City of St. Peters Health Department

As of June 16th, the State has reopened! Local government, as well as individual businesses, have the option to be more restrictive and may implement policies, such as requiring temperature checks, face coverings, etc. Social distancing, although not mandated, is recommended, along with ongoing frequent cleaning of all common or high traffic areas. Food handlers and servers are not required to wear gloves or face coverings, but operators may choose to require these prote...ctive measures. The Health Department asks that when they are used, they are used properly: 1. Hand washing remains key! Change gloves when changing tasks and wash your hands. Hand sanitizer is not a substitute for hand washing for ANY food handler! 2. When wearing a face covering, please remember not to touch it frequently and wear it correctly! Allowing your face covering to hang below your nose or mouth defeats the purpose. Everyone should take the precautions that they feel comfortable with and that represent their health needs and limitations. Be mindful of others, especially if you’re visiting a susceptible population. Long-term care facilities may be loosening restrictions and beginning to allow visitors. These visitors must be mindful of how their actions can impact the entire population. EVERYONE Please stay home if you are sick! See more

Animal Control is watching out for your pets. Here is the latest update from the American Veterinary Medical Association..... Infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they spread it to other animals, including people. If you are not ill with COVID-19, you can interact with your pet as you normally would, including... walking, feeding, and playing. You should continue to practice good hygiene during those interactions (e.g., wash hands before and after interacting with your pet; ensure your pet is kept well-groomed; regularly clean your pet’s food and water bowls, bedding material, and toys). Out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that those ill with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. Have another member of your household take care of walking, feeding, and playing with your pet. If you have a service animal or you must care for your pet, then wear a facemask; don’t share food, kiss, or hug them; and wash your hands before and after any contact with them. As always, careful handwashing and other infection control practices can greatly reduce the chance of spreading any disease. The National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians’ (NASPHV) compendium of standard precautions is a good reference for appropriate infection control in veterinary practices. See more

Top Thanksgiving Foods Toxic to Pets Thanksgiving is a time of gratitudeand indulgence. With all the extra food and chaos this time of year, it’s important to be aware of common Thanksgiving staples that are harmful to pets. Onions and garlic: These common vegetables are prevalent in holiday casseroles, stuffing, mashed potatoes and many other items, and can be toxic to pets. Cats are much more sensitive than dogsit takes roughly half the amount of garlic to sicken a ca...t compared to a dog. Animal bones: Cooked animal bones tend to splinter, so there is risk of damage to the esophagus and intestines. If a bone becomes lodged in the intestinal tract, surgery may be needed to have it removed. Bouillon: Many people use bouillon cubes when making stocks, gravy and other items. Bouillon contains a very high amount of sodium and ingestion of these cubes may lead to an upset stomach, excessive thirst, impaired movements, tremors and seizures. Baked goods: Pumpkin pie with whipped cream and apple pie with ice cream are all classics during this time of year and can lead to pancreatitis in pets if ingested. Baked goods made with the artificial sweetener xylitol can cause hypoglycemia, possibly resulting in liver failure or death. See more

Halloween Safety Tips for Pet Owners Halloween is just around the corner! Have you gotten your house ready for the most spooktacular day of the year? Decorations are up, costumes are ready, and the candy bowl is filled and waiting for trick-or-treaters! You may be prepared, but what about your furry family members? For dogs and cats, the Halloween holiday can be downright ghoulish, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are a few tips and tricks to help your pets have a treat of an ...evening! 1. Spooky costumes and masks can be scary for pets too! You may be able to tell it’s your brother under that Freddy Krueger mask, but to your dog it could be a lot more convincing. Also, never pet a dog without asking. This is especially important when in costume as they may bite out of fear. 2. It’s common knowledge that chocolate is deadly to dogs, but did you know your chewing gum could be just as deadly to your pets? Xylitol, a sweetener often used in chewing gum and mints, is extremely toxic to both dogs and cats. Make sure to keep your candy bowl put up and out of reach of both cats and dogs. 3. Keep your pets secure inside the home or on a leash. A lot of activity at your front door can be an easy escape route. Dogs and cats may dart out and get lost with all the commotion outside your home. Putting your pets in another room while trick-or-treaters are out is the best way to avoid any accidents. Make sure your pets are microchipped and wearing collars with ID tags so they can get back to you if they do make it out the front door. We hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween, and remember to report lost pets to St. Peters Animal Control! 636-278-2255. See more