reach of your pet, it is possible that if ingested our pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma.  It may be a smart idea to give your pet a designated room to retreat for some quiet, fresh water and a place for a nap.  

Holiday parties can be a great time but a potentially dangerous place for your pet.  Taking the proper precautions will ensure a safe and fun holiday party for you and your pet! 

Pet Shelters in Demand

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A week has passed and Long Island is still feeling the effects of Hurricane Sandy.  Pet shelters all across the island are still open, but continue to deal with new problems brought forth by this terrible storm. 

Nassau County is dealing with the possibility of sheltering more people and animals that have fled their homes after the storm due to the failures in sewage systems and lack of clean water in several neighborhoods.  Jo Ellen Cimmino, director of animal disaster services at Pet Safe Coalition, said that veterinarians from the Hempstead Animal Shelter are on hand to deal with stressed or injured animals, and that North Shore Animal League set up three of their mobile vans for the shelter.  Lack of space is not as much of a problem as the dwindling supplies and gas that these shelters need to fuel their generators.  It is also becoming harder to keep track of all the animals without the help of computers and usual technology we are usually afforded. 

Animals brought to a shelter should have proper identification collars and rabies tags.  Also proper identification on all possessions, cage leash, ample supply of food, water, necessary medication and newspapers or trash bags for clean up.  Every shelter could use donations. 

 If you would like to help the Pet Safe Coalition or the Suffolk SPCA, please visit
www.facebook.com/petsafecoalition or www.suffolkspca.org or call 631-852-4965.

Hurricane Sandy Pet Evacuations

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When hurricane Sandy hit earlier this week it left a trail of destruction along the upper east coast.  Many communities needed to be evacuated to avoid the to destructive hurricane.  Rescue workers have been working hard to save any pets in danger and to transfer them to safe shelters.  

Under the circumstances many hotels that are usually not animal friendly have been temporarily waiving their restrictions.  If an area is being evacuated because it is unsafe for humans it is certainly unsafe for your pet that likely depend on you for survival.  All of New York City’s 76 evacuation shelters welcome pets and there are many shelters on Long Island that accept pets as well.  New York City has been very accommodating to pets by temporarily allowing them in subways, taxis and trains to help people transport their animals to safe locations.  

The city has recognized that public transportation is the primary mode of transportation for people that are seeking the help of these shelters, and are taking progressive steps to ensure the safety of the animals in the city.  Even social networks are getting involved in providing safety for pets; twitter is listing pet friendly shelters all along the east coast.  Facebook is organizing groups that names and pictures of pets separated from their owners.   

Sandy has been one of the most destructive natural disasters since Hurricane Katrina, and it will take time to recover from the damages.  

Safe Halloween for Pets!

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It has been long awaited but it’s finally here! Halloween is tomorrow and the American Society for Shelter Pets offers a few safety tips on how to have a spooky and fun Halloween!

With so many people concentrated on celebrating all the festivities and costume parties, there are many opportunities to neglect many precautions that are usually first nature while protecting the safety of our pets.  Also costumes can be very scary to animals whether they are wearing them are they are on a familiar person.  If you are going to dress your pet in a costume it is important to remember not to include masks, hats and shoes. 

Candy is also as synonymous with Halloween as candy is.  It is almost common knowledge that chocolate is poisonous to dogs, some people don’t know that Xylitol, an ingredient found in many gums and mints, can also be dangerous to your pet.  Pets are often very curious and can get into these things if they are not monitored, this curious nature can also be attracted to dangerous items like glow sticks and costume jewelry, which can be a major choking hazard.  While not always life threatening the use of a glow stick as a chew toy can result in mouth pain, irritation and lead to excessive drooling and foaming. In the event that this does happen it is essential to clean the fur of the animal to avoid further ingestion from self-grooming. 

Enjoy a fun safe Halloween this year, but be sure to keep the health and safety of your pet in mind while you do it! 

Pet Halloween Costumes are a Hit!

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Pet Halloween costumes are a relatively new but rapidly growing market! 

According to the National Retail Federation consumers are expected to spend around $370 million dressing their pets for various Halloween festivities.  Retail has always benefited from the 

Halloween season, but spending on pets has grown to over $40 million in revenue in the last year alone.  

Americans in general like to include their pets on family events, and now Halloween is becoming one of the most popular and creative events to celebrate.  

Whether you buy or make a costume for your pet, it's important to make sure that it fits well and is  comfortable and safe for your pet to wear!  Many communities, including Monmouth County, have had events to show off the creative pet costumes that the residents have produced. They called it “Strut your Mutt.!”  Some adults feel they are too mature or old to be dressing up for Halloween, so they dress up their pets instead! 

Overall, it's a fun way to get the family pet involved in the Halloween festivities and celebrate the season! 

Have You Visited AllPet.com Recently?

ALLPET.COM

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Allpet.com is a privately owned online pet supply retailer based in Long Island, New York. Allpet has a wide variety of inventory, which offers over 5,000 pet supply products for aquariums, birds, cats, dogs, reptiles and other small pets.  

All orders are filled from our large 83,000 square foot warehouse facility, which allows us to provide a variety of quality products to customers anywhere quickly and efficiently.  The large inventory also allows us to provide our products at discounted prices.  Allpet.com is easily navigated and also provides a trained customer service staff that are ready to answer any and all questions you have. 

As a quickly growing company that cares about its customers, allpet tries to provide new and current products regularly.  For example we just received a Hagen Polishing Pad by the brand Fluval, a world leader in quality aquatic products.  All Fluval products are designed to deliver performance that exceeds the expectations of everyone from new aquatic consumers to the most advanced fish hobbyist.  

Allpet dedicates its efforts to providing the newest quality products at low prices with quick and easy delivery and consumption! Join our mailing list to receive special promotions and discounts! Also, be sure to LIKE our Facebook page, linked HERE!