With the recent legalization of recreational marijuana in California, many cannabis-consuming pet owners find themselves asking one important question: can marijuana use inside the home have an effect on domestic pets? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. When pets like dogs and cats come into contact with marijuana (whether via heavy secondhand smoke or in the form of edibles), marijuana toxicity and even fatal poisoning can occur. In fact, veterinarians in Canada (where cannabis legalization is anticipated within the year) have already reported an increase in the number of dogs treated for marijuana toxicity within the past year.

Symptoms of Marijuana Poisoning in Pets

Pet owners who wish to indulge in marijuana should be aware of the most common signs of marijuana poisoning in pets, which include (but are not limited to):

• seizures
• lethargy
• dilated pupils
• hyperactivity
• unusual vocalization
• walking “drunk”

Pets experiencing marijuana poisoning may also show less obvious signs, such as a lowered heart rate and low blood pressure, though these must usually be confirmed by a veterinarian.

What to Do if Your Pet Shows Signs of Marijuana Poisoning

If your pet shows any signs of marijuana poisoning and you have reason to believe your pet has ingested any amount of marijuana, it’s imperative that you seek veterinary care immediately. While the risk of death from marijuana poisoning is relatively low in larger pets (such as large breed dogs), it is possible for marijuana poisoning to be fatal. This is especially true if a pet has consumed an edible that contains other known toxins, such as chocolate. These toxins combined can slowly shut down your pet’s vital organs and, if not treated immediately, could result in death.

Most often, marijuana poisoning in pets can be effectively treated through the administration of activated charcoal, which reduces the body’s absorption of toxins and speeds up their processing time within the body.

Will Secondhand Smoke Harm Your Pet?

While your pet is unlikely to become affected by small amounts of second-hand smoke within your home, he or she could develop marijuana toxicity or poisoning if subjected to heavy amounts of smoke in an enclosed or non-ventilated space. It’s also important to consider the potential health dangers of any level of smoke inhalation to your pet, as it can be irritating and damaging to your pet’s lungs and respiratory system.

Does Medical Marijuana Work for Pets?

The jury is still out on this; while some evidence has suggested that medical marijuana can help alleviate pain and other symptoms in pets, there have been no widely accepted studies done on the matter. For this reason, pet owners are advised to keep marijuana away from house pets at all times.

Keeping Your Pet Safe Around Marijuana

The best way to keep your pet safe from the risk of marijuana poisoning is to treat marijuana like any other toxin in your home and keep it out of your pet’s reach. This applies not only to marijuana in leaf or bud form, but edibles as well. Keeping marijuana and edibles inside a glass jar or other enclosed container away from your pet’s reach will reduce the likelihood of an accident.

Contact Us

Submit our website contact form below or call our Santa Rosa location at 707-595-3834 or our Rohnert Park location at 707-206-9000 if you have questions about how to care for your pet.

As a pet owner, you will probably seek out a lot of information on the Internet about caring for and feeding your dog. While there are some great resources online, there’s also plenty of misinformation lurking around, proposing unsupported theories and false claims about what’s best to feed your canine companion and what you should avoid.

Did you know that dogs do not actually like or need “variety” in their food? As long as your canine gets all the nutrients that he needs to be healthy, there’s no reason to vary his food. Scientific studies show that dogs simply do not have the same type of taste buds that we humans have, and they do not crave “something else” occasionally like we do.

Have you ever heard about hypoallergenic dog food brands? Turns out there are actually no 100% hypoallergenic food, and simply cannot be. Studies have observed that allergies in dogs differ based on individual canine: some dogs may be allergic to beef, while other dogs may be allergic to a certain vegetable in the dog food formula.

Top Dog Tips has put together a massive infographic of 32 of these dog food myths, some of which may surprise and fascinate you, disputing them with some credible resources and scientific evidence. Take a look:

Dogs and cats often beg for human food. However, some of these foods can be harmful for pets. In order to prevent illness and other problems, owners need to know which foods are appropriate for their pets and which may be harmful.

Dangerous Human Foods

Some of the foods that may be dangerous for pets include:

• Chocolate, caffeine and coffee – When pets ingest these substances in large amounts, they may experience panting, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and other symptoms. If the dose is high enough, death may occur.
• Grapes and raisins – Grapes and raisins contain a toxic substance that can cause kidney failure for pets.
• Xylitol – Xylitol is used to sweeten toothpaste, candy, gum and other products. When pets eat this substance, it causes them to release insulin and may lead to liver failure. Pets who have consumed xylitol may become uncoordinated and lethargic. They may also vomit or have seizures.
• Dairy products – Pets don’t produce large amounts of lactase, which is required to break down the lactose found in dairy products. When pets eat too much dairy, they may develop vomiting and diarrhea.
• Chives, garlic or onions – These items can damage red blood cells and cause gastrointestinal upset. Although these substances are most dangerous for cats, dogs may react badly as well.
• Macadamia nuts – Macadamia nuts are dangerous for dogs. They can cause tremors, vomiting and weakness.
• Salty foods – Pets that consume too much salt may develop sodium ion poisoning, which can be severe and may be fatal. Pet owners should avoid feeding pets anything containing a large amount of sodium.
• Yeast dough – If a pet consumes yeast dough, the dough may rise in the pet’s stomach, leading to bloating and pain. In some cases, rising yeast dough may cause the stomach to twist, which may be life-threatening and requires immediate medical treatment.
• Cooked bones – Cooked bones may splinter in the pet’s digestive system, which leads to internal bleeding, intestinal perforation and other complications.
• Alcohol – Pets should not consume alcoholic beverages or food products, as alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, breathing problems, tremors, decreased coordination and other problems. Some doses of alcohol may be fatal.

What Foods Are Safe for Pets?

Some human foods are safe for your pet, as long as you feed them to the pet in moderation. Some of the foods pets can eat safely include:

• Cooked meat
• Peanut butter
• Cooked eggs
• Yogurt
• Bread
• Cheese
• Honey
• Apples
• Watermelon
• Bananas
• Blueberries
• Oranges
• Strawberries
• Broccoli
• Pineapple
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Pears
• Celery
• Cucumber
• Mango
• Raspberries
• Sweet potatoes
• Peaches

Although many pets enjoy human foods, feeding your pet the wrong food can be dangerous and even deadly. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian to make sure a specific food is safe for your dog or cat before you allow the pet to eat it.

Further Reading

• Debunking Dog Food Myths
• People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
• Human Foods Dogs Can and Can’t Eat
• Fruits & Vegetables Dogs Can and Can’t Eat
• Human Foods that are Dangerous for Cats
• Don’t Feed Your Dog These Foods, FDA Warns

Contact Us

Submit our website contact form below or call our Santa Rosa location at 707-595-3834 or our Rohnert Park location at 707-206-9000 if you have questions about how to care for your pet.

Have you made plans for your pet’s healthcare? All it takes is one accident for you to end up with thousands of dollars in veterinary bills, or the heart wrenching decision of whether or not you can afford to get care for your pet. One way to avoid this struggle is with pet insurance, but many pet owners don’t understand what their options are. Here’s what you need to know about pet insurance, how it works and whether it’s worth it.

What Is Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance is insurance for your pet that’s similar to your health insurance. Just like your health insurance, your policy will have deductibles, co-pays, maximum payouts, and pre-existing condition exemptions. If your pet is sick or injured, you will be able to get help paying for the problem after these out-of-pocket expenses are covered.

Most pet insurance policies are slightly different than medical insurance in that they reimburse the pet owner for the costs, rather than paying the veterinarian directly. With this setup, you pay the vet’s bill yourself, then get reimbursed from your insurance provider.

Benefits of Pet Insurance

Imagine a scenario where your otherwise healthy pet jumps off of the couch and breaks his leg. You take him to the vet, only to find that he needs surgery to properly repair the leg. You are looking at several thousands of dollars of veterinary care. Can you afford it?

Pet insurance gives you peace of mind, knowing that you can get the best possible care for your pet, without worry for how much it will cost. With pet insurance, you will not face that heart wrenching decision of how much care you can afford for your pet.

Drawbacks of Pet Insurance

Like health insurance, pet insurance isn’t perfect. Your policy will have a maximum payout, and if you that payout is too low, you may still end up with a hefty vet bill. Second, you always have the reality that you may not need the insurance. This means that over your pet’s lifetime, you will pay out hundreds of dollars, with no benefit. There’s just no way to know whether your pet will need the policy until it’s too late to get it. Also keep in mind that almost all pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions.

Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost?

If your pet has a serious illness or accident, pet insurance is definitely worthwhile. If your pet leads a normal, healthy life, without a serious event, then you could pay thousands in premiums for a policy that you never use. That’s the risk you take with insurance.

However, even with an event, you still need to carefully consider the cost. Each insurance provider has a different payment structure with a combination of co-pays, deductibles, and premiums. It’s possible to invest in pet insurance that ends up being more costly, even with a medical event, than the costs you would have faced without coverage. Before you buy, carefully read all of the details of the policy, and consider crunching the numbers to see what you would pay and save with a $5,000 veterinary bill.

In the end, you must decide if peace of mind is worthwhile for you. If it is, then shop for a policy that will provide it for you. Always read the policies carefully to determine if the savings are worth the cost. In the end, you’re taking measures to protect your pet’s health, and that is the most important thing any pet owner can do.

Further Reading

Is Pet Insurance Worth the Expense?

Contact

In addition to buying pet insurance or saving for medical needs, make sure you are planning for your pet’s comfort as well. Paradise Pet Resorts is here to provide grooming and boarding services whenever you need them. Learn more about our services by contacting Paradise Pet Resorts today!

Have you ever wished your pet could really tell you what she’s thinking? While dogs and cats can’t talk, they do give us a lot of clues to go on through their body language. Dogs and cats use different signals, but both send out a lot of non-verbal communication. We just need the tools to recognize the signs.

What Your Dog Is Saying

A dog’s mouth communicates a lot. A dog who is happy and relaxed may allow his mouth to hang open and maybe his tongue to loll out. When he is holding his mouth closed and tight, however, it can be a sign that he is tense or upset. Panting can be a sign that your dog is overheated or that he is stressed.

Dogs do a lot of their talking with their tails. A tail that is wagging back and forth doesn’t always mean a happy and friendly dog. Some dogs wag their tails when they are feeling aggressive; use other cues for a dog who you don’t know. When a dog is relaxed, his tail will hang down into its natural position.

A dog’s posture can be one of the best communication tools, especially for an animal who you don’t know. A dog who is trying to look smaller may feel scared or submissive. A relaxed demeanor shows that the dog is happy and contented. If a dog is standing stiffly, it may feel threatened or by showing aggression for other reasons.

Communication from Cats

Much of a cat’s body language is the opposite of what you’ll see from a dog. A cat who is relaxed, for instance, will hold her mouth closed.

A cat’s tail can indicate many moods. A smooth tail that is straight up indicates a cat who is friendly and happy. A bit of a bend near the end says that she is unsure. When a cat holds her tail down and under her body, it can mean that she is afraid. A tail that twitches back and forth indicates an agitated and angry cat; the faster the twitch, the angrier the cat is. A puffed out tail means that the cat is angry or frightened.

Like a dog, a cat’s body posture communicates a lot. A cat that is lying down and relaxed is content. One that is lying down but growling may be getting ready for an attack. When a cat arches her back, she could be waiting to be pet. A cat with an arched back and fur standing on end is angry or upset.

By watching your pet for a long period of time, you can begin to understand his or her moods based on body language. Be cautious of pets who are showing anger or fear; this gives them a chance to become more comfortable. Responding to friendly overtures can help strengthen your bond. Over time, you will understand what they want to say, even though they don’t have the words.

Further Reading

• Cat Chat: Understanding Feline Language
• Dog Body Language
• Body Language: The Difference Between Cats and Dogs

One of the scariest sights to any pet lover is to see a dog (or other animal) locked in a car on a hot summer day. Many studies have been conducted showing how quickly the temperature can rise inside a vehicle, even if the outside temperature isn’t ridiculously high. As a precaution, we’ve put together a bit of information about what you can do to keep your pet and others you may encounter safe, healthy and happy during the heat of summer.

Take Precautions

If you take your pets on the road with you in summer, don’t plan on leaving them in an uncooled car – not even for a few minutes. Even when you leave the windows cracked, the temperatures can rise quickly. Make sure you can bring your pet in with you wherever you go, or at least have it where you can leave the air conditioner on as well. Bring along some water and your pet’s dish, so you can keep him or her hydrated too.

What to Do If You Encounter a Trapped Pet

If you see a pet that has been left in a hot car, contact the owner immediately. There may not be time to lose. Call the police  if you can’t find him or her.

In California, Bill 797 or “The Right to Rescue Act”, is a new law that is being considered. This legislation would make it legal for you to smash a window to save a pet without fear of facing a civil lawsuit over your actions. That’s a law that all pet lovers can certainly agree with!

Treating a Pet for Heat-Related Ailments

If your pet is overheated or you encounter a pet that has been left in a hot car, it is important to get him or her to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Get the pet out of direct sun and into the shade. In the meantime, do what you can to cool the pet’s body temperature but don’t cool the pet too quickly or hypothermia can occur.

Pet Care Available from Paradise Pet Resorts

As you can see, there is a lot to think about when it comes to keeping pets safe and comfortable in the heat of summer. If you have any other questions, the animal experts at Paradise Pet Resorts would love to help. We are 100% committed to keeping your pets healthy and happy – in summer and all year round!

Our Rohnert Park location has an outdoor swimming pool that will be sure to keep your dog safe from the heat of summer. We offer overnight pet boarding as well as pet day care in both of our locations.

Please contact us with any pet care need or question.

Have a happy and safe summer!