(photocredit: Morguefile.com)

Build a Coyote-proof fence - click here to learn how NEVER intentionally feed a coyote. Don’t keep pet food outside. Clean your grill after using it, or store it inside your garage when not in use. Securely cover your trash and recycling cans. If possible and practical, put your trash out the morning of pick-up, rather than the evening before. Don’t add meat, bones, etc., to your compost pile. Ensure your compost bin is tightly and securely covered. If you have fruit trees, pick up fallen fruit so as to not let it rot on the ground. Coyotes are very opportunistic feeders. Keep cats indoors. Always is safest, but at least between the dusk and dawn hours (when coyotes tend to be most active). Don’t become indifferent… if you see a coyote in your yard or neighborhood ALWAYS haze them away. Do so completely, and remind your neighbors of the importance of doing the same.        To report a coyote sighting to the County of Los Angeles: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a75af96a5c3e49feb5f99da0ee293bb5

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DID YOU KNOW ...that grain-free dog foods are associated with heart disease?

We have had several Public Service Announcements about Grain-free diets over the last several years but we are still seeing patients who are being fed grain-free. WHY "GRAIN FREE" SOUNDED GOOD The modern day dog evolved (with lots of human help) from wild ancestors who traveled in packs, going long periods with no food, and finally gorging on large prey brought down by their group. They would eat the meat, the entrails, the bones and pretty much the entire body of the prey animal. Not a lot of grain in this scenario (except what might be in the prey animal's stomach). As pet owners seek a more natural feeding strategy, grain free diets became highly marketable.

WHY IS "GRAIN FREE" A PROBLEM?
Diets for dogs need a source of carbohydrate to be balanced and since there came to be a market for diets without grains, the door was opened to other carbohydrate sources such as peas and other legumes, sweet potatoes, etc. The legumes seem to be the biggest problem (especially pea pulses) and the details on how these diets lead to heart disease is still being worked out. The fact is that some dogs will develop life-threatening heart disease from grain free diets and it takes the better part of a year for recovery after the diet has been changed.

WHAT SHOULD YOU FEED?
If you stick to a major brand and there is grain in the ingredient list, you should be fine. Rice, oats, barley or corn all make safe carbohydrate sources. If your dog has been on a grain free diet, we can do a screening test to see if damage has been done. Many dogs will tolerate grain free foods but many will not.

THE BLUE BUFFALO CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT
There is currently a class action lawsuit being brought against Blue Buffalo dog food alleging that they misled pet owners about the safety of their diet. The class includes owners that fed Blue Buffalo diets to their dog after January 2022, have a dog with heart disease, and have expenses related to that disease. That said, the class has not been certified yet which means you cannot sign up to be in the class. If you are interested, you should periodically look for news regarding the lawsuit.

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TO HELP BRING YOUR PET THE BEST POSSIBLY CARE.