I’m an inside cat but sometimes I get to go out on the patio with my people. I have to be supervised. That’s what they say. I love all the flowers and plants out there, but they fuss at me whenever I try to nab a bite. They say some plants are poisonous, but how do I know which are good and which are bad? They know I don’t always remember the rules so maybe they should get rid of the poisonous plants?
Waldo
Dear Waldo,
Keep in mind that your humans buy plants because they are beautiful on the patio or in the yard, and they do supervise you so you won’t get into trouble. Sometimes severe weather conditions can cause humans to bring outside plants inside. They are usually under some stress when that happens and might forget about the seriousness of exposing you to plants dangerous to your health.
Campaign for CATNIP! When it shows up as a “special treat” on the patio, make sure to show a great deal of appreciation. Don’t hold back on silly antics that make them laugh. Cuddle up to them and show off your loving nature. That should guarantee a steady supply of catnip and then you must leave the other plants alone. And do not forget!
Several sites on the internet provide lists of poisonous plants. There are a few variations, but when in doubt, just stay away. Some plants on the list that are common in or area are:
• Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)
• Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)
• English Ivy (Hedera helix L.)
• Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea L.)
• Hyacinth (Hyacinth orientalis)
• Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
• Oleander (Nerium oleander L.)
• Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
• Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.)
• Tulip (Tulipa spp.)
Go to Library UIUC Education for an extensive list of plants.
Some of the common symptoms of plant poisoning are loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, pale tongue or gums, swollen tongue, abdominal pain, or worse yet, convulsions. When in doubt, your people should call your veterinarian with as many details and suspicions as possible. They must remain calm and coherent, lest the vet will suspect they have also chewed on a few plants.
As a back up, cut this out and stick it on the refrigerator door:
The Animal Poison Control Center is a unique, emergency hotline providing 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week telephone assistance to veterinarians and animal owners. There is a $50 consultation fee paid by the animal owner, veterinarian or product manufacturer.
Animal Poison Control Center 1-888-426-4435
Your safest plan is to confine your dining to only substances put lovingly into your very own food bowl.
Your friend,
Fisher
Dear Fisher,
I love summertime and the road trips I take with my family, but sometimes I cause a few problems for them and I need advice. It’s the same routine every time. We are all excited about the trip. Usually I am the one bouncing up and down and getting the most excited. I am in and out of the house “supervising” the packing of the car and making sure there is no chance I get left behind. I get more pets and scratches because I am pretty much in the way and they don’t seem to care. I love that!
Then, about three or four hours into the trip, it happens. All of a sudden my stomach just turns and “oops and AAAAAAARRF” and now I made a mess in the back seat. I never have this problem on our short trips. What can I do?
Goofy
Dear Goofy,
Thanks to the remarkable description of your problem, I can fully understand your concern. The solution is really quite simple, but you will have to get your family in on it.
It is very common for humans to overcompensate for any possible missed meal times you may encounter while traveling long distances. They only want the best for you – whether you ask for it or not. Their solution is usually to load you up with an extra big breakfast just before that early break away out of town. This process naturally disrupts your own normal intake and output, if you know what I mean. The timing and the excitement add to the problem, although those should not be changed.
Somehow you will need to refrain from eating up everything they put in front of you and concentrate more on preparing for your trip. Here are a few suggestions:
• Check directly with the hotel you are staying at to make sure they accept pets.
• Also check on Emergency Veterinary Clinics in the area to which you are headed.
• Make sure you have all the required vaccinations and take your papers!
• Make arrangements for car travel safety, i.e. sudden stop protection.
• Never EVER let anyone leave you alone in a hot car!
Find out more great information at Pets Welcome. They have lots of ideas on travel and lodging.
Remember now - just a small snack plus all the excitement is plenty to get you through at least the first four hours. Your people will definitely get more involved with your plan when they see the remarkable difference in the back seat.
Your friend,
Fisher
published in tbt Tampa Bay Out There weekend edition
Dear Fisher,
I’m a pretty big dog, and I love to go for car rides. But, now, they are teaching me new rules. I have to keep my head inside the window and I have to sit in the back seat. How can I make them go back to the old habits?
Lou
Dear Lou,
Your humans are absolutely right to change the rules – it is for your own safety. Let’s start with the basics. When you are riding along with your head out of the window, the danger of debris in the air can cause a lot of harm to your eyes and even your ears. Anything that is in the air is going to hit you at the speed the vehicle is moving. Imagine, a small twig aimed at your eye at 50 miles an hour! Riding in the back of a pick-up truck or in a convertible is even more dangerous. Showing the whites of your eyes and looking cute as a ploy to get your humans to give you what you want will not work if your eyes are badly damaged, or even poked out! So, do not feel foolish when the car pulled up next to you sports a little fluffy dog who laughs at you and your confinement.
A small speck of dust or a miniscule bug flying through the air at high speed could cause a serious eye infection. If your folks allow you to stick your head out there, they need to diligently monitor you for any redness, tearing, or any changes to your eyes. If that happens, they should get you to the vet as soon as possible!
Of course it is tough to learn new rules, but the safety for you and your people is important. It is widely known that the safest place for a pet is in the back seat of the car. A sudden stop, or an accident, could throw you right through the front window. Or, if you happened to slip off the front seat and start to tumble, you could fall under the steering wheel, right on top of the gas pedal or get mixed up with the brakes. Even an air bag going off could do a lot of damage. Now there’s an accident waiting to happen!
Our friends at PAW, The Partnership for Animal Welfare, have published an extensive list of good tips for dog car safety:
- * Make sure your collar cannot slip off when entering or exiting the car and keep your I.D.. tag with an easily accessible number, such as your cell phone number, attached to it.
* Airbags can pose hazards to smaller people and pets.
* An unrestrained pet can interfere with driving and become a hazardous projectile in the event of an accident or sudden stop. Your could injure a passenger or even knock out the driver!
* Crates or sturdy pet carriers are an ideal way to restrain pets in cars, and should be secured, or, install a pet barrier to keep pets in the back seat.
* Keep just a small window space open - dogs can make themselves very skinny in order to escape through a window, even in a moving vehicle.
* Secure the dog so that he cannot hit buttons for electric windows, adjustable mirrors, etc. There goes your fun and games!
So, I guess I can’t help you get things back to the old ways, but I sure can give you some things to think about. Humans take great care to keep their little kids in car seats and obey all sorts of auto safety laws. Doesn’t it make you feel pretty good to know you are just as important?
Your friend,
Fisher
