Paws On Safety

12/22/2025

We all probably know the feeling of eating too much at Christmas dinner, or enjoying one too many baked goodies. Your dog can suffer the same symptoms of over-indulgence so it makes sense to watch and be aware of their diet extra carefully at this time of year.

You might think you’re being kind by giving your dog a special treat by sharing your favourite holiday foods with him and you want to include them in the festivities, but things like rich gravy, fat scraps, turkey skin and cake can upset the digestion. Cooked bones are also not recommended as they can splinter and injure an animal’s mouth, throat or intestines that will result in a hefty vet bill. Stick to healthy treats designed especially for dogs (there are plenty of options out there) or add some plain cooked turkey meat to their regular food as a treat.

Chocolate is a definite no-no and is highly toxic to dogs so ensure those lovely chocolate gifts under the tree are hidden out of the way of prying noses.

If you put out bowls of nuts, candy, chips or other goodies for your guests, remember to keep them from your animal’s reach when you leave the room unless you 100% trust your dog not to help himself. During the busy Christmas period with so much going on it's easy to forget about the possible hazards to our pets.

Ask the kids not to feed your dog any table scraps or other goodies no matter how guilty the dog makes them feel. Managing a young dog is often like managing a toddler, so a little careful planning can make all the difference for a safe and happy Holiday Season.

Send a message to learn more

11/18/2025

A big Thank You to everyone that attended the Dogsafe Canine First Aid class on Saturday. You were a great group and made it lots of fun.

I am working on scheduling a new date for another class in early 2026 and will confirm once I have the location and date confirmed. It will either be Saturday January 31st or Saturday March 7th.

Stay tuned for updates.

In the meantime if you would like to know what topics are covered in a Dogsafe course, please visit: www.pawsonsafety.ca

11/03/2025

If your dog likes peanut butter and you give it to them regularly, be sure to check the label first.

Here's why.

10/28/2025

The Dogsafe Canine First Aid course coming up on November 15th is sold out.

The next class will be in early 2026 - stay tuned and check back here for new class dates for January.

10/16/2025

10/13/2025

Wishing everyone, four legs and two a very Happy Thanksgiving. Hope we can all find the time to give thanks for the people and good things in our lives.

10/03/2025

Have you ever considered what you would do if your dog was hurt or ill and how you would react if it were an emergency situation? Would you be ready and able to help your dog?

Emergencies can have negative affects on you, both physically and psychologically, if you are not prepared. DOGSAFE® will teach you how to assess any emergency incident and teach you what to do if:

your dog is choking
requires CPR
has a wound or joint injury
gets impaled by a stick
eats something toxic
experiences heat stroke or hypothermia
has a seizure

Plus many more topics covered in class. 116 page student manual included which is invaluable for future reference. Full day day class with lots of hands on practice.

We offer real-life training for real-life experiences. Your dog is depending on you.

For more information, class topics and registration details - www.pawsonsafety.ca
THIS WILL BE THE FINAL CLASS FOR 2025:

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 15th
SPAREROOMCO, 260 E OKANAGAN AVENUE, PENTICTON

09/08/2025

Keep the contact info in your phones for this vet in Penticton. It's the only place that will take emergencies in Penticton.

🚨 Pet Emergencies !! 🚨
At Peach City Animal Hospital, we keep some same-day spots available for urgent situations such as:
🐾 Injuries or accidents
🐾 Possible toxin ingestion
🐾 Urinary blockages
🐾 Breathing or heart troubles
🐾 Compassionate end-of-life care
… and other emergency conditions.
Our caring team will do everything possible to see your pet quickly.
⏰ Hospital Hours
Mon–Sat: 8 AM – 10 PM
Sundays & Stat Holidays: 9 AM – 7 PM
📞 Please call 778-900-0111 or email info@peachcityvets.ca
to confirm a veterinarian’s availability before coming in.
📍 402 Industrial Ave E, Penticton, BC
🌐 www.peachcityvets.ca
💙 Your pet’s emergency is always our top priority.

08/29/2025

Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for many dogs, especially on a hot summer’s day. But did you know that swallowing too much water in a short space of time can lead to water intoxication in dogs – a rare but potentially fatal condition?

Owners may not realise it, but swimming or playing in water for a long time increases the risk of their dog becoming ill from water intoxication (sometimes known as water poisoning). Even water-based activities or games – such as throwing a ball or toy in the lake or ocean for your dog to retrieve.

Over time, the dog’s kidneys can usually sort out the sodium and water levels. But if a dog’s brain cells swell, it can quickly lead to irreversible brain damage before they have the chance.

The signs or changes in behaviours you should look out for in your dog (after they’ve been spending time in the water) include:

Staggering or loss of coordination
Tiredness
Weakness
Bloating
Vomiting
Passing large amounts of clear urine
Dilated pupils or glazed eyes
Excessive salivation (drooling)
In severe cases of water intoxication, a dog may have difficulty breathing, collapse, have a seizure, or fall into a coma.

Prevention is key:
Limit the time a dog spends in water to prevent them from swallowing too much.

Give them time to rest with regular breaks to allow the body’s natural fluid balancing system time to manage any excess intake.

Avoid tennis balls and other rounded toys; instead, opt for flat toys, which allow your dog to close their mouth around it tighter avoiding excessive water intake.

Consider training your dog to wear a flotation vest to keep them above water.

Never leave your dog unsupervised when in water.

08/29/2025

If you have a dog that loves water like I do. This is really good information to know.

08/27/2025

As Summer winds down, consider taking a pet first aid course. You won't regret it

08/14/2025

Hope everyone has had a great Summer so far. As it's winding down I thought it time to schedule a Dogsafe Canine First Aid course.

New class date is scheduled for Saturday September 27th at SpareRoomCo, 260 E Okanagan Avenue in Penticton.

9am to 5pm. Information about what topics are covered, cost and registration can be found at www.pawsonsafety.ca

Need more info email: nina@pawsonsafety.ca