What are the Best Pet Sitting Options for My Older Cat?

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Leaving our pets at home can add stress to any trip, but when your older cat is the one being left at home, it can make it all the more stressful. Luckily, there are a few good pet sitting options for your older cat.

Let’s take a look at a few of these options:

  • Hire a pet sitter

This is by far the best option, but sometimes people tend to think it is too expensive. But making sure your cat has the best care while being in the comfort of home is worth it. Older cats don’t like to be taken away from their comfort zone, so bringing the caretaker to them is a great option.

  • Board them at the vet

Boarding is also good for a cat that doesn’t mind being away from home. It can be hard for cats to adapt to the sterilized, yet loving environment; but it doesn’t mean it’s not a good option. Older cats sometimes have medical conditions that can be best left attended to a veterinarian while you are away.

  • Have a dependable friend/family watch them

This is often popular decision because it’s pretty inexpensive. This can work when you have a really close friend care for them as one of their own. The problem with this option is that sometimes is when an emergency happens. If they have a flat tire, accident or aother situation, your pet may take a back seat to their situation. Pet sitters and boarding facilities have systems in place to ensure that your pet has care, no matter what emergencies arise.

As you can see, there are a lot of different pet sitting options all with their own respective pro’s and con’s. It will always come down to your specific situation, but we are always here to help!

If you’re looking for a pet sitter don’t hesitate to give us a call and set up an appointment! 

 

 

5 Ways to Decrease the Chances of Your Dog Being Hit by a Car

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It can be the worst thing imaginable, but your dog getting hit by a car is a real possibility. This is especially true in the summer when activities are at their peak. So, what can you do to decrease the chances of your dog being hit by a car?

1. Get your dog spayed or neutered

Not only is spaying and neutering important for population control, it also helps keep your dog close to home. Once a dog reaches sexual maturity the likelihood of them trying to escape to seek out mates is greater. Studies have shown that sexual roaming can decrease almost 90% after your dog has been fixed.

2. Make sure you have your dog on the proper leash and collar during walks

If you have the wrong size collar or leash, it is possible that your dog could slip out or yank free from your grasp. It’s important you choose the right collar for your dog to make sure they stay safe.

3. Check fences for holes or weak spots

Summertime is notorious for storms and falling tree limbs can damage fences. Check your fence after storms for any damage that could allow your dog to escape. You never know when your dog may get spooked by a storm or fireworks and try to hightail it out of the yard.

4. Teach your dog safety commands

Teaching your dog commands like “come” or “stay” are the most important commands they need.  This can help avoid them running out of the door or across the street to catch a squirrel or rabbit.

5. Go over dog safety techniques with the whole family

Summer can be a busy time for your front door. With cookouts and the kid’s being out of school, it is likely that your home sees more guests than ever during the summer months. Make sure everyone in the home knows some basic safety tips, like “The Doggy Doorknob Rule.” That’s when all members of the family and guests make sure to check for the dog before turning the doorknob. This will help avoid them escaping when people are coming in and out.

 

Keeping our pets safe is a main priority and anything you can do to decrease the chances of your dog being hit by a car is key. Don’t forget to read our blog on How to Teach Your Dog to Cross the Street for even more safety tips to keep your dog safe while enjoy the sunny days of summer! 

 

How to Teach Your Dog to Cross the Street

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It’s summer time and most of us are out and about, enjoying the nice weather. Even if you’re not big on the outdoors, it’s easy to still find yourself walking your dog through the neighborhood more now than ever. But making sure your dog is safe while walking around busy streets is imperative. So, just how do you ensure your dog’s safety and enjoy a nice sunny day where you have to cross the street a time or two?

  • The best method is to teach them to sit before crossing a road

The most effective way is to start training before they are 16 weeks of age. Although, you can train them at any time, but earlier is always better. Take them for walks and cross the street while implementing sit commands and giving treats. This will give them positive reinforcement for stopping and sitting before they cross the road.

  • The next best is to teach them to go “down” when you command if you see a car coming

If the sit command isn’t going so well, you can try and teach them to stop and lay down whenever you see a car coming. Telling them to go down will help avoid them running out into traffic after a squirrel or whatever it is that has his attention.

With both of these techniques it’s good to practice at home and out on the road when it is safe. Using treats and praise will go along way in likelihood of them following the commands when needed most.

 

Also, make sure to check out this video from eHow.com on how to cross the street safely.

As pet parents we all want to protect our dogs as much as possible and when you have a spirited pup on your hands, that can be kind of difficult. However, you can teach them a few commands that can help keep them safe when you have to cross the street.

All of our dog walkers are trained in how to safely cross the street with pets, so if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us and we would be happy to help show you a few tips.

How Do I Keep My Dog Safe on the 4th of July?

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It’s almost time for that beautiful American celebration where households all around the nation fire up the grill, stock up the fireworks and pick out a watermelon. Most of us love the chance to relax with our loved ones and enjoy an extra day off work while celebrating how great it is to live in the USA. However, it’s not always the safest or greatest time of year for our pets. So, make sure you remember these safety tips to keep your dog safe of the 4th of July.

1. Don’t bring them to a large party or fireworks display

If you’re going to a good friend or family member’s BBQ where you dog is very comfortable and it won’t be too loud, then, by all means, include them in the celebrations. If you’re going to an unfamiliar place for your dog with lots of food and festivities it’s best to leave them at home. The same goes for any type of firework displays, even if they are on your own block. Your dog will not like or appreciate being included for this event, so just leave them at home where they are much more comfortable.

2. Set them up a safe and quiet area at home

You may have an especially active firework-loving neighborhood and if so, make sure your dog is as far removed from the commotion as possible. This is can also be helpful for if you’re having a BBQ or party at your house. They can easily get out in the shuffle of guests, get into the trash, or even worse, get into alcoholic or poisonous substances while everyone preoccupied.

Put them in a bedroom or laundry room (with toxic items placed high on shelves) and turn on some ambient noise like a soft radio or TV.  Include their favorite toys and bed with some treats and water. This will help keep them safe and calm while the festivities can continue without worry.

DO NOT TIE THEM OR LEAVE THEM IN A FENCED BACKYARD

Once the fireworks go off your dog can panic leading them to try to jump a fence or even get tied up and choke on their leash.

 

3. Update ID’s and microchips

This is a good time of year to get new collars and tags and to make sure that their microchips are up to date just in case they do happen to get out during the celebrations. If your dog happens to get out during the party, once the fireworks start you never know how far away they could run. It’s important to make sure they can be ID’d and brought home ASAP.

 

4. Use calming items like Thundershirts and soothing music

If you know your dog is nervous around loud noises, consider some preventative measurements. Thundershirts are like wraps that make your dog feel secure. They work for around half of dogs. Smoothing music or television may help drown out some of the noise.

 

Keeping your dog safe on the 4th of July isn’t too hard, just follow these few simple steps to help make them comfortable while you relax and enjoy your family and friends!

 

Why Does My Dog Not Like the 4th of July?

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You may have noticed in years past that the 4th of July holiday may not be your dog’s favorite day of the year. So, why does your dog not like the 4th of July? As you probably suspected fireworks do have a lot to do with it, but there are a few other reasons as well.

Fireworks that go on for days

I don’t know about in your neighborhood, but in mine, fireworks are shot off randomly from Memorial Day through the 4th of July and then some. The weekend of the 4th is always the most, going off from evening and well into the night.

Our dogs don’t know that we are celebrating with fireworks to commemorate the battles that paved the way to America’s independence from the British Empire. All they know is that there are loud and scary noises coming from their usually quiet neighborhood and that scares them. Some dogs are bothered by loud sounds more than others, but in general, no dog is happy with the booms heard throughout the night.

Hot summer weather & thunderstorms

The heat of the summer generates more thunderstorms, this is especially true in climates that don’t have a lot of storms. Not only is the heat exhausting, but when the weather changes from sunny to lightning and thunder without warning, it can be extremely stressful for our pets.

Crowded cookouts

On top of fireworks, hot summer days and unpredictable weather, we often have people over for a cookout or take our dogs with us to other 4th of July festivities. Undoubtedly, there will be strangers and loud children, plus loud music. To us, this is all in good fun, but to our dogs, all of these add up and can make them pretty anxious.

Most of us love chances to celebrate and spend time with our friends and families. And there’s nothing more American than a good 4th of July celebration, but the same can’t always be said for our four-legged companions. Not only may your dog not like the 4th of July, it isn’t always the safest time for them either.

How to Keep Your Dog Safe on July 4th

The Disadvantages of Off Leash Dog Parks

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Last week we talked about how dog parks can be a great place for your dog to get exercise. Not to mention socialization while free from the constraints of their leashes. However, there are some serious disadvantages of off leash dog parks that you should be aware of before you head out to one.

Aggressive dogs and bad habits

Of course, one of the first things dog parents often worry about is their dog’s safety when around a big group of dogs. It is possible that your dog could get picked on my more aggressive dogs. And fights can break out. While this doesn’t happen all the time, it is certainly a possibility. Also, it’s possible that your dog can pick up bad habits from other dogs; like fear, nipping, aggression or ignoring commands.

Lax owners

Sometimes dog owner’s at the park just aren’t that responsible; they just drop off their dog in the park and retreat into their smart phone or cars. And what more is that all to often these are the dogs with the biggest behavioral problems. Also, some owners show a blatant disregard for park rules such as cleaning up after their pet or using the proper gates and areas.

Potential illnesses due to parasites or transmittable diseases

Another real disadvantage of off leash dog parks is the chance your dog could get sick. Fleas, ticks and other skin irritations from parasites can be picked up from other dogs. But more serious illnesses such as kennel cough and intestinal parasites like roundworm or hook worm can be picked up from waste that neglectful owners leave at the park.

Dangers of poorly designed or unkempt parks

Thankfully, this is a danger you can assess pretty well before deciding to go into the park. Make sure there are no broken fences or run down agility equipment that could let your dog escape or get injured. Also, a good park will have an area for both large dogs and small dogs so that they aren’t all together in one large area.

When deciding if an off leash dog park is right for you and your fur-baby, it’s best to weigh the advantages and drawbacks. One park may be perfect for your dog while the one just down the street from it isn’t as nice. Making sure your dog has proper tags and all of their vaccinations are a must when visiting a dog park, or going out with your dog in general.

What’s your favorite dog park in the area? Sound off in the comments and let us know!

What Does a Yellow Ribbon Tied on A Dog’s Collar Mean?

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Photo from Doghealth.com

Have you ever seen a dog with a yellow ribbon tied around their leash or collar? When I first saw it, my mind immediately went to that old Tony Orlando song, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon.” Naturally, I then thought maybe the dog’s owner was deployed in the military and the family was showing support.

Later that day I thought about it while poking around on the internet and decided to Google it. Well, turns out that also naturally, I was wrong.  I mean, it’s not like a dog is a tree, so of course it’s not the same. I guess that’s not my finest assumption, but now I know and I’m glad I do, especially as a mom of a very curious three year old.

If you see a yellow ribbon or bandanna tied on a dog’s collar or leash it means that the dog needs “more space please,” and to proceed with caution if you want to interact. It’s particularly helpful for parents and children to know when a dog isn’t exactly keen on being petted or approached by strangers.

A dog may need space for a few different reasons:

  • They may be in training
  • They could be newly rescued and not comfortable or recovering
  • Have a health issues, like sickness or anxiety
  • They may be in heat
  • The dog is old and tired
  • Overall they just aren’t that social

 

Basically, this Yellowdog Program was started for sensitive dogs; to make it easier for people around them to know that they aren’t exactly the “come up and pet me” type of dog. It’s helpful for everyone in identifying dogs that don’t want attention from strangers.

Some people tend to shy away from this program and think that all dogs deserve space and certain dogs shouldn’t be singled out to be left alone. While you should always ask before you pet someone’s dog, it is helpful to know whether or not to even ask in the first place.

Let us know if you’ve ever seen a dog with a yellow ribbon or use one for your pet. If so, how many people know what it mean?

 

 

 

 

 

What do Different Colored Collars and Leashes Mean?
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What Does a Pet Sitter Do?

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You have finally decided that getting a pet sitter is right for you and your pet. But at the same time you are wondering, “what exactly does a pet sitter do?” While we do have one of the most rewarding jobs someone can have, we do much more than love and play with animals all day. There is a lot that goes into professional pet sitting than meets the eye.

Yes, we give TLC including cuddles, walking & playing with pets.

Our primary concern is taking care of your pet’s immediate needs; walking, feeding and giving them love and attention is our first concern. But we also are trained for emergency situations, CPR, plus other important knowledge in case your pet was to fall ill while you are away.

We also do a combination of other helpful tasks for your pet and home.

  • Our sitters are trained to be able to administer any medicine needed
  • We can provide hospice care for older pets
  • Overnight visits
  • When you’re away a pet sitter can give your home a “lived in” feel by leaving lights on or opening/closing blinds
  • Cleaning litter boxes
  • Changing water/food bowls

It’s good to know your home and your pets are being looked after, especially when you’re going away on vacation. You never know what kind of situation can arise while you’re not at home; pipes can burst, HVAC units or power can go out and pets can get stuck in any manner of places. That’s why having a pet sitter is even more beneficial than just a walk, a few belly rubs and fresh food.

Pets who have pet sitters or other pet care services (such as walking) are happier, get more exercise, have less stress and more socialization, plus they have healthier urinary tracts and diets.

Contact us today to find out more! 

 

Top 5 Places to Board Your Dog in Fort Collins

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I don’t know about you, but the vacation bug has bit my family pretty hard already this year. We’ve already booked our first trip and are anxiously awaiting when that week finally arrives. Sometimes when we go out of town it’s best to board the pups for their safety and our peace of mind. If you’re planning on a vacation this year here are some of the best places you can board your dog while you are away.

  • Four Paws Pet Hotel & Resort – The Four Seasons eat your heart out, this one really is for the dogs. They have spacious rooms, from cots to twin beds in a climate controlled room, your dog is sure to be pampered. They even let you check in on your pet when ever you want through their 24 hour surveillance.
  • Camp Bow Wow – With a friendly and knowledgeable staff, Camp Bow Wow is a great option for your dog. They have tons of indoor and outdoor play areas with 24 hour webcams you can check up on your pooch.  Cozy cabins and nightly treats give your dog a real camp experience.
  • Raintree Animal Hospital – They have over-sized kennels and super comfy cots that are affordable plus a yummy doggy snack bar with morning and afternoon treats for your pooch.
  • Rover’s Ranch Kennels – This is a place where you can truly know that your pets are in the hand of animal lovers. Some pet parents think of it as a “home away from home” for their dogs when they go out of town.
  • VCA Fort Collins Animal Hospital – A great place for you pup to stay where they will treat them like family and also be able to attend to special medical needs or just do a routine check up.

When you get the chance to get away and relax on vacation, have an exciting event or job opportunity, the last thing you want to worry about it is you four legged family members who weren’t able to come along for the adventure. That’s why having a reliable caretaker for them is so important.

What Are Dog Walking Options for My Older Dog?

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As our dogs age their needs also change. Depending on your dog’s breed, they may be considered a senior pet at different ages.  Large breeds as young as 6 years old can sometimes be considered older, while smaller breeds may not be senior status until about 10-12 years. Walking your dog only gets more important as they age, here are some things to take in account when thinking about dog walking with your older dog.

  • As dogs age they tend to be less active throughout the day.

Older dogs do a lot more laying around the house than they did when they were young. Gone are the days of crazily batting around a water bottle or chasing balls around the house. Because of this, they also get far less exercise which is undeniably important to their health.

Weight management is one of the biggest benefits of walking with your older dog. Since they are moving less, sometimes this is the only real exercise they get all day. It also helps loosen their muscles, wards of fat, and stimulates their minds, both of which keep them fresh and feeling good.

  • Most senior dogs need more potty breaks.

As your pup creeps up to senior citizen status they may have a harder time holding in their bathroom needs all day. They need more frequent trips to the bathroom to avoid accidents, UTI’s and overall be more comfortable throughout the day.

  • You may need to change the duration and frequency of their walks.

While it is very important to get your dog out and moving every day, the dynamic of the walk will likely need to change. Senior dogs benefit more from shorter walks at least twice a day (morning, noon and night would be the best).  Sometimes the weather does not agree with the older dog, if it’s too hot or too cold in the morning or at night, walking them at the warmest/coolest part of the day is key.

If they’ve had the same leash and collar for the last decade, it may be time to give them an upgrade.  Opting for a shorter leash and a harness will help keep their neck and joints safe. Even though they may feel like a puppy again on beautiful days, if they jolt to try and get a squirrel they could end up with an injury.

There’s something special about senior dogs. When they flick those loving yet all-knowing eyes in your direction your heart melts. That’s why it’s so important to make sure they continue to live a long and healthy life.