Holiday Edition Indian Hills Drive Edwardsville, Illinois LABEST OF TIMES. Boarding vs. In-Home Services

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1 Page 1 Holiday Edition 4933 Indian Hills Drive Edwardsville, Illinois Volume 16 Issue 4 LABEST OF TIMES Boarding vs. In-Home Services By Deb W./Edited by Nancy B. Boarding to some people may sound like you re putting your dog in a prison. If you think of it as a vacation or doggie camp, you may see it differently. Some facilities may keep dogs in crates at night or in pens where they either potty in their penned area or are only let out to go the restroom 3 to 4 times a day. However, at some other facilities INSIDE THIS ISSUE: you can package activities that fit your pet s personality. Boarding vs. In Home Ser- 1 At LaBest, daycare, training, and seasonal activities such as swimming are just a few of your dog s many options. Dogs need more social interaction than cats. When it comes to leaving your pet at home, the decision may be like night and day. Since cats are not as needy of social connection as dogs, a home environment is easier on them. It s not good to keep dogs in crates 24 hours, only to be let out a couple of times a day. Several things can occur (1) sore joints from lack of movement, (2) muscle discomfort and emotional depression from the length of time the dog is in its crate, (3) it s not healthy for dogs to hold their urine or bowels for twelve hours day in and day out (4) this effects the dog s nervous system as well. Dangers of Holiday Dinners for your Pet Holiday Dinner Dangers Cont. 3 Holiday Announcements & 12 Days of Christmas Academy Enrollment Dates 5 Upcoming Training Dates & Customer of the Month LaBest Mobile Grooming Inc. 6 HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! However, when it comes to cats, having a couple of visits to your home does not impact them the same way: 1) they have the run of the house and can exercise themselves, and 2) they re litter trained so when they potty in their designated area of the home, it is not an issue. To learn more about LaBest boarding and in home services please do not hesitate to contact our staff! If you are having trouble in specific areas while boarding, we encourage you to contact our Pet Behaviorist Deb Walker for an evaluation or private session before boarding! or info@labestinc.net 2 4 5

2 Page 2 Holiday Dinners and the Dangers for your Pet The holidays are a time to enjoy the company of loved ones, including your pets. Inform your guests about all pet rules: no feeding bones or other table scraps; candy and alcoholic beverages should be kept out of reach; keep gates and outside doors securely closed. Many of us will indulge ourselves with a big holiday meal, but we must remember to be very careful about what we feed our pets. Rich fatty foods can be a cause for concern Most veterinarians will tell you that they see a lot of stomach problems and pancreatitis cases around the holidays. So keep your pets away from the rich foods on your holiday table turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, yams and stuffing. Typical holiday foods are rich, fatty comfort foods for people that can cause discomfort for their pet. The classic problem is that the dog gets into the turkey or ham, gorges on it, and then gets very sick. The signs of pancreatitis include vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Chocolate can actually poison your pet The toxicity depends on the type of chocolate (the darker the chocolate, the more harmful), the amount ingested and your pet s weight. The caffeine and theobromine in chocolate can cause a dog to vomit, have diarrhea, experience rapid heartbeat, increased urination, muscle tremors and seizures. The effects can be serious, and chocolate toxicity can occur within 24 hours. The same can be true of coffee, tea and cola, as they also contain caffeine. A few traditional treats are also surprisingly bad for pets Many cat owners don t realize that milk isn t well tolerated by most cats. Dairy products are often overly fatty, so it s best to avoid giving dairy to dogs as well. The traditional give a dog a bone idea isn t really a good one either The bone can splinter and puncture the stomach or intestines. Poultry bones are particularly dangerous, as they become brittle when cooked. It s much safer to give your dog a bone designed for pets. Giving your pet alcoholic beverages truly isn t funny Most people are aware that too much alcohol can poison humans. Remember that your pet is a lot smaller than you are, so even small amounts of alcohol (even beer) can be toxic. Some other tasty treats your pet shouldn t eat Onions and garlic contain thiosulphate, which damages red blood cells and can cause anemia in cats and dogs. Be careful when preparing the holiday stuffing or side dishes, and particularly when disposing of leftovers that contain onion and garlic. The onion actually presents the highest risk of toxicity a single generous serving can cause anemia for dogs and cats. Whether garlic contains enough thiosulphate and can be fed in high enough amounts to harm dogs is a matter of controversy garlic is less toxic than onion, and large amounts would need to be eaten to cause illness. And, in small amounts (such as in canine nutritional supplements), the benefits of garlic outweigh their possible risks. Continued on Page 3

3 Page 3 Continued on Page 2 Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure So far, vets haven t been able to determine exactly what it is about them that make them so dangerous. The type or brand of grapes or raisins doesn t matter, nor does the amount the dog eats. Bread dough can be dangerous Yeast dough, like the kind used in making breads or desserts, is designed to expand. If swallowed by an unsuspecting pet, it can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possibly rupture of the stomach and intestines. Store those leftovers immediately! Both cats and dogs often enjoy the challenge of getting into the garbage and seeing what leftovers they can find. Spoiled and moldy food can make them sick. Always consult with your veterinarian immediately if your pet is vomiting, has diarrhea, has a fever, is quiet and lethargic with signs of abdominal pain, or is restless, hyperactive or irritable with a rapid heart beat or tremors. Pets sometimes have a hard time adjusting to the increases in family activity around the holidays. They may not handle the stress of houseguests well. Keep your pets as close to their daily routine as possible. Often, just scheduling a few minutes at approximately the same time each day to play with your dog can make the holidays a lot easier for an anxious pet. Don t forget about holiday decorations. There are several precautions you can take to ensure the safety of your pets during the holidays. Keep lit candles out of reach Extinguish candles and use a screen around the fireplace before you leave a room your pet may visit on its own. Keep potpourri and electrical cords out of reach Potpourri, if swallowed, can be harmful to your pet, and electrical cords can cause strangulation or even electrocution. Clean up wrapping paper as soon as gifts are opened. Pets can create quite a mess, and possibly harm themselves, eating paper, bows, packaging and ribbon. Walking on sharp ornaments Put decorations, especially breakable glass ornaments and hooks, tempting tinsel, edible garlands and plants (such as holly, mistletoe and poinsettia) out of pets' reach. Sharp or broken decorations can be harmful to your pet and remember, the shinier the ornament, the more attractive it is. Tinsel is particularly alluring to cats and can cause severe problems, often requiring surgical removal, if ingested. Many holiday plants can be toxic to pets, particularly poinsettia, holly and mistletoe (just a few mistletoe berries can even be fatal). Remember to take a moment to count your blessings this holiday season and appreciate the unconditional love and year long friendship your pet gives you!

4 Page 4 On the twelfth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me: A dozen puppy kisses Eleven unwrapped presents Ten Christmas cards I shoulda mailed My wreath in nine pieces Eight tiny reindeer fragments Seven scraps of wrapping paper Six yards of soggy ribbon Five chewed-up stockings Four broken window candles Three punctured ornaments Two leaking bubble lights And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree. Holiday Announcements LaBest Will Be at the St. Louis Pet Expo Along with many other popular vendors! Come check us out! October 20, :00am-6:00pm St. Charles Convention Center Free admission and parking! LaBest Will Be Closed the Following Dates in celebration of the holiday - November 22, 2012 (Thanksgiving) - December 23-25, 2012 (Christmas) - December 31, 2012 Closed at 1:00 p.m. - January 1, 2013 (New Years) Should you need to make arrangements on these dates please see one the receptionist as soon as possible! LaBest has made the decision of offering Bag Dispensers for leashes and Customized Calendars with Coupons instead of the Christmas Tree Coupons this holiday season. Please be sure to pick yours up today! LaBest Inc. wishes you, your family and your furry friend and happy and safe holiday season!

5 Page 5 Fall Enrollment Starts: January 7, Indian Hills Drive Edwardsville, IL Student Housing and financing is available for all students. Please call for details. W.I.A. APPROVED Visit us on the web at Hours: Mon-Sat 8am to 6pm Closed for lunch 1-2pm Tired of your current job? Become a pet stylist. Classes start soon so call today for more information Call today to come in a take a tour of our ISCC Grooming Academy! Customer Of The Month July: Mazie S. This is the last session of Training Classes before the end of the year! Call to reserve your spot today! Training Classes August: Sebastian R. September: Callie G. Puppy Class/Behavioral Tuesday October 16, :30 PM Novice I (Performance On Lead) Tuesday October 16, :30 PM Novice II (Performance Off Lead) Wednesday October :30 PM Agility (Beginners) Wednesday October 17, :30 PM Classes will resume after the holidays. Private and Home Sessions are Available upon Request Dates Subject to change.

6 Page 6 LaBest Mobile Grooming Inc. is now in Illinois and Missouri Now Grooming 7 Days A Week! Why Choose Mobile Grooming? Many Services Available: Including but not limited to: Bath and Brush Basic Complete Why stress out about transporting your pet (Bath, nails ears, minimal trim) when we can come to you! No need to worry about your not so clean Complete Groom pet in your car (Basic complete & hair cut) We have a trained staff to handle all size Tarter Removal (Sedation Free) pets and behavior issues Teeth Brushing Flexible Hours Massage Therapy Bonded and Insured Ear Flush Never worry about missing your next appointment! Handstrip/Carding DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS!! By Appointment Only Please 4933 Indian Hills Drive Edwardsville, Illinois 62025