A NORTH SHORE NEWS FEATURE fOR YOU AND YOUR PETS Ask a veterinarian: Watch for pet hazards that come with Christmas PET OWNERS should watch out for the holiday season hazards that ean cause harm to their pets. These are some of them: @ Poinsettias: These colorful Christmas plants cen be poisonous to your pets. The most commonly reported symptoms are related io irritation of the digestive tract such as vomiting, diarrhea, depression and loss of appetite. So keep them out cf cua! © Christmas tree decorations: Remember, most decorations are not edible and what goes in does not necessarily come out! ~ Tinsel can be very tempting to your pets, especially puppies and Littens. If swallowed it can cause. irritation or blockage of the intes- tinal tract. If your pet is showing By Dr. Terri Clemett and Dr. Elizabeth Richards an interest keep it higher or perhaps have a tinsel free tree this year. @ Christmas tree lights: Exposed electrical cords are a potential danger. Severe mouth burns and heart and lung com- plications can result if the cords are bitten. Careful placement of the lights is the best prevention. @ Chocolate: The theobromine that is found SALE OF SALES 25 gal. AQUARIUM 30xI2xI6 Fluorescent top. power filter, etc. Reg. 249.99 #20 gal. Special 159.99 AQUARIUM 24x!I2xi6 {} Incandescent top, filter, heater, etc. a Reg. 159.99 __ Special 109.99 FREE rat. gerbil. mouse or hamster with animal kit. 6 L nsdale: “ave, - 987- az MANY MORE INSTORE SPECIALS * HAMSTERS * GUINEA PIGS * BUNNIES * * REPTILES * BIRDS * WE CARRY HAGEN QUALITY PET PRODUCTS NORTH VAN PET CENTRE 1927 LONSDALE, NVAN. 980-5314 in chocolate is toxic to dogs. Symptoms can range from digestive upsets to seizures and possibly death. Don’t keep gift- wrapped boxed chocolates under the tree as this poses no barrier to a determined pet. @® Turkey: Sharing turkey dinner with your pets is not advisable, as some do not tolerate it well. Your dog or cat may develop vomiting, diar- rhea, gas and possibly pan- creatitis, These conditions may require medical treatment and hospitaliza- tion. And remember, turkey bones can cause serious medical com- plications. Send your pet-related questions to: Ask a veterinarian, c/o the North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver, V7M 2H4, cent years. a SUGGESTIONS Thinking up gift ideas for family and friends isn't always easy, unless of course, they're Pet People. Then it's easy to find a large number of suitable gifts which will certainly please. The following gifts are perfect for pet owners. j HAMPER OF DOG or CAT FOOD — for the person on a budget. Giving pet food is a thoughtful way to help out. CAR SAFETY HARNESS — A useful product for the person who § wants to travel safely with a dog. = NYLA-BONE — toys and bones. A large assortment of safe bones for your dog to chew. The nyla bone frisbee is a great toy for the retriever in the family. Nyta bone bird toys are also available. KONG TOYS — These are one of the toughest toys available for g the power chewer. The unique bouncing action of this toy also helps to exercise your pet. CAT SCRATCHING POST — From small posts to three story con- dos, these make an interesting place for your cat to play, which is also a great way to help save your good furniture. PET HAIR PICK-UPS AND LINT BRUSHES — These make a great stocking stuffer for anyone who owns a cat or dag. GROOMING SUPPLIES — A new brush and comb, shampoo or evena good dog cologne, these are always welcome gifts. Pack- # ing them in a utility tray or small tool caddy is a good idea to help 3 keep grooming supplies organized and handy. . 2 DOG COATS -- Short hairec dog breeds benefit from wart 1 water- B proof coats for their winter outings. Coats range from rair slickers to the top of the line waxed cotton English Burberry. CAT AND DOG BEDS — Lots of variety to choose from. ‘soft foam beds, wicker baskets and the always popular Bosley Cedar Bed. BOOKS — A good gift idea for the person with a pet and for the § friend who's planning on adding a pet to the family. One of the best & puppy books is “How to Raise and Tain a Puppy You Can Live With" Bosley’s PET FOOD MART 133 Pe ath 984-7133 : HIEWS photo Nall Lucente More exotic pets like this tarantula have gained popularity. in re- . . j More exotic A FEW generations ago, the word pet evoked images of a dog or a cat, and Ied to the description of the dog as man’s best friend: The passage of time has af- fected pet ownership -arid, _ while cats and dogs will never lose their popularity, a wide variety.of other. pets have gained favor with an ever-increasing number of people. Restrictions on pet ownership - imposed by apartment landlords have caused. an upsurge in the ownership of everything from aquarium ‘fish and birds to snakes and tarantulas. Birci from ali corners. of the world are available, and sdéme species have become endangered. in their native habitat as a result of the increased ‘demand... The’ | same can be said for a’ variety of og tropical fish. In southern . California, inany imported birds have escaped. While the climate is somewhat different from the Amazon jungle or other exotic: places of origin, whole flocks of parrots have been able to survive and reproduce on. their own in the California coun- tryside. We have all heard about pythons turning up in: unusual places (which is true) and baby alligators being flushed down and surviving in the sewer systems of major cities (which is false). Fish fanciers have come a long way from the days of the stereotypical round bowl contain- ing a pair of gold fish. Today a typical aquarium will come equipped with pumps, See Rarer page 24 cf Pooche Hut 2961 Toned North Van All Breesis of Dogs & Cats * Bathing © Clipping Service * Grooming Open Tuesday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 985-3232