In our pet first aid/CPR classes I team with the help of Pet Safety Cat Casey, I alert my students that cats are not small dogs. Cats are uniquely both prey and predator with flexible spines, sharp claws and a curious nature.

Here are nine ways to ensure your home is safe for your indoor cat:

1. Store thread, balls or yarn, dental floss and other types of string in drawers and other places your cat cannot access. Cats are attracted to these items and swallowing any of these can cause choking and possible internal injuries.
2. Keep the dryer door closed between laundry loads. Some cats like to nap in dark, warm places.
3. Block off areas behind heavy furniture, such as the refrigerator or a big bookcase that your explore-minded cat might become stuck.
4. Inspect your window screens to make sure they are sturdy and will not pop off if your new feline leans against it.
5. Enclose electrical cords in PVC tubing to keep chew-happy cats from harm.
6. Install baby locks on cabinets where you store household cleaners and other sprays to prevent accidental poisoning. 
7. Make sure you do not have any indoor plants that are poisonous if nibbled on by your new cat. Topping the list are lilies, tulips and aloe vera.
8. Check under your recliner or rocking chair before you sit down.  Your new cat may be napping under the rocking chair or inside the recliner
9. Be aware that popular people food like chocolate, grapes, raisins and sushi are toxic to cats who can suffer serious health issues, such as vomiting, seizures and kidney failure. 

Parting tip:  do a room-by-room inspection monthly to identify any safety hazards to your new feline friend. 

Learn more

You can learn more on ways to keep your cats and dogs safe by visiting https://www.protrainings.com/courses/pets. Consider taking our veterinarian-approved online pet first aid/CPR course. Enter this code: CPR – ARDEN MOORE and receive a 10 percent discount! And, if you are interested in becoming a Pro Pet Hero instructor, please click on the BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR button on the home page for more details.

The post 9 Ways to Cat-Proof Your Home appeared first on ProTrainings.

These are legitimate questions. Online CPR certification can be valid, but the answer depends on your profession, your employer’s policy, the regulatory agency involved, the state you operate in, and the course format. For many non-clinical professions, an accepted online or blended course is fine. For other professions, a hands-on skills check is required. It all depends.

It All Depends & the Key Takeaways

• “Online CPR” is not one thing. It can be any of three formats:
  • 100% online (eLearnings or training videos only)
  • Blended (online coursework plus a live hands-on skills check)
  • Classroom (in-person or live, virtual training with a hands-on skills check)

• OSHA does not approve CPR training programs or companies. It only identifies the standards required.
• Employers vary on whether they require CPR training at all. Some that require it accept online training. Others require a hands-on skills check or a named training program such as American Heart Association Basic Life Support (AHA BLS).
• Blended training is often a strong middle ground. It balances time away from the job with assurance that your team is capable in an emergency.

The Short Answer

Online CPR certification is not automatically invalid, and it is not automatically enough. It depends on your specific requirements.

Here are a few Rules of Thumb to help you figure out what type of CPR training fits your team:

1. Confirm whether a rule applies. If no law, professional license requirement, or licensing rule requires CPR training for the profession, the decision is usually employer preference and is not a regulatory requirement.
2. Match the format to the rule. If CPR training is required but the employer or board allows multiple training programs, an accredited blended course is often the strongest option because it combines online coursework with a hands-on skills check.
3. Respect named-provider and skills-check requirements. If the employer, facility, or board requires a named training program or a hands-on skills check, an online-only card may not satisfy the requirement even when the course content follows AHA and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) / International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) guidelines.

What Changes by Situation

1. Employers with no CPR mandate

Some employers want CPR-trained staff for general readiness, customer confidence, or insurance reasons, even when no specific rule requires it. In these cases, the buying question is usually convenience, pricing, documentation, and internal preference.

2. Employers that require CPR training but allow multiple training programs

This is where blended training often fits best. The employer needs a current card, documented skills assessment, and a training program they can defend during an audit or internal review. They may not require AHA by name.

3. Employers or boards that require a hands-on skills check or a named training program

This is the strictest case. Clinical healthcare professions, some licensing boards, and some company policies require AHA BLS or another named training path. When that happens, the question is not whether online learning is “real.” It is whether the specific card satisfies the rule.

What Makes CPR Certification Valid

Three components matter:

1. Follows AHA and ECC/ILCOR Guidelines

The American Heart Association uses International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation consensus to publish the Emergency Cardiovascular Care guidelines used in the United States. Whether you choose the American Red Cross (ARC), an AHA-authorized training center, or another online training program, the content should follow AHA and ECC/ILCOR guidelines.

2. Includes the Required Skills

Most employers need certification that covers CPR, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use, and First Aid. Some online-only programs sell CPR by itself at a low price, then charge separately for AED and First Aid. Compare the complete package, not just the CPR price.

3. Provides Documentation

You need certification cards with employee names, certification dates, and expiration dates. Renewal cycles are commonly two years and vary by program and profession. During an audit, inspectors expect to see this documentation quickly.

How to Choose the Right Training

1. Verify Your Requirements

• Confirm whether the profession is covered by a specific OSHA standard, a licensing rule, a contract, or an internal policy
• Confirm whether the requirement is about CPR training generally, a hands-on skills check, or a named training program
• Review state licensing board requirements for your profession
• Confirm insurance policy requirements
• Check health department or permit requirements

2. Evaluate the Training Program

• Confirm the program follows AHA and ECC/ILCOR guidelines
• Confirm national accreditation
• Confirm acceptance in your state for your profession
• Confirm the program provides certification documentation with names, dates, and expirations
• Confirm a blended or classroom option is available if your policy requires a hands-on skills check

3. Compare Complete Packages

Don’t just compare the certification price. Compare:

• Whether CPR, AED, and First Aid are included or sold separately
• Whether an admin dashboard tracks expirations
• Whether live phone support is available
• Whether SCORM packages are provided for your Learning Management System (LMS)
• Whether the program integrates with your existing systems
• Whether time savings outweigh the cost of manual tracking

4. Calculate True Cost

Include in your calculation:

• Certification cost per employee
• Admin time to track expirations
• Cost of compliance violations or audit failures
• Time employees spend in training (online coursework completed at the learner’s pace versus a full day in a classroom)
• Paid training-time obligations for hourly staff (see the Common Questions section below)

Common Questions From Employers

The Bottom Line

Online CPR certification can be valid, but it is only “valid” in practice if it matches the rules that apply to you and your team.

Hold these four things in mind:

1. Identifying the controlling requirement (employer policy, professional license rule, OSHA standard, insurance rule, or internal safety preference)
2. Choosing the right format (100% online, blended, or classroom)
3. Choosing a training provider that meets your industry’s requirements
4. Confirming the training is operationally manageable (renewals, documentation, support, and paid training time for hourly staff)

The real question isn’t “Is online CPR valid?” It is “Does this training meet our compliance requirements and make our admin life easier?”

When an audit shows up, you need:

• Documentation you can pull up in seconds
• Proof that your training meets the specific requirements for your industry
• Automated tracking so you know when renewals are due
• A training program you can call with questions

That’s what makes training “valid” in practice. Not just technically compliant, but operationally sound.

Next Steps

1. Identifying your requirements. Profession, employer policy, regulatory agency, state rule, contract, or insurance language.
2. Confirming the format. 100% online, blended, or classroom, based on the requirements above.
3. Verifying provider acceptance before rollout. Ask whether the format and card satisfy the specific rule that applies. Reputable training programs can confirm.
4. Comparing the full operational fit. Price, renewal tracking, support, reporting, rollout speed, and paid training-time obligations for hourly staff.

Need to verify which format fits your situation? ProTrainings offers 100% online, blended, and classroom CPR, AED, and First Aid options depending on your requirements. We can help you identify whether your team needs format flexibility, a hands-on skills check, or a named-provider path before rollout. Book a compliance check with our team.

The post Is Online CPR Certification Valid? What Employers Need to Know appeared first on ProTrainings.

What it does

Every night at 12AM EST, ProTrainings packages up every certificate completed in the prior 24 hours and emails it to the recipient or recipients you give us.

Each email includes:

• A link to a zip file with one PDF per certificate. The link expires after 7 days.
• A summary in the body of the email with learner name, course title, completion date, and a total count for the day. You get a snapshot before you ever open the attachment.

Who is this for?

Compliance officers, HR coordinators, credentialing staff, and operations managers in industries where training records have to be current, accurate, and producible on short notice. Healthcare, fitness, transportation, daycare and foster services. Anywhere an auditor or regulator might ask “show me what happened yesterday.”

It’s also for the account admin who has been doing this manually. You don’t have to be anymore.

Why it matters

Manual certification retrieval is one of those tasks that doesn’t show up on anyone’s strategic priority list, but it takes dedicated time every week. It introduces a lag between completion and documentation. That lag turns into a problem the moment someone asks for proof.

How to get started

Contact our Customer Support team and share the email address(es) you want your certificates sent to. Within one business day, your certifications will start being emailed daily. Already have a ProTrainings account? Book a call with our team to walk through setup.

The post Certificates on Autopilot:  Daily Delivery Now Available appeared first on ProTrainings.

They depend on us to make sure their ears stay healthy. That’s why it is important to conduct a weekly sniff test inside your dog’s ears, using your eyes to inspect the canal as well. Catching a health issue early keeps it from progressing.

In our pet first aid/CPR classes, we devote time to conducting a head-to-tail wellness assessment on our pets. We encourage students to use their own noses and eyes to really inspect the health of their dogs.

Signs of Ear Issues

Let’s zero in on the ears. Be on the lookout if your dog starts to

• Scratch at one or both of his ears
• Shake his head back and forth repeatedly
• Tilts his head to one side
• Emit yucky odors from the ears, which can range from sour, yeasty or foul smelling
• Show waxy buildup in the ear canals
• Develop redness, dark discharge or crusty scabs inside the ears
• Cries out in pain when his ears are touched

It is important to reach out to your veterinarian when you see or smell any abnormalities with your dog’s ears so that the issue can be resolved quickly.

Causes of Ear Problems

Unhealthy ears can be due to:

• Allergies. Your dog may be showing an adverse reaction to a new food or something in your yard, such as pollen.
• Ear mites
• Excess water and moisture in the ears if your dog loves to swim and the ears were not properly cleaned and dried
• Bacterial or yeast ear infections
• Bugs, grass or other foreign objects lodged in the ears

At-Home Safe Ear Care

Here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to doing your part at home to keep your dog’s ears healthy:

• Do only use veterinarian-approved ear cleaning products, such as liquid ear cleaners and ear wipes.
• Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or strong vinegar mixes because they can damage the ear tissue and cause irritation and swelling
• Do use sterile gauze pads or cotton balls to clean inside the ear canals
• Don’t use cotton swabs to clean inside the ears. If your dog moves suddenly, you could risk damaging the ear canal with the end of the cotton swab.
• Do be calm and patient. Select a quiet room in the house away from other pets to clean your dog’s ear.
• Do heap on the treats so you dog associates ear cleaning in a positive and rewarding way.

Again, if you do smell a strong odor or see any discharge from your dog’s ears during the cleaning, please immediately call your veterinarian and book an appointment.

Be ready before the next emergency

Spotting an ear infection early is one thing. Knowing what to do when your dog is choking, bleeding, or unresponsive is another. Our veterinarian-approved online pet first aid and CPR course walks you through the skills every pet parent should have, at your own pace.

Save 10% with code CPR-ARDEN-MOORE at checkout.

Want to teach pet first aid in your community?

If you’re a vet tech, groomer, trainer, or pet pro who wants to certify others, become a Pro Pet Hero instructor and start running your own classes.

The post Recognizing Ear Issues In Your Dog appeared first on ProTrainings.

The pair could not be more different in looks or personality. Frenchies sport pushed in faces and can be a bit clingy and comedic. Labs are noted for their athletic, sturdy builds and their playful pup energy that lasts well into adulthood. 

Genetics certainly play a role in the health of all of the 205 dog breeds recognized by the AKC. For potential adopters as well as pet professionals caring for these breeds, it is important to recognize potential health issues facing these popular breeds. 

In my pet first aid/CPR classes aimed at pet sitters, pet boarding staff, groomers and veterinary teams, I discuss how dogs definitely put the big D for diversity in the wide range of breeds and educate my students about ways to keep them safe while under their care.

Health Concerns for French Bulldogs

Frenchies are the most popular among the Brachycephalic breeds who all sport pushed-in or flat faces. Because of this, these dogs are at risk for breathing difficulties, airway obstructions and intolerance to hot temperatures.

Due to their skin folds, they are also prone to allergies and skin infections. The skin folds around their nose, lips, ears, tails and paws can trigger bacteria or yeast infections. Be on the lookout for any signs of redness, moisture, itching and foul odors in your French bulldog.

Veterinarians recommend that people with French bulldogs get into the daily habit of cleaning their skin folds with pet-safe antiseptic wipes. In some cases, anti-inflammatory or anti-fungal medication may need to be prescribed.

Health Concerns for Labrador Retrievers

Generally touted as a healthy breed, the Lab’s tall stature, however, can lead to hip and elbow dysplasia. Be on the lookout if your Lab begins to limp or show signs of pain that could mean a leg injury or arthritis.

Labs also possess chow hound reputations because they love to eat. Measure your Lab’s food portions for each meal to keep them from becoming overweight or obese. Both conditions can contribute to health issues like diabetes and heart disease.

If your Lab loves to play in water, make sure you frequently clean and dry his ears after swimming to prevent ear infections and hot spots. 

And finally, Labradors have greater chances to develop certain types of cancers than other breeds. Promptly report to your veterinarian if you spot any lumps or bumps on your Lab and have the vet team perform comprehensive annual exams that include blood and urine analysis to catch any health issues in their early stages. 

Curious as say, a cat, as to which breeds made the top 10 list as recently announced by the AKC?

Top 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds

1. French Bulldog
2. Labrador retriever
3. Golden retriever
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Dachshund
6. Poodle
7. Beagle
8. Rottweiler
9. German Shorthaired Pointer
10. Bulldog 

Be ready, whatever breed you love

Knowing the health risks tied to your dog’s breed is a start. Knowing what to do when your Frenchie can’t catch a breath or your Lab swallows something they shouldn’t is the next step. Our veterinarian-approved online pet first aid and CPR course walks you through the skills every pet parent and pet pro should have, at your own pace.

Save 10% with code CPR-ARDEN-MOORE at checkout.

Want to teach pet first aid in your community?

If you’re a vet tech, groomer, trainer, or pet pro who wants to certify others, become a Pro Pet Hero instructor and start running your own classes.

The post Keeping French Bulldogs and Labrador Retrievers Healthy and Safe appeared first on ProTrainings.

Identifying Risk Factors

The size of the dog plus the type of chocolate play factors in health risks. 

• Size of the dog:  small dogs who eat chocolate are more impacted than large dogs.
• Type of chocolate: Dark chocolate, baking chocolate and cocoa powder is more toxic for dogs than milk chocolate or white chocolate. That’s because those types contain higher levels of theobromine and caffeine. 

Theobromine is a chemical found in cocoa beans that acts as a stimulant when consumed. In people, theobromine is safe because our liver enzymes safely break it down. But dogs lack efficient liver enzymes to break it down. Also, theobromine can stay in a dog’s body for up to 72 hours, reaching toxic levels.

Theobromine can impact a dog’s heart, central nervous system, muscles and kidneys. 

Fortunately, in a matter of seconds, you can calculate those risks using what’s known as a dog chocolate toxicity calculator.

Popular Chocolate Toxicity Calculators

Here are three of the most popular sites offering free toxicity calculators:

• Breed.dog Chocolate Toxicity Calculator: https://breed.dog/dog-chocolate-toxicity-calculator
• PetMD Chocolate Toxicity Meter: https://www.petmd.com/dog/chocolate-toxicity
• Pet Med Helper Dog Chocolate Toxicity Meter: https://petmedhelper.com/calculators/dog-chocolate-toxicity 

Here’s how these calculators work: You enter your dog’s weight, estimated ounces of chocolate consumed and type of chocolate.  I decided to test these calculators.  So, I created a scenario in which my 40-pound dog, Kona, ate chocolate using the PetMD calculator. Here are the findings I received within 5 seconds:

Scenario 1: Kona ate 2 ounces of milk chocolate. 

Findings: Woo-hoo! We don’t expect to see symptoms in your dog but continue to monitor. Her. Contact your veterinarian if she shows any signs of tremors, seizures, hyperactivity or fast heart rate.

Scenario 2: Kona ate 2 ounces of dark chocolate.

Findings: Uh-oh! Your pet may need medical attention. Monitor your dog closely for these symptoms: GI upset, vomiting and shaking. 

Scenario 3: Kona ate 4 ounces of dark chocolate.

Findings: Ouch! Your pet may need medical attention if she displays these symptoms: vomiting, GI upset, hyperactivity, hypertension and restlessness. 

Next Steps to Aid Your Dog

1. Contact your veterinary clinic or the nearest veterinary emergency clinic. Or call either the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline (888 426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855 764-7661). Both are staffed 24-7 by board-certified veterinary toxicologists. 
2. Describe the type and estimated amount of chocolate your dog ate.
3. Report symptoms you see in your dog.
4. Follow the instructions from the veterinarian. 

Final advice: practice safety prevention. Make sure to store chocolates in kitchen drawers, refrigerators and pantries that are not accessible to your dogs. 

Learn more

You can learn more on ways to keep your cats and dogs safe by visiting https://www.protrainings.com/courses/pets. Consider taking our veterinarian-approved online pet first aid/CPR course. Enter this code: CPR – ARDEN MOORE and receive a 10 percent discount! And, if you are interested in becoming a Pro Pet Hero instructor, please click on the BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR button on the home page for more details.

The post Calculating Chocolate Dangers in Dogs  appeared first on ProTrainings.

The AHA updated its guidelines based on new ILCOR research. Core CPR techniques stay the same. Here’s what’s changing:

• Choking in adults/children: Back blows are now recommended alongside abdominal thrusts
• Infant chest compressions: Two-finger technique is out; use the heel of one hand or the two-thumb encircling technique instead
• Infant choking: Alternate 5 back blows with 5 chest thrusts using the heel of the hand
• Soft surfaces: Start CPR immediately, even on beds or soft surfaces, rather than wasting time moving the patient

The theme across all updates: get people acting faster with techniques that work in real-world conditions. ProTrainings will have updated courses by March 2026.

2025 ECC Updates Are Here

New research is leading to changes in how we save lives during cardiac emergencies. The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) is a global group of experts who study what works best in resuscitation. Their latest findings led the American Heart Association to update its 2025 guidelines. The good news is these updates don’t make things more complicated; they focus on what actually works when emergencies happen in real life, not just in textbook conditions.

The AHA updates will affect anyone who learns CPR and First Aid, from workplace safety coordinators to parents who want to protect their families. Each change addresses a gap between what we’ve traditionally taught and what actually happens when someone’s life is on the line. ProTrainings’ courses will be updated to align with the new certification standards by March 1st, 2026.

Reemphasis for Current Guidelines

Although there are few true changes in the current CPR guidelines, several core practices have been strongly re-emphasized. Rescuers should continue to: 

• Use the 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio
• Minimize time off the chest to under 10 seconds
• Deliver compressions at a rate of 100–120 per minute. 

CPR with breaths remains the most effective method, with hands-only CPR reserved for rescuers who are untrained or uncomfortable giving breaths. Compression depth should stay at 2–2.4 inches for adults or one-third the depth of the chest for infants and children. As always, the AED should be used as soon as it is ready, with attention to correct pad placement. 

The guidelines also highlight the importance of strong teamwork during resuscitation and emphasize closing the gap in CPR delivery between women and men—reassuring rescuers that the bra may remain in place, with AED pads placed underneath so they still contact bare skin.

The research also points to one consistent finding: bystander action saves lives. When someone nearby starts CPR before emergency services arrive, survival rates improve dramatically. The 2025 guidelines remove barriers and add options specifically to get more people acting sooner.

What’s Changing

The four changes we outline below are the most substantial ones from our perspective that everyone should know. They represent a subset of the full changes that were made to AHA’s guidelines.  

Back Blows Join Abdominal Thrusts for Choking

Previous guidelines have emphasized abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) as the primary technique for choking victims. The 2025 updates now incorporate back blows as well, aligning practices with international guidelines that have used this approach.

When someone is choking, you need to dislodge the obstruction. Having two complementary techniques increases your chances of success. Back blows still use pressure to force out the object, but they seem to be more effective with less concern for abdominal injuries with abdominal thrusts.

Infant Chest Compressions

Prior to 2025, rescuers learned the two-finger technique for infant chest compressions, pressing with two fingers on the sternum. When researchers studied real infant resuscitations and simulation data, they found that two-finger compressions consistently fell short of what’s needed to circulate blood effectively. The 2025 guidelines eliminate that approach entirely.

The new guidelines offer two alternatives: compress with the heel of one hand, or use the two-thumb encircling hands technique, where you wrap both hands around the infant’s chest and press with your thumbs. Both methods generate deeper, more effective compressions.

Infant Choking Response Clarified

The new guidelines also clarify the sequence for responding to a choking infant. Rescuers should alternate five back blows with five chest thrusts until the object is expelled or the infant becomes unresponsive. The chest thrusts should be delivered with the heel of one hand, not with fingers.

This isn’t a dramatic change from previous guidance, but the recommendation to use the heel of one hand aligns infant choking response with the updated compression technique. This reinforces that abdominal thrusts are not appropriate for infants. Their internal organs are still developing and positioned differently than those of older children or adults, making abdominal thrusts potentially harmful.

CPR on Soft Surfaces

Traditional teaching emphasized firm surfaces because they provide the resistance needed for effective chest compressions. Firm surfaces remain ideal, but the 2025 guidelines recognize that perfect conditions don’t always exist, and attempting to create them can waste time the patient doesn’t have. Just keep in mind that you will need to push harder to get the same depth for adequate compressions.

An elderly patient who is in cardiac arrest found in bed, someone who collapses in a bathroom too small to maneuver in, a responder who simply doesn’t have the physical strength to move the victim alone; these scenarios all benefit from this clarified guidance. Start CPR immediately, even if conditions are suboptimal, rather than delaying care to achieve the ideal setup.

What These Changes Mean for Your Training and Practice

At ProTrainings, we’re actively working to integrate these guidelines into our training materials, ensuring that what you learn reflects the most current evidence-based practices, because understanding these updates goes beyond simply learning new techniques. The real value lies in grasping the reasoning behind them. 

When you understand why back blows complement abdominal thrusts, you develop the kind of adaptive thinking that makes you effective in actual emergencies. You’re not just memorizing steps anymore. You’re understanding principles that help you make good decisions when conditions don’t match what you practiced. 

That’s why ProTrainings makes all of our online learning materials and videos easy to access and freely available. It’s also why we encourage our students to sign up for our weekly reminder emails, where we review key concepts to keep you prepared. 

If you’re pursuing CPR and First Aid certification or recertification, these updates will shape your learning experience.

For instructors, these updates offer a teaching opportunity that extends beyond technique demonstration. You can help students understand that emergency response protocols evolve continuously as we gather more evidence about what works. You can explain how these changes remove barriers that prevented people from acting confidently in the past. You can emphasize that flexibility and adaptation aren’t signs of confusion in emergency medicine, but rather signs of maturity and sophistication.

While these updates apply to everyone who learns CPR and First Aid, advanced healthcare providers have additional guidance and expectations outlined in the full 2025 guidelines. We’ll have updated courses for instructors and students by March 1st, 2026. As we get closer to launch, we’ll provide additional updates about what to expect.

Looking Ahead

Technology has transformed how research gets shared and analyzed. Studies from hospitals, EMS systems, and resuscitation registries around the world can be synthesized faster than ever before. That accelerated learning means guidelines will continue to evolve to save more lives.

We know many of you pursue CPR training because your job requires it. Our goal at ProTrainings goes beyond checking a compliance box. We want you to leave with genuine skills and the confidence to use them. When the moment comes, hesitation costs lives. Training that builds real competence builds the confidence to act.

The post What’s New in CPR and First Aid? Understanding the 2025 Guideline Updates appeared first on ProTrainings.

Generally, the formula is to give 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide per 10 pounds of weight in dogs. Depending on the situation, the veterinarian on the phone or online may suggest you give a second dose 10 minutes later. Be sure to bring in the vomit for the veterinary team to analyze.

Then you will be instructed for your dog’s safety to get safely and quickly to the nearest veterinary clinic where the staff has the equipment, medicine and skills to treat your poisoned dog.
But as I share in my pet first aid/CPR classes, veterinarians declare to never give hydrogen peroxide to cats. Never.

Dangers of Cats and Hydrogen Peroxide

Cats have more sensitive physiologies than their canine counterparts. Ingesting hydrogen peroxide can cause these serious issues for cats:
• Irritation to the esophagus
• Injuries to the stomach
• Internal bleeding
• Buildup of dangerous oxygen gas in the body

What To Do If Your Cat Is Poisoned

• Look around for any evidence of a poison your cat may have swallowed.
• Immediately contact your veterinarian or national pet poison agencies staffed 24-7 by veterinary toxicologists for guidance. Keep these toll-free numbers handy:
  • ASPCA Poison Control Hotline: 888426-4435
  • Pet Poison Helpline: 855 764-7661
• Remain calm as your cat can react to your emotional state and attempt to flee.
• Give the veterinarian specifics about your cat’s condition. Let them know if your cat is awake or unconscious.  Is your cat breathing normally or is the breathing labored? Report if your cat is drooling or having a seizure.

Guidelines for Giving Hydrogen Peroxide to Dogs

Dogs tend to examine their worlds by attempting to eat things. Time for you to act like a pet detective by gathering clues and immediately contacting your veterinarian on what you suspect your dog swallowed.
A veterinarian may guide you on giving your dog hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting if you confirm your dog swallowed human pain medications under these conditions:
• Your dog swallowed human medicine within two hours.
• Your dog is awake.
• Your dog is not having trouble breathing.
• Your dog is not experiencing any seizures.

Situations When to Induce Vomiting in Dogs

Tap your pet detective skills for clues on what your dog ate. Never give hydrogen peroxide if your dog ingested:
• Batteries that can cause burns to a dog’s mouth, throat and GI tract.
• Sharp items, such as staples or broken glass
• Household cleaners
• Gasoline
• Kerosene
• Furniture polish

Learn more

You can learn more on ways to keep your cats and dogs safe by visiting https://www.protrainings.com/courses/pets. Consider taking our veterinarian-approved online pet first aid/CPR course. Enter this code: CPR – ARDEN MOORE and receive a 10 percent discount! And, if you are interested in becoming a Pro Pet Hero instructor, please click on the BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR button on the home page for more details.

The post Never Induce Vomiting in Cats Using Hydrogen Peroxide appeared first on ProTrainings.

Don’t blame the dog for misbehaving or attention seeking. That scooting is triggered by a health or grooming issue.

Main Reasons for Scooting

As we teach in our pet first aid classes, you need to activate your pet detective skills when you witness your dog scooting and share your findings with your veterinarian. Here are four possible causes for scooting:

1. Irritated anal glands. This pressure building on the two glands located on either side of a dog’s anus can become impacted and cause major discomfort. A dog will scoot his rear end to unblock these glands. You know this is the case because you can smell and see a fishy, oily secretion being released. Yuck!
2. Tapeworm invasion.  These intestinal parasites look like white rice grains and cause irritating itching around the anus to your dog.
3. A food allergy reaction. Switching diets and introducing new ingredients to your dog can lead to intense itchiness, including in the anal area.
4. Chronic bacterial or yeast infections. A dog desperately battling these types of infections may experience itching not only in the anal area but all over the skin.
5. Dirty, poop-caked fur. Some dogs sport lots of hair that can become matted and trap poop or urine around the anus that is quite irritating.

When To Book a Veterinary Visit

For whatever reason, your dog is feeling major discomfort and seeking relief. Definitely take your dog to the veterinary clinic promptly if:

• Your dog does rump-scooting for more than 24 hours. This signals that he is not able to resolve the issue on his own.
• Your dog whimpers or cries out in pain when attempting to poop or even sit on his rump.
• You see an open wound, lumps or swelling around the anal area.
• You discover pus or blood in your dog’s poop or around his rear end. Be sure to gather this discharge in a bag for your veterinarian to analyze.

Taking Preventive Actions

No one wants to be known as the pet parent of a rear-end scooting dog. You can lessen the chance of your dog dealing with irritated issues in the anal area by:

• Performing a head-to-tail health assessment at least weekly.  Take five or 10 minutes and methodically look, smell and feel for any abnormal issues in your dog. Start at the head and move down to the rear end area. Report any issues to your veterinarian.
• Add some tasty fiber to your dog’s diet. Canned plain pumpkin (not the type used for pie filling as that has way too much sugar) delivers lots of health benefits. It contains nutritional fiber plus vitamins A and E to aid in a dog’s digestive health.
• Book regular grooming appointments. Dogs with long coats, thick and curly coats benefit by regular sessions performed by professional dog groomers. Make sure to include what is called a “sanitary trim” in the rear end area to prevent any mats or poop-clinging clumps of fur.
• Stick with parasite-preventing medications year-round. Combat ticks, fleas and tapeworms by providing your dog with veterinarian-approved parasite-fighting medications as prescribed. Do not skip a month or two to try to save money.  

Learn More

You can learn more on ways to keep your cats and dogs safe by visiting https://www.protrainings.com/courses/pets. Consider taking our veterinarian-approved online pet first aid/CPR course. Enter this code: CPR – ARDEN MOORE and receive a 10 percent discount! And, if you are interested in becoming a Pro Pet Hero instructor, please click on the BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR button on the home page for more details.

The post Yikes! My Dog Is Scooting His Butt! What Can I Do? appeared first on ProTrainings.

I also live with Kona, Emma and Nova. My dogs all sport shorthaired coats, and they definitely benefit from wearing cozy coats when temperatures dip below freezing during outdoor outings. 

Unlike people, dogs lack adequate body fat to stay warm in freezing weather. The proper-fitting coat can help a dog maintain a healthy body temperature and prevent hypothermia.

A proper-fitting coat can encourage a dog to exercise in cold weather by walking and even playing fetch. 

But should all dogs wear coats in cold weather? The answer:  not necessarily.

Let’s dive in. 

What Dogs Should Wear Coats in the Winter

Factor in your dog’s breed, age and health condition in your decision making. 

• Size matters: Small dogs with little to no hair can lose body heat faster than dogs with thick or double coats. This includes Chihuahuas, Dachshunds and the hairless Xoloitzcuintli. 
• Muzzle shape matters: Popular brachycephalic breeds like the French Bulldog and Boxer have pushed in faces. These breeds are not able to regulate their body temperatures as dogs with standard-sized muzzles, such as the Beagle and Golden Retriever.
• Leg length matters: Breeds with short legs, such as the Dachshund and Corgi are low to the ground. Their bellies can brush against the ground or snow, causing their body temperatures to drop. 
• Age matters:  Senior and geriatric dogs may face health issues that makes it harder for them to stay warm in cold weather. Dogs with arthritis, for example, can face pain and stiffness during cold temperatures. 

Dog Breeds Less Likely to Need a Coat

Bring on the fur! Breeds that sport large body sizes and thick double coats are better insulated from cold temperatures. Key examples include the Siberian Husky, Akita, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, Malamute and Bernese Mountain Dog. 

Tips for Selecting a Coat for Your Dog

Fortunately, there are many quality dog product companies to choose from when it comes to selecting a coat for your dog. Some people like coats that offer both fashion and function. 

Consider these shopping tips:

• Seek coats that are water resistant. Waterproof coats also help keep the heat into keep your dog warm.
• Measure your dog. Dogs come in all heights and lengths. Carefully measure your dog so you are able to pick the right size for him. Look for size charts on some of the dog coat company websites or ask for help in measuring your dog at a pet supply store. 
• Ease of putting on a coat.  You should be able to easily fit the coat on your dog around his collar and his legs without a struggle. 
• Play it safe.  Consider coats with reflective strips so your dog can be spotted during twilight and nighttime walks with you. 

Call Your Veterinarian 

As I instruct my students in my pet first aid classes, pay attention to the impact of cold weather can have on your dog.  Look for these warning signs that your dog needs to come inside and get warm:

• Lifting his paws off the ground due to the cold on his paw pads.
• Walking slowly or even stopping on a walk.
• Shivering
• Whining
• Developing snow or ice on the paws or belly.

Hypothermia can be life threatening. Dogs with this condition can start to breathe shallow. Their gums may turn pale or light blue. Their heart rate decreases, and they may appear confused and even become unconscious due to the exposure to the cold temperatures. 

Always contact your veterinary clinic by phone and relay the signs.  Listen to their advice and then transport your dog to the clinic. Always alert the clinic of any health emergencies in advance so that the vet team can be ready to help your dog when you arrive. 

Learn more

You can learn more on ways to keep your cats and dogs safe by visiting https://www.protrainings.com/courses/pets. Consider taking our veterinarian-approved online pet first aid/CPR course. Enter this code: CPR – ARDEN MOORE and receive a 10 percent discount! And, if you are interested in becoming a Pro Pet Hero instructor, please click on the BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR button on the home page for more details.

The post Does My Dog Need a Coat in the Cold Weather? appeared first on ProTrainings.