Don't leave your grills (or pets) unsupervised at any outdoor parties! Have some extra sticks and balls to distract him from hovering around the BBQ and your yums. If your speedy pup grabs something piping hot, or gets too close to the grill, you should have a plan, and supplies, to treat paw burns.

If your dog is walking as if in pain, incessantly licking his paws, or you spot any cracking or blistering on the pads, he could have a minor burn. (Remember the dangers of sidewalks and hot sand, too.)

If he suffers a burn such as this, apply a cool, wet compress to sooth. Clean the wound then cover with a pet-safe burn ointment or spray – yet another use for aloe – and wrap with gauze. I especially like this first aid kit ($18) because it includes an antiseptic, liquid bandage spray, sterile eyewash, non-stick pad, and gauze roll for all those emergencies.

One of the most devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina three years ago was the fact that pets were not allowed on evacuation buses or boats – so thousands of people were forced to leave their furry loved ones behind if they had no other way out of the hurricane's path. Thankfully, we have since then not only learned how to better prepare ourselves for a natural disaster, but lawmakers have come to realize that pets are part of your family, too.

In May of 2006, the Pet Evacuation Bill was approved by the House of Representatives in response to the unfortunate treatment of animals during Katrina's evacuation. The bill says that states must take pets into consideration when drawing up evacuation plans, or they will not get federal grant help from FEMA. This is all good news for pet owners, and it looks like the evacuation for Gustav went smoother not only for humans, but for their pets as well!

Keep the trash safe from your nosy pets! In addition to the obvious dangers of cleaning product poisons or choking hazards, the bacteria and molds found in rotting foods can seriously endanger your furry friends . . . they can't distinguish between spoiled and fresh yums!

The millions of bacteria found in your old take-out or spoiled meat can lead to food poisoning and inflammation or bloating of the intestinal tract and abdomen (bacterial enteritis). What's more other foods like cheese, nuts, and pasta are ripe environments for a variety of molds that can produce the scary-sounding tremorgenic mycotoxins, substances that cause symptoms similar to snail bait or strychnine poisoning. If your pup has ingested these metabolites, look out for muscle tremors, spasms, seizures, and elevated temperature – it can require overnight hospital care so bring a pet to a vet if you suspect it!

Even if your trash is safely contained, learn one more risky spot pets can find these threats when you read more