When holidays come around there are people who like to decorate with a theme or color. Take St. Patrick’s Day, which is a great day to wear green. You can dress your dog in a green sweater, if he likes to wear clothes. However, some people may have taken things too far by dyeing their pet’s fur, and it is causing a lot of uproar.

In a news story posted this past January, a 5-pound Maltese mix named Violet in Florida suffered horrific burns after her hair was dyed, according to the article, “Dog nearly dies from severe burns caused by human hair dye,” at WNEM.com.

A Pinellas County animal services team said the dog “was dyed with a purple hair dye that was intended for humans,” according to the article. “As a result, Violet’s eyes were swollen shut, she was limp and listless and she had obvious burns to her skin.” She was given fluids and pain medication. The team “gently washed as much of the chemical dye off as they could before bandaging her up.”

It was not until the team shaved off the dog’s hair that the full extent of the damage was known. The dog’s skin was coming off, and animal services was not sure if she would make it. However, after much hard work, medicine, antibiotics, IV fluids, scab removal and bandage changes “veterinarians say Violet is making a miracle recovery,” the article said, and has since been adopted into a new home.

What happened to Violet is not so out of the ordinary. Apparently dyeing dog fur has become somewhat of a fashion trend, according to the article, “Purple colored dog Fluffy & Manish Arora have outraged the Animal Activists in India I Pet News,” at Petsworld.in. A model has been walking the catwalk with her dog whose hair is dyed, and the model is catching some flak.

“Sadly social media trends are being blindly followed as the new role model in today’s day and age,” the Petsworld.in article said. “Poor dogs are being succumbed to hair dying by the not so discerning pet owners all across the globe.”

In the article, “Dyeing your dog’s hair is a bad idea,” at Cesarsway.com, here are reasons not to dye your dog’s hair:

• Hair dyes are for people, not for pets. “There are no hair dyes specifically made for dogs,” the article said. “Officially, there are no completely safe dyes for animals, period, as there have been no studies to show if there are any long terms effects.”
• The health risks are not worth it as the dye gets all over the dog’s body and can get into eyes, ears, the mouth and can be extremely harmful.
• “Psychologically, a dog cannot process what has been done because it is an extreme and unnatural process that is out of their control,” the article said.

Dogs, and other pets, are beautiful with their fur as is. Love them just the way they are.

Tips on What to Do if You Find a Stray Dog or Cat
Make Sure to Find a Good Vet When You Bring Home a Pet
Disabled Pets Need Love and a Great Home

Tips on What to Do if You Find a Stray Dog or Cat
You’re driving down the road and you spot something out of the corner of your eye. It’s a stray dog or cat. Your stomach is in knots, you are not sure what to do, but you want to help.

It’s not always easy to catch a stray who is scared, hungry and possibly hurt, according to the article, “What To Do When You Find a Stray Dog,” at petMD.com. “Loose dogs who appear to be healthy and willingly approach their rescuers can be leashed and taken to a safe location, but if approaching the dog could put you at risk, it’s best to call your local animal control agency,” the article said.

According to the article, “How to Help a Stray Pet” at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), it’s best to be safe and ensure the stray animal is safe, too. HSUS offers the following tips:

• Be careful and “Don’t cause an accident.” If you see an animal in the rear-view mirror, brake, signal and pull off the road, and then use your hazards.
• Most strays are frightened, so don’t do anything to scare them. Prevent them from darting into traffic.
• Be careful and cautious when approaching.
• Try to “lure them into your car.”
• Call a local animal control agency or the local police for help.
• Check local laws about homeless animals if you decide to bring the animal home.
• Search for an owner first and then think clearly about next steps.

According to the HSUS article, “If you’re uncertain about whether or not to help or keep an animal you see alongside the road, here’s a final word of advice: First, think of what you would want the finder of your animal to do if they happened to find them injured without their collar.”

Make Sure to Find a Good Vet When You Bring Home a Pet
You have a new pet, and one of the most important things you can do is find a veterinarian. What do you look for in a vet and how do you find one?

A good vet “ensures better health for your pet and peace of mind for you,” according to the article, “How to Choose a Veterinarian,” at WebMD.com. Secure a vet early on because “The worst time to look for a vet is when you really need one,” the article said. Don’t wait until an emergency happens.

The article advises to research vets if you need one for a new pet, if you are changing vets, or if you are moving to a new area. The article also offers the following:

• Ask friends or neighbors, and get a reference from someone who cares as much about pets as you do.
• Check credentials by going to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) website, and check the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners website.

According to the article, “How to choose the right veterinarian,” at the AAHA website, animal hospitals that are accredited by the AAHA, “show they are committed to meeting — or exceeding — standards in a variety of different areas (approximately 900 standards, to be exact).”

Those hospitals are ranked very highly and “must prove to a third-party (AAHA) that they consistently provide the safest, highest quality care,” the article said. High standards of care include:

• emergency services
• pain management
• contagious diseases
• surgery and anesthesia

The AAHA article suggests a “get acquainted” meeting. You can ask questions and get a feel for the vet, the facility and staff, and see if it’s a good fit. It’s important to have a good vet and a good relationship to ensure your pet’s good health.

Disabled Pets Need Love and a Great Home
Just like any other pet, there are many animals who have disabilities. You may have seen them in person or on television: the dog with three legs, the kitty with one eye, and the list goes on. These animals also need loving homes.

Oftentimes you would never know that a disabled dog or cat has a disability, as it “detracts little from a pet’s ability to live a normal happy life,” according to the article, “Disabled Dogs & Cats” at Petcentric.com. Puppies and kittens born with a disability don’t know they differ from the others. “The most common pet disabilities are blindness, deafness or loss of one limb,” the article said.

• For blind cats and dogs, there’s not much to do. “Dogs and cats use their senses of smell, hearing and touch to get around,” the article said. Leave things in the same place, and don’t place pets unattended high up on a chair or bed.
• Although dogs and cats typically have great hearing, they can adapt well to deafness, the article said, as they “become more sensitive to vibrations they feel. And like all dogs and cats, they are excellent readers of body language, so communicating with them is not as difficult as you may imagine.”
• Dogs and cats on three legs can do well. It’s important that they are at a “healthy weight.”

There are many products on the market for animals with certain disabilities. According to the article, “10 Ways Handicapped Pets Get Around” at petMD.com, the following products can help:

• Dog and cat wheelchairs
• Body wheels
• Prosthetics
• Hip harnesses
• Body harnesses
• Pet stairs
• Dog ramps

All pets need homes, and the ones that may be slightly “imperfect” tend to make perfectly great family members. They don’t know there’s a problem and neither should you.

When temperatures dip during the winter months, it can get pretty cold, even in Arizona and especially at night. There’s nothing better than a toasty sweater to get warm. From knits and cotton to V-necks and turtlenecks, there’s so many from which to choose. But wait, what about your dog? Does your furry family member need a sweater? How do you know?

There are tons of cute sweaters and coats for dogs. However, does your dog really need one? It really depends on the dog. “If you are concerned about your dog being cold, there is certainly no harm in putting clothing on him,” according to the article, “Do Dogs Need Sweaters in Winter?” at petMD.com. Dogs do have their own “layering system, but some dogs have lighter layers of fur than others, and some are not genetically suited to the environments in which they find themselves transplanted.”

Typically, it’s the smaller dogs, toy breeds and light bodied breeds with short or thin hair that do well with sweaters, the article said. It makes them feel better when they go out for a potty break or when on a walk. It’s even OK for them to wear around the house.

If you’ll be getting a sweater for your dog, the article offers some things to take into consideration:

• Choose material that is washable and doesn’t itch, such as a cotton or acrylic blend.
• Measure your dog for a good fit that is not too tight or too loose.
• Ensure you measure around the neck, the largest part of the chest, and distance from neck to waist. Make sure to leave the lower belly free.
• Make sure the armpit area and neck is not too tight or too loose.
• The sweater should be easy to put on and take off.
• Be careful of parts such as zippers, buttons, tags and hooks that can pose a danger.

For those dogs who are larger and fit for the colder months, sweaters are typically not necessary. For instance, “if you have a healthy, young Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute who’s acclimated to the cold and has the glorious coat common in the Northern breeds, you likely won’t have to invest in canine clothing for walks in the snow,” according to the article, “Do Any Dogs Really Need Sweaters or Coats?” by Dr. Marty Becker, DVM, at Vetstreet.com. Dr. Becker said there are generally three types of dogs who benefit from sweaters or coats:

• Small dogs
• Older dogs or chronically ill dogs or both
• Dogs with a thin body type to include, Greyhounds and Whippets

According to Dr. Becker, these dogs all have a harder time “generating and retaining enough body heat on their own.”

Dogs with arthritis benefit from sweaters and protective clothing making it more easy and comfortable for them. Additionally, according to Dr. Becker, having a coat at home just in case won’t hurt your dog.