How to Include Your Pet In Your Wedding

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

It's wedding season!  Are you making plans to include all of your loved ones in your celebration?  Your day wouldn't be complete without your furry friend!

No matter what role your pet will play in your wedding, here are a few ideas to keep in mind to make sure your pet is safe and happy during your festivities.

Weddings Tips:

• Keep Your Pets Personality In Mind - Will your pet be comfortable around the guests at your wedding? Even an outgoing and friendly pet can feel overwhelmed in a crowd of guests.  Make sure that your pet has plenty of time to feel comfortable around your guests.  Consider having someone carry them or letting your pet ride in a wagon.
• Confirm with Your Venue - Not all venues are pet-friendly.  Make sure that your venue is aware that you will be bringing your pet to the ceremony.  If pets aren't allowed, consider having them included in your portraits afterwards or in your engagement photos instead!
• Don't Leave Your Pet Unattended - Have a friend, family member, or handler watch over your pet at all times during the wedding.
• Take Precautions Against Potential Hazards - You don't know what chemicals or plants will be around the wedding grounds.  Make sure that your pet stays away from toxic plants, chocolate, alcohol, and meat with bones during the reception.

Check out this article and this article for more tips on how to safely include your furry friends in your wedding festivities.  You can also contact our office with any questions you have about how to care for your pets health.

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What to Do If Your Pet Has Fleas

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Itchy Pet?  It's flea season!  Unfortunately, warm weather also means that pet owners need to be on the lookout for fleas.  These small dark insects love warm and humid temperatures.  If your pet has fleas, here are a few tips to help get your pet back to being happy and healthy.

How to Treat Fleas:

• Treat All Pets - If just one of your pets is infected with fleas, it's important to treat all of them.  While fleas do not have wings, they do have strong legs that allow them to jump long distances.  It's important that all of your pets are treated for fleas, including both indoor and outdoor pets.
• Clean Your Home - Vacuum your rugs, wash your bedding and clean your upholstery.  This will help get rid of anywhere the fleas might have jumped to.
• Visit Our Office - We can help you determine what flea treatment will be the best option for your pet.  There are topical, liquid shampoos, sprays and powders available on the market.  We will help you determine which prescription will be the safest and most effective option for your pet.

Check out this article for more tips on what to do when you discover your pet has flea.  You can also contact our office with any questions you have about how to care for your pets health.

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Memorial Day Tips for Healthy Pets

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Are you planning to celebrate Memorial Day outdoors this weekend?  These prep tips will help your pets enjoy a happy and healthy Memorial Day BBQ too!

Pet Prep Tips:

• Keep Picnic Baskets Secure - If you are planning a weekend picnic, be sure to keep baskets, coolers, and containers closed.  Many picnic foods - grapes, raisins, candies, mints - are poisonous to pets.
• Avoid Table Scraps - Similarly, you should also avoid giving your pet table scraps. Certain foods like corn on the cob and peach pits can get stuck in the intestines, while BBQ ribs and other meats can have bones that are dangerous for your pet to eat.
• Stay Hydrated and Cool - Memorial Day is often a beautiful, hot day.  Make sure that your pet stays hydrated and has as place to stay cool.  Other than panting and drinking water, pets don't have another means of cooling themselves down - so it's important that you provide them with shade!
• Keep Fireworks Away - While fireworks can put on a beautiful display, they can be terrifying to pets.  The loud noises and bright lights can make your pet nervous enough to jump the fence.  Keep pets indoors and provide them with a safe place to hide from the fireworks.

Check out this article for pet care tips that will help your furry friend stay healthy through the holiday weekend.

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Memorial Day Weekend Travel Tips for Pets

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Are you planning a Memorial Day weekend road trip?  Here are a few safety tips to help make traveling with your pets a breeze!

Road Trip Tips:

• Update Identification - Make sure that your pet is wearing secure and up-to-date ID tags when traveling.  This will ensure that in the unfortunate event your pet does run off while you are traveling, they can be safely returned to you.
• Make Frequent Stops - Make sure that you stop frequently on a long road trip.  This will provide your pet with plenty of opportunities to go to the bathroom and to stretch their legs!  Just make sure that they are always on a leash and wearing a collar.
• Stay Hydrated - Provide your pet with fresh water at each rest stop.  Since traveling can sometimes be tough on your pets stomach, provide them well small amounts of water - like an ice cube.
• Never Leave Your Pet Unattended - Never leave your pet alone in a parked car, no matter what the weather is like outside.  On hot days cars can become a furnace very quickly.
• Keep Pets Secure Inside - While your pet might like to stick his or her head out of the window, it's important that you keep your pet in a crate or with a harness attached to the seat buckle.  When they stick their heads out of the window, they can be injured by flying objects.

Read more about how you can celebrate a pet-friendly Memorial Day here.  You can also contact our office if you have any questions about your pet's health.  Our experienced veterinarians are here to help you with all of your pet health care needs.

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How to Celebrate a Pet-Friendly Memorial Day Weekend

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Are you planning any Memorial Day weekend celebrations?  As you get ready for backyard BBQs and spending time with your friends and family, remember to keep your pet's health in mind.  Here are a few tips to help you celebrate a happy, healthy and pet-friendly Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day Pet Care Tips:

• Keep Pets Indoors - Keeping your pets outside can cause anxiety during a party - especially if there are fireworks!  Your pet will likely feel safer indoors and you'll reduce the risk of your pet feeling frightened and hopping the fence.
• Buy Pet-Friendly Insect Repellent - While your insect repellent might not be toxic to you, it can be toxic to your pet.  Be sure to keep any insect repellent away from your cats and dogs and keep them from licking it off of you.
• Place Alcohol Out-of-Reach - Memorial Day BBQs often involve beer and other alcoholic beverages.  If you are going to be drinking this weekend, be sure to keep all cups out of reach of your pet.  Even a small amount can be dangerous.
• Secure ID Tags - Even if you are keeping your pet indoors during your celebration, be sure that their ID tags are up-to-date and secure.  In the unfortunate event your pet does become afraid and runs away, it is important that he or she is easy to identify.
• Avoid Using Citronella - Oils, candles and other citronella-based insect repellents are toxic to dogs.  Prevent your respiratory problems by keeping your pet away from citronella this weekend.

Read more about how you can celebrate a pet-friendly Memorial Day here.  You can also contact our office if you have any questions about your pet's health.  Our experienced veterinarians are here to help you with all of your pet health care needs.

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How to Introduce Kids to Your Dog

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

While dogs are a loving part of our families, it's important that young children understand how to interact with them safely.  Even a gentle pet can bite if provoked.  Since it's National Dog Bite Prevention Week, here are a few tips to help kids interact safely with pets.

Preventing Dog Bites:

• Avoid Dress Up - While kids love to play dress up, many dogs do not.  Try to discourage kids from dressing up your pet.
• Understand Body Language - Young children can have a hard time understanding a dog's body language.  Teach younger children to be gentle and as they get older teach them to understand different signs of a dog's behavior.
• Know When to Leave Them Alone - Dogs should be left alone when eating and when they are asleep.  There should be places that your pet feels safe.  When you catch your pet by surprise, they might accidentally bite out of defense.

Read more about Dog Bite Prevention Week and how you can teach kids to understand the importance of respecting dogs and avoiding bites on the American Medical Veterinary Association website.

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Tick Prevention Tips for Lyme Disease Awareness Month!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

It's Lyme Disease Awareness Month!  This May, we want to remind pet owners to take precautions against Lyme Disease for both yourself and your pets.  As you start to spend more time outdoors, it's important to keep these safety tips in mind..  

Here are a few tips to help you prevent Lyme Disease this spring and summer.

Lyme Disease Prevention:

• Be Careful on Walks - If you visit the park with your pet, be conscious of heavily wooded areas or places with tall grass.  These areas are popular places for ticks to hide on humid days.  Keep your dog on a leash and keep them out of areas that are heavily populated by ticks.
• Groom Your Pet - Groom your dog daily and check for ticks - especially after spending time outdoors.  This will help keep your dog happy and healthy, while also preventing Lyme Disease.
• Use Safe Tick Repellent - There are many spot-on topical products, sprays and collars that kill and repel ticks.  If you're not sure what tick repellent is best for your pet, contact our office!
• Vaccinate Your Pet - There are vaccines available to help protect your pet against Lyme Disease.  These annual vaccinations are an affordable way to protect your pet against the disease.  Our veterinarians can help you determine if it's the right choice for your dog.

If you do notice a tick on your pet, don't panic!  Read more about Lyme Disease prevention and how you can keep ticks away from your pets here.

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How to Create a Pet-Friendly Garden

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Have you started to think about your spring garden?  Before you head out to buy your flowers, shrubs and vegetable seeds, here are a few tips to help make your garden pet-friendly!

Pet-Friendly Gardening Tips:

• Avoid Toxic Plants - Certain plants might appear to be beautiful, but they can be toxic to your furry friends.  Azaleas, Ivy, and many types of Lilies are toxic to both cats and dogs.  Check to make sure your garden plans don't include any dangerous plants before you head outdoors.
• Choose Sturdy Plants - Plant sturdy perennial grasses or dense edging plants as a buffer zone between your dogs' play area and your flower garden!
• Be Conscious of Your Mulch - Choose your mulch carefully.  Certain types of mulch can be toxic to pets if ingested.  Choose root mulch, wood bark or gravel that is non toxic and easier on tiny paws.
• Fence in Your Garden - Keep your pets and your garden safe by putting a fence around your garden.  Then, your pets will be able to roam free and you don't have to worry about them getting into your vegetable garden!

Check out this article from Gardenista for more pet-friendly gardening tips.

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How Well Do You Know Your Celebrity Pets?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

#FlashbackFriday - There have been many famous pets that have captured our hearts in TV, movies, and even as internet sensations.  While your own furry friend will always hold the #1 spot - which famous pet is your favorite?

Famous Furry Friends:

Lassie - Although Lassie is a fictional character, this famous pet was played by a Rough Collie named Pal in 1943.  Since then, 10 generations of Pal's direct descendants have portrayed Lassie in film and on TV.  This is quite the celebrity dog family!

Toto - Another fictional character, but Toto was played by a female brindle terrier named Terry.  She was paid more than other human actors at $125 per week!

Pluto - Disney fans are no stranger to Mickey Mouse's pet Pluto.  He's one of the most upbeat members of the Disney team. 

Air Bud - Remember the movie Air Bud?  This Disney/Warner Bros film revolves around Buddy the dog who knows how to play basketball.

Garfield - We're all familiar with this cartoon cat.  Garfield is the most popular cartoon cat world-wide!

Grumpy Cat - This internet celebrity is known for her grumpy facial expression.  The permanently grumpy-looking face is actually due to an underbite and feline dwarfism.

Check out this list for more famous pets.

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Image Sources:

Lassie

Pluto

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THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

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