A claim recently rolled in for a dog who was poisoned by the Sago Palm (The claim was paid, by the way). This inspired a reminder to all pet owners that the Sago Palm and many other common plants are extremely toxic to pets when ingested.

The Sago Palm is particularly toxic to pets causing vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and leads to liver failure. An estimated 75% of animals die from ingestion of any part of the plant despite medical treatment.

Other poisonous plants include (but are not limited to*):

• Amaryllis: Causes vomiting, depression, drooling, and tremors
• Azalea: Causes abdominal pain and irritation, vomiting, and severe cases lead to coma and death
• Castor Bean: Highly toxic, causing drooling, thirst, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, convulsions and coma
• Chrysanthemum: Causes drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, can lead to loss of coordination
• English Ivy: Highly toxic, causing vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing, and can lead to coma and death
• Lilies: Highly toxic to cats, can cause kidney damage
• Oleander: Highly toxic, causing stomach irritation, cardiac problems, and can lead to death
• Rhubarb: Moderately toxic, causing breathing difficulties, weakness, diarrhea, and can lead to death
• Tulip bulbs: Causes stomach irritation, drooling, anorexia, and convulsions
• Yew: Highly toxic, causing breathing and cardiac problems, weakness, stomach irritation and can cause sudden death

Be sure to take all the correct safety precautions in your garden, especially if your pet is a chewer! Though Trupanion can help you pay for the $1073.22 vet bill for Sago Palm toxicity, it’s best to prevent these illnesses in the first place and keep your pet’s life out of harm’s way.

*Read the complete list of toxic plants.

With summertime in full swing, it’s time to get out there and take advantage of it. Here are some ideas for activities to do with your furry companion.

1.       Be social! Your dog, that is. Take your pup to a dog park; it’s cheap entertainment for your dog and also a great way to keep him socialized. Visit www.dogparkusa.com to find local parks.

2.       Explore the terrain. Take your dog on a hike. Hiking is a great way to get in touch with nature and is both mentally and physically stimulating for your dog. Check out www.trails.com for hiking trails in your area.

3.       Take an outdoor vacation with your pet. Camping is a fun summertime adventure on which you can get away for a few days and bring your pet. Explore the wilderness and lay beneath the stars with your pet by your side.

4.       Stay local. Go on a walk or jog with your pet around the neighborhood. It helps with their orientation in case they get lost. Enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise!

5.       Fetching! Whether it’s a fancy Frisbee or a tattered tennis ball, a nice game of fetch is a fun, anytime activity that you can do just about anywhere that has open space.

6.       Go for a bike ride and bring your dog. Biking will give your pet a nice jog without over-exerting yourself if you’re not up for a run. Of course, be safe and don’t make a dog run farther or faster than he is able.

7.       Jump in the water. Water sports like fetching or swimming are good for cooling a hot dog in the summer heat. Don’t forget to bring a pet life preserver if you’re taking your pet out on a boat.

8.       Dine out. The trend for pet-friendly dining is really catching on. Many establishments offer outdoor seating so your pet can join you. Find a local restaurant at Dog Friendly and take the whole family. Be sure to feed your dog before going out, or bring treats along and be courteous of others by keeping your dog out of the way of servers and other diners.

9.       The cat’s meow. You can include your cat in the action, too. Some cats will allow you to leash them, while others might be more suited to some backyard exploring. After all, cats deserve outside playtime too. Be sure to supervise cats that aren’t accustomed to the outdoors.

10.   Take a nap! Pets know the value of a good nap, and they make great snuggle buddies. Cuddle up under the sun on a warm day for an afternoon nap. Just make sure it’s not too hot out for your pet.

As with all activities, be sure to provide your pet with plenty of water and resting time. Consult your veterinarian before starting a serious workout program with pets that are older, injured or have other medical problems. The best time to exercise your pet outside is during the cool of the morning or in the evening after the heat of the day to avoid heatstroke. Stay safe and enjoy the summertime!

From the folks at Trupanion pet insurance, we thank you for visiting our blog and being a part of the community.  It is our goal to educate pet owners everywhere about the importance of pet care, positive pet parenting, pet safety, and the many advantages of Trupanion pet insurance. Thanks again for visiting our blog and remember to protect your pet and yourself with Trupanion pet insurance.

• Dogs can only cool down by panting and sweating on their paw pads. To help cool an overheated animal, provide cool drinking water, apply ice packs to the head and neck, or give the dog a lukewarm (not cold) water bath.
• Never leave your pet in a parked car. Even if the windows have been left open, temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes. Learn more at mydogiscool.com
• Salivation, excessive panting and vomiting can be a sign of heatstroke which can cause brain damage and even death. Remember that your furry friend doesn’t get to take off his coat when he gets too hot!

• Make sure to provide your pet with lots of cold, fresh water when headed outside with your pet or leaving him out on a hot day. Make sure he has a nice shady spot or bring your pet inside when temperatures are high. 
• Try to keep walks and playtimes to early mornings and evenings and not during the heat of the day. High temperatures can heat up your dog’s body very quickly and hot asphalt can burn paw pads.
• If your pet is accompanying you to the beach, make sure he has plenty of fresh water and shade. Water play is fun, but give your dog a good, clean rinse after swimming in salty water.
• Don’t use sunscreen or bug repellents on your pet that aren’t labeled for animal use. Ingesting these products can cause harmful side effects to your pet such as diarrhea, drooling, and lethargy.
• Watch out for fleas and ticks! A good flea and tick control medication is especially important during the summer. They don’t just bug our dogs, these parasites can also be dangerous to humans.

From the folks at Trupanion pet insurance, we thank you for visiting our blog and being a part of the community.  It is our goal to educate pet owners everywhere about the importance of pet care, positive pet parenting, pet safety, and the many advantages of Trupanion pet insurance. Thanks again for visiting our blog and remember to protect your pet and yourself with Trupanion pet insurance.