Bregman Veterinary Group: October 2017

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Can Cats Get Stuck in Trees

The answer is yes. Cats can get stuck in trees and they can die or become seriously injured in the process of getting down by themselves. A cat’s claws are not designed for descending, they are designed for climbing up; unlike a squirrel who can climb in every direction, a cat needs their head up in order to climb up, and the only way to get back down would be to go backwards.

FUN FACT: The only cat that can climb down a tree head first is the Margay, or Tree Ocelot- a rare cat found in the rainforests of Mexico, Central America, and South America.

So why would a cat climb a tree to begin with? She might be chasing or running from something… She might just be curious! Cats love to climb, and the most danger comes to indoor cats who have less experience. When panicked, a cat will likely continue to climb upwards and this is where the danger comes… A cat can survive for over a week in a tree and even survive a high fall, but if the cat climbs so high they cannot be heard or seen, they could eventually die of starvation, dehydration, or from contact with a predator.

What should you do?

Take immediate action if it is a kitten, declawed, an indoor cat, the animal has been up there for multiple days, the weather forecast is cold, wet, rain, or a storm, you suspect an injury, the animal is wedged, there is chance of attack by an animal.

Keep dogs and excitable children away from the area to prevent the cat from getting nervous and climbing higher. Do your best to keep your pet calm and let them know you are there by calling their name. You could also try tempting them with food or treats. This may encourage them to climb down.

If it is unsafe for you to rescue your pet on your own, you should not wait long to ask for help. Contrary to popular belief, most fire departments do not perform cat rescues. You might try this directory to find a cat rescuer in your area: http://www2.catinatreerescue.com/view/directory.cfm.

If you cannot find help there, you might call a local tree care company for help.

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Keep your Pet Safe this Halloween and Avoid These Dangers!

As fun as Halloween is for people, especially children, it’s actually a pretty dangerous time for pets! Veterinary and emergency centers see a 12% increase in calls during the Halloween holiday. Below are a few tips for keeping your animals safe.

Candy is not for pets.

In fact, a lot of candies can even be lethal your pet, especially dark chocolate. Some other candies that are dangerous include candy corn and other high-sugar candies, candy with wrappers, hard candies, and sugar-free gum. But remember, that all candies are made for humans, not pets, so be sure to keep your candy somewhere pets cannot get to it.

Prepare Trick-or-Treaters!

If your pet does not do well with strangers, consider keeping them in another room if you plan to give out candy. If you do not want to keep your pet away, you might consider leaving a bowl of candy outside with a note that says “Take 1”. Never leave your pet outside on Halloween as this is a big night for “pranksters” and there have been instances of harm caused to pets left out on Halloween.

Black Cats on Halloween are at Greater Risk

Prepare your outdoor cat (especially black cats) a few days before and after Halloween by keeping them inside. Due to their ties to urban-legends like witchcraft, they are at a high risk to cruelty-related incidents during the month of October.

Keep Lit Pumpkins and other Decorations Away from Pets

A pet can catch fire or burn easily near a candle pumpkin or knock it over, causing a fire. Other decorations might be electrical or made of glass that could cause serious injury to your pet.

Think Twice about Costumes

Unless you know your pet will enjoy being dressed in a costume, you may instead consider a festive bandana or collar. Many costumes can be choking hazard or cause discomfort to your pet. Be sure the costume does not restrict their movement, hearing, ability to breathe, or bark/meow and be sure the fabric does not cause irritation.