April is National Pet First Aid Awareness month and I have been teaching, writing and developing curriculum for Pet First Aid & CPR Classes for more than 20 years, so this is the PURRfect time to get off on the right paw and refresh your skills or learn for the first time how to rescue Rover or help Fluffy feel better when they need you most! Even before you attend a Pet First-Aid & CPR Class, there are 5 things you should do…
- Know where your nearest Animal ER is located, and learn the shortest route including after-hours entrance, services offered and what types of payment are accepted. Never miss annual veterinary exams where problems can be uncovered at their earliest stages.
- Do a weekly Head-to-Tail Check-up of your pet; familiarize yourself with your dog or cat’s body and habits so that you can more quickly determine when something is not quite right. Feel for lumps and bumps, parasites and burrs, anything that should not be there. Notice what your dog or cat looks like when he sits and stands. How often you refill the water bowl and how often your pet answers nature’s call?
- Get down on all fours and examine your house and yard from your pet’s perspective. Anything on the floor is fair game and an animal’s sense of smell can find hidden temptations behind cabinet doors. Cleaners and fertilizers not absorbed through paw pads will be ingested when your dog or cat grooms himself, so keep items out of paws reach and use pet friendly chemicals.
- Read your pet’s food label. The first 3-5 items listed are the bulk of your pet’s diet. Make sure the first one is a high-quality protein — the name of the animal in the food (ie: chicken, lamb, salmon, or venison). Limit or avoid wheat, corn and soy which can cause allergic reactions. Can’t pronounce it? Your pet probably doesn’t need it. Feeding the right food just may prevent illness. Educate yourself as to which human foods are cat and dog safe.
- Spend quality time together. That’s why pets are part of the family, so when you walk the dog, don’t talk on your cell phone or text. Tune in to kitty rather than mindlessly petting her. Be in the now and keep your eyes open to your pet’s environment to avoid disasters.
To do the best you can for your furry family members, enroll in a Pet First Aid & CPR class today to learn how to help your dog or cat needs you most!
