Dog Care Archives

5 Ways to Get Fit This Year With Your Dog

January 2, 2023/0 Comments/in Dog Care, Fort Collins, Fun Stuff/by Liana Waddy

5 Ways to Get Fit This Year With Your Dog

When it comes to getting fit this year, there’s no better workout partner than your dog. They’re always happy to go for a run or a walk, and they’re always eager to please. In fact, with the right motivation, your dog can help you get in great shape this year.

Here are five ways to get fit this year with your dog.

1. Go for a Walk

Going for a walk with your dog is a great way to get fit & bond with your dog. In fact, walking and jogging are the most common forms of exercise for humans and their pets. Some dogs love going for multiple walks a day and will be happy to join you for every walk. Others are content with joining you for a short jaunt around the block.

Live in an area that doesn’t have a place to walk your dog? Fort Collins and the surrounding areas are filled with trails and parks that are dog friendly such as the Reservoir Ridge Trail or Arapaho Bend.

When you go for a walk with your dog keep the following in mind:

Your dogs age
You & your dogs physical fitness
Weather
Proper gear to walk your dog safely

Walking is one of the easiest and most effective ways to exercise with your dog, and can be incorporated into almost any routine. In general, a daily walk of 30 minutes can help you burn between 300 and 600 calories. Pets burn approximately 70 calories per hour while walking, and can burn as much as 15 calories per minute while jogging. If you are just starting out, begin with a simple walk or jog around the block. As you get stronger, increase the distance and the pace.

Want to make sure your dog gets enough walks during the day? Wet Noses Pet Sitting offers dog walking services! While it won’t get you in shape it’ll help your pup keep their walk routine and their fitness in check!

2. Hiking with your Dog

If you live in Colorado then you’re no stranger to hiking. Hiking is a great activity for both you and your dog, and can be done in any season. Hiking can also be done at a slower pace, meaning you can take in new places, and enjoy the scenery with your pet. If you don’t have a hiking trail near your home, you can search for a park or trail near your home that your pet has never been to such as Horsetooth Falls Loop Trail or the Fort Collins Poudre River Trail. Make sure to pack plenty of water and a collapsible bowl for your pooch, along with a leash to keep them from wandering off. You can even bring along some dog-friendly treats to entice your furry friend to enjoy the fresh air with you.

3. Agility Training

Have a dog that never seems to run out of energy? Agility training is a great way to keep your dog mentally and physically active, and can be enjoyed by dogs of all ages. Agility training focuses on your dog’s ability to quickly respond to commands, and play a new sport that combines obstacle courses, jumps, tunnels, and other obstacles. You can start with basic obedience training and work your way up to more challenging courses.

There are many agility classes that are available for dogs with owners such as the ones at Summit Dog Training and Sunset Agility.

4. Play with your Dog

Playing with your dog indoors or outdoors is another way to help get fit. Some activities, like tug-of-war can be done indoors or outdoors while activities like frisbee should only be done outside.

For dogs, a frisbee is a safe, fun alternative to ball playing, and can be played on land or water. For a short, 5-minute exercise, toss the frisbee and ask your dog to fetch it back, then play catch.

5. Go Swimming

If your dog is a fan of the water then swimming might be the perfect activity to get fit this year with your dog. You can even bring that frisbee from the previous tip!

At the end of the season, some pools will have doggy swim days. This is right before they drain the pool for winter. While this doesn’t help you get fit, your dog will still have fun. Unfortunately, as of 2023 the Fort Collins City Park Pool will no longer be holding their Pooch Plunge.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for ways to get fit this year with your dog we hope the above tips help you and your dog stay active. What is your favorite way to get fit with your dog? Let us know in the comments.

Can Dogs Eat Bananas?

August 27, 2022/0 Comments/in Dog Care/by Liana Waddy

Have you ever wondered can dogs eat bananas? The answer is yes! Packed with with essential vitamins and minerals, bananas make for a healthy snack. Bananas are low-calorie, fat-free, and low in cholesterol. This helps to support your dogs health.

What are the health benefits of bananas?

Bananas provide your pet with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. Such as: potassium, magnesium, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B7 aka Biotin. You also get these benefits when you eat bananas as well. Plus, bananas are a great source of fiber to help you be more regular as well as being low-calorie and fat-free. These vitamins, minerals, and health benefits help your dogs health.

As with all treats, feed in moderation. Bananas are high in sugar. You should watch how much bananas or how many banana chips your dog is getting daily. A diet consisting of 10% or more of treats, such as bananas, is not balanced and can lead to a variety of health issues.

brown and white short coated dog on white and pink banana

c: Alex Gruber

Can my dog eat the peel?

Banana peels are not toxic to dogs but they can cause blockages. Due to the thickness of the banana peel and the lack of digestible fiber it’s best to keep the peel away from your dog. They also don’t taste super great. Looking for an idea of what to do with your banana peels? ivaluefood.com has a handy infographic on a variety of things you can do with your banana peels.

Are banana chips as good as fresh banana?

Banana chips provide a portable, shelf-stable treat for you and your dog. The downside? Banana chips that made for human consumption are often high in sugar. If you have an air-fryer you can make your own banana chips.

Don’t want to make your own banana chips? Products like Wholesome Pride Banana Bites are made for dogs. These contain only two ingredients: banana and coconut oil.

Banana chips make great training treats. They hold their shape well, put into a treat pouch, coat pocket, or plastic baggie and eaten on the go.

How much banana is too much banana?

Like with humans, your dog may get an upset stomach if they eat too much banana. Every dog is different. It’s best to check with your veterinarian on how much, if any, banana you should be feeding your dog. This is important if they have any underlying health conditions. As a general rule of thumb a large dog, 50lb+, can eat around half a banana a day. Smaller dogs should only be given one to three 1/4 inch pieces a day.

For products like Wholesome Pride Banana Bites, check the bag. Freeze-dried and fresh bananas should be fed in different amounts.

My dog doesn’t like bananas!

That’s okay! All dogs are different and there are SO MANY options out there for health dog treats. From sweet potato chews to frozen green beans you have options. Your dog might be a bigger fan of freeze-dried meat treats such as these Vital Essential Beef Liver treats.

Your dog might also like bananas in a different form. Try mashing them up and putting them inside of a KONG. Add a bit of xylitol-free peanut butter and kibble and BAM! You have a new, tasty treat.

Your dog may prefer a softer or firmer banana. Room temperature might be a no go but from the freezer? Worth a shot! Experiment and see what your dog might like.

Is your dog still not a fan? It’s best not to force your dog to keep trying something they have shown to not be interested in. Instead, eat those bananas yourself or if they’re ripe enough make some banana bread.

c: Karsten Winegeart

Can Dogs Eat Bananas?

Yes! Your dog can eat bananas in moderation without the peel. Bananas provide a good source of many vitamins and minerals as well as fiber.

If you can’t find fresh bananas or would rather have something more shelf-stable, banana chips are a great alternative. Keep an eye out for the sugar content when purchasing them or buy ones specifically marketed for dogs.

If your dog isn’t a fan on bananas that’s alright. There is a wide variety of healthy treat options. You’re sure to find one your dog likes.

How does your dog like bananas? Let us know in the comments.

When Should you Book your Pet Sitter?

August 13, 2022/0 Comments/in Cat Care, Common Questions, Dog Care/by Liana Waddy

When it comes to booking a pet sitter, booking early is always better. At Wet Noses Pet Sitting, we try to accommodate all visit requests but sometimes our sitters are already fully booked. Until our sitters figure out how to be in two places at once, we recommend booking your pet sitter when you book your trip.

Why should I book my pet sitter early?

Booking your pet sitter early ensures we are able to match you with a pet sitter for the dates and times requested. The closer to your dates the less likely we’ll be able to fit you in our schedule.

This is especially true for major holidays.

Fourth of July
Thanksgiving
Christmas
New Years

We take care of pets 365 days a year but some major holidays are busier than others. Booking early to secure your spot for these major holidays is important. Overnights tend to fill up the fastest as they are the most in demand. We are limited on how many overnights we can offer based on the number of sitters we have.

What happens if my trip changes?

Reach out! We have a generous cancellation policy in place and we can adjust your pet sitters schedule as needed.

What if I need a last-minute pet sitter?

We understand emergencies come up that you cannot prepare to be out of town for. If our pet sitters are available we may be able to fit you into our schedule. If we are fully booked, we recommend calling your second or third choice for a professional pet sitter.

When a pet sitter coming to your home isn’t an option, boarding facilities should be considered. Many offer spacious rooms (and condos for cats), outdoor activities, and plenty of play time. Some vets also offer boarding but vets typically do not offer all the extra amenities a dedicated boarding facility offers. You may also have to pay a higher rate for booking on such short notice.

Wet Noses Pet Sitting is based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. We have a small list of places in the area were you can board your animals:

When all else fails, if you cannot find a professional pet sitter and boarding facilities are full try asking friends, family, or even your neighbor. You should never leave your pet unattended for an extended period of time.

Why do I even need a professional pet sitter?

Having a pet sitter come to your home helps reduce your pets stress while you’re away. This is because your pets are in a familiar environment. With familiar smells, sounds, and sights.

All of our pet sitters are bonded and insured. That means – if an accident happens you’re covered!

You won’t have to worry about last-minute cancellations. Friends and family can be unreliable. By hiring a professional pet sitter you’re guaranteed coverage even if something comes up on our end.

Having somebody come to your home while you’re away can help keep your home safe. Empty houses are targets for robberies. Regular activity shows that the house isn’t empty and that somebody will notice if something is off.

Conclusion

Booking your pet sitter early ensures we’re able to fit you into our schedule. If we cannot, we recommend calling your second and third choice of professional pet sitters. Having somebody come to your home is ideal as it keeps pets in a familiar environment, no last-minute cancellations, and adds an extra level of safety to your home while you’re away. If this is not possible, we recommend checking out boarding facilities in your area or contacting friends or family as your pet should never be left unattended for an extended period of time.

Related Blogs

What are the Leash Laws in Loveland?

July 23, 2022/0 Comments/in Dog Care/by Liana Waddy

Do you ever notice dog’s off leash at parks, on trails, or in neighborhoods? Then you start to wonder if they really need to be on a leash? What about the safety of smaller dogs and cats? Why have your dog on a leash if they don’t really need it? Especially if they have excellent voice command skills. And that’s why it is important to be familiar with our county’s leash laws.

Basically, the laws state that all animals need to be in a fenced in area or leashed. But what’s more is that this seems to be an area of great debate in Loveland; being as we have tons of trails and natural wildlife area to explore. Some pet owners don’t agree with always having to restrain their pets, especially if they love to spend time outdoors. But parents, home owner associations, dog owners vs. cat owners, all have different opinions.

Leash laws are typically either governed by the county or the state. Which is why cities within the same county might have the same laws, but cities in different counties might differ.

What’s all the fuss about:

Owners like their pets to be able to expend energy and explore the wilderness
People are worried about wildlife and their own pets (big dogs vs. little dogs, dogs, vs. cats)
Destruction of property
Safety

No matter how you feel, if your pet is found off leash and deemed “a stray” the following is stated at the Larimer Humane Society:

Even the most responsible pet owners can be accidentally separated from their pets. Each year, Larimer Humane Society receives close to 5,000 stray animals. Licensed pets that wander away from home can be returned to their owner without ever coming to the shelter. Lost pets not in compliance with the local pet license ordinance will be brought to Larimer Humane Society.

If you encounter a stray animal and feel comfortable bringing it into the shelter, please do so. If the animal you encounter is wearing its license tag, you can call Larimer Humane Society and obtain the owner’s contact information to notify the owner that you have their animal.
Impound and boarding fees will apply to pets brought into the shelter. For more information regarding animals at large as it pertains to the Fort Collins municipal code, please visit code section 4-93.

Impound & Boarding Fees
The impound fee for pets wearing their license tag is $40.

The impound fee for licensed pets not wearing their tag and unlicensed pets is $60.
In addition to the impound fee, an additional $15 boarding fee will apply per calendar day.
Stray animals are held for five days, not including the day the animal was impounded. After the five-day waiting period, stray animals become the property of Larimer Humane Society and are evaluated for potential placement in our adoptions program.

Clearly there are a lot of points of view on this matter, but the law stands. So, keep your pets restrained or confined (humanely, that is) because it’s the law. And that’s why even if you don’t agree with it, you could face fines, which no one wants.

You can read the full detailed law here. You can also learn more about the specifics of Loveland’s animal laws here.

Benefits of Off Leash Dog Parks

Disadvantages of Off Leash Dog Parks

What To Do If Your Pet Goes Missing in Windsor

July 23, 2022/0 Comments/in Cat Care, Dog Care, Local Information, Pet Health and Safety, Windsor/by Liana Waddy

Loosing a pet can be extremely scary, especially if you do not know where to start looking. There is a lot of information out there on how to find a missing pet, but I wanted to write something specific to Windsor, so you can just go down the checklist and get it done.

1. The Basics

For the first few minutes after a pet goes missing, you want to start with the basics.

Do a patrol of the area to see if you find any evidence of Tilly
Talk to the neighbors, especially anyone working outside, to see if they noticed Tilly going by
If Tilly is a dog, swing by her favorite places to walk or any place for playdates to see if she went there
Read up on How to Catch a Loose Dog for some tips if you do see her running free

2. Who to Contact First

You have done the basic search and turned up nothing. This is typically 15-30 minutes after you have realized Tilly is missing. Now it is time to reach out for help.

Larimer Humane Society – call to speak to animal control over the phone and give them a heads up that you just lost your pet. To submit a lost report you have to go into the shelter. The Windsor police state this is where they will take all lost dogs. “Windsor Police Department does not govern lost and found cats.”
- (970) 226-3647
- 3501 E 71st Street, Loveland, CO 80538

If Tilly has a microchip, contact the company to let them know she is missing and how to reach you, just in case your information is not up to date.
Contact any veterinarians, groomers, and pet supply stores in your immediate area (around a mile from where she went missing), in case someone picks her up and brings her in.

3. Social Media Time!

The internet is your best friend when it comes to finding a pet. Your friends and complete strangers are going to be happy to help you search the interwebs for any news of Tilly.

Post on all of your personal social media networks. Include a recent picture, where and when she went missing and any directions you want people to follow, such as how to contact you, not to chase Tilly, Tilly is afraid of men, etc. Specifically ask people to share the post. If you know any people in the animal world, such as your normal dog walker or groomer, ask them to share since they have such a large reach.
Post on these pages. There are many pages specifically dedicated to helping reunite missing pets with their people. Post on as many as you can, but start with Facebook. That is where we have had the most luck in recent years.
- Lost and Found Pets of Northern Colorado – a Facebook group that is very active and easy to post in.
- Lost & Found Pets of Windsor Colorado – another Facebook group. Less active but still a valuable place to get extra eyes.
- Nextdoor – This is a newish system for people to coordinate with their neighborhoods on various subjects. When you post it can be seen by those directly in your area.
- Post on Fort Collins Craigslist in the Community -> Pets section as well as Community -> Lost+Found. There is no charge to do so. Windsor doesn’t have it’s own section on Craigslist so you’ll want to post on the closest one – which is Fort Collins.
- PetFBI – You have to fill out their online form, which gives you a flyer you can use and their website has a ton of helpful tips. Once you fill out the form, they will post it in their Facebook group.
- PawBoost – You can pay for upgraded service, but they list your pet for free on Facebook and in their database.
- LostMyDoggie – They post on Facebook but they also alert local shelters and rescues.
- LostMyKitty – Same as LostMyDoggie, but for cats!
- PetKey – A smaller page, but everything helps!
- Northern Colorado Pet Lovers – A group ran by Wet Noses Pet Sitting. It’s a small group but another set of eyes always helps!
Head out and continue looking for Tilly. Make sure you are able to answer the phone if someone calls! Ask your neighbors to check their garages, sheds, and yards to make sure she is not hiding there.

4. What is the Next Step?

If you are approaching evening, there are a few steps you can take, especially if Tilly is shy and still might be in the area.

Double-check with any neighbors coming home to make sure they did not see her earlier in the day.
Consider leaving your door open so Tilly can come in at night if she was lost from your home.
If Tilly is a cat, place her litter box outside where she can smell it.

5. The Next Day

You have done all of the fast, easy options and Tilly has not been found. Now is time to dig in and spread the word that Tilly is missing.

File a lost pet report with Larimer Humane Society, if you have not already done so. Animals can travel surprisingly long ways and folks sometimes pick them up and take them to their local shelter, which may not be in Weld or Larimer County.
Post a lost pet ad in the Coloradoan and small local papers. It may seem outdated, but they are still read regularly.
Contact local breed rescues that relate to Tilly. For instance, if she is a Golden Retriever, contact the local Golden rescue. There are too many for me to list here, and they change regularly, so search online for one. You can also contact All Breed Rescue Network at (888) 440-6467. They keep a running list of breed rescues in the Colorado area. Sometimes breed rescues will be able to offer more suggestions or help specific to your breed.
Print off flyers from one of the sources you used yesterday. Post flyers in veterinary hospitals, groomers, trainers, pet supply stores, the dog park, and anywhere animal-related. Many local businesses also have community boards. Start with businesses near you and increase the distance the longer Tilly is missing. Posting flyers on mailboxes and phone poles is illegal, although many people do it.
Continue to update posts online. People will be wondering if you found Tilly and you want to keep them searching. Ask for help again and for people to keep sharing your posts.
Talk to people in the neighborhood where Tilly went missing. Offer a reward for any information leading to finding her.
If you hear of people spotting her, go to that area and search. Shy animals can be very hard to catch, especially during active times of the day when there are a lot of people around. If you believe she might be in the area, go out during quiet times in the evening or morning when she is more likely to appear. You can also look at renting a humane trap if you are sure she is there but cannot catch her.

6. DO NOT Give Up Hope

The longer you search the more discouraged you become. Keep looking! Here are a few searches I have helped with over the years for people I know:

A small, very shy dog went missing. We tracked her to a neighborhood where kids had spotted her (we paid them to keep an eye out for her). After a few days, we were not able to find her until a kid came forward. A woman in the neighborhood had picked her up and had given her to a family member in Colorado Springs. Once confronted we were able to get her back.
A dog ran out of his front door. The neighbors a few houses down saw him, but not not the people at the end of the block. He vanished! They continued searching and found him late that night being walked by a nice couple who lived down the street. They had been leaving earlier when they saw him run by, so they put him in the garage and then left for a few hours. They had just returned home.
A woman’s dog had been missing for months. She sent out flyers to shelters across the country and he showed up here, in Fort Collins. Turned out a trucker had picked her up and driven her across 3 states before dropping her off at the local shelter!

We regularly hear stories of animals being reunited years after going missing due to their microchips. Keep that information up-to-date and continue your search!

7. Once you Find Your Pet

Congratulations! I am so excited for you and you must feel so relieved!

Take the moment and enjoy it. Do not scold Tilly, she is just happy to see you!
Plan a trip to the vet if your pet was gone for a while or appears to be injured.
Go back and take down those flyers, lost pet reports and postings online so that everyone knows you found your fur kid.
Return the favor and share information about missing pets for other people!

If you have a resource that is not listed, Please Let Us Know so we can get it added!

What To Do If Your Pet Goes Missing in Longmont

July 16, 2022/0 Comments/in Cat Care, Dog Care, Local Information, Longmont, Pet Health and Safety/by Liana Waddy

Loosing a pet can be extremely scary, especially if you do not know where to start looking. There is a lot of information out there on how to find a missing pet, but I wanted to write something specific to Longmont, so you can just go down the checklist and get it done.