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Food and drink

• Alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, blood acidity, coma and even death. Under no circumstances should your pet be given any alcohol.
• Bones, both cooked and raw, can splinter, leading to dangerous injuries in a pet’s digestive tract. Store-bought treats made for chewing are a safer alternative.
• Chocolate, coffee, and coffee beans all contain substances known as methylxanthines. When ingested by dogs and cats, these substances can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. The darker the chocolate, the more methylxanthines it contains–white chocolate contains the smallest amount of methylxanthines, while baker’s chocolate contains the highest concentration. Cocoa bean mulch also contains methylxanthines. Avoid giving any type of chocolate to your pets.
• Citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons, and limes, contain citric acid and essential oils. While small doses will only result in irritation and an upset stomach, larger doses may result in central nervous system depression.
• Coconut products contain coconut oil, which can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea, due to the high fat content. Coconut water is high in potassium, which may harm your pet.
• Grapes, raisins, and currants can cause kidney failure in dogs. Even grape juice is dangerous for dogs to ingest.
• Onions, garlic and leeks are toxic to dogs and cats. They contain a substance called thiosulphate that damages the red blood cells in your pet’s body and causes them to burst. Ingredients like onion powder and garlic powder also contain this substance. This is one of the many reasons why you should not feed your pet table scraps.
• Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs and cause symptoms like lethargy, vomiting, and difficulty walking.
• Milk and dairy products should not be fed to dogs or cats. Contrary to popular belief, dogs and cats are lactose-intolerant, which means that eating or drinking dairy products can cause upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea.
• Nuts, such as almonds and walnuts, are high in fat, which can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and even pancreatitis in some cases.
• Raw bread dough is very dangerous for animals to ingest, because it expands in the stomach, which blocks blood circulation in the digestive tract. This requires emergency surgery. The yeast in the dough can also produce alcohol in the stomach, leading to severe intoxication and death.
• Raw meat and eggs may contain dangerous bacteria like salmonella and E. coli. Raw eggs contain an enzyme that reduces the absorption of biotin, resulting in coat and skin problems. Although animals in the wild have no problem eating raw food, your pets have been domesticated over thousands of years and their digestive systems are now adapted to eating cooked foods.
• Salty foods can cause excessive thirst, dehydration and even sodium poisoning in pets. Symptoms of sodium poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, high body temperature, seizures and even death. It’s best to avoid giving your pet salty foods like potato chips and pretzels.
• Xylitol is a sugar-free sweetener commonly found in gum, sugar-free candies, toothpaste, and mints. This substance is toxic to dogs and even small amounts can lead to dangerous drops in blood sugar and liver failure.

Drugs

• Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol and other painkillers, is highly toxic for dogs and cats. Even a single tablet can lead to liver damage in dogs and a fatal reaction in cats.
• Prescription drugs, like antidepressants, ADHD medication, and sleep aids, can cause serious harm to your pet. These drugs are often eaten by pets after they’ve been accidentally dropped on the ground.
• Tobacco is toxic to both dogs and cats due to the nicotine content. This also means that e-cigarette juice, nicotine gum, and nicotine patches are also dangerous for dogs and cats. When ingested, it can cause vomiting, tremors, collapse and death.
• Veterinary medicine, such as heart medication, is usually made to be flavorful for your pets. That’s why pets may sometimes get into their medication and eat a large dosage of it. This can be extremely dangerous, so be sure to store your pet’s medication in a safe place where they cannot reach it.

Household products

• Batteries contain caustic substances that can lead to ulcers when chewed on or ingested by dogs and cats.
• Detergents can cause ulcers when ingested by dogs and cats.
• Fabric softener sheets can cause ulcers when ingested or chewed on by dogs and cats.
• Household cleaners, like bleach, ammonia, and clog removers, can cause ulcers and severe poisoning in dogs and cats. Be sure to store your household cleaners in a safe location that your pets can’t access.
• Mothballs are toxic to dogs and cats. They can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and death, especially when they are treated with naphthalene.
• Mouse and rat poison can also cause toxic effects in cats and dogs when ingested. Some of the common ingredients in these poisons will cause internal bleeding when ingested by cats and dogs.

Outdoor products and plants

• Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which tastes sweet to dogs and cats. As little as a teaspoon can cause irreversible kidney failure in dogs and cats.
• Fertilizers may contain poisonous substances like pesticides and herbicides, as well as dangerous amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and zinc. When treating your lawn, make sure that the fertilizer has dried before letting your dogs and cats outside. Some fertilizers require rinsing before your lawn is safe to walk on—check your product packaging to make sure.
• Insecticides can cause vomiting, seizures and difficulty breathing when ingested. Even insecticides found in flea and tick products can cause poisoning when they are not used correctly.
• Jimson weed, also known as datura, stinkweed, and devil’s trumpet, is a plant in the nightshade family that can cause restlessness, stumbling and respiratory failure in cats and dogs.
• Kerosene and gasoline can cause drooling, stumbling, and difficulty breathing in dogs and cats. Be sure to keep lighters and tiki torch fluid in a safe place away from your pets.
• Lilies cause kidney failure in cats. Lily of the valley causes heart failure and death in both dogs and cats.
• Sago palms are poisonous to dogs and cats. They can cause liver failure, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.
• Windshield wiper fluid is poisonous to dogs and cats. It can cause low blood sugar and stumbling.

Other

• Zinc is toxic to dogs and cats and can lead to anemia, kidney failure, liver failure and heart failure. Even consuming a single zinc penny can result in health problems.

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Because every pet has different risk factors based on their lifestyle, breed, age, medical history, and current health, only your veterinarian can tell you which vaccines are the right choice for your pet and how often your pet should be receiving them.

How do vaccines work?

A vaccine contains dead or weakened microorganisms that cause disease, such as bacteria or viruses. All microorganisms, dead or alive, are covered in molecules known as antigens. When a vaccine is injected into the body, the immune system will detect these unfamiliar antigens, which alerts the immune system to an intruder in the body. In response, certain immune cells will begin to produce proteins called antibodies, which can either destroy the pathogen or “tag” it for destruction by other cells in the immune system.

After the immune system destroys a pathogen once, immune cells known as memory cells become trained to recognize the intruder’s antigens if it ever infects the body again. The next time the body becomes infected by the pathogen, these memory cells will quickly recognize the intruder and launch a faster, stronger antibody response, giving the immune system the upper hand.

This is where the importance of vaccines comes in. When the immune system encounters an intruder like this for the first time, it can sometimes take days for it to generate enough antibodies to completely wipe out the infection. In some cases where the infectious microorganism is at full strength, this response will come too late and the infection will prove fatal. By administering vaccines, the immune system is safely trained to mount a strong, timely response to protect the body from dangerous diseases.

Unfortunately, no vaccine is one-hundred percent effective in preventing disease. Even after vaccination, the possibility of contracting a disease still exists–but the risk is much, much lower than prior to the vaccination. This is especially true when all animals in a community are vaccinated, which creates an effect known as herd immunity. So, even if a vaccine isn’t effective on one dog in the neighborhood, if it protects all the other dogs from infection, the chances for disease transmission are still lowered for the unprotected dog.

What vaccines does my pet need?

Core vaccinations are universally recommended vaccinations for dogs and cats. This includes the rabies vaccination for both dogs and cats, vaccinations against distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus for dogs, and vaccinations against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia for cats.

Non-core vaccinations that protect against diseases like kennel cough, Lyme disease, feline leukemia and others may be recommended by your veterinarian based on your pet’s lifestyle, environment, medical history, and other factors.

Should my indoor pet be vaccinated?

If your pet is an indoor animal, it might seem like there’s no chance of them catching an infectious disease. However, pathogens can be transmitted in many ways other than direct contact with an infected animal. For example, your pet sniffing through a screened window could result in the inhalation of an airborne virus. All sorts of pathogens, from parasitic eggs to viruses, can be brought into the house on shoes, shopping bags, backpacks, toys bought from the store… basically, any contact with the outside world brings with it the risk of disease transmission.

Because of this, veterinarians still recommend all the core vaccinations for your indoor pet. However, some of the non-core vaccinations might be unnecessary depending on your pet’s lifestyle. Your veterinarian can further advise you on what vaccines are right for your pet.

Can vaccines hurt my pet?

There can be side effects to the immune response generated by vaccines. Mild symptoms like soreness at the site of vaccination, lethargy, and loss of appetite are the most common side effects. Typically, these symptoms last only a short time after the vaccination. You should contact your veterinarian if you notice these symptoms persisting for more than a few days.

In rare cases, more serious symptoms can result from an allergic reaction to the vaccine. Signs of an allergic reaction will appear within hours of the vaccination. Symptoms include vomiting, swelling, difficulty breathing, itching across the body, and collapse. If you notice these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Cats have a small chance of developing a cancerous tumor at the site of the vaccination, known as a feline injection-site sarcoma (FISS). These tumors can appear at the site of any injection, not just a vaccine. Some vaccines contain substances known as adjuvants, which are used to stimulate the immune system in specific ways. There is evidence that adjuvants heighten the risk of FISS, so non-adjuvanted vaccines are recommended for cats. Research shows that there is about a 0.005% chance of a cat developing FISS after a vaccination. A small lump under the site of the vaccination is usually a normal sign and disappears within one to two weeks. However, if this lump persists after three weeks or begins to grow in size, schedule a veterinary exam for your cat immediately.

That being said, the risk of developing serious complications due to vaccination is much lower than the risks associated with the diseases that these vaccines protect against. The American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the American Humane Association, and the Humane Society of the United States all strongly suggest that you vaccinate your pets as recommended by your veterinarian.

How often should my pet be vaccinated?

All vaccines come with label recommendations from the pharmaceutical manufacturer on how often they should be administered. They range from yearly for some vaccinations, to every three years for others. This recommendation is based on how long the typical dog or cat will maintain an effective immunity in their body between vaccinations–that is, a level of immunity that will allow the dog or cat to successfully fight off an infection.

In recent years, there has been controversy about “over-vaccination” in pets, which has raised concerns that some veterinarians vaccinate pets when the animal doesn’t really need it. It’s true that some vaccinations are given while pets still have a protective immunity against a disease. Unfortunately, modern veterinary medicine does not yet have the technology to determine when the immunity to a certain pathogen will lapse in an individual dog or cat’s body. Performing a test known as an serologic titer (also called an antibody titer) can tell us the concentration of antibodies in a dog or cat’s blood, but this can only reveal two things: whether the pet has ever been vaccinated (the test will show more than zero antibodies) and whether the pet has been recently infected (the test will show antibodies over a certain threshold). Any quantity in-between only tells us that the animal is not currently sick and it has been vaccinated at some point during its life. Even though we can make some assumptions about what concentration could be protective, the status of the immune system depends on much more than just the number of antibodies present in the bloodstream, so a titer test cannot definitively measure how effective a response to infection would be, and it certainly cannot tell us when a pet will be due for re-vaccination.

Due to ethical and legal reasons, most veterinarians will recommend the suggested vaccine schedule for your pet, even if your pet is perfectly healthy and could still have a protective level of immunity in their body. Veterinarians do not want to gamble with your pet’s health, especially when the risk factors associated with vaccines are so rare compared to the harm that can be caused by diseases like distemper or parvovirus (see “Can vaccines hurt my pet?”).

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Periodontal disease refers to inflammation or infection of the tissue that surrounds the tooth. When plaque hardens into tartar and accumulates around the gum line, it can cause inflammation (known as gingivitis) and recession of the gum line. This allows bacteria to spread into the tooth socket, which can create a painful abscess and even organ failure if the bacteria spreads to the blood stream.

Tooth fractures are a dental issue that primarily affects dogs. Most of these fractures occur when dogs chew on objects that are too hard, such as ice cubes, bones, nylon chew toys, antlers, and horse hooves. If the fracture results in exposure of the tooth’s inner pulp, a root canal or extraction might be necessary. In any case, a fracture should always be examined by a veterinarian to make sure that there’s no direct entry into the tooth, which can cause serious complications like blood infections. To reduce the chance of tooth fractures, make sure that chew toys you give to your dog are somewhat “squishy” and bend when compressed.

Cervical neck lesions occur in cats and result from destruction of the tooth’s enamel that causes holes (or cavities) in affected teeth. The exposed part of the tooth, known as a lesion, can be extremely painful. The only humane treatment option is extraction of the tooth.

Common signs of dental disease include difficulty eating food (e.g., picking up hard food, then spitting it out), decreased interest in food and weight loss, bad breath, drooling and bleeding from the mouth, and pawing at the mouth. Tartar build-up, which leads to periodontal diseases, looks like a brown or tan layer below the gum line, possibly covering the whole tooth in serious cases. Sometimes dental disease in our pets might not have any obvious signs; this is another reason why maintaining regular check-ups with your veterinarian is so important.

Between dental examinations and cleanings at the vet, the best way to prevent dental diseases in your pet’s mouth is through brushing their teeth. Brushing their teeth effectively reduces build-up of plaque and tartar, which lowers the risk of periodontal disease occurring. Never use human toothpaste to brush the teeth of your dog or cat—human toothpaste contains ingredients that can cause internal problems in your pet. Instead, use toothpaste that is formulated for pets, and a toothbrush that is designed for your pet’s mouth.

Do not try to use metal instruments like dental picks to attempt to remove plaque or tartar from your pet’s teeth. This can lead to the creation of microscopic scratches on their teeth that will actually lead to plaque forming more quickly, because it becomes lodged in the scratches.

You can also reduce the incidence of dental problems in your pet by feeding them food that is formulated to help reduce the formation of plaque and tartar on their teeth. Other products that are designed to keep your pet’s teeth healthy also exist, like special chew toys for dogs, antibacterial mouthwashes and gels, and even water additives. Ask your veterinarian for more information about these options if your pet is experiencing frequent dental issues.

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Dangerous Decorations

Tinsel, Garlands and Ribbons

Cats love playing with these shiny, stringy decorations. Both cats and dogs are especially attracted to ones that have food on them, like popcorn garlands. These ornaments can become deadly when ingested, because they can obstruct a pet’s intestines, requiring live-saving surgery to remove. You can prevent this from happening by hanging these decorations out of the reach of your pets, or choosing to use other types of decorations that are less dangerous for your pets. We highly recommend that you avoid hanging up garlands and other decorations with food on them all together, because they are entirely too tempting for your pets to leave alone.

Candles 

Many holiday traditions use candles in their celebrations—for example, you can find candles in the menorah used during Hanukkah and the kinara used during Kwanzaa. If you find yourself lighting candles during the holidays, make sure that you do not leave open flames unattended and be mindful to place them out of the reach of curious cats and dogs. Not only can knocking over candles cause serious burns to your pet, but they could also start a destructive house fire.

Ornaments and Displays

Whether they’re bulbs hanging from a tree, or ceramic displays sitting on your counter, these decorations can shatter and cause serious health complications for your pets. Not only can pets accidentally cut themselves on broken glass, plastic, and ceramic decorations, but they can also consume them, causing dangerous conditions like choking, intestinal obstructions, and even internal bleeding. Again, be aware of these concerns when you decorate your home and try to keep decorations out of reach from playful paws. Make sure to secure your decorations as well, so they don’t accidentally fall and create a safety hazard for your pets.

Lights

If you use lights in your holiday displays, such as those on a Christmas tree, there are several risks that you should be aware of. First of all, lights that stay on for long periods of time can heat up to dangerous temperatures, which can burn your pets on contact. Some pets might also be tempted to chew through the cord connecting your lights, which can cause electric shock. The light bulbs can pose a risk if they shatter or are chewed. Avoid hanging lights in the reach of your pets—for example, do not hang them on the lower branches of a Christmas tree, but start higher up. You also may wish to invest in chew-proof extension cords or a bitter spray like Chew Stop that will ward off curious mouths.

Costumes

Dressing up your dog as a reindeer or putting them in a little Santa outfit is incredibly cute–we’re not going to argue with that! But some outfits can pose a health hazard to your pets, even if they’re marketed as being pet-safe. When buying seasonal outfits for your pet, make sure that they are not too tight around the chest or neck, that your pet can comfortably breathe in them, that they can easily be released or torn case they become caught on something (like break-away collars), and that they don’t have small parts like buttons or ribbons that your pet and tear off and eat.

Unsafe Foods

Chocolate

This sweet treat is highly toxic to both dogs and cats because of a substance found in the cocoa (or cacao) bean, which chocolate is made from. Avoid leaving chocolate in the reach of your pets. Even if the chocolate is still in its wrapper, with their sensitive noses, cats and dogs will be tempted by the smell. If your pet ingests chocolate, seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible. Symptoms include restlessness, vomiting, elevated heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures, and collapse.

Poultry bones

Chicken and turkey bones are hollow and splinter easily. This means they can get lodged in a pet’s gastro-intestinal tract and even cause tearing throughout the stomach and intestines. Because of this, we emphasize that you should not give your pet poultry bones under any circumstances. Rawhides and other bones sold at the pet store are a safe alternative if you want to give your dog a special treat over the holidays.

Fatty foods and seasoning

Fatty foods like gravy and turkey skins can cause stomach irritation and diarrhea when eaten by cats and dogs. In some cases, this can escalate to a condition known as pancreatitis, which requires hospitalization. Seasoned foods can also irritate your pet’s stomach. Because of this, we suggest that you avoid feeding your pets table scraps all together.

Alcohol

Do not give your pets alcohol. According to the ASPCA, “Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.”

Dough

Any type of dough containing yeast is unsafe for animals, because the dough can rise and release gas when eaten. This can result in their stomachs or intestines rupturing–a life-threatening condition. Do not feed these to your pets under any circumstances.

Grapes, raisins, and macadamia nuts

These treats are healthy for humans, but quite dangerous for animals. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in pets, while macadamia nuts damage the nervous system and muscles. Keep any cornucopia or fruit and nut bowls out of reach from your pets to avoid any accidental ingestion.

Sweets

There is an artificial sweetener known as xylitol that you can find in breath mints, candies, and gum. Xylitol is highly toxic for dogs and can cause death in as little as thirty minutes when eaten. Because of this, you should take precautions to place any candy dishes or candy canes out of the reach of your canine companions. If you think your pet has consumed xylitol, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Symptoms include weakness, lethargy, collapse, vomiting, tremors, seizures, and coma.

Perilous Plants

Holly

When ingested, the toxic red berries and spiny leaves on this seasonal plant cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and lethargy in both dogs and cats. If you think your pet has eaten holly, contact your veterinarian for treatment recommendations.

Mistletoe

Toxicity from this plant can range from mild to severe depending on the amount that has been consumed. Both dogs and cats will suffer from stomach irritation in small amounts and abnormal heart rate, seizures, collapse, and even death when large amounts have been eaten. If your pet has eaten mistletoe, contact your veterinarian immediately for a consultation. They will let you know what actions you should take depending on the symptoms.

Poinsettia

This plant is mildly toxic to dogs and cats. It can cause vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea when eaten, and skin irritation if your pet is exposed to the sap. Generally, exposure to the poinsettia plant does not require immediate medical attention. That being said, it’s still not a pleasant experience for your pets, so you should keep these plants out of the reach of curious snouts.

Christmas trees

Pine needles are not poisonous, but they can puncture your pet’s gastro-intestinal tract. Make sure that you tidy up any pine needles that might fall around your Christmas tree to avoid an emergency trip to the veterinarian. You should also be aware that Christmas tree water is toxic for pets. Not only does it contain poisonous fertilizers, but it’s also a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria that can cause your pet to become seriously ill. Try to block access to the water at the base of your tree by covering it with some sort of barrier, like a tarp.

Lilies

These plants are highly toxic to cats. Even eating one or two petals can be potentially fatal for cats, because it can cause severe kidney failure. If you think your cat has ingested a piece of a lily plant, immediately rush your cat to a veterinarian for emergency medical care.

Amaryllis

This lovely red flowering plant is moderately toxic for dogs and cats. It can cause drooling, vomiting, low blood pressure, and respiratory distress if the flowers, stems, or bulbs are eaten. If you think your pet has consumed amaryllis, contact your veterinarian for a treatment recommendation.

Daffodils

Ingestion of the bulb, stems, leaves, or flowers of the daffodil can cause mild to moderate symptoms in both dogs and cats. Symptoms include vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, cardiac arrhythmias, and respiratory depression. If you suspect your pet has eaten any part of a daffodil, contact your veterinarian for a treatment recommendation.

Alarming Noises

The last aspect of holiday safety that we’re going to touch upon concerns loud noises. Fireworks, party poppers, music, and even crowds of people can cause a great deal of stress for some animals. Your pet cannot control their reaction to these loud noises, but there are some precautions you can take to reduce their stress and improve their comfort during the holidays.

If you plan on hosting a holiday party, set aside a room for your pet that guests will not intrude upon. Furnish this quiet, familiar place with a blanket, bed, or crate and a bowl of water for their comfort. Consider leaving on a fan or recording of white noise to block startling sounds. Designing a comfort-zone like this is also an excellent precaution to take for pets that are scared of fireworks and party poppers.

If you expect fireworks or party poppers to make an appearance during your celebrations, make sure your pet is safely inside your home. Not only can the noise from these items damage your pet’s sensitive hearing, but they can also cause your pet to flee from terror—in fact, shelters experience an influx of lost pets every year around New Years and the Fourth of July because of this.

Consider taking your pet out for a long walk or giving them a vigorous play session to tire them out before the festivities begin. If you pet is tired, they will also be less anxious. Never give your pets sleeping aids or sedatives to calm them down, unless they have been directly prescribed by your veterinarian for that purpose.

Remember that you should never punish your animals for being stressed out—they can’t help it, and it will only make their fear worse for next time. Instead, comfort your animals when they are stressed. Pet them, speak softly to them, and provide them with treats if they have an appetite. This will teach them that there’s nothing to fear about parties or fireworks, and greatly reduce their anxiety.

We hope this guide has given you some useful strategies to protect your pets during this festive season. Happy Holidays!

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Most animals don’t metabolize or break down drugs in the same way that humans do. As a result, something that’s safe for humans to ingest can lead to toxicity or death in animals. Acetaminophen is one of those cases. For dogs, a toxic dose is 45 milligrams of acetaminophen per pound of body weight, while the toxic dose for cats is smaller at 22 milligrams per pound of body weight. This means that consuming a single tablet of Tylenol, which contains 325 milligrams of acetaminophen, would be fatal for the average cat or small dog if medical attention is not sought immediately.

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What is a microchip?

A microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. The microchip itself does not have a battery—it is activated by a scanner that is passed over the area, and the radiowaves put out by the scanner activate the chip. The chip transmits the identification number to the scanner, which displays the number on the screen. The microchip itself is also called a transponder.

How is a microchip implanted into an animal? Is it painful? Does it require surgery or anesthesia?

It is injected under the skin using a hypodermic needle. It is no more painful than a typical injection, although the needle is slightly larger than those used for injection. No surgery or anesthesia is required—a microchip can be implanted during a routine veterinary office visit. If your pet is already under anesthesia for a procedure, such as neutering or spaying, the microchip can often be implanted while they’re still under anesthesia.

What kind of information is contained in the microchip? Is there a tracking device in it? Will it store my pet’s medical information?

The microchips presently used in pets only contain identification numbers. No, the microchip is not a GPS device and cannot track your animal if it gets lost. Although the present technology microchip itself does not contain your pet’s medical information, some microchip registration databases will allow you to store that information in the database for quick reference.

Why should I have my animals microchipped?

The best reason to have your animals microchipped is the improved chance that you’ll get your animal back if it becomes lost or stolen.

How does a microchip help reunite a lost animal with its owner?

When an animal is found and taken to a shelter or veterinary clinic, one of the first things they do is scan the animal for a microchip. If they find a microchip, and if the microchip registry has accurate information, they can quickly find the animal’s owner.

Will a microchip really make it more likely for me to get my pet back if it is lost?

Definitely! A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9% of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2% of the time. Cats without microchips were reunited with their owners only 1.8% of the time, whereas microchipped cats went back home 38.5% of the time. (Lord et al, JAVMA, July 15, 2009) For microchipped animals that weren’t returned to their owners, most of the time it was due to incorrect owner information (or no owner information) in the microchip registry database – so don’t forget to register and keep your information updated.

Does a microchip replace identification tags and rabies tags?

Absolutely not. Microchips are great for permanent identification that is tamper-proof, but nothing replaces a collar with up-to-date identification tags. If a pet is wearing a collar with tags when it’s lost, it’s often a very quick process to read the tag and contact the owner; however, the information on the tags needs to be accurate and up-to-date. But if a pet is not wearing a collar and tags, or if the collar is lost or removed, then the presence of a microchip might be the only way the pet’s owner can be found.

Your pet’s rabies tag should always be on its collar, so people can quickly see that your pet has been vaccinated for this deadly disease. Rabies tag numbers also allow tracing of animals and identification of a lost animal’s owner, but it can be hard to have a rabies number traced after veterinary clinics or county offices are closed for the day. The microchip databases are online or telephone-accessed databases, and are available 24/7/365.

I want to get my animal(s) microchipped. Where do I go?

To your veterinarian, of course! Most veterinary clinics keep microchips on hand; so, it is likely that your pet can be implanted with a microchip the same day as your appointment. Sometimes local shelters or businesses will host a microchipping event, too.

I just adopted a pet from the animal shelter. Is it microchipped? How can I find out?

If the shelter scanned the animal, they should be able to tell you if it is microchipped. Some shelters implant microchips into every animal they adopt out, so check with the shelter and find out your new pet’s microchip number so you can get it registered in your name.

Most veterinary clinics have microchip scanners, and your veterinarian can scan your new pet for a microchip when you take your new pet for its veterinary checkup. Microchips show up on radiographs (x-rays), so that’s another way to look for one.

Why can’t I just buy the microchip and implant it myself?

It looks like a simple-enough procedure to implant a microchip – after all, it’s just like giving an injection, right? Well, yes and no. Although it looks like a simple injection, it is very important that the microchip is implanted properly. Using too much force, placing the needle too deeply, or placing it in the wrong location can not only make it difficult to detect or read the microchip in the future, but it can also cause life-threatening problems. Microchips should really be implanted under supervision by a veterinarian, because veterinarians know where the microchips should be placed, know how to place them, and know how to recognize the signs of a problem and treat one if it occurs.

Once the microchip has been implanted, what do I do? Is there any sort of maintenance needed?

Once your pet is microchipped, there are only three things you need to do: 1) make sure the microchip is registered; 2) ask your veterinarian to scan your pet’s microchip at least once per year to make sure the microchip is still functioning and can be detected; and 3) keep your registration information up-to-date.  If you notice any abnormalities at the site where the microchip was implanted, such as drainage (oozing) or swelling, contact your veterinarian. Ideally, the microchip should be scanned during your animal’s regular wellness/preventive care exams to make sure that it’s still in place and working as it should.

If you’ve moved, or if any of your information (especially your phone number) has changed, make sure you update your microchip registration in the manufacturer’s database as soon as possible.

What are some of the problems associated with microchips? How common are they?

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) maintains a database of adverse reactions to microchips. Since the database was started in 1996, over 4 million animals have been microchipped and only 391 adverse reactions have been reported. Of these reactions, migration of the microchip from its original implantation site is the most common problem reported. Other problems, such as failure of the microchip, hair loss, infection, swelling, and tumor formation, were reported in much lower numbers. For a chart summarizing the BSAVA reports, read the AVMA’s literature review on Microchipping of Animals.

Why are microchips sometimes not found?

As with almost anything, it’s not a foolproof system. Although it’s very rare, microchips can fail and become unable to be detected by a scanner. Problems with the scanners are also not common, but can occur. Human error, such as improper scanning technique or incomplete scanning of an animal, can also lead to failure to detect a microchip.

Some of the animal-related factors that can make it difficult to detect a microchip include the following: animals that won’t stay still or struggle too much while being scanned; the presence of long, matted hair at or near the microchip implantation site; excessive fat deposits in the region of implantation; and a metal collar (or a collar with a lot of metal on it). All of these can interfere with the scanning and detection of the microchip.

See our literature review for guidelines on scanning procedures to reduce the chances of missing a microchip.

Do the benefits of microchipping outweigh the risks? 

The benefits of microchipping animals definitely outweigh the risks. Although we can’t guarantee that a shelter or veterinary clinic will always be able to read every microchip, the risk that this will happen is very low, and getting even lower. Animal shelters and veterinary clinics are very aware of the concerns about missing an implanted microchip, and take extra measures to determine if a microchip is present before a decision is made to euthanize or adopt out the animal. Universal scanners are becoming more available, and solve the challenge of detecting different microchip frequencies. Although the presence of a microchip is not a 100% guarantee that you will get your pet back if it’s lost or stolen, it does dramatically increase the chances you will be reunited with your pet…as long as you keep the registration information up to date.

Towne Center Animal Hospital is fully-equipped for implanting microchips and scanning for them. If you have any questions about the microchipping procedure or would like to schedule an appointment for your pets, please feel free to contact us for more information.

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High-Rise Syndrome refers to the injuries that cats sustain as a result of falling from high places, such as a window or a balcony. Although cats appear to be nimble and constantly aware of their surroundings, they are still prone to accidents, especially when they see something that grabs their attention and triggers their hunting instinct. Sometimes, cats can lose track of their position while sleeping and tumble off their perch. If they were sleeping on a slippery surface, like plastic, metal, or stone, they might not be able to pull themselves up.

Cats can sustain critical injuries from falls as short as one or two stories. In fact, shorter falls can be more dangerous because the cat doesn’t have time to adjust its body for the landing. When given enough time, cats will reflexively right their bodies and relax their limbs during a fall to reduce trauma upon landing. They also spread apart their limbs to reduce their terminal velocity, similar to what a flying squirrel does. This means that Feline High-Rise Syndrome has a good survival rate–90% if the cat receives proper medical attention immediately after the incident. Cats have been known to survive falls from over twenty stories up. One lucky cat even survived a fall of forty-six stories!

Cat owners can take some simple precautions to drastically reduce the chances of High-Rise Syndrome affecting their beloved pets:

• Make sure your windows have secure, well-fitted screens installed. Test your screens to make sure they can take the weight of your cat leaning on them.
• Train your cat so they don’t jump on screens or try to climb them. Using a spray bottle to dissuade your cat is a humane way of preventing these dangerous behaviors.
• Try to open the top portions of windows rather than the bottom portions, when possible.
• If your balcony is not enclosed by a screen, it’s best to avoid letting your cat go out there.
• Before you turn on something that makes a loud noise (for example, a blender), close your windows so your cat does not startle and accidentally fall.

If your cat suffers from a fall, remember that you should take them to a veterinarian immediately. Even if your cat appears to be fine, they may have sustained serious internal injuries that are not outwardly visible. Combined with the fact that cats hide their pain very convincingly, they might look OK even when they need immediate care. At the same time, never assume that your cat did not survive a fall. As previously mentioned, cats have been known to survive falls that are over twenty stories high when they receive medical attention as soon as possible.

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Regularly examine your pet 

We know you’re not a trained veterinarian, so don’t worry–the examination you’ll be giving won’t involve any complicated techniques or equipment. In reality, “examining your pet” just means paying attention to your pet and noticing any changes in their behavior or body. This can mean actively observing your pet and their habits (for example, is Fluffy regularly drinking water and using the bathroom?), as well as looking over their body to make sure they don’t have any signs of abnormalities, like redness, tenderness, bumps and lumps, patches of missing fur, or flaky skin. Brushing your pet regularly is a good way to get into the habit of examining your pet.

Bring your pet to annual wellness exams

Even if you’ve been keeping an eye on your pet and they’ve been acting normally, we still recommend that you bring them in for an annual wellness exam. During this exam, Dr. Z and his team can catch anything that you may have missed using their hands-on diagnostic training and equipment. The annual wellness exam also gives us the opportunity to administer any vaccines or preventative treatments that Dr. Z recommends for your pet, which brings us to our next point.

Keep your pet’s vaccines and preventative treatments up-to-date

There are a lot of critters out there–microscopic critters, to be exact–that can harm your pets. From ticks to viruses, there are all manner of parasitic organisms and microbes that can have serious implications for your pet’s health, even if your pet is an indoor-only animal. Regular vaccination prevents infectious viruses from preying on your pet, while preventative flea, tick and heartworm treatments essentially create a barrier against parasites in your pet. Preventative treatment is especially important for heartworms, because they are very difficult to treat in dogs and cannot be treated in cats, making them extremely deadly. We recommend that both dogs and cats begin their schedule of vaccinations and preventative treatments at about 8 weeks of age, at the doctor’s discretion. Vaccinations are given yearly to maintain immunity, while heartworm, tick and flea prevention should be administered monthly.

Do you have questions about vaccination and what it means for your pet? Read more about vaccines for dogs and cats here.

Stay educated on the basics of pet health

Did you know that feeding cats only dry food can cause health problems? Did you know that tomatoes (especially green tomatoes) are poisonous to dogs? There are a lot of little tidbits of knowledge in animal health that could one day impact your pet, so it’s a good idea to stay educated on pet health. We’ve provided multiple resources in our Pet Health section to help guide our clients in the basics of dog and cat care. If you have any other concerns, we welcome you to schedule a visit for a consultation so that we can provide you with the answers you need.

As long as you follow these four steps, you’ll be engaging in preventative care–yes, it’s that easy! To help you in your pet health journey, we will be regularly updating our Sanford Veterinarian Blog with useful information about pet health, behavior, and care. If you’re someone who prefers getting their information through a newsfeed, we recommend that you follow our blog via Facebook and Twitter, where our updates are reposted. Thanks for reading!

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