Tag Archive for: pet care

Doggy Daycare VS Dog Walker – What’s the Best for Your Pet?

 

We know that it is hard to be away from your pet all day. Whether it’s weekdays at work or day trips, leaving them behind can leave you worried. And there are a lot of different options for pet care during the day, it can be hard to know which is best. Two of the most popular options are dog daycare and dog walking. Here are the differences that you need to know before you chose what’s best for your pet.

 

Dog Daycare

This is a short term kennel for your dog. Doggy daycare is not much different than children’s day care. Owner’s drop off their pets on their way to work or out for the day. Then, you pick your dog back up at the end of the day on the way home.

Best for dogs who:

  • Love to socialize
  • Need a lot of stimulation during the day
  • Are healthy and have all of their shots

If it’s a convenient location for you to drop off and pick up, then this could be a good option. Especially, if you have a large dog that wants to play and socialize all day long. Since your dog will be interacting with other canines, it’s important that they have all of their shots. But for puppies, anxious or sickly dogs, it may not be the best choice.

Dog Walking

Dog walkers are great because they come straight to your home. No need to wrangle your pet in the car or pack a bag of treats and toys for them. Basically a pet sitter can come once or twice (AM and PM) during the day while you are gone. They will play with your dog, take them for a walk to check the “P-Mail,” plus feed them and give them a little cuddle time.

Best for dogs who:

  • Have anxiety
  • Gets car sick
  • Are sick or injured

While dog walking can be best for the dogs listed above, it is actually is a great option for all pets. Your pet gets the comfort of their home and neighborhood.

If you’re looking to find out more about dog walking and pet sitting or schedule services, make sure to give us a call!

 

 

Do You Know All The Great Things That Pet Sitters Do?

 

Did you know that our pet sitters can do more than just walk and play with your pets? Because we can ! And while we can do a lot, there are a few things we can’t do. Here are a few questions to help you find out about the extra services we can provide.

Will a pet sitter….?

Take out my trash?

If you are out of town on trash day we will be happy to roll your bin out to the curb and bring it back in. We will also dispose of any waste from your animal during our visit.

Water my plants? 

Sure! As long as you don’t have a forest in your home, we’d be happy to water your house plants for you.

Bring in my mail? 

Yes! We are happy to bring in your mail and leave it on your counter top for you. This is especially perfect for when you’re out town for the week. Also, we can also turn lights on and off while you’re out of town to make it look like someone is home.

Clean my house? 

Yes and no. We will clean up any mess from your pets, but we aren’t maids. We can’t clean up any general messes in your home.

Clean my kitchen? 

We have a lot of pets to visit in a day and we simply don’t have time to clean your kitchen for you. If your pet’s food and water is in the kitchen and they’ve spilled it, we will make sure that is all swept and mopped up. However, we can’t clean up your dishes from breakfast.

Do my laundry? 

No, unfortunately we won’t be doing any of your laundry. If your pet messes up their bed or linens, we will do our best to make sure it is clean. If something needs to be thrown in the wash, we will put it in your laundry room and leave you a note.

As you can see, pet sitters can do a lot more than walking and comforting pets, but we can’t do everything around your home. Don’t hesitate to give us a call and set up an appointment!

What Do Pet Sitters Do in a Blizzard?

 

Winter storms have been dominating the news. In fact, every state expect for Florida has snow on the ground.  And there is still a lot of time left this winter, which means we could easily see more storms. So, what exactly does your pet sitter do if a blizzard hits?

Of course, if school and businesses are closed and the news is telling people to stay home, then chances are that you are home to take care of your pet.  But what if you’re on vacation?   Pet sitters are like the mailmen of animal care, with a creed not unlike, “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.[1]

What You Can Do to Prepare for a Blizzard:

    1. Hire a neighbor to shovel your driveway and sidewalks to make it easy to get in and out of your home. If you prefer to spread ice melt, make sure to get the non-toxic pet friendly version.
    2. Have extra leashes/harnesses, or carriers available. If you get snowed in, your pet sitter may need to come get your weather the storm with them. This could be necessary if the power goes out or if the storm will have people snowed in for days.
    3. If you are going to be home, make sure to call and cancel so they don’t need to worry about going over to your home in the storm.
    4. Make sure to have plenty of food, water, litter and other supplies. Have an emergency plan in place just in case everyone gets snowed in and they can’t make it on the scheduled day.
    5. No matter the weather your pet sitter will try their hardest to be there for your pets. However, we do want everyone to be safe.  If you’re worried about your pets in inclement weather, make sure to contact us. We will help set up a plan and your pet care.  And most of all, stay safe and warm this winter!

 

What We Do to Prepare for a Blizzard (as Pet Sitters):

  1. Check weather reports, especially for areas outside of town.
  2. Discuss emergency scenarios with the team. Sitters with 4-wheel drive vehicles and vehicles with higher clearance are on call.
  3. Management plans to provide assistance. Even if the sitter can get out to visits, often the road make driving slow, so occasionally a manager takes a visit to help the sitter get them all done in time.
  4. Occasionally there is a discussion of having a pet stay with a sitter in their home. Typically this is with friendly dogs who would deal well with the stress, and is only done when necessary.
  5. Stock our vehicles with emergency gear.
  6. Contact the client to let them know of the situation and keep them updated throughout.
  7. If it is possible we will not make it to a home, in advance we contact neighbors and emergency contacts and arrange emergency coverage, if needed. We provide them with all of the information needed to watch the home.
  8. Leave out extra food and water, just in case.
  9. Stay in touch with emergency backups to assess the area and keep them apprised if we need help with visits.

We have only had one situation where we could not make it to a home due to weather, and it was actually due to flooding! We had arranged for a neighbor to help and everything turned out great. Having a professional pet sitter means you never have to worry!

Best Birthday Presents for Dad from the Dog

 

From the end of June through the first week of July my family has a slew of birthdays. In two short weeks we celebrate 4 birthdays and the 4th of July, including Dad’s.  It’s always fun showering gifts upon your loved ones, so why not throw in presents for Dad from the dog? I mean, you can’t have too many gifts, right?

Sling Back Messenger Bag – Perfect for walks or hikes; Dad can stash all the things he needs including poop bags, cell phone, and treats for everyone.

Doggy Print PJ Pants – After a long day Dad will love getting comfy in these dog print pajamas. He will be hanging out with his canine pal in style.

 

The Dogfather T-Shirt – This clever shirt is perfect for any Dog Father.

 

Best Dog Dad Coffee Mug – An epic coffee mug for an epic dog dag.

Sorry I Pooped in Your Shoe Coffee Table Book – An amusing and sweet collections of letter from the dog.

 

Our dogs are a big part of our family, so why not include them in the gift giving?  Throw in their own dog safe birthday cake and then they will truly be a part of the celebration.

What are you favorite gifts from the dog, let us know in the comments below! 

 

How to Teach Your Dog to Cross the Street

 

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.

Fun Things to Do with Your Cat on a Nice Day

 

Flowers are popping up, the life and fragrances of spring are all around us. The sun practically begs you to get outside and play. It’s easy to get your dog out to the park for some fun in the sun, but what about the poor kitty stuck inside watching sunny days pass from their perch? Animals love to be outside, it’s in their nature, but if your cat is indoor only they don’t get as much or any time to enjoy it.

That doesn’t always have to be the case. If you think your feline fur baby is feeling left out, there are some great fun and safe outdoor activities you can enjoy with your cat on a nice day.

Visit the vet for a check up

Update shots if needed and talk to them about flea, tick and mosquito treatments along with any other health risks. Let them know your plans and ask for any special vet tips they may have up their sleeve.

Stock up on supplies

Cats are creatures of comfort any way you slice it. They are also a flight risk when outside, so make sure to get a nice harness and leash. Bring a bag full of treats, water, travel bowls, disposable litter box and anything else you think would help them enjoy the day. Also, make sure they have an updated tag and new collar if the old one was worn.

Leash training basics

A few weeks before your outdoor adventure get your cat used to the leash and harness or walking jacket. Leave it out around the house, play with it and give them treats when you try to slip it on so they think of it in a positive way. Also, never hook a leash just to a collar, cats need a harness or jacket to keep their neck safe and avoid them slipping out. Once they are used to it, start to take him or her around the yard or on the patio; somewhere quiet and close to home. 

Now your cat is ready to spend some time outside with you on a nice day, but what should you do?

  • Take them for a walk – even if they don’t like walking with the harness, they would probably love being strolled around like the diva baby they are.
  • Pet Festivals or Stores – Many stores and pet advocacy groups hold spring festivals that would be perfect to bring your favorite feline.
  • Day Trip – Take them to the beach, the park or even hiking. Whether they are on a leash and harness or in a stroller, taking in the fresh air and wildlife is always great.

No matter what you choose, just make sure you stay with your cat at all times. Watch for dehydration if it gets warm during the day or if you’re on a long walk. You know your cat better than anyone, if she seems stressed out then it may be time to call it a day and try something less adventurous next time. But I bet sooner or later they will learn to love their new outdoor side of life.  

What are some fun things you do with your cat on a nice day? Sound off below and let us know!

 

What Are Dog Walking Options for My Older Dog?

 

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.

 

Why Some People Don’t Own Pets

 

I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t imagine an existence without pets. I’ve shared my life with a pet for as long as I can remember, loving them, losing them, and welcoming new ones over the years. So for me, and probably many of you, it’s hard to understand why some people choose to not have pets. I mean, don’t they know what they’re missing?

 

The American Humane Association (AHA) and PetSmart Charities conducted a study to learn more about pet companions -specifically why some people don’t have pets -in an effort to develop more effective strategies for helping homeless pets get adopted and find their forever homes. The AHA believes the first step in minimizing the number of homeless dogs and cats is to understand why some people don’t have pets. Here’s what the study found:

 

Data was collected from 1,500 people without pets who either had a dog or cat once in their lives, or never at all. Some reasons for not having a pet were predictable, including: “Pets cost too much money,” or “I don’t have the time,” or “I’m allergic.” But researchers were shocked to learn nearly 20 percent of the study participants who did have a dog or cat at one time (and only one time) never welcomed another pet to their home because they were still suffering from the loss of their previous pet. This finding made it clear to the AHA that they need to better appreciate the human-animal bond and celebrate a person’s prior pet, which will hopefully allow then to take the next step of caring for another pet.

 

Cats vs. Dogs

 

Some of the non-pet participants admitted they simply don’t like companion animals, and over one-third expressed their dislike of cats. 45 percent who had a dog at one time said they would consider having another pet, while only 34 percent who had a cat said the same. Of the participants who never had a pet before, 25 percent would consider a canine companion, but only 10 percent would bring home a feline friend. These results helped identify a need for feline-friendly education and training for both pet parents and veterinary staff at the AHA to increase the level of care kitties receive.

 

Additional Findings

 

  • The longer a pet parent waits after the loss of a pet, the less likely he or she is to welcome a new dog or cat to the home.
  • 10 percent of previous dog parents and 12 percent of previous cat parents said they gave away or sold their pet for reasons such as housing restrictions, behavioral issues, allergies, lack of time, death in the family, or divorce.
  • Less than 23 percent of previous pet parents adopted their pet from a shelter or rescue agency.
  • Nearly 65 percent of study participants said they would adopt their next pet.
  • Of the participants over the age of 65, over 90 percent of them said they had no intention of having a canine or kitty companion.

 

 

What the AHA and PetSmart Charities Learned

 

  • A plan of action is needed to help address negative attitudes toward cats, and cat adoption strategies would have improved results if targeted toward younger prospective pet parents.
  • They need to better understand barriers to pet adoption, such as the grief over a lost pet, and work to reduce existing obstacles such as housing restrictions and financial constraints.

 

Hopefully, with this information in hand, both the AHA and PetSmart Charities will develop a strategy to attract new adoptees, reduce the shelter populations, and match potential pet parents with their forever friends. However, as all pet parents know, pets are a big responsibility.You should never push a pet on someone who is not ready. The best thing you can do for your non-pet owning friends is educate them on the upsides and downsides of being a pet parent and try and ease their concerns about pet ownership.

 

Does My Dog Lick Excessively?

 

Do you ever catch your pooch in the act of licking his feet, forearms, or other extremity so ferociously you think to yourself, “wow, that must really feel good”? While his licking may seem a non-issue, and one that provides him joy, that doesn’t mean it might not be his response to an underlying issue if they lick excessively.

Canine acral lick dermatitis (ALD) – also known as lick granulomas – is a lesion to the skin caused by chronic licking, resulting in skin inflammation. Over time, the skin thickens and the area can’t heal because they lick excessively. The licking and the inflammation cause itching, which causes your dog to lick even more, creating a vicious cycle of itching, licking, inflammation, and the inability to heal.

ALD can also result in secondary issues including bacterial infection, ruptured hair follicles and ruptured sweat glands. These issues just add fuel to the cycle, making the itching even worse which increases your dog’s need to lick.

The most common location for ALD is on the front side of a front leg between the elbow joint and paw, though they are often found on the ankle and between the toes. The condition is most often seen in middle-aged, large-breed dogs. Many veterinarians believe itchy skin triggers the excessive licking, although it is thought it can also be set off by a painful condition, such as trauma to the leg, a fracture, post-surgical discomfort, arthritis, or nerve damage. A fungal or bacterial infection, as well as skin mites, can also trigger itching in your pooch.

Not only is ALD rooted in health conditions, incessant licking is also a common obsessive-compulsive disorder in dogs – yes, dogs can have OCD, too! Rover’s licking may trigger the release of endorphins (a chemical in the brain that leads to feelings of happiness) and once he learns licking brings about a pleasant feeling, he’ll likely continue to do it. As well, psychological factors such as boredom, stress and separation anxiety can result in excessive licking. To best determine how to treat the issue, it is important to determine the cause.

If you suspect your pooch has an ALD lesion, there will typically be a raised area of ulceration, hair loss, and thickened skin around the lesion. Your veterinarian should first rule out any potential allergies first, as a dog with recurrent skin or ear infections, hot spots, or itching in other areas may have an allergic condition that needs treatment. Several tests are needed to diagnose ALD, including skin scrapings and fungal cultures, and to look for infection.

If it is determined that your pooch is indeed suffering from ALD, once treated effectively, you’ll likely need to address any psychological or emotional factors that may have contributed to your pet’s obsessive licking. Try to refocus his energy with frequent walks, playtime, and other methods of physical activity. Make sure you and everyone in your family pays extra attention to Rover, stimulating his brain and keeping him happy and secure.

The best way to prevent ALD is to talk to your vet as soon as you notice you dog start to lick excessively. Make a habit of running your hands over Rover regularly to check for damp fur or sensitivity. If you notice him licking a particular spot but there’s no injury to the skin, wrap the area with an Ace bandage to discourage further licking. Anything you can do to prevent Rover from self-injury will be extremely beneficial.

While we associate licking with a dog’s natural instinct, sometimes it can serve as a sign of an underlying issue and, when done excessively, should never be ignored.

Dental Disease in Dogs

 

Dental disease- or periodontal disease- is the most common condition in dogs.Usually most owners notice only bad breath, but periodontal disease is actually bacteria builds up on the teeth, called plaque.These bacteria cause the plaque to spread into the gum line, damage the gums, and cause tooth loss.

Additionally, periodontal disease is linked to internal organ issues.

So what can you do to prevent periodontal disease?

Brushing your dog’s teeth: This is the best way to prevent dental disease. Daily brushing is the best, but even weekly is better than no brushing. Trying to brush an unwilling dog’s teeth can be quite a challenge, so be sure to start slow and provide lots of positive reinforcement.

*Be sure to use a dog specific toothpaste and toothbrush 

Oral Rinses: There are oral rinses on the market made specifically for pets. These rinses can generally be purchased at a vet’s office.Most pets are not too fond of this but it can help reduce plaque build up.

Dry food: There are dry foods made for dental health on the market. A 2002 study found that dogs fed a special dental dry food had significantly lower levels of plaque and gingivitis. Most of the dental foods are prescription diets ( meaning you buy them at a vet’s office).

What happens if your dog has dental disease? 

There are various levels of dental disease. Not all of it requires treatment. In early dental disease, home brushing can make a big difference.

In later stages of dental disease your vet will recommend a dental scaling. In a dental scaling, a vet uses a special tool to remove plaque from the teeth. While this procedure is really safe, it involves putting your dog under anesthesia  which always presents a risk.

With dental disease, prevention is the best route. Get started brushing your dog’s teeth early to prevent the problem. Also, work with your vet to monitor your dog’s teeth.