Paws Whiskers & Wags - Your Atlanta Pet Crematory

The Life of Your Pet – Celebration of Life Part 1

Our pets are important members of our families.  The loss of a companion can be traumatic and lead to great sadness.  In this video, you can get a look back at some of the beloved pets that Paws, Whiskers, and Wags has met over the past year. 

The end-of-life decisions that you make for your pet represent a final act of kindness, appreciation, and love.  It is our mission to assist you in these decisions so you can make the best choice for your loved ones.  Contact us at (404) 370-6000 to learn more about our services.

Holiday Health Hazards

The holiday season is a time of festivity and celebration that is exciting for the whole family. The activities and excitement of the season, however, can lead our beloved pets to become exposed to hazards that are not as commonly found other times of the year. Decorations, candles, potpourri, and other strange smells and tastes intrigue our pets and may cause them to get into harm’s way. Read on to learn more about the common health hazards that can present themselves during the holiday season.

• Tinsel, ribbon, and other shiny wrapping items are very appealing to a playful cat.  Unfortunately, if your cat ingests any of these items, they can make him or her very sick.  String-like foreign bodies cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract when one end is stuck while the rest is pulled along by the contraction of the intestines.  These contractions cause the ribbon to tear the intestines and cause serious damage.
• Holiday lights are another hazard that arises only at this time of year.  The cords of indoor and outdoor decorative lights can be used as a chew toy by curious cats and dogs, causing electric shock, burns, and even death. 
• The water added to the Christmas tree stand can be seen as a novel and exciting water source to a pet.  If you add chemicals to your tree stand in the effort to preserve the freshness of your Christmas tree, make sure that it is safe for pets. 
• Christmas ornaments that are used to decorate the tree can cause disastrous damage to a pet’s mouth and stomach.  Many are made by fragile materials that are very sharp when broken.

If you have a hard time keeping your pets from getting into the holiday decorations, a child gate or two can prevent them from accessing the tree and decorations at times when they are not directly observed.  This holiday season, Paws, Whiskers & Wags is donating pet-themed gift baskets to charity to celebrate the relationships we have with our beloved animal companions.  Learn more about our services by calling us any time at (404) 370-6000.

Happy Thanksgiving

Warm wishes from your friends at Paws Whiskers & Wags!

4 Table Scraps that Your Pet Shouldn't Eat

One of the great things about the holidays is the plentiful and tasty food that seems to abound at this time of year. Although the wide array of delicious options may be great for us, there are many foods that can be very dangerous if consumed by a pet. While preparing and eating those mouth-watering meals, make sure that your dog, cat, or bird does not get a hold of any of the following foods:

1.) Chocolate: Chocolate is one of the most commonly-used ingredients of the holiday season and one of the most dangerous for pets.  It is toxic to all species, but it is dogs that are most likely to ingest enough to be harmful.  Chocolate stimulates the heart and nervous system, inducing vomiting, restlessness, agitation, irregular heartbeat, elevated body temperature, and seizures.

2.) Garlic:  When preparing a large holiday meal, it can sometimes be easier to let the dog or cat take care of the scraps that fall to the floor.  While some food may not cause any harm, foods like garlic can cause a lot of trouble.  Garlic damages the red blood cells of cats and dogs, causing anemia, vomiting, weakness, and red-colored urine.

3.) Alcoholic Beverages:  Alcohol is a depressant that reduces the activity of the nervous system in all species.  If alcoholic beverages are fed to your pet, it can cause vomiting, disorientation, lethargy, ataxia (lack of coordination), tremors, coma, and seizures.

4.) Raw Yeast or Bread Dough:  Many of us also bake breads as gifts for friends and to accompany meals during the holidays.  When doing so, be sure to keep the dough away from your pets, as the raw yeast can cause gastrointestinal upset and alcohol poisoning.

Make sure your family and any house guests you may have are aware of the harm that these and other foods can do to your pet’s health—this will make for a safer and more peaceful season for your whole family.  At Paws, Whiskers & Wags, we are donating pet-themed gift baskets to the local charities in Atlanta to celebrate our beloved animal companions this holiday season.  If you would like to learn more about us and our thoughtful pet cremation services, contact us at (404) 370-6000.  We are available for phone consultation any time of the night or day.

Paws Whiskers & Wags Interviewed by The Champion Newspaper

A few months ago our very own, Lori Murphy, was interviewed by The Champion Newspaper. She was able to contribute her expertise to a collection of interviews focused on informing readers about the benefits of at home euthanasia.

Lori Murphy, business manager with Paws, Whiskers and Wags Pet Crematory, said their clients consider the animals in their lives as family members. “They want them treated with respect and dignity.”

Take a minute to read the article at The Campion Newspaper.