Posts in Category: Cats

While most pets who fly the friendly skies arrive at their destination unscathed, there have been cases of injury and death in some, and this article provides some tips for owners to help ensure the safety of their animals during flight. Veterinarian Jay King suggests getting pets used to the crate they will fly in beforehand, and he says pets’ disposition and the weather should be taken into consideration before putting animals on a flight. The ASPCA recommends ensuring your animal is up to date on vaccinations and that the collar and crate are labeled appropriately. Freezing a dish of water ensures pets have water to drink when they’re ready for it. St. Louis Post-Dispatch/Along for the Ride blog

In November 2010, a French bulldog died sometime during a pair of Continental Airlines flights between St. Louis and Seattle.

During a necropsy of the 11/2-year-old dog at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, a “small amount of shredded newspaper” was found partially obstructing the opening of the dog’s larynx. The dog’s death was determined to be unrelated to the airline’s handling of the pet.

The cursory account is one of dozens that airlines have filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation in recent years in response to federal reporting rules.

First, it should be noted that the overwhelming majority of pets and other animals that travel by air suffer no serious consequences. Continental shipped 6,725 animals in November 2010 with only one incident.

Still, there are enough reports of animal injuries and deaths to gain some insights into these worst cases. During 2012, for instance, 58 animals were lost, injured or died, during air transportation. In 2011, there were 46. In 2010, the number was 57.

Dr. Jay King of the Watson Road Veterinary Clinic said that “99.9 percent of the time, it is noneventful” to fly with your pet. But there are steps you can take to prevent harm from coming to your family pet during a flight.

If your pet is flying in a crate, take the time for the animal to become familiar with it beforehand.

Drive the pet around town to get accustomed to the notion of travel. Tranquilizers may help your dog or cat handle the stress of air travel, King said, but they can also affect an animal’s ability to regulate its body temperature.

In one case, records show, an English bulldog died after its owner administered a dose of Xanax before a flight in late December from Orlando, Fla., to Seattle.

Recognize that some pets — just like some pet owners — are not comfortable with air travel. They can suffer panic attacks or separation anxiety, King said.

“They are in a weird situation,” King said. “They are put in a cargo hold. Their ears pop. Sometimes they will really freak out.”

Take weather into account, he said. If it is too hot or too cold, the airline may not let your pet fly if the animal is going to be shipped in the cargo hold.

Many of the reports filed during the last three years involved dogs that injured themselves while trying to chew their way out of transport crates. After one Alaska Airlines flight touched down in Seattle last December, ramp workers noticed that a dog’s mouth was stuck on the metal wires of the kennel door, according to one report. Workers had to cut a few of the wires to free the dog’s mouth.

The owners told the airline the dog suffers from “extreme separation anxiety,” and that they would be taking it to a veterinarian to check for any injuries to its mouth.

Many of the mishaps involved international flights, which King said can amount to “a nightmare” because of the extra steps required.

In June 2011, an 8-month-old chinchilla that was originally loaded onto a Delta Air Lines flight at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport was discovered dead at its ultimate destination, Moscow.

Delta officials reported that the chinchilla was “in good condition” at JFK International Airport in New York before it was loaded onto the final flight to Moscow. Once it got there, however, the chinchilla was dead. During a necropsy, the doctor determined that “to the best of our knowledge, cause of death was due to a septic gastroenteritis or acute heart failure from stress,” the report showed.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends against flying with your pet — unless it is going to fly with you in the cabin. If you must transport a pet as cargo on a commercial flight, here are some tips:

• Make sure all vaccinations are up to date and get a health certificate from your veterinarian within 10 days of the trip.
• Don’t forget to make sure your pet has a collar and an identification tag, and a microchip if possible. The collar should include information about your destination, in case the animal escapes.
• Choose a direct flight whenever possible.
• Pick a USDA-approved shipping crate, and write “live animal” in one-inch letters on the top and at least one side. Affix arrows to show the upright position of the crate.
• Freeze a small dish of water the night before the trip so it won’t spill while loading. It should be melted by the time your pet is thirsty. King says ice cubes work too.

Your pet is family, so take the extra time to ensure the flight ends happily.

QUALITY ASSURANCE NOTICE:  Nature’s Variety has announced a voluntary recall of one batch of Instinct® Raw Organic Chicken Formula with a “Best if Used By” date of 10/04/13. This action is being taken because pieces of clear plastic may be found in some bags and could cause a potential choking risk to pets.  The source of plastic has been identified and the issue has been resolved.

The affected product is strictly limited to a single batch of Organic Chicken Formula with the “Best if Used By” date of 10/04/13.  This includes:

• UPC# 7 69949 60137 1 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula medallions, 3 lbs. bag

• UPC# 7 69949 70137 8 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula medallions, 27 lbs. case

• UPC# 7 69949 60127 2 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula patties, 6 lbs. bag

• UPC# 7 69949 70127 9 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula patties, 36 lbs. case

The “Best if Used By” date is located on the back of the package below the “Contact Us” section.  The affected product was distributed through retail stores and internet sales in the United States and Canada.  No other products were impacted.

Nature’s Variety became aware of a potential issue after receiving a consumer complaint.  The source of the issue was identified and resolved.  To date, there have been no reports of harm to dogs or cats.

Reed Howlett, CEO of Nature’s Variety, stated, “At Nature’s Variety we take quality and safety very seriously.  We believe that under all circumstances, the health and safety of pets comes first.”

Consumers feeding the affected product should discontinue use and monitor their pet’s health, and contact their veterinarian if they have concerns.  Consumers who have purchased one of the above products can obtain a full refund or exchange by either returning the product in its original packaging or bringing a proof of purchase back to their retailer.

Consumers with additional questions can call the Nature’s Variety Consumer Relations team at 1.888.519.7387 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST. Or, click here to email us directly.

For media inquiries, please contact Jeff Dezen at JDPR by phone (864.233.3776, ext. 11) or email (jeffd@jdpr.com).

Accidental pet poisonings in 2012 increased 7% over the previous year, according to the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center, and human medications are often the culprit. Insurance claims for toxin exposure and ingestion submitted to PetPlan averaged $465 after deductibles were met. To prevent accidental pet poisonings, veterinarians recommend storing medications properly and taking them when pets aren’t around. “Assume anything a kid can get into, pets can get into,” said veterinarian Kevin Fitzgerald. The Wall Street Journal

Annie, the Berlin family’s three-year-old Cavachon, has always been alert to the possibility of dropped food, not least thanks to living with three kids under the age of 15.

So when Josh Berlin, 48, went to the kitchen to take two Tylenol for a headache last August, Annie was hot on his heels. Shaking out gel capsules from the bottle, Mr. Berlin accidentally dropped three from his hand to the floor.

“Before I could do anything, she had lapped one up,” he recalls. Knowing that Tylenol’s active ingredient, acetaminophen, is toxic to pets, the Berlins rushed Annie from their Beverly Hills, Calif., home to their local veterinarian, who referred her to a nearby animal hospital. There she received an intravenous neutralizing agent and was kept overnight for observation.

Cases of accidental pet poisonings are on the rise. A new study from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that its Animal Poison Control Center, based in Urbana, Ill., handled more than 180,000 calls about poisonous substances in 2012, up 7% from the previous year. The problem might be bigger than those numbers suggest, since many pet owners—like the Berlins—head straight to the vet instead of calling a hotline, says the center’s medical director, Tina Wismer.

Human medications and supplements are some of the most common toxins ingested by pets. Prescription medicines for humans have accounted for the majority of the ASPCA center’s calls for the past five years, with a 2% increase last year to more than 25,200 calls. Over-the-counter medications and supplements ranked third, up 2.8% to nearly 18,500 calls, after insecticides. Veterinary medications came in fourth, up 5.2% to nearly 10,700 calls.

Based on the ASPCA’s center’s statistics, the fatality rate from accidental poisonings appears to be low, at 0.2% of cases. Dr. Wismer says the center isn’t able to determine the outcome of each call, so that rate could be higher.

Follow-up figures suggest that insecticides and rodenticides are the deadliest household items for pets. But common medicines for humans can also prove lethal, depending on the pet’s weight, the amount consumed and the strength of the toxin. “One acetaminophen will kill a cat,” says Kevin T. Fitzgerald, a veterinarian with VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver.

Pets’ tastes tend to follow prescription and health trends. In 2012, calls about prescription pain medications jumped 63%; antidepressants 47.5%. “More and more people are on these drugs, and dogs find them on the nightstand,” says Dr. Fitzgerald. And it isn’t always the medication they want in the first place: Prescription bottles can make an attractive chew toy for a bored pet.

There is some evidence, too, that medications have gotten more tempting in recent years. Supplements for joints are often made of beef cartilage or shellfish, and more manufacturers are using gelatin-based soft gels or capsules, says Tod Cooperman, president of ConsumerLab.com, a website that evaluates supplements. A dog’s sweet tooth makes sweetened or flavored human meds attractive. “Our pets have such good noses that even though the bottle is closed, they can smell the stuff,” says Bernadine Cruz, a veterinarian with the Laguna Hills Animal Hospital in Laguna Woods, Calif.

Dogs are more susceptible to accidental poisoning than cats. Labrador Retrievers got into the most trouble last year, accounting for nearly 14,000 calls to the APCC. “Dogs experience the whole world by tasting it,” says Dr. Fitzgerald. “Cats are a little more picky.”

But not immune. Although more than half of the APCC’s 10,000 cat cases in 2012 involved exposure to insecticides and toxic cleaners that cats walked across and then ingested while grooming, there are certain medications—notably, the antidepressant Effexor—that cats will willingly consume, says Dr. Wismer.

Sarah Rothmann, of Charlotte, N.C., suspects that superior sense of smell was what prompted her 10-year-old Basset Hound Shakespear to “counter surf” last August, standing up on his hind legs to paw a bottle of veterinary pain pills off the kitchen island. The intended patient, Woody, another of her six rescued Bassets, was supposed to take half of a chewable, flavored tablet every 12 hours. Shakespear chowed down on eight full tablets in one sitting.

It was the first time Shakespear had surfed for something that wasn’t clearly food. “We have stuff up there on the counter all the time, including medications, and he’s never touched it,” says Ms. Rothmann, 42. After a call to the APCC, Shakespear got a daily dose for a week of human-heartburn medicine Pepcid to prevent stomach irritation from the overdose.

Pet poisonings can be costly. The APCC typically charges $65 for consultations. In 2012, Petplan’s average insurance claim for vet visits associated with accidental poisoning was $465, after a deductible of $50 to $200. Dr. Benson says the company has seen claims as high as $10,000 in more severe cases. And while insurance covers accidents including poisoning, some insurers might not cover a pet that has a track record of eating unsuitable items.

This is American Heart Month, and dogs and cats don’t want to be left out, writes veterinarian Ann Hohenhaus, who discusses a canine cardiac patient. A dachshund named Chad suffers from a rare heart wall tumor, leaky valves and heart failure. Dr. Hohenhaus suggests owners get any coughing dog evaluated by a veterinarian. Chad is doing well on his veterinarian-directed treatment. WebMD/Tales from the Pet Clinic blog

By Ann Hohenhaus, DVM

This year, we have a spokes-dog who does not want to be outdone by last year’s spokes-cat. This dog has not one, but two types of heart problems at the same time!

An accidental tumor

Chad is a rescued, older male dachshund. After he found a forever home, he needed some dental work.  Because his regular veterinarian heard a heart murmur, an echocardiogram was ordered as part of the pre-dental evaluation. Echocardiograms evaluate the heart noninvasively using sound waves. The test showed Chad’s heart murmur was due to leaky valves. Leaky valves are the most common cause of a heart murmur in a dog.

In Chad’s case, the test surprisingly found a tumor near the base of the heart and he came to The Animal Medical Center in March of 2012 for further evaluation.

Magnetic resonance imaging

Heart tumors are quite uncommon; one study showed heart tumors occur in less than 0.2% of all dogs. The two most common types are often hard to distinguish using an echocardiogram. To image the heart, we use a special type of MRI. The MRI showed the tumor was located in the heart wall and could not be removed surgically. We started chemotherapy and between  treatments, when he was feeling well, his teeth were cleaned. Chemotherapy finished in November 2012 and an echocardiogram showed the tumor was smaller.

Heart problem number two

In January 2013, Chad’s leaky valves worsened causing heart failure, a buildup of fluid in his lungs. The AMC’s Emergency Service treated him with diuretics (water pills), oxygen and other medications to decrease the fluid in his lungs. The Cardiology Service prescribed medications to keep his broken heart working and the fluid from building up again in his lungs. After two days in the ICU, his heart was ticking well and he went home to his anxiously waiting family.

Is your dog coughing? It might be heart failure. Our friends at the Washington State College of Veterinary Medicine have a nice list of the causes of coughing in dogs.

Still worried your dog might have heart failure? Review the clinical signs and see your veterinarian if you think your dog has heart failure.

If owners take their pet along for a car ride, experts recommend properly restraining pets and purchasing veterinary medical insurance for animals who may be injured in a car accident. Some 56% of dog owners in an AAA survey reported they brought their dog in the car at least monthly within the previous year. Many automobile insurance companies offer coverage for pets injured in vehicles, but prices and coverage vary, so owners should do their homework, experts say. Fox Business/CarInsurance.com (1/31)

Americans shared their homes with 377.4 million animals in 2011, according to  the American Pet Products Association survey.

Cats were the most popular pet, at 86.4 million, and dogs came in a close  second with 78.2 million.

But while a car ride with a cat is an exercise in tension, a dog goes along  for the fun of it. A recent AAA survey found that 56% of dog owners had driven  with companions at least once a month over the past year.

Unfortunately, most people are driving dangerously when Fido is riding  shotgun. 65% admitted engaging in distracting activities such as petting their  dog (52%) and using their hands to restrict the dog’s movement when braking  (23%).

Despite knowing better — 83% agree that driving with an unrestrained dog is  dangerous — only 16% use a restraining device.

The danger of an unrestrained pet is very real. According to Jennifer  Huebner-Davidson, AAA National Traffic Safety program manager, an unrestrained  10-pound dog in a crash at 50 mph will exert roughly 500 pounds of force, while  an unrestrained 80-pound dog in a crash at only 30 mph will exert approximately  2,400 pounds of force.

Adam Fell of Veterinary Pet Insurance  says the most common types of injuries suffered by pets in car accidents are  bruises and lacerations, chest and head trauma, major wounds, fractures and  ruptured organs. All of these require extensive — and expensive — medical  care.

So is my pet covered?

If the accident was your fault, your vet bills are your own problem, says  Penny Gusner, consumer analyst at CarInsurance.com. A pet is considered personal  property, and collision and comprehensive typically cover damage only to the  vehicle.

On the other hand, if the other driver was at fault, you can make a claim  against their property damage liability  coverage.  The bills for your car and the bills for your pet would come out of the same pot  of money, so if the at-fault driver’s limits aren’t high enough to pay  everything, you would still be on the hook.

Fortunately, a number of car insurers value your pet like a member of the  family and include some coverage on their collision policies.

Progressive was the first insurer to add pet coverage back in 2007. Other  insurers have jumped on the bandwagon, but availability varies by insurer and by  state.

Here is a quick rundown of the major insurers that will cover your pet in  an accident:

• AAA Insurance – Dogs and cats only. This is not a national program so check  with your local club. $500 injury or burial.
• Auto-Owners – Coverage is for cats and dogs only. $750 for injury or burial  per animal or $1,500 per incident.
• Erie – Coverage is for dogs and cats only. Up to two pets per claim. $500  each for medical care or $1,000 per loss.
• Progressive – Coverage is for dogs and cats only. $1000 per loss for medical  care or burial. Coverage also extends to boats and RVs. Dogs and cats of  relatives that live with you are protected as well.
• Chubb – Coverage extends coverage to all pets except animals used to  generate income such as racing dogs or horses. $2,000 for injury or death.
• Safeco – Coverage is for dogs and cats only. $500 for injury or death.

While pet coverage is a great perk, Gusner says, it’s shouldn’t be a deciding  factor when you comparison shop for car insurance. (See “Pocket $1,102 just by shopping  around.”)

“The difference in rates between companies can be hundreds or even thousands  of dollars,” Gusner says. “You might be able to buy separate pet insurance with  the savings and have money left over.”

According to Dr. Jules Benson of Petplan Pet Insurance, pet  insurance covers treatment for all accidental injuries including those sustained  in car accidents, as well as illnesses.

Costs vary by pet age and size and the deductible you choose; $8,000 in  coverage for an 8-year-old Lab would run about $42 a month.

Keeping your best friend safe

The best way to keep your pet safe is to use a harness or crate when rolling  with your pet. Experts recommend crating dogs or cats and putting them in the  rear cargo area. In smaller cars, buckling them up in the backseat using a  harness is the safest way to travel.

Harnesses are widely available and are priced from $15 and up depending on  the pet size.

Dog trainer and pet expert Amy Robinson offers a  few do’s and don’ts for keeping your pet safe while in the car:

Do:

• Measure your dog for a cushioned, well-fitted car harness.
• Use treats to entice the dog to put his head through the harness.
• Go on a short walk wearing the harness to let him get used it.
• Use a crate as an alternative, but secure it in the car.

Don’t:

• Feed your dog a big meal just before departing.
• Put a dog unrestrained in the front seat, air bags can injury pets.
• Allow the dog to sit on your lap. This can be a huge distraction.
• Tie your dog down using his leash and collar.
• Roll the window all the way down. This is an accident waiting to  happen.

Read more:  https://www.carinsurance.com/Articles/pets-car-coverage.aspx?WT.qs_osrc=fxb-163582110#ixzz2KAT6B8SV

Holly, an 18-pound cat, is swimming off her extra pounds since she won’t engage in any other form of exercise, according to her owner. Swimming therapy is used routinely in dogs for weight loss or to aid rehabilitation after surgery, but it’s less common to see a cat in the pool. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 55% of cats and 53% of dogs are too heavy, putting them at greater risk of serious illnesses including diabetes, arthritis and some cancers. WJLA-TV (Washington, D.C.) (1/31), TODAY/Animal Tracks blog (1/31)

It’s not every day that you see a swimming cat.

But in Loudoun County, a particularly rotund 13-year-old cat  regularly glides into the pool to swim laps. It’s part of her weight loss  plan.

Athough it’s odd to see a cat swimming, it’s the only exercise she’ll agree  to.

“She won’t do anything else,” says Dani Lawhorne of her cat, Holly. “I’ve  tried to take her outside. She doesn’t like the outdoors so she won’t run  around, she won’t play with cat toys, she doesn’t like cat nip. Anything normal  that cats like, she just doesn’t like.”

And so once a week, Holly suits up at the Olde Towne Pet Resort.

Weighing in at almost 20 pounds, Holly’s weight loss goal is approximately  six to seven pounds.

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 53 percent of dogs  and 55 percent of cats are overweight or obese. That’s more than 88 million  pets.

And the effects can be life-threatening, increasing the risk of arthritis,  diabetes and even cancer.

“I don’t think people appreciate the seriousness of long-term overweight body  condition,” says Dr. Robert Justin, an internal medicine veterinarian.

If your pet is overweight, talk with your veterinarian about starting an  exercise program and choosing a lower fat food. Slimming down is especially  important for overweight pets who are injured.

Thanks to her new workout regimen and a healthier diet, Holly’s making some  progress. She’s lost about a pound the past six months.

Read more: https://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/01/loudoun-county-cat-swims-laps-to-lose-weight-84707.html#ixzz2KAPxbjHm

Poor oral health has serious repercussions, AVMA reminds owners
The AVMA designated February as National Pet Dental Health Month to highlight the importance of oral care for overall animal health. The majority of adult cats and dogs have dental disease, and if left untreated, the condition can have serious consequences. “Dental problems are extremely common, and many are very painful and can lead to serious systemic conditions,” said AVMA President Dr. Douglas Aspros. “An untreated dental infection can spread to the heart, kidneys and other organs and suddenly become life-threatening.” PetSide.com

Sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association, (AVMA) the month of February has been set aside as National Pet Dental Health Month. And while I’ll wager almost anything that the majority of humans don’t consider a trip to the dentist to be one of their top 10 most favorite things to do, it’s no secret that regular dental checkups are essential to maintain overall good health. It’s equally just as important for pet parents to provide regular dental care for their pets.

According to studies made by the American Animal Hospital Association, (AHHA) sadly, 85 percent of dogs and cats over the age of 3 years have already suffered dental or gum disease. Without regular dental care and cleaning, pets can develop gingivitis, (an often painful inflammation of the gums) from the bacterial laden plaque which, if not taken care of on a regular basis, develops into tarter or calculus.

The AAHA studies also found that two-thirds of pet guardians do not provide the regular dental care recommended by veterinarians.  Kate Knutson, co-owner of the Pet Crossing Animal Hospital and Dental Clinic, located in Bloomington, Minnesota, said, “We believe that one of the most important parts of pets’ health care is attention to dental disease.”

Board president of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry and certified veterinary dentist, Dr. Brook A. Niemiec said, “Unfortunately, only about one percent of pet owners brush their pet’s teeth. Not only do more pet owners need to brush their pet’s teeth, they should also use chew toys, treats and rawhides to help keep their pet’s teeth clean.”

Dr. Douglas Aspros, President of the AVMA said, “Dental problems are extremely common, and many are very painful and can lead to serious systemic conditions”. He reminds pet guardians that, “an untreated dental infection can spread to the heart, kidneys and other organs, and suddenly become life threatening.”

Although the AVMA is promoting Pet Dental Health Month in February, at the same time the organization is reminding dog and cat owners that in addition to making an appointment with their veterinarian for a complete dental checkup and cleaning, that learning how to brush their pet’s teeth and do so on a regular basis that their veterinarian recommends is equally essential.

Learn the symptoms of pet dental disease which many are hard to ignore. One of the first signs of gum disease is unrelenting bad breath. Additionally, pets may exhibit: difficulty in eating, pawing at their mouth, gums that are sore and red gums, and tooth discoloration caused by tarter.

In order to celebrate Pet Dental Health Month, many veterinary practices are offering a special discount for their pet’s oral care.

Feline bites pose problems for cats and humans, writes veterinarian Marty Becker, because bacteria from a cat’s mouth can cause a serious infection. Cats bitten by another feline may need surgical and antibiotic treatment as well as drain placement by a veterinarian to completely clear the infection, Dr. Becker writes. Humans who are bitten by cats should thoroughly wash the area and be evaluated by a physician, he adds.

Q.  My cat got into a fight again and now he has an infection. I just can’t afford another trip to the vet. What can I do at home?

A.  You need to take your cat to the veterinarian, because cat bites can be very serious. After this issue is resolved, you can save money through prevention – and that means keeping your cat inside.

Why? Because this common feline health problem is often the result of a puncture wound, specifically a bite from another cat during a fight over territory or mates.

Nearly every free-roaming cat needs to see a veterinarian from time to time to have an abscess treated – and by “treated,” I mean surgically opened, flushed clean of debris, and sometimes temporarily held open by drains to let the wound heal with the help of time and some strong antibiotics.

A cat’s mouth is a nasty mix of bacteria, and once that bacteria gets punched into another cat’s body, the result will probably be an abscess. Think about it – bacteria being injected with two hypodermic needles (the cat’s fangs) into a perfect incubator (another cat’s 101-plus-degree body). The only possible outcome is infection.

That’s also why even relatively minor cat bites can become serious medical issues for humans, leading to hospitalization in some cases. Any time you’re bitten or scratched by an animal, you should wash the area immediately with soap and water, and have the wound checked out by your doctor.

– Dr. Marty Becker

Even the most football-obsessed owners have to remember their pets may need special attention during the Super Bowl, according to veterinarians Debra Horwitz and Marty Becker. The noise and activity, coupled with all the guests and food that often accompany the Super Bowl, can cause stress for pets, and owners should take time to pet their animals, take them out for bathroom breaks, avoid feeding them human food and give anxious pets a quiet room away from the festivities if needed, they advise.

If you’re an American, have eyes and ears, and enjoy eating, then you’re probably celebrating Super Bowl Sunday this weekend — that wonderful time of year when it’s all about delicious finger foods, screaming fans and, yeah, football too.

But while you’re shrieking at the TV and jumping around like you’ve never seen a football game before in your life, your poor, confused pets will be taking the brunt of your excitement.

That’s why animal behaviorist Dr. Debra Horwitz and “America’s Veterinarian” Dr. Marty Becker have partnered with Petco to help you help your pet cope with football fever.

1. Don’t forget your pets’ needs.

Just because the biggest game of the year is on TV doesn’t mean your pet can forgo his bathroom breaks and social needs. Record the commercials — or watch them online later — and use that time to tend to your four-legged friend. You can even take a quick trip to the dog park if you can stand missing a few minutes of the game.

2. Keep the greasy wings away.

We mean from your dog — although it wouldn’t hurt if you banned them from your own stomach as well. Do not be tempted to throw fattening foods to your pets — particularly chicken wings, which they can choke on. And make sure to remind your guests to refrain from the same.

3. Pause and pet.

There are moments during the Super Bowl when even humans can get a tad frightened by the screaming fans — especially when you’re not paying attention (or have no idea what’s going on). So how do you think your pets feel when your neighbor takes a flying leap at the television? Make sure to take a few moments during the game to show your pet some love. The best part? Stopping to pet your dog (or even watching fish swim) can help reduce your blood pressure and decrease cortisol, a hormone related to stress and anxiety.

4. Find a quiet place.

If you find your pet looking anxious, set aside a quiet room for him to retreat. It will calm him down and even give you some relief from the insanity.