Posts in Category: Pet Safety and Emergencies

The holidays bring twinkle lights, cozy gatherings, and plenty of tasty treats, plus a few seasonal risks for our four-legged family members. At Curem Veterinary Care in Mesa, we’ve pulled together practical guidance to help you celebrate safely without dampening the fun.

Holiday Food: What To Keep Off the Menu

Rich foods and sweets are the most common holiday pet hazards. Keep plates out of paw’s reach and brief guests (kids included) before dinner is served. When in doubt, stick to your pet’s regular diet and approved treats. Avoid sharing the following:

• Turkey skin, pan drippings, and gravy: Contain high levels of fat that may trigger pancreatitis
• Cooked bones: Can cause splintering and intestinal blockages
• Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks: Can damage red blood cells
• Grapes and raisins: May cause sudden kidney failure
• Chocolate and cocoa: Theobromine and caffeine are toxic to pets
• Xylitol in sugar-free candies, gum, and some peanut butters: Can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar
• Alcohol and unbaked yeast dough: Lead to gas buildup and disorientation

If you want to offer something special, choose plain green beans, a little cooked turkey, plain pumpkin, or your vet-approved treats. Simple swaps like these are easy, practical pet safety tips during the holidays.

Decor, Plants, and Packages: Pretty but Risky

Sparkly decorations are irresistible. Before decking the halls, do a quick “pet-eye-level” sweep and secure anything that dangles, rolls, or crinkles, and beware of:

• Tinsel, ribbon, and yarn: These are especially hazardous for cats, and can cause intestinal damage
• Breakable ornaments and hooks: Can cut paws or be swallowed
• Strings of lights and loose cords: Increase risk for shock and burn if chewed
• Button batteries: Potential for chemical burns, and might cause severe injury if ingested
• Essential oil diffusers and liquid potpourri: Irritating or toxic to pets
• Lilies (for cats), mistletoe, holly, and even poinsettias: Can cause illness or death if chewed

Place fragile items higher, tape cords, and choose pet-safe greenery. A little planning helps you avoid preventable holiday pet hazards.

Company, Commotion, and Routine Changes

Guests, deliveries, and schedule shifts can stress even the most social pets. These mesa vet tips can keep the peace:

• Create a quiet room with a bed, water, and favorite toys.
• Use baby gates or leashes at the door to prevent escapes.
• Confirm ID tags and microchips are up to date.
• Offer food puzzles or lick mats during busy moments.

Calm, predictable routines and a safe retreat are powerful holiday pet safety tips that help pets settle while you host.

When To Seek Care (and How We Can Help)

Call a veterinarian promptly if you notice repeated vomiting, a bloated or painful abdomen, labored breathing, tremors, seizures, sudden lethargy, or exposure to toxins (even if your pet seems “fine”). Curem Veterinary Care offers walk-in urgent care for unexpected needs. You can call ahead to be added to our real-time wait list, and we accept walk-ins until an hour before closing. Quick action makes a big difference with many holiday-related issues.

Travel and Outdoor Time in the Desert

Mesa’s winter weather can sometimes surprise you. Keep pets hydrated on hikes, watch for cactus spines and foxtails, and pack a simple first-aid kit with tweezers, bandage material, and saline. In the car, use a secured crate or a crash-tested harness, and never leave pets unattended, even on mild days—cars can heat rapidly in the Arizona sun.

Wrap It Up: Celebrate Safely and Joyfully

A little foresight goes a long way. With smart boundaries around food, décor, and routines, you’ll keep tails wagging all season long. If you’d like to schedule a wellness visit for your canine or feline companion, or you need timely care, our team at Curem Veterinary Care is here to help. Call (480) 787-0544 for appointments, urgent/walk-in care guidance, or holiday pet safety tips. Happy holidays from all of us!

Spring in Mesa, AZ, is a beautiful time to enjoy all sorts of outdoor adventures with your furry friends. But as flowers bloom and warmer weather beckons us all outside, it’s also important to be aware of spring poison dangers for pets. 

March is Pet Poison Prevention Month—a perfect time to learn about pet poisons, how to recognize pet poisoning symptoms, and what pets should avoid to keep them safe. The team at Curem Veterinary Care is here to help you and your pet have a safe and healthy spring.

As fellow animal lovers, we understand that pets are like family. Their health is of utmost importance. Pets can experience sudden health emergencies just like our human family that require immediate attention. Understanding how to handle these situations can make a significant difference in the outcome. 

Even the most involved, vigilant, and responsible pet owners cannot control every possible circumstance related to a pet’s health and safety. The fact is that despite best intentions, pet emergencies simply come with the territory. The good news is that not all scenarios are perilous; however, the more prepared an owner is to handle essential pet first-aid techniques, the better the outcome. 

Curem Veterinary Clinic knows first-hand how scary pet emergencies can be. We want to give you tools to help your pet in the face of a major illness or accident by helping you with your pet emergency preparedness knowledge. Knowing what to do and when to do it can make all the difference.

When you have pets, it is important to know exactly what’s in the garden or around the property. An innocent exploration in the backyard could lead to big trouble if your pet comes into contact with a toxic plant. Whether a pet likes to sniff, eat, or sleep on garden plants according to their whim, we’re here to help steer them towards a safer environment. 

As responsible pet owners, we want to provide the best possible care for our beloved animals. However, unforeseen accidents and illnesses can lead to unexpected veterinary expenses. That’s where pet insurance comes into play. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of pet insurance and how it can be a game-changer for your pet’s health and your peace of mind.

While most pet owners aren’t super excited for their pet to have surgery, it is something nearly every animal lover will have to deal with at some point. Whether it is to be spayed or neutered, to undergo an urgent procedure, or for routine care like a dental cleaning, anesthesia is a common component of pet health and wellness. So what can you as a pet owner do? Curem Veterinary Care is here to guide you through optimal pet surgery preparation. 

No pet owner wants to imagine becoming separated from their four-legged friend. Unfortunately, though, things do happen. From an inadvertently opened door to a car wreck to a natural disaster, sometimes our pets become separated from us. Curem Veterinary Care is all about ways to help them find their way back to you. That is why we want to make sure that pet owners understand the importance of pet microchipping. 

We’re lucky enough to live in a desert playscape here in Mesa, Arizona, which means there are plenty of outdoor activities to do with our pets. If you’re looking for a new pet-friendly hike to try, the team at Curem Veterinary Care rounded up our 5 favorite dog-friendly trails to explore.