dog Archives

Do You Charge Extra for Holidays?

July 8, 2017/in Most Commonly Asked Questions/by Liana Waddy

Q: Do you charge extra for holidays?

A: This question is easy! We do not charge extra for holidays. That is our gift to you!

Many companies charge extra for holidays. Some charge more just for the day while others charge more for the entire week. Truth be told, we used to charge extra. We found that it made us feel crummy so we did away with it. We know that the holidays can be a costly time, with buying presents and travel expenses. We do not want to make it worse by charging you extra for holidays.

What about your pet sitter?

Since we do not charge extra for the holidays, your sitter does not make more than they would on a normal day. Our wonderful sitters give up their time with family and friends to make sure your pets are getting the best care possible while you are gone. Should you be feeling generous, feel free to tip your sitters extra for working during the holidays!

As always, thank you for supporting your local small business during the holiday season!

Holiday Pet Dangers

Planning on traveling for the holidays? Learn how to travel safely with cats on our blog.

Father’s Day Activities to do with Your Dog

June 11, 2017/in Fun Stuff, Pet Health and Safety/by Liana Waddy

More than gifts, Father’s Day is about having fun with dear old dad. After all, he works hard, day in and day out for the family. Taking time to play around with his favorite four-legged pal is sure to bring a smile to his face.

Help dad relax this Father’s Day with these fun activities he can do with Fido.

Play in the park – Grab a Frisbee and hit the park for some fun in the sun.

Take them out to brunch – Check out one of these dog-friendly restaurants in Fort Collins and take Dad out to lunch with his best bud.

Go for a hike – Pack up a picnic lunch, hit the trails, and spend a little quality time in nature. Fort Collins and Loveland have some great dog trails.

Teach your dog new games – Too hot or rainy? Check out these 7 games Dad can teach Fido to keep them both entertained.

Cook them both a delicious dinner – Fix up the best bud meal of meatloaf for them to enjoy together. Make Dad’s regular favorite recipe and a marvelous Mutt Loaf for your dog!

Give Dad a new DIY doggy bed project – Some dads love to have a project to keep them busy. Pick up the supplies and let dad spend the day working on his newest undertaking.

Take a road trip – Road trips are a great way of spending a sunny Sunday. Check out one of these 22-day trips from Fort Collins and hit the road!

You don’t have to spend a ton on Dad to make him feel special. Sometimes it’s best to just spend some quality time together!

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6 Causes of a Fearful Dog

May 22, 2017/in Dog Care, Popular Posts/by Liana Waddy

With the prospect of warmer weather, we often find ourselves getting out of the house more for a nice day at the park or on the town. And that also means a lot of times our dogs are doing more socializing as well. Thinking about sunny day jaunts with your happily prancing dog can help you get through any day or week.

But it’s not always so picturesque. Sometimes you wonder, “do I have a fearful dog?” and even more so, “how do I help my fearful dog?” Have you been trying to implement a behavior plan to put your dog on the path to become a happier, more confident dog?

The first step to implementing a successful plan is to try to determine the root cause for your fearful dog as well as trying to figure out where your dog is on the spectrum of fear.

In Nicole Wilde’s book “Help for Your Fearful Dog”, she discusses the degrees of fear and six causes of those fears. She explains that the first degree of fear as anxiety. So anxiety would be characterized as low level fear. At the other, more extreme end, is phobias. In between those two levels she labels fears as mild, moderate, and intense fears. So it goes like this: anxiety, mild fear, moderate fear, intense fear, and phobias in that order.

The causes of “fear” on the spectrum vary. Nicole Wilde discusses the six fears in her book as the following:

1. Genetics:

A dog’s genetic code along with prenatal and post natal experience can affect a dog’s disposition. Sometimes this cause is difficult to pinpoint unless you have background information on the parents of the dog. Some breeds are just predisposed to certain behaviors and that’s why it’s important to research a breed before purchasing one. These types of fears are not easy to overcome and sometimes may never be completely overcome.

2. Lack of Socialization:

Many dogs that fear people, other dogs or new situations have not had proper socialization as puppies or young dogs. Puppies need to be exposed to other animals, people, different environments and the like early on in life to avoid a fear response when exposed to those very things. The best period for proper socialization begins at four weeks of age and ends at 12 weeks of age. After that point, it becomes more difficult to address those fears.

3. Abuse:

Some dogs have that are rooted in abusive situations. This type of fear is addressed with behavior modification exercises as well as the development of a bond and trust with the pet parent/owner. Once trust has been established, the behavior is alleviated or eliminated entirely.

4. Traumatic Experience:

Think post-traumatic stress syndrome. Yes, Dogs can be plagued with this too. A bad grooming experience or being attacked by another dog would both be considered traumatic experiences just as a car accident is for a human or a war experience. These types of fears, albeit intense and often requiring a lengthy behavior modification plan can be alleviated and or eliminated entirely as well.

5. Learned Fears:

Dogs create associations very quickly. For example, your dog may learn to associate car rides with vet or grooming visits that may have been undesirable so then he may resist car rides and become fearful of them because he associates the car ride with the said vet or grooming visit. Make sense? The key to resolving learned fears is being able to discover the initial cause is. That can be tricky sometimes as the owner may or may not have been present to witness the triggering event.

6. Pain/Illness:

Some dogs develop fears during a bout with pain or illness. For example, if a dog had a bad ear infection that caused him pain, he may develop a fear of having his ears touched. Now, these fears can sometimes easily be resolved by treating the illness that is causing the pain. However, some illnesses or conditions may be lifelong. Let me explain. If a dog is going blind due to cataracts and surgery is not advisable, this dog may become apprehensive in new environments or with sudden movements due to not being able to see properly. This situation would require making the dog feel as safe as possible, providing comfort and treatment when applicable and keeping the environment predictable.

The most important take away is that if you have a fearful dog, use patience and understanding. Reach out to your local vets and trainers, their wealth of knowledge is there to help!

5 Questions to Ask Your Vet at Your Next Visit

May 14, 2017/in Dog Care/by Liana Waddy

When you’re getting ready for your yearly physical, you probably have a few questions prepared for your doctor. And it’s smart to have them prepared ahead of time. Because if you’re like me, by time you’re in the back room, chances are you’ll forget to ask at least one thing you were concerned about.

The same should go for your pet at their regular wellness checks as well. There are just as many, if not more distractions at the vet. Sometimes that leaves you floundering for words and just hoping to get out unscathed.

Having a few good questions jotted down for easy reference will go a long way in making you get the most out of your pet’s vet visit.

1. Is my pet overweight?

Being on top of your pet’s weight is important. According to the Association for Pet Obesity and Prevention, more than half of the dogs and cats are overweight in the U.S. Even though we are almost conditioned to think “a fat pet is a happy pet,” that’s not true. Obesity sets them up for a whole slew of complications such as, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and more.

2. What is the best food for my pet?

This question almost goes hand in hand with the weight question, but it is still beneficial for average weight pets as well. Not all pet food is created equal and some foods have fatty fillers and sub-par ingredients. Tell your vet what food you regularly feed your pet. Also, as they age dietary needs can change. Ask them what they feel is an appropriate diet for them considering their age and weight.

3. Do you have any recommendations for flea/tick meds?

Flea and ticks are not just a problem for the spring and summer. They can actually be a threat all year round. More than just a nuisance, they can transmit deadly diseases too. Depending on the time of year and your pet’s health in general, your vet may have a better way of protecting your pet.

4.Does my pet need a dental cleaning?

Often forgotten, but still very important is dental health. Recent surveys state that an estimated 80% of adult dogs and 70% of adult cats suffer from a least some degree of periodontal disease. If dental hygiene is ignored too long, it can result serious health issues with the liver, kidney, heart. Your vet should have some easy and painless ways to help.

5. Is this normal?

This is the general behavior or health question to ask your vet. It’s whatever may concern you about your pet. Like do they have a quirky behavior, a weird eating/sleeping habit? Or you may be worried about lumps or bumps on their skin. Reserve this question to fit what concerns you about your pet specifically.

A little bit of planning goes a long way in making sure you get all the answers you need. Doctors and vet visits are stressful enough as it is, no need to add stress to it by being unprepared.

Do you have any additional questions you like to ask your vet? Let us know in the comments!

Socializing Your Adult Dog

May 1, 2017/0 Comments/in Dog Care/by Liana Waddy

Most pet parents know it is best to socialize your pooch at a young age. Ideally when they are the most sensitive, between three and 20 weeks of age. As they age, it is increasingly difficult for a puppy to accept anything new and unfamiliar. But what if you’ve recently adopted an adult dog companion, or you weren’t able to acclimate your pup to social situations due to illness or lack of time? Whatever the reason may be, it doesn’t mean he has to settle for a life void of pet friends and social interaction.

Dog-to-dog socialization

This is usually pretty simple with pups; they can be let loose together to learn how to interact and play. However, the same scenario can be catastrophic with adult dogs. Mature dogs, typically between the ages of 1-3 years, do not necessarily enjoy being in large groups of unfamiliar dogs. Your Fido may attempt to avoid the other dogs, stand closely by your side, or even snap and growl. Rather than putting your furry friend in a stressful situation, try these tips.

Start with daily walks

and introduce him to other pets and people as the opportunity arises. Walks are wonderful for socializing dogs as they’ll have less pent-up energy resulting from exercise, making them calmer and more submissive. During your daily walks, maintain a calm yet assertive energy; avoid pulling back on his leash or yelling if he barks or acts up as doing so will only increase his level of excitement and create a negative experience. Practice using a quick sideways tug on the leash or a simple touch to distract him as needed.

Introductions to other pets and people should be gradual. Invite a friend with a gentle, easy-going dog to join you on a walk. Keep a polite distance between the two pooches while they get to know one another. If both appear at ease, allow them to sniff each other, keeping their leashes loose and their interaction brief. However, if either dog appears to stiffen up, call your dog to you with a soft, relaxed voice; and if they wag their tails and remain at ease, consider an off-leash playdate in a fenced area, using the same brief sessions and positive reinforcement.

Don’t rush things

Try to introduce your adult dog to one new activity per week. For example, take him to the local dog park, but rather than throwing him into the mix and hoping for the best, start by exposing him to the scene with a leashed walk around the outside of the fence, allowing him to see the other dogs playing and having fun.

Socialization of any kind is beneficial and enjoyable for your furry buddy. Be patient, gentle and kind, and remember, making new friends can be taxing, for dogs and people alike!

Read: 6 Causes of a Fearful Dog

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Keep Your Dog and Cat Safe from Rabies

April 20, 2017/0 Comments/in Pet Health and Safety/by Liana Waddy

At Wet Noses Pet Sitting we are loving the beautiful weather we are seeing in Colorado. With this nice weather we are also aware of the increased chances of encountering a wild animal when out with our dogs and cats. Here we discuss everything you need to know about rabies and how to keep your furry friends safe this spring and summer!

What is Rabies?

Over the recent years rabies has making a much larger appearance in our area. Normally rabies is found more commonly in warmer states. Cold weather does not get the chance to kill as many diseased animals. Our warm winters has allowed the disease to travel more easily from animal to animal without breaking the chain.

Basically it’s a disease the attacks the central nervous system. Because of this affect on the central nervous system animals affected with rabies can often act tame or angry. It is transmitted through saliva a few days before the animal dies when the virus is being “shed”. Saliva is the only means of transmission, not blood, feces or urine, so outside of being bit by an affected animal it is unlikely your animal will be infected. Rabies also dies quickly when exposed to the air, so as saliva dries up the disease will die with it. The disease also can only travel through wounds or broken skin, not just from surface contact.

What Wild Animal Carry Rabies?

Rabies in dogs and cats comes from an encounter with a wild animal that is already infected. Species that can carry rabies:

Bats
Coyotes
Foxes
Raccoons
Skunks

There are a few others, but these are the species that are most often seen. In Colorado the largest concerns lie with bats and skunks. Opossums can become infected with rabies but it is extremely rare due to their low body temperature making it difficult for the virus to survive in the opossums body.

How to Keep Your Dog and Cat Safe

Vaccinate on Schedule – Follow the recommended schedule for rabies vaccinations from your veterinarian. I am not a huge fan of over vaccinating, but this is both required by law and recommended for safety, especially as rabies outbreaks are becoming more common in recent years. Most often a puppy or kitten is vaccinated around 4 months old and then a year later. Rabies vaccines come in two durations – one year and three years. Talk with your vet about which one fits your lifestyle the best. For cats, some veterinary clinics carry the adjuvanted and non adjuvanted rabies vaccine.
Treat Any Bites Immediately – Even if your dog or cat is current on their rabies vaccine, still seek treatment from a veterinarian if your pet has contact with a wild animal. Bites can be hard to find in thick hair, especially small bites like from a bat. Get a veterinarian involved just to be safe.
Keep Your Pet Away From Wild Animals – Most of the animals that can carry rabies are nocturnal or diurnal but rabies will make them act abnormally. If you notice a racoon, typically a nocturnal animal, out during the day it may be rabid. Avoid hiking with your dog off-leash at dusk and check your yard at night before letting your pets outside. Keep your cat indoors (good in general) unless on leash.
Keep Wild Animals Out of Your Yard – When possible, secure fencing and make sure you are not inviting wild animals into your yard. This mean securing food so animals are not encouraged to come to eat. If you are feeding stray cats, great! Just put the food somewhere that will not encourage wild animals to come into the same area frequented by your dog or cat.

Prevention is Key!

Take these steps to keep your dog and cat safe from encountering animals with rabies. Always better safe than sorry, so if you ever have a possible run-in with a wild animal take the time to get your pet checked by a veterinarian to get any possible treatment. Keep those fur kids safe!

Here at Wet Noses we’re all about your pets safety. Here are our Cold Weather Precautions for Pets Tips and our Cat Travel Safety Tips.

What is Snakebite Prevention Training?

April 3, 2017/0 Comments/in Dog Care, Pet Care, Pet Health and Safety/by Liana Waddy

Hiking in areas around Fort Collins is a favorite for most dog owners. I mean, it’s simply gorgeous out. Unfortunately, the same trails that you love are also host f0r many rattlesnakes. In my Pet CPR classes, I recommend that avid hikers put their dogs through a snakebite prevention training. And always exercise caution when in areas that are known for poisonous snakes.

What is snakebite prevention training?

The training is simple, but a little harsh. It should only be done by a specialized trainer with a class set up, do not try to do this yourself! Your trainer will do all of the work to make sure it is done properly. Once the trainer is ready a shock collar is placed on your dog. The snake will be in a cage or somewhere contained but in a location that your dog is able to see, smell and identify the snake for what it is. Once your dog has had a second to recognize some of the traits of a snake the trainer will zap him with the shock collar. This instantly associates the presence of a snake with pain. This will be repeated a few times in a session to make sure the dog associates the pain correctly.

Who should take the class?

I personally believe that almost all dogs should take this class. In pet CPR classes I always remind dog owners that although it sounds mean, treating a snakebite is expensive and often the bite is fatal. The brief shock caused by the training will far offset the alternative: a long and painful treatment for a venomous bite. The training is necessary for anyone that hikes regularly with their dog, especially in areas like Fort Collins where rattlesnakes are extremely common in the summer months.

How often does the training need to be done?

Often a recheck session is recommended later that year or the following year. Service dogs are required to be trained and regularly retested to make sure they retain their training. For most dogs one recheck and then maybe a few years later is sufficient. Most dogs never have to be shocked again after the initial session.

Who hosts the training?

In Colorado training is most often hosted by a rescue or service dog group as a fundraiser. Keep an eye on our events calendar and local animal groups for news of an upcoming Snakebite Prevention Training class!

What are the Leash Laws in Fort Collins?

March 15, 2017/in Dog Care, Fort Collins, Local Information, Popular Posts/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 Fort Collins; 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.

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.

Benefits of Off Leash Dog Parks

Disadvantages of Off Leash Dog Parks

7 Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat

February 28, 2017/in Dog Care/by Liana Waddy

We’re usually careful about what our pets eat during the holidays, but there are things that they can get into all year long. Making sure that your pets are healthy In fact there are seven foods that your dog should never eat.

1. Alliums

These types of food have been associated with a red blood cell damaging condition, hemolytic anemia. Garlic and onions, plus any food season with them could end up with your pup feeling disoriented, fatigued and listless. Plus, they could suffer rapid heartbeat, darkened urine or vomiting.

2. Spoiled food

I don’t know why some pet owners have fallen into a trap of letting our pets dispose of spoiled food, but we kind of have. But in all truth, if you wouldn’t eat it, then neither should your dog. Especially if it was mold or smells funny, send that old food straight to the trash.

3. Fried foods

There is no doubt that us Americans love our fried food. But extremely fatty food, such as fried chicken is very toxic for our dogs. We have more complex digestive systems that can handle the extra oil and breading, but our pet do not. This can cause pancreatic inflammation that can in turn damage to your dog’s other intestines.

4. Grapes/Raisins

We’re not really sure why that most dogs get sick from eating grapes, but it happens frequently. There is a strong correlation between eating grapes and kidney failure. If your dog has eaten grapes and show signs of diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, lethargy, or weakness, it’s time to contact the vet.

5. Macadamia nuts

Another mysterious and trouble causing food is macadamia nuts. Luckily this isn’t a big problem because your dog would have to eat a good amount of them to get sick. But if they do it can get serious. Symptoms from eating these nuts include, fever, muscle weakness, depression and vomiting.

6. Salty snacks

If your dog ingests too many salty they could end up with sodium ion poisoning. A chip or two isn’t going to hurt them; but if they get into a whole bag, you need to watch them closely and give them plenty of water. Symptoms include depression, high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive thirst, kidney damage, and seizures.

7. Xylitol

If you have sugar free foods in your house, check them for this low-calorie sugar substitute. Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs. If ingested they can cause a drastic spike in insulin levels which can cause dangerously low blood sugar later on. Signs of xylitol poisoning includes vomiting at first, followed by fainting, seizures, weakness, staggering and even death.

If you’re ever concerned about your dog having consumed these foods, call the vet right away. The best way to avoiding accidental poisoning is to keep these foods locked away where your dog can’t reach them.

Dog Treats for Valentine’s Day

January 30, 2017/0 Comments/in Dog Care, Fun Stuff, Pet Care, Uncategorized/by Jess

When we think of Valentine’s day, we think of a day of love that is filled with chocolate and flowers. And there is no reason not to include your canine companion with these dog treats for Valentine’s Day. After all, they have a piece of your heart too.

Remember to always keep your dogs away from candy, but making them there own special dog-friendly treats is a great way to include them. Check out these easy to make recipes for your dog this year!

Heart Shapped Pup-cakes

Ingredients:

1 cup of all purpose flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
1/4 cup of peanut butter (xylitol free)
1 cup of shredded carrots or chopped broccoli
2 1/2 tablespoons of honey
1/2 cup of buttermilk
Cream cheese as frosting
Strawberry (optional)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit and grease your cupcake pan with butter or vegetable oil
Mix the flour and baking powder in a small bowl
Add the oil, peanut butter, and honey to the flour mixture
Add the buttermilk in a small amount at a time and mix
Add in the carrots or broccoli
Place the mixture into the cupcake pan and bake until a toothpick can be cleanly removed from the cupcake
Let the cupcakes cool for 20 minutes and remove them from the pan
After the cupcakes are cooled mix up your frosting

For frosting:

Apply softened cream cheese to ice the cupcake
Optional: cut up strawberries and mix them into the cream cheese
Spread the strawberry cream cheese on the cupcakes

No- Bake Peanut Butter Balls