How Does Wet Noses Keep Your Pets Safe

June 18, 2023/in Cat Care, Dog Care, Pet Care/by Liana Waddy

How Does Wet Noses Keep Your Pets Safe

It is estimated that 70% of American families live with a pet. Those pets can range from the faithful dog, irresistible cat, the delightful guinea pig, snakes, lizards and birds of all sizes and shapes, chickens included and even pigs!

Caring for our pets is an 80 billion dollar a year industry. Yes, that’s a whole lot of dollars and cents. Pet parents don’t side step the needs of their pets. They provide the best in veterinary, nutrition, life enrichment and all around care.

About Wet Noses Pet Sitting

The owner of Wet Noses started Wet Noses Pet Sitting in 2001 after many years of doing this for family and friends, and working in other related animal fields. She is a graduate of CSU and has degrees in both biology and zoology.

Wet Noses has a rigorous vetting process when hiring the very best pet sitters. All of them are insured and bonded. Every pet sitter with Wet Noses is an employee and is hired after an extensive background and reference check and interviewed on their individual animal experience.

Everyone of Wet Noses pet sitters is CPR certified within two months of joining their team. They undergo continued training in animal care, training, understanding body language, positive reinforcement training, and numerous other certifications.

Why you should hire a professional pet sitter

As a devoted pet owner, you want the best care and attention for your furry friend, even when you can’t be there. While enlisting the help of a neighbor or a friend may seem convenient, opting for a professional pet sitter offers a wide range of advantages that can ensure your pet’s well-being and happiness. Let’s look at a few of the reasons you should hire a Wet Noses pet sitter to keep your pets safe.

Bonded & Insured

One of the most important reasons for hiring Wet Nose as your pet sitter is that they are insured and bonded, so that you can have peace of mind leaving your pets and home in experienced and trained hands.

Regular Schedule

The safety of your dog, cat or other precious pet is paramount. Leaving your pet for long hours alone can create stress for you and especially for your pet. Knowing that Wet Noses has a schedule that will fit your budget and needs will give you the security of knowing that your fur family is well cared for and ready to greet you when you come home.

Additional Pets

Additional pets are a very small charge, and Wet Noses handles large and small farm animals, exotics and birds. There are two options for overnight care, should you want someone in your home with your pets. Taking your trash to the curb on trash day, or bringing in the mail and/or packages are all included with your fee.

Know who exactly is taking care of your pet

It is ideal when you can see exactly who you are getting for a pet sitter. Wet Noses has a short bio and video of the pet sitter you are paired with so that you can see them in their home with some of their own pets!

Convenient online platform

The online forms are simple and quick to use. The Wet Noses office staff are available by phone, email, text or online. Once you have set your schedule for your pet visits, the pet sitter assigned to you will contact you for an initial appointment to go over instructions, receive keys, and above all meet your pets!

Wet Noses uses an easy mobile or desktop application called Time to Pet that keeps you updated by photos and text on how each visit goes. Additionally, your pet sitter can text your phone directly with a message and photos after each visit.

House will look active to any potential intruders

Houses that look empty/no occupied have become prime targets for not only intruders but squatters as well. Having someone show up at regular intervals while you are away and leaving lights on, blinds up or down and making sure your home is secure is an added benefit of the daily visits or overnight stays of the Wet Noses pet sitter.

Keep your pet at home

Keeping your pets in their home environment is the best way to keep them happy, healthy and safe. They can play in their backyard, go for walks that you have scheduled and have a fun one on one playtime with your pet sitter!

Experienced team members

Wet Noses Pet sitting has an experienced team of loving, capable animal advocates who while working mostly alone in their pet sitting duties, are nevertheless always ready to step in as a team for any unforeseen emergency to ensure that your pet has the best care at all times.

Wet Noses takes the safety of their pet sitters seriously by ongoing training as well as a tracking application that lets the office know when and where they are on their scheduled visits for a particular day. You as the pet owner can sign up in this app and see what time your pet visit started and the journey (if any) while on the walk.

Over 100+ 5-Star Google reviews speak for themselves

Take a look at the reviews of current and past clients and see for yourself that Wet Noses pet sitting is the very best for you and your furry and non-furry family members. Contact us as soon as you book that much deserved vacation and we will take care of your pets and home so that you can relax and enjoy your time away.

Ready to book a Wet Noses pet sitter?

Got a new puppy, kitten or other special needs or post surgical pet? Wet Noses pet sitting has a number of experienced pet sitters to accommodate your needs.

Planning an end of week dinner, play or concert? Long hours at work? Wet Noses has the perfect solution for your needs and is ready to fill in to care for your pet until you return home later.

Today’s pet parent is well informed about the options available to them and Wet Noses pet sitting is honored to be chosen as your pet’s caregiver and we value your trust in us!

Do Rabbits Make a Good Pet?

March 30, 2023/in Pet Care/by Liana Waddy

Do Rabbits Make a Good Pet?

With Easter around the corner you might be wondering “Is a rabbit a good pet?” Rabbits should never be bought on impulse. In fact, this time of year some places will not sell rabbits. This is due to their high abandonment/surrender rate because they were purchased as an Easter gift. Rabbits are a multi-year commitment. Not just an Easter accessory.

If you’re still curious if rabbits make good pets (and you’re not getting one as an Easter gift) then keep reading!

Rabbits are affectionate

Rabbits are affectionate and social animals. While rabbits do not like to be held that doesn’t mean they still can’t be affectionate and social. Watching your rabbit play and flop can be a great source of joy.

Rabbits are quiet (usually)

Rabbits are quiet (usually), but remember that they do thump their back legs. If angry (one thump) or frightened (multiple thumps). Just think of Bambi’s friend Thumper for example!

This means you’ll want to access your living arrangements. Especially if you live in an apartment as the thumping can disturb neighbors. Always check with your landlord to be sure that bunnies are allowed before investing in bringing one home with you.

Rabbits can be litter trained

Rabbits are easy to train to use a litter box. Which means easier clean up and less nuggets on the carpet when they are running around during their play time with you.

Some people wonder if rabbits are smelly/dirty animals. This is not true! Rabbits do not have offensive smells. Using a litter box and cleaning it regularly will keep the urine smell down. Their pellets don’t have a strong odor either. They often smell like wood chips if they have any odor to them at all.

The trick is to keep their area clean to reduce/eliminate any unwanted odors. Plus, it is better for both of you!

To learn more about litter training rabbits, see this guide.

Rabbits can live for 10 years

An average rabbit’s life span is 7-10 years. As such, consider this fact when deciding to get a rabbit. You are committing to their happiness and care for possibly a decade. Different breeds and indoor versus an outdoor rabbit can affect this number.

Fun fact: The oldest rabbit that ever lived was 18 years and 10 months!

Rabbits can learn tricks

Rabbits can be trained to do tricks and even do agility courses. Rabbits are social and curious and follow you, sit in your lap and even “beg” for treats! They love a gentle pet and many love being massaged. They may even ‘purr’. You will have a lot of fun teaching them and enriching their lives through play.

You can even harness train a rabbit! Take your rabbit for a walk once you have them harness trained.

Rabbits are small (most of the time)

Rabbits are typically small animals. Take the Netherland Dwarf rabbit for example. The Netherland Dwarf will remain tiny at just about 2.5 pounds, and there are over a dozen breeds that remain under 5 pounds making them an ideal companion.

Aaron Van Dyken, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

However, not all rabbits stay small. A great example of this is the Flemish Giant rabbit. While still adorable, the Flemish Giant rabbit can weigh from 12 – 22 pounds. The world record length for a Flemish Giant rabbit is 4ft 3in! That’s a BIG rabbit!

Lucile Petit, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Those are the pluses to having a rabbit as a pet but we need to look at some of the less than desirable traits and behaviors that must be taken into consideration when deciding to bring your bunny home.

Rabbits chew everything

Bunnies CHEW EVERYTHING, especially wires. So you will need to bunny proof your area. Finding rabbit forums should help you discover the unique ways others have addressed this problem.

Also consider rabbits are burrowers. Protecting carpet especially in corner areas is important. If you just installed new carpet, a bringing a rabbit home may need to wait.

Rabbits don’t like being held or picked up

Contrary to what Instagram will show you, rabbits do not like being held or picked up a lot. Bunnies are a prey animal and this activates their desire to flee. Picking them up may not be what they like but getting on their level and encouraging interaction with a favorite treat will help them to feel comfortable and enjoy interacting with you.

If you’re wanting a cute and cuddly animal to hold all day, a rabbit is not for you.

Rabbits need a lot of space

Your rabbit needs lots of space. Measure your bunny nose to feet sprawled out, the enclosure needs to be 3-4 times that length. If your rabbit is 1 foot long you will need to provide an enclosure that is 3-4 feet in length. If you are getting a baby bunny, you may need to buy a larger enclosure as they grow. It’s best to plan for their average adult size.

Outside of the cage, rabbits need 1-2 hours of at least 24 square feet or the size of most living areas. This time is when you and your rabbit can get to know each other. It is important for you to fulfill this need for socialization in your bunny.

Rabbits are active in the morning and evening

A rabbits sleep cycle is similar to a cat in that they are most active in the early morning and before sunset. So interact with them while having breakfast and when you get home in the evening. If you’re the kind of person who wakes up late and goes to bed late, a rabbit might not be the ideal pet for you.

Rabbits eat a lot of hay

Your rabbits diet will change as they age. A typical rabbit’s diet consists of 80% hay (timothy or orchard unlimited), 15% leafy greens (1-2 cups), 4% pellets (¼-½ cup), and treats 1% (1-2 tablespoons). Your local pet store will get very familiar with you and your timothy hay purchases.

Rabbit vet care can be expensive

Vet care can be expensive, neutering can run $200-$500 and yearly exams in the $100’s.

Depending on the area you live, you may not have access to a veterinarian who can treat rabbits. Traveling to get necessary medical care is another expense. You may also not be able to access emergency services in time if you are having to drive and hour or more to the closest small animal emergency vet.

The Wabbit Wiki provides some excellent resources for finding a rabbit veterinarian. As well as red flags and questions to ask your rabbit’s vet.

Rabbits are not ideal for small children

People often assume rabbits are a great first pet for small children. Rabbits have a more delicate bone structure, so they may not be the best choice for small children. Handling them requires a soft touch. If you have a small child, make sure to show and teach them how to handle a rabbit properly. Do not leave them unsupervised with the rabbit. You will also want to make sure your rabbits enclosure has a secure, child-proof lock on it.

Rabbits shed, a lot

From Lionhead rabbits to the wide variety of angora rabbits, rabbits cute cuddly fur means that they do shed. Long-haired rabbits are not typically recommended for first-time rabbit owners as they do require significantly more maintenance compared to their short-haired counterparts.

Conclusion

Let’s remember that many who have a rabbit as a pet relate how much joy and happiness they bring to their lives. Now that you know exactly what goes into caring for a rabbit, you can be successful in providing for their physical and social requirements and can enjoy your furry little friend!

Should You Leave The Radio/TV On For Your Pets?

November 5, 2021/0 Comments/in Cat Care, Dog Care, Most Commonly Asked Questions, Pet Care/by Liana Waddy

Should You Leave The Radio/TV On For Your Pets?

When you’re leaving the house, should you leave the radio/TV on for your pets?

It’s up to you!

While the data is limited, there are studies such as the one conducted in 2002 by animal psychologist Deborah Wells from Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland 1 2 that indicate it can be beneficial to leave on the radio/TV for your pet but only if it’s playing the right kind of content – most notably classical music. But really, each animal has their own preference and it’s up to you to experiment with what works best for your pet. Some dogs liked heavy metal while others liked the sound of people talking.

What if I don’t have a Radio/TV?

With many of us moving to subscription based streaming you might find yourself without a TV or radio. There are streaming TV stations that are designed to cater to our canine and feline companions but if you have cut the cord there are numerous YouTube channels out there. Keep in mind, any media that runs advertisements can have suddenly loud and jarring sounds that can disturb your pet. One of my cats is currently recovering from a cystotomy so we’ve been enjoying the videos by Paul Dinning on YouTube. Some places like the Monterey Bay Aquarium offer livestreams of their various exhibits. These livestreams tend to have some calming background music but you can search for ones that don’t.

Do you leave the TV on for your pets? What about the radio? Let us know in the comments what your pets favorite thing to listen or watch is.

Should Your Pet Wear ID?

October 21, 2021/0 Comments/in Cat Care, Dog Care, Pet Care/by Liana Waddy

Should Your Pet Wear ID?

You pet should always have some form of permanent identification on them at all times as identification is extremely important in helping you be reunited with your pet. This can be either in the form of a microchip or a tattoo. As of 2021, microchips are by far the more popular of the two. If you plan on going out with your pet or if your pet is know to door-dart, they should have a form of ID that is easily accessible on them at all times. This is most commonly in the form of ID tags but some collars also come embroidered with information. You can get ID tags made at most pet stores or you can order them online on sites like Red Dingo.

What information should an ID tag have?

Your pets ID should have at minimum the following information:

Their name
Your phone number

Optionally you can include:

Alternative phone number, ex. a spouse’s phone number
Address
Medical alert, ex. if your dog needs insulin or is extremely allergic to chicken

If you are placing a collar on a cat, make sure it is a breakaway collar. With a breakaway collar, if they get it caught on a branch or a fence they are able to get unstuck.

Check that chip!

If your pet is microchipped, make sure that the information on the chip is currently up to date. Include secondary contact information when possible. If you don’t have anybody else you can put down you can put down the shelter where you adopted your pet from or consider asking a neighbor if you can put their information down. You should also check any physical tags every few months to make sure that the engraving has not worn away.

How To Keep Your Pets Warm This Winter

October 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Cat Care, Dog Care, Pet Care/by Liana Waddy

How To Keep Your Pets Warm This Winter

Pets love to be warm in the winter. Here are some ways to help keep them warm.

1. Heated Bed/Blanket/Pad

I have a heated bed and let me tell you, it’s wonderful in the winter. I can climb into a warm bed and when I wake up I’m nice and toasty. Honestly makes it hard to get out of bed. I also know that my pets love it as well. So much so that I have three heated blankets, two heated pads, and a heated cat bed for them to use year-round if they so desire. They understand that if they lay on any of them when I notice I’ll turn it on for them.

K&H Pet Products Thermo-Kitty Heated Cat Bed 20″ on Amazon @ $92.99

K&H Pet Products Heated Thermo-Kitty Mat Reversible Cat Bed on Amazon, Starting @ $25.35

There are lots of different brands to choose from but most of the ones I own are from K&H. You can find their dog products here.

2. Keep that heated bed off the floor and away from drafts

The floor is cold, especially if it isn’t carpeted and drafts are no fun either. Even if your pet bed isn’t heated, make sure it stays off the floor and away from

3. Or add another blanket

Not only does adding another blanket provide additional comfort it provides warmth. Any blanket will do, it doesn’t have to be pet specific. If you do want a pet specific blanket, Tall Tails makes super soft ones.

4. Sweaters

Not all pets like sweaters but if yours does, great! Sweaters are a cute way to add an extra layer of warmth to your pet especially when they’re outside. They make sweaters for all sizes of dogs so you’re sure to find one on the market that fits. Go check out the ones on Amazon, Canada Pooch, or Chilly Dog Sweaters.

5. Don’t shave down to the skin

Cats and dogs are built to withstand some cold temperatures. Some breeds were even designed for it like Huskies. Don’t shave your pet down to their skin during winter as this will remove the warm, protective layer fur provides against the cold.

6. Wipe off paws when your pets come back inside

You know what it’s like to have the snow get into your boot and soak your sock. Imagine if you weren’t able to take off your boots and socks? Whenever your pet comes in from the snow, make sure to wipe their paws off to remove and ice and snow. If you’ve just come in from a walk, this is always a great idea in case they have gotten any ice melt on their paws.

7. If it’s too cold for you it’s probably too cold for your pets

Even if your dog enjoys being out in the snow or is stubborn to come in, if temperatures drop too low your pet can freeze. Make sure you keep track of how long your dog has been outside and keep an eye on them to notice if they start becoming disoriented. Always let them back inside when they want to be let back inside. If you know your dog doesn’t like snow, keep trips outside to a minimum.

New to Northern Colorado and not used to snow? Read up on our cold weather precautions for pets.

Foods To Keep Your Pets Away From This Thanksgiving

October 14, 2021/0 Comments/in Cat Care, Dog Care, Pet Care, Pet Health and Safety/by Liana Waddy

Foods To Keep Your Pets Away From This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time of abundance but should your pet get a plate as well? We’ve put together a list of foods to keep your pets away from this Thanksgiving to save you a Thanksgiving trip to the emergency vet.

Stuffing

Stuffing often contains onions and garlic which are toxic to pets. If your pet gets into a teeny, tiny amount of stuffing that’s okay but you shouldn’t be giving them a plateful.

Ham & Pork Products

These products tend to be very fatty which is hard on their digestive tracks.

Poultry & Bones

You want to keep any cooked bones away from pets, especially chicken bones. Chicken bones can splinter and are harder to digest which can lead to tearing of the esophagus, intestine, or stomach as well as blockages that require veterinary care.

Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes by themselves aren’t bad, it’s the things we add to mashed potatoes that make them unhealthy. Butter, dairy products, green onions, pepper, can give your pet quite a stomach ache. If you’re looking for a great made-for-humans mashed potato recipe, this is one of my favorites from Taste of Lizzy T.

Grapes & Raisins

While less common at Thanksgiving tables, grapes and raisins may be found in things – like stuffing. Or they may be served in a bowl of nuts as a snack. Grapes and raisins are extremely toxic to cats and dogs and can cause kidney failure.

Nuts

On of the foods to keep your pets away from this Thanksgiving is nuts. Most nuts are extremely high in fat which can cause digestive issues.

Chocolate

Chocolate is one of the most common things pet parents are aware their their furbabies shouldn’t have. But remember, the darker the chocolate the more toxic it is due to the higher cocoa content.

Bread Dough & Yeast

Bread dough and yeast should be avoided due to the alcohol content produced by the yeast, especially in uncooked dough. Uncooked dough is also not safe due to the yeast being active and continuing to rise. Dough can expand well over three times the size it starts out at if conditions are right. It would be like you swallowing a loaf of bread whole!

Gravy

Gravy has a lot of toxic ingredients (garlic and onions) in addition to the high fat content. This makes it harder for your pet to digest and gives them tummy troubles.

Want to make your pet a Thanksgiving plate still?

Including your pet in the festivities can be fun but we want to make sure our pets are safe. Here is a list of traditional Thanksgiving foods (with some tweaks) so your pet can get their own plate.

Canned, plain pumpkin – not pumpkin pie filling;
Sweet potato dog chews – you can either make these yourself or purchase them from your local pet store;
Turkey or Pork wet pet food – wet food comes in a variety of flavors. Consider picking up one that is turkey or pork;
Carob treats – carob is the pet-safe version of chocolate. You can find a variety of carob treats at your local pet store

How To Deal With Anxious Pets

July 4, 2021/0 Comments/in Cat Care, Dog Care, Pet Care, Pet Health and Safety/by Liana Waddy

How To Deal With Anxious Pets

How do you deal with anxious pets? It’s a question a lot of pet parents ask – myself included. If I’m gone for more than 6 days one of my cats gets a urinary blockage. Here are some ways you can help with anxious pets.

1. Distractions, distractions, distractions

When does your pet seem to be the most anxious? Is it right after you leave? Or when they wake up from a nap and nobody is there? Sometimes having a distraction is the best thing for them. We have a whole blog on interactive puzzle games for both cats and dogs. These toys can provide just enough distraction to get you out of the house or keep your pet distracted from their anxiety.

2. ThunderShirt

You may have heard of ThunderShirt before. It essentially works the same way swaddling a baby calms them down. The biggest downside to ThunderShirt is it needs to be on your pet prior to the stressful situation so it won’t be as effective if their anxiety is unplanned. These work best for events like Fourth of July or New Years when you know stressors such as fireworks will be happening.

ThunderShirt Classic Anxiety Vest for Dogs, Heather Grey on Chewy, Starting @ $39.95

ThunderShirt for Cats @ $39.95

3. Pheromones

Pheromones are much different from essential oils. Essential oils can actually be toxic to pets, but pheromones (produced synthetically) can help provide an anxious pet relief. Adaptil is the dog version and Feliway is the cat version. The dog version will not work for cats and vice versa.

The classic diffuser is great for open floor plans or large rooms as they cover 750sqft. If you have a large house or many closed off rooms, you may need to invest in multiple diffusers. You can learn more about the Home Diffusers on their website.

They also produce a collar and travel sprays for pets on the go or when a diffuser isn’t a viable option.

4. Calming Sprays

Calming sprays can also be a good option if your pet likes to hang out in one specific area. These don’t require being changed out monthly, only when they’re empty, nor putting a collar onto your pet.

SENTRY Calming Spray for Dogs, 1 oz on Amazon @ $22.95

Feliway Cat Calming Pheromone Spray @ $20.59

5. Calming Chews

Calming chews can be bought over-the-counter at most pet stores. These chews aren’t as strong as something you’d get from the vet but provide a natural way to help calm your pet. Depending on which one you choose they may be hard or soft treats. Some brands also include hemp seed oil.

Quiet Moments® Cat Soft Chew on Amazon @ $9.99

treatibles Chews for Dogs, varying prices

6. CBD Oil

Pet owners have found varying success with CBD Oil helping their pet with anxiety and you may as well if you’re looking for a more holistic and natural approach to managing your pets anxiety. Before starting CBD Oil make sure to talk with your vet, especially if your pet is on any medication, to make sure it’s safe to give them. There’s lots of different brands out there and methods of delivery, you’re sure to find one that fits you and your pets needs. Some brands to start your research are:

7. Consider talking with your vet

Just like with people, some pets need anxiety medication to help manage their anxiety. Pets can’t articulate how they’re feeling but if you’ve tried all of the above ways it may be time to have a discussion with your vet. Make sure you discuss you and your pets needs. Do they need a slight sedative or something stronger? Is there a liquid option if your pet doesn’t take pills? Don’t have a regular vet? We have you covered. Here’s our 5 tips for picking a veterinarian you love.

Do you have an anxious pet? Let us know how you help control their anxiety and if there’s anything we forgot @WetNosesPetSitting or #WetNosesPetSitting

5 Ways to Keep Your Pets Cool in Summer

July 2, 2021/0 Comments/in Cat Care, Dog Care, Pet Care, Pet Health and Safety/by Liana Waddy

5 Ways to Keep Your Pets Cool in Summer

With heatwaves sweeping the country it’s important to keep your pets cool in the summer. We have a few ideas you can try to help cool down your pets. Some of these ideas are great for indoor and outdoor use, others are more suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

1. Refill Water Dishes Daily or as Needed

Keeping your pets hydrated is one of the best ways to help keep them cool.You should be refilling water dishes at least once a day but if you notice your pets dish is getting low or empty, make sure to refill it. Dogs need between 0.5-1 ounces of water per pound of body weight per day. Cats need 3.5-4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight per day.

If you’re looking for some more creative ways to keep your pets hydrated check out our recent post.

2. Frozen Treats

You can either purchase or make your own frozen treats to help keep your pets cool and hydrated. Here’s a recipe for our Frozen Apple Smoothie Bites. But if you’re not into making treats, companies like The Bear & The Rat make healthy frozen treats for dogs and cats.

3. Cooling Mat

Cooling mats are a nice way to help pets get that full body cool down during the hot days. These work similar to ice packs in that you chill them or fill them with cool water and they’ll stay cool for quite awhile. These a great to keep on hand even if you don’t plan on using them outside in case your AC breaks. Recently mine went out for a few days and it was sweltering in here. I laid out a few of these and everyone eventually found one to lay on.

Chillz Cooling Mat For Dogs on Amazon, Starting @ $35.97

4. Cooling Bandana/Towel

Cooling bandana’s and towels cool your pet by using evaporation. For these, you’ll dunk them in water, ring them out, and then put them on your pet – unless it instructs you otherwise. As your pet hangs out outside the water will evaporate and create a nice cooling sensation for your pet.

ALL FOR PAWS Chill Out Dog Ice Bandana on Amazon, Starting @ $15.05

5. Cooling Vest

Is a bandana or towel not enough for your pet? Try out these cooling vests! They work the same way as the bandanas and towels but provide the full body experience of the cooling mat while your pet can still be on the move.

SGODA Dog Cooling Vest Harness Cooler Jacket on Amazon, Starting @ $32.95

RUFFWEAR, Swamp Cooler Evaporative Dog Cooling Vest on Amazon @ $59.95

and a bonus….

6. Stay in the shade or AC

With record temperatures hitting the country, sometimes the best thing to do is stay indoors in the AC or near a fan. If you have to go out, try to stick to shaded areas.

Do you have any tips you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments or @WetNosesPetSitting or #WetNosesPetSitting.

How To Keep Your House Smelling Fresh When You Have Pets

June 17, 2021/0 Comments/in Cat Care, Dog Care, Pet Care/by Liana Waddy

How To Keep Your House Smelling Fresh When You Have Pets

If you have pets, you probably have pet odor. But fear not! Keeping your house smelling fresh when you have pets is easier than you think. Following these handy tips will help banish pet odor for good.

Absorb the smell, don’t cover it up

Most of us just cover up pet odor with a quick spray of Febreze but this can actually make a pet odor problem worse. Covering up odors doesn’t solve the underlying issue. You need to absorb the odors to eliminate them, not just cover them up.

Use an air purifier or pet odor candle

Air purifier’s are a great way to keep the air in your home smelling fresh. You’ll have to remember to change the filter regularly but these can be a quick way to help manage pet odor. Not a fan of an air purifier? One Fur All makes a pet odor eliminator candle to help freshen the air in your home.

Embrace baking soda to absorb smell

Baking soda has been used for years to help absorb fridge odors but it can also be used to help absorb pet odors.

Maintain the litter box

The one thing all cat owners hate, besides being woken up at 2AM to the sound of barfing, is scooping the litter box. But it’s an important task that should be done daily. Not only will the litter box be more hygienic, it’ll help reduce the amount of pet odor in your home. Some people rave about the Litter Genie, instead of using a plastic bag from the store you simply dispose of the litter into the litter genie and only take it out when it’s full.

Check out our list of products every cat needs in their life for more recommendations to make litter scooping easier.

Vacuum at least once a week

Even if you don’t have carpets, vacuuming is important to help keep the “tumbleweeds” of hair at bay. If you do have carpet, vacuuming at least once a week will help remove pet odor that comes from fur, dandruff, and whatever may have been on their paws.

Open the windows

Fresh air is good for you and your pets! Opening the windows can help reduce odor by bringing in fresh, not stale, air. This is the easiest way to keep your house smelling fresh with pets.

Change those furnace filters

It’s something you might not think about but the more pets and the more humans you have in your home, the more often you need to change those furnace filters. We change ours about once a month to help keep dust down and other pet odors.

Wash pet bedding

Bedding is great at absorbing odors. You should aim to wash your pets bedding at least once a week depending on how soiled it gets. If your pet sleeps with you, you should also wash your bedding to help reduce odor further.

Groom your pet regularly

Dandruff, dead skin cells, and extra fur can all contribute to pet odor. They also contribute to the dust in your home and clog up furnace filters. Grooming your pet regularly will help to reduce the amount of dandruff, dead skin cells, and extra fur in your home.

Invest in an enzyme cleaner

Enzymatic cleaners are a life saver. They do more than help clean up a mess. They actually break down the biological elements of pet accidents to help reduce the smell. Nomos is a personal favorite, but it’s hard to find. Nature’s Miracle is another good option that may be easier to find.

Did you also know you can use some plants to purify the air in your home? That’s right! But make sure they aren’t on our list of toxic plants to cats first. Let us know in the comments if you found any of these tips helpful.

Is a Guinea Pig Right for You?

June 11, 2021/0 Comments/in Pet Care/by Liana Waddy

Is a Guinea Pig Right for You?

Guinea pigs can make great companions! But is a guinea pig right for you? Here’s some things you need to consider before adopting a guinea pig. If you don’t think a guinea pig is the right fit for you check out our which pet to adopt post.

How much time do you have?

Guinea pigs require time out of their cage every day to stretch their legs, cuddle in your lap, or explore new environments. Daily interaction and attention are a must for a guinea pig’s well-being.
Guinea pigs need regular grooming, at least once a week for shorthaired breeds and daily for longhaired breeds.
Cages need thoroughly cleaned on a weekly basis with spot-cleanings every few days.

Do you have young children?

Young children may unintentionally drop a guinea pig, squeeze them, or frighten them into biting. Guinea pigs require a gentle touch and can easily be startled by sudden movements and loud noises.

What’s your budget?

Over their lifetime, guinea pigs cost significantly less than a dog or a cat but you will still need to spent a few hundred dollars a year (excluding veterinary costs) on supplies. There’s also the initial cost of equipment if this is your first guinea pig. Make sure you have a veterinarian that takes care of guinea pigs as well.

Are you considering adding another guinea pig?

If you already determined that a guinea pig is right for you, maybe you’re considering getting a second guinea pig. Guinea pigs are social creatures and to help prevent a solitary pig from becoming lonely you may need to adopt a second guinea pig.

Who will watch your guinea pig when you’re on vacation?

Guinea pigs need fresh water and food daily. When you’re on vacation you can rest assured a Wet Noses pet sitter will take excellent care of your pig.

So, is a guinea pig the right pet for you?

Think a guinea pig is right for you? See guinea pigs for adoption in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Does somebody you know have a guinea pig? Or maybe you have a fun guinea pig story. Let us know in the comments!