December 8, 2025

Quick Tips for a Hap-Hap-Happy Holiday

Holidays are a delightful change of pace, with their own special decorations and foods. As you’re changing up your family’s routines, keep these simple tips in mind to make your home a safe environment for your pets.

Holiday No-No Foods

These foods are toxic for our cats and dogs. Don’t feed any of these items to your pets, and remind your guests to ask before feeding your pets anything.

• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Bones
• Onions/garlic
• Grapes/raisins
• Candy (some kinds are toxic, but all candy is unhealthy for your pet)

Poisonous Plants

Real plants are beautiful, but many of them are also toxic if ingested. Here are four common Christmas plants that you should substitute with artificial alternatives:

• Poinsettias
• Holly
• Mistletoe
• Lilies

Decoration Safety

Who doesn’t love a festive Christmas tree? Well, sometimes your cat or dog might love it too much. Keep these decoration safety tips in mind:

• Do not use salt dough ornaments
• If enjoying a real tree, cover the tree stand to prevent pets from drinking the water
• Regularly sweep up pine needles, which can cause GI upset if ingested
• Avoid using tinsel. It can get caught in your pet’s intestines, which is a dangerous emergency
• Place ornaments on higher branches, out of your pet’s reach

Another health tip for the holidays is keeping your pet up-to-date on their check-ups. If it’s been awhile since your cat or dog has been in for a wellness visit, contact us.

July 7, 2025

What You Do Today Will Help You Find a Future Lost Pet

Tragically, lost pets are more common than anyone would like. In an ASPCA study, 15% of owners said they have reported a lost dog or cat before. Taking these four prevention steps increase the odds of being reunited with your pet if they ever become separated from you:

1. Microchip your pet
2. Collar your pet
3. License your pet
4. Vaccinate your pet

1. Microchip Your Pet

The newest and safest way to ID your pet is with microchipping. A microchip is encased in a tiny glass cylinder and injected under your pet’s skin. When a scanner is passed over the chip, a number comes up. That number is a serial number associated with your registration information. Most veterinarians, shelters and dog wardens have microchip scanners to help reunite pets and their people.

Here’s a good resource for information about microchipping: “Check the Chip! Make Sure Your Pet’s Microchip is Up-to-Date.”

2. Collar Your Pet

A pet wearing a collar signals to the world that the pet has a home and someone out there loves them. Although microchipping is the most efficient way to have your pet returned to you, it’s not visible like a collar. Also, it can give a pet rescuer something to hold onto, to keep your pet from running away.

Many people purchase custom collars with their pet’s name, their name and phone number embroidered on it.

Along with the collar itself, there are two specific tags that should be attached to the collar, which we explain below.

3. License Your Pet

Licensing your pet with the county is the law, and it can help your pet be returned to you if they become lost. Add your pet’s license tag to their collar, and it identifies them with a number. In Hamilton County, people are directed to a website if they find a lost pet. Here’s what the back of that tag looks like:

And here are dog license websites for the counties surrounding Companion Care Animal Hospital:

• Butler County Auditor Dog License Information
• Hamilton County Auditor Dog License Information
• Warren County Auditor Dog License Information
• Clermont County Auditor Dog License Information

4. Vaccinate Your Pet

When a lost pet is vaccinated and wears their rabies tag on their collar, people have more confidence that this pet is safe to help. Ohio counties enforce the law that all dogs, cats and ferrets three months of age and older be vaccinated against rabies.

Also, the rabies tag issued by your veterinarian has their identification and phone number imprinted on it. Here’s a sample tag that Companion Care Animal Hospital issues when we vaccinate a pet for rabies:

If all other methods of identifying your pet fail, a Good Samaritan can reach out to your veterinarian to locate you.

We hope your pet never escapes and becomes lost. But it sometimes happens. Following the four ways to ID your pet greatly increase the chances of being reunited. You may also want to read “16 Basic Steps to Prevent a Lost Pet.”

January 20, 2025

Keep You and Your Dog Fit (and Safe) on Winter Walks

In keeping with many New Year’s Resolutions to get healthier, January is National Walk Your Dog Month. It may seem like the worst time to get out into the great outdoors with your pet, but following these 8 steps will keep you both safe and warm.

1. Make sure you, the human, are properly outfitted for the cold. Gloves are especially important when holding a leash!
2. Put a jacket on your dog. This step is especially important for puppies, senior dogs, small breeds and short-haired dogs.
3. Protect paws from ice and de-icing chemicals with dog booties or pet-safe gels like Musher’s Secret.
4. Use a secure, front-clip harness to prevent your dog from pulling. This is safer for everyone in slippery conditions.
5. Walk your dog with a fixed leash, not a retractible one. Consider a jogger’s leash, which stays hooked to you, if you fall and lose your grip.
6. Make sure your dog’s clothing stays dry. Or cut your walk short if it becomes damp or wet.
7. Avoid hazards like frozen ponds. Dogs can fall through thin ice into freezing water. They may suffer hypothermia or even drown.
8. When you get back, wash your dog’s paws. This keeps them from licking toxic chemicals like ice melts and salts off of their paws.

Have fun exploring the winter scenery with your dog! But remember, if the weather is particularly nasty, wait until another day. Cuddling by the fire with your dog doesn’t burn calories, but it is good for the soul.

For more tips, check out our article, “Keep Your Pet Safe this Winter.”

March 18, 2024

Enjoy a Safe Holiday!

Easter is early this year, so it coincides with Pet Poison Prevention Awareness month in March. Keep these five tips in mind as you plan your celebrations.

1. Plastic basket grass: If your pet swallows plastic grass, it can cause intestinal blockages.
2. Lilies: These plants are very toxic to your feline friends and can cause rapid kidney failure.
3. Chocolate: This food is very toxic to dogs if ingested.
4. Easter dinner: High-fat foods can cause GI upset. Leftover bones can cause foreign body (an object that becomes stuck in your pet’s body that shouldn’t be there).
5. Easter eggs: Real or fake eggs can be harmful to your pets. Spoiled eggs can cause upset stomachs and fake one can cause intestinal blockages.

10 Common Plants Toxic to Pets

Know these common plants that are toxic to cats and dogs. We recommend that you don’t keep the in your home.

1. Lilies
2. Philodendron
3. Oleander
4. Aloe
5. Chrysanthemum
6. Hyacinth
7. Jade plant
8. Sago palm
9. Daffodil
10. Asparagus fern

You may also want to check out “Top 20 Pet Toxins in Ohio.” Let’s enjoy spring with our pets, and keep everyone safe.

December 13, 2023

From Unexpected (Marijuana) to Perennial (Chocolate), Here are the Most Common Pet Toxins

The Pet Poison Helpline released its Top 10 Pet Poisons for 2023, and there are some notable entries for pet parents to be on the lookout for. Here’s the list, which takes into account all species of pet.

Marijuana Toxicity in Pets

New to the list this year is marijuana. The Pet Poison Helpline reports that it’s mostly dogs who encounter this toxicity. With the passage of Ohio’s Issue 2, we expect to see more cases in our state. On December 7, it became legal to possess marijuana and grow it at home.

The Pet Poison Helpline also provides stats on the pets it serves. Of all incident calls over the year:

• 88% dogs
• 11% cats
• 1% other species, like birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species

Food Toxicities

It’s not surprising that chocolate tops the list, as it’s widely-available and undeniably tasty. Grapes and raisins are of special note, because their toxicity doesn’t seem to be as well-known as other foods. The same goes for onions.

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used in many sugar-free candies, gums, desserts and recipes. We explored this pet toxin previously: Why is Xylitol Toxic for Dogs?

Medicine Toxicities

Human medicines aren’t meant for animals. Ibuprofen (Advil) is third on the list of most-common toxicities, and Vitamin D3 is a somewhat surprising addition. This list is a good reminder to keep all medicines out of reach of pets (and kids).

Veterinary medicines can also cause toxicity in the wrong dosage or if used for an extended period of time. Carprofen is a common NSAID used to treat pain and inflammation in animals, but overuse or overdose can cause toxicity. Fortunately, there are new treatments available to help with osteoarthritis pain, which we’ve written about:

• Help for Cats & Dogs with Osteoarthritis Pain
• Cats Don’t Need to Suffer from Arthritis

Toxicities from Poisons

It’s truly sad when a pet ingests any rat poisons. Both bromethalin and anticoagulant rat poisons make the top 10 list. Rats are mammals, just like cats and dogs, so these poisons are indiscriminately toxic. We recommend using a different form of pest control.

December 5, 2023

Enjoy Happy Holidays by Avoiding These Risks

Christmas and the whole holiday season are usually a busy time– a happy sort of hectic. And our pets often join in on the fun, as we decorate the house and make festive recipes. Here are some reminders of common dangers to avoid during all the hustle and bustle.

Holiday Food No-No’s

Cats and dogs should never be given any of these food items:

• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Cooked or raw bones
• Onions or garlic
• Grapes or raisins
• Candy

See more foods on the no-no list…

Poisonous Plants

We believe the risk of pets ingesting a poisonous plant outweighs their beauty. Consider getting artificial versions of these toxic plants:

• Poinsettias
• Holly
• Mistletoe
• Lilies

Check out our Field Guide to Toxic Plants…

Decoration Safety

Sometimes, pets can get a little too interested in decorations and harm themselves. Follow these decoration safety tips:

• Extinguish candles when you leave the room
• For live trees, cover the water bowl underneath
• Don’t decorate with tinsel, which can be very dangerous if pets eat or chew it
• Tape down extension cords, or use a safety cover meant for electrical cords

Get 6 More Pet Safety Tips for the Winter…

Good tidings we bring, to you and your pets! We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ~from all your friends at Companion Care Animal Hospital

July 18, 2023

How to Prepare Your Home, Yard, Pets & Guests

It’s commonly reported that more pets go missing on July 4th than any other time of year. Typically, fireworks are to blame for panicked pets escaping their home or yard and fleeing into the night. But National Lost Pet Prevention Month will help your cats and dogs stay safe all year round.

Over 10 million pets are lost each year. It’s a scary situation for both the pets and people involved. And while there’s good advice for what do to if your pet is lost, the best approach is prevention.

National Lost Pet Prevention Month:
Prepare Your Home

Escape from home is a common way pets are lost. Here’s how to prepare your home to help prevent a runaway:

• Make sure exterior and screen doors can close all the way and that pets can’t push them open.
• Check window screens, to make sure they fit well and can’t be pushed out by your pet.
• Know that dogs may jump through a screen during times of stress (like thunder fireworks!)
• If you’re moving to a new home, keep your pet secure while you move in. Open doors and unpacking are the ideal combination for a pet slipping out and becoming lost.
• Know the risks of pet doors. Your pet can leave the house at any time, and wildlife may find their way inside.
• Keep your doors and windows locked, especially when you are away from home. Sadly, pet theft is known to happen.

National Lost Pet Prevention Month:
Prepare Your Yard

We all know that dogs need a safely fenced-in yard for outdoor fun. Here are other ways to safely prepare your yard during National Lost Pet Prevention Month:

• Check your fencing to find any weak spots, broken boards or areas where your dog may have started digging under.
• Securely close gates. Many dogs can learn how to open standard gate latches, so a carabiner can be a good solution that requires opposable thumbs.
• Also know is your pet is a climber. Believe it or not, some dogs have been known to climb over chainlink fences.
• If you have an electric fence, test it regularly to make sure it’s still working. Also, replace collar batteries based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• If you let your cat outdoors, keep an eye on them while they are out.

National Lost Pet Prevention Month:
Prepare Your Pet

There are several important things you can do to prevent your pet from going missing:

• Spay or neuter your pet. This reduces their urge to roam.
• Train your dog to “come” and “stay,” which will help you maintain control over your pet if they start to run away in your presence.
• Keep your cat or dog on a leash when there is a possibility of escape.
• Check the fit of your pet’s collar. Some pets are adept at escaping around-the-neck collars.
• Watch your pet when you’re in less secure situation. For instance, a pet can jump out of an open car window.
• Keep your pet indoors when you’re not at home. Not only could your pet escape, it’s possible your pet could be stolen.
• Play with your pet to prevent boredom. A bored pet may be more interested in making an escape plan.

Even with the best preparation, accidents can happen. Here’s how to prepare your pet in case they get lost:

• Microchip both cats and dogs
• Check your microchip annually, to make sure the information is up-to-date
• Have your cat or dog wear a collar with an identifying tag on it. Include your name and phone number.

National Lost Pet Prevention Month:
Prepare Your Guests

When guests visit your home, they may not know the important role they play in keeping a pet from escaping. Kindly remind them to shut the door behind them, close gates, and keep an eye out for a pet sneaking by.

If your cat or dog is a true escape artist, you may want to leash them when guests are entering and leaving.

Let’s make a plan this month to prevent lost pets! All of our tips are fairly easy to implement, and the preparation is worth reducing the risk of losing your beloved pet.

March 14, 2023

Top 10 Toxins and Poisons for Cats and Dogs

Common household items such as plants, foods and chemicals can harm your pets if ingested. We’re highlighting these in observance of Poison Prevention Week.

Cats and dogs share many sensitivities, but the top toxins for each have some notable exceptions. It’s best to keep all substances like cleaning supplies and medications completely out of reach for your pet.

Top 10 Toxins and Poisons for Dogs

Some of these toxins are fairly well-known, but several might surprise you. These toxicities are commonly seen by veterinarians. Keep all of them away from your dog’s reach.

1. Chocolate
2. Mouse and rat poisons
3. Vitamins and minerals, specifically Vitamin D and Iron supplements
4. Human and veterinary pain relievers
5. Heart medications, especially calcium channel blockers and beta blockers
6. Cold and allergy medications like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine
7. Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)
8. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener often found in sugar-free gum
9. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
10. Caffeine pills

Top 10 Toxins and Poisons for Cats

Cats have several specific toxins that can be fatal. It’s very important to keep these 10 items away from your cat:

1. Topical, spot-on insecticides. These flea and tick insecticides are typically safe for dogs but never for cats. They include drugs from the pyrethrin and pyrethroid family
2. Household cleaners
3. Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)
4. Lilies of every variety
5. Insoluble oxalate plants, such as Dieffenbachia, philodendron, umbrella plant, elephant’s ear
6. Human and veterinary pain relievers
7. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
8. Glowsticks
9. ADD/ADHD medications, i.e., amphetamines
10. Mouse and rat poisons

Animal Poison Control Options

If your pet has ingested a suspected toxin, and you can’t get in touch with your veterinarian, these animal poison control lines are good resources:

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control – (888) 426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline – (855) 764-7661

For more information, check our our articles “Indoor Hazards for Pets” and “Outdoor Hazards for Pets.”

March 16, 2022

March into Spring with Knowledge to Protect Your Pet from Toxins

The month of March is Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month. We’ve written before about Indoor Hazards for Pets and Outdoor Hazards for Pets, along with the Signs of Toxicity. This time, the focus is on common toxins found during the spring.

Most Common Pet Toxins in the Spring

With longer, warmer days, you and your pet may both be spending more time outside. In the spring, pay special attention to those outdoor toxins, along with plants you may bring inside, such as:

Toxic Plants

• Tulips and hyacinths
• Daffodils
• Lilies
• Crocuses
• Lily of the valley

Toxic Gardening Ingredients

Just because your fertilizer is organic, doesn’t mean it’s safe for your pets. Blood meal and bone meal are both popular organic fertilizer ingredients. Dried blood and bone will be naturally appealing to cats and dogs, but can cause vomiting, iron toxicity or intestinal blockages.

Some fertilizers are fortified with iron, which can cause iron toxicity if your pet ingests it. Also watch for disulfoton in rose and plant fertilizer, which is highly toxic.

And the Pet Poison Helpline has this advice about pesticides and insecticides:

“Most pesticides or insecticides (typically those that come in a spray can) are basic irritants to the pet and are usually not a huge concern unless a pet’s symptoms become persistent. Some may contain an organophosphate which can be life threatening when consumed in large quantities. It is always best to speak to a trained medical professional if there are any questions.”

Toxicities to Watch for Around Easter and Passover

Family celebrations are wonderful, but also a time when it’s easy for your pet to get into something they shouldn’t. Around Easter and Passover, watch out for:

• Chocolate
• Fake “Easter grass”
• Candy with Xylitol in it
• Raw or cooked animal bones
• Raw or cooked animal fat
• Cooking ingredients like onions, garlic, chives, leeks
• Alcohol

Animal Poison Control Options

If your pet has ingested a suspected toxin, and you can’t get in touch with your veterinarian, these animal poison control lines are good resources:

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control – (888) 426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline – (855) 764-7661

Just this month, ASPCA Animal Poison Control announced its four millionth case in its 45-year history. You may be interested to know:

“Established in 1978, the APCC is the only facility of its kind and is staffed by 70 veterinarians, including 11 board-certified veterinary toxicologists, 100 certified veterinary technicians and 13 veterinary assistants. The APCC has developed a sophisticated veterinary database system called AnTox™ that helps identify and characterize toxic effects of substances in animals and enables the ASPCA to collect more patient data than any other veterinary toxicology medical record system in the world.”

Have questions about how to create a toxin-free, safe environment for your pet? Contact us.

September 23, 2021

World Rabies Day is September 28

Around the world, more than 59,000 humans die from rabies each year, reports the CDC. It’s important to know that once symptoms show up, rabies is practically 100% fatal. It is also 100% preventable.

Bats are the Main Culprit in the US

In the US, just one or two people die each year from rabies. The CDC writes:

In the United States today, human fatalities are rare but typically occur in people who do not seek prompt medical care. While the exact reason for not seeking care is often unclear, lack of awareness of the risk of rabies is thought to be an important factor. This is of particular concern for bat bites, since bats can have small teeth and leave bite marks that are the size of the tip of a pencil…. Of the infections acquired in the United States, 70% were attributed to bat exposures.

While today bats are of most concern in the US, that wasn’t always the case. Before 1960, most reported cases of rabies were in dogs. During that time, 100 people per year might die of rabies. The CDC attributes this change to:

“This decline can be attributed to successful pet vaccination and animal control programs, public health surveillance and testing, and availability of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for rabies.”

It should be noted that the vast majority of bats don’t have rabies. Among sick or injured bats that have been captured for rabies testing, only 6% of them are infected. When left alone in their wild environment, bats are an important part of our ecosystem.

Worldwide, Dogs Still Need Rabies Protection

A global coalition of health organizations “are working together to eliminate human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030.” The CDC describes examples of its work in Ethiopia, Vietnam and Haiti, where public health workers promote and distribute rabies vaccinations to dogs.

What Can You Do to Prevent Rabies?

The spread of rabies has become less severe in the US because we have taken steps as a society to prevent this fatal disease. Here’s how you can help:

• Most importantly, keep your cat or dog’s rabies vaccination up-to-date. (Yes, even indoor cats. Believe it or not, bats can enter a home and bite people or animals sleeping inside).
• Keep your pets away from wildlife.
• If you work in a field where you have a higher than normal risk of contracting rabies, you may personally benefit from a pre-exposure rabies vaccine. Occupations include veterinarians, animal handlers and veterinary students.
• Know the signs of rabies and report any sightings to animal control or your local health department.
• Never pick up or touch a dead animal.