Pet Safety Calendar for Canada
The hazards to watch for each month. This month is highlighted.
January
- Road salt and ice melt burn paws — wipe feet after walks
- Frostbite on ears and tails in deep cold
- Antifreeze leaks taste sweet and are deadly
February
- Valentine's chocolate and xylitol candy
- Lilies and roses in bouquets (lilies are deadly to cats)
- Cold-weather limits for short-coated dogs
March
- Ticks wake up above about 4°C — start checking
- Easter lilies (deadly to cats)
- Thawing ponds and thin ice
April
- Easter chocolate and raisins in hot cross buns
- Lawn fertilisers and slug bait
- Start flea, tick and heartworm prevention (ask your vet)
May
- Peak tick season — check daily after walks
- Garden plants: tulips, lily of the valley
- Compost bins (mould toxins)
June
- Heatstroke — never leave pets in a parked car
- Blue-green algae in lakes
- Barbecue skewers, corn cobs and grease
July
- Canada Day fireworks — noise phobia and escapes
- Hot pavement burns paws
- Heatstroke on hot, humid days
August
- Blue-green algae blooms peak
- Wasps and bee stings
- Mushrooms after rain
September
- Back-to-school snacks, gum (xylitol) in backpacks
- Second tick peak in fall
- Wild mushrooms
October
- Halloween chocolate, raisins and xylitol candy
- Costumes that restrict breathing
- Glow sticks and candles
November
- Antifreeze season starts
- Rodent poison put out for winter
- Thanksgiving leftovers: bones, fatty skin, onions
December
- Holiday lilies, mistletoe and holly
- Tinsel and ribbons (cats)
- Rich holiday food, bones and chocolate