Even if you aren't the most ardent admirer of all things Mardi Gras it's hard not to get caught up in the excitement. After all, when it's Mardi Gras in Louisiana it's just Tuesday everywhere else. We play, they work, that's fair and that's fun.

There are some dangers associated with our quest for fun and many of them are right under our feet every day. I am speaking of your pet. Your dog or cat might be just as Louisiana lovin' as you are but Mardi Gras isn't necessarily a good time for them.

There is an old Cajun word for a person who brings his dog on a leash to a Mardi Gras parade. That word is "idiot". Why do you want to do that to your dog? Dr. Nancy Welborn with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine recently told the Louisiana Radio Network that dogs and crowds and loud noises are a recipe for trouble.

You can imagine if you have a dog on a leash and it has nowhere to go and if it feels like it’s cornered, dogs will strike out. So that would ramp up the potential of a bite.

I don't care if he looks cute wearing a bandana you're a bad dog parent if you bring your dog onto the parade route. Another health hazard for pets that you might not think about is all the foods we love to consume this time of year.

Good rule of thumb, dogs and cats need to eat food that’s made for them and we need to get food that’s made for us.

So that means no King Cake, Jambalaya, fried everything and alcoholic beverages. These items should not be on your pet's menu.

You should also be mindful of where Mardi Gras Beads wind up around your home. To your pet, they might look like a great toy or wonderful snack. The truth is they could be a choking hazard or even worse, could be swallowed and really cause serious injuries for your buddy.

We certainly hope you enjoy your Mardi Gras celebration but just like open heart surgery, Adam Sandler movies, and painting projects, it's best if you help your dog keep his distance from the dangers.

 

 

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