Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/40669
Safe& Keeping it Real Find natural and healthy Any pet owner knows that while accidents can happen, prevention is key. Dog training and behavior expert Giene Keys, owner of Dog Face, a natural pet store, offers a few quick tips for keeping your home safe for four-legged friends Sound Safely store medications and insecticides. Dogs hear the sound of pills clicking in containers and become interested. All human and pet medications should be kept safely out of reach. Insecticides commonly used on pets for fl ea control and around the house to control crawling and fl ying bugs are toxic if ingested. Always follow label directions and keep away from your pets. Ask your local pet store for safe, healthy alter- natives to bug control – for your pet and your home! Banish rodenticides. Baits used to kill mice and rats are mostly grain based. Not only does this attract rodents, but dogs and cats as well. Many types of rodenticides can cause seizures, internal bleeding or kidney failure. Be wary of people food. When ingested by pets, grapes, raisins, onions and chocolate can make them sick. Chocolate contains methylxanthines, which act as stimulants to pets. The darker the chocolate, the more methylxanthines it contains, which cause agitation, vomiting, diarrhea, high heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures and death. Also watch out for ingredients in your favorite breath fresheners: Xylitol, a sugar alco- hol used to sweeten sugar-free gums and mints, can cause liver failure in dogs. Be aware of household toxins and plants. Cleaning supplies such as bleach and detergents can cause injury to the mouth and stomach. Batteries and small objects that your dog or cat can choke on should be stored behind locked doors. Many indoor and outdoor plants are also toxic to our pets, especially lilies, which can cause kidney failure in cats, and holiday poinsettias, which are toxic to cats and dogs. Be sure to place these up high and out of reach. Keep outdoor toxins out of reach. Herbicides, antifreeze, fertilizers and ice melts should be kept securely locked or on high shelves where dogs and cats cannot reach them. Eco-Friendly Fido Take "reduce, reuse and recycle" to heart. Bad Dog Lend a Helping Hand Animal rescue operations often run solely on volunteer help. If you are looking to aid animals in need, here is just a small sampling of local organizations to contact Angel's Wish, an all-volunteer or- ganization, provides care and love to homeless pets while fi nding them permanent homes. (608) 848-4174 or angelswish.org. Dane County Friends of Ferals requires dedicated volunteers to help rescue, house and fi nd homes for feral (stray) cats. (608) 467-4067 or daneferals.org. Dane County Humane Society is the county's foremost provider of animal intake and care, adoption and outreach. (608) 838-0413 or giveshelter.org. Fine Feathered Friends Sanctuary & Rescue is a volunteer-run organization working to fi nd new homes for exotic birds given up by their owners. (608) 541-0090 or feathered-friends.com. Four Lakes Wildlife Center, an all- volunteer program of the DCHS, offers care to ill, injured and orphaned wildlife in southern Wisconsin. (608) 838-0413 ext. 151 or fourlakeswildlifecenter. blogspot.com. Heartland Farm Sanctuary rescues farm animals—from horses and cows to goats, pigs, chickens and cats—and offers programs to build connections between animals and vulnerable youth. (608) 219-1172 or heart- landfarmsanctuary.org. Shelter From the Storm is a Madison-based all-breed dog and cat rescue working to aid over- crowded shelters and fi nd homes for pets. Volunteers aid in animal fostering, socialization and housekeeping. (608) 284-7447. August 2011 bravamagazine.com 59 Frida offers "Re-Dog" sales of gently used goods, while Nutzy Mutz & Crazy Cats has a lending library of pet books. treats and more at this sampling of locally owned stores Bad Dog Frida has a range of supplements to aid doggie aller- gies or aches and pains alongside tasty treats and a selection of healthy items, including biode- gradable doo-doo bags. 2094 Atwood Ave., Madison; (608) 442-6868 or baddogfrida.com. Dog Face offers all-natural dog and cat food, natural and eco- friendly toys, along with training and behavior classes, puppy playgroups and more. 1307 Hwy. 69, New Glarus; (608) 527-7387 or dogfacepet.com. Mad Cat Pet Supply boasts a variety of foods and treats for both cats and dogs—including Wisconsin-made meals from high-quality providers such as the Mequon-based Fromm animal foods. 1012 Williamson St., Madi- son; (608) 255-8122; 7820 Min- eral Point Rd., Madison; (608) 833-5884 and 2623 Monroe St., Madison; (608) 204-7448. Nutzy Mutz & Crazy Catz offers quality raw foods along with wheat- and corn-free snacks and a variety of other natural and healthy pet products for all aspects of animal life (including organic chicken feed!). 330 W. Lakeside St., Madison; (608) 256-3647 and 555 S. Midvale Blvd., Madison; (608) 233-2287 or nutzymutz.com. Tabby & Jacks stores a host of healthy treats, foods and supple- ments made of safe ingredients and tailored to your pet's needs. 2990 Cahill Main, Fitchburg; (608) 277-5900 and 14 W. Miffl in St., Madison; (608) 271-7888 or tabbyandjacks.com. Large stores such as Animart, Mounds Pet Food Warehouse and more offer wide selections of natural foods and knowledgeable staff members to aid you as well.