Live in or near Boulder, Colorado and are looking for a dog park in Boulder? You’re in luck! In recent years cities have become more dog-friendly and thus the number of dog parks has grown. What a great place to exercise your dog if she is friendly with other dogs and likes to play! Here are a few popular dog parks in Boulder.
East Boulder Dog Park
5660 Sioux Dr, Boulder, Colorado
East Boulder Dog Park has separate small and large dog areas.
Foothills Dog Park
800 Cherry Ave, Boulder, Colorado
Foothills Dog Park has separate small and large dog areas.
Do you prefer to have your dog off-leah? Learn more about the City of Boulder’s Voice and Sight Tag Program. With this, you can also have your dog off-leash at:
Howard Heuston Off-Leash Dog Area
34th and Iris, Boulder, Colorado
Have you gone to any of these parks? Which one is your favorite? Let us know @WetNosesPetSitting.
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Lyme Disease In Dogs: The Facts & What To Do About
Lyme disease is something you may have heard about before but what exactly is it? Today we explore what Lyme disease is, what animals can get Lyme disease, how it’s transmitted, and more.
First up,
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial spread by ticks that involves a skin rash and joint pain. Specifically it is the “bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii” [Source].
Can only dogs get Lyme disease?
No. Cats, horses, deer, mice, chipmunks, opossums, squirrels, and raccoons can also get Lyme disease.
You should apply a vet-approved flea and tick prevention method to help prevent Lyme disease and discuss vaccination against Lyme disease with your veterinarian.
How are animals infected?
The bacteria is passed through the bite of an infected tick. In most cases, the tick needs to be attached for 24-48 hours before the bacteria can infect the animal. This means, whenever you come back from a walk you should make sure you and your pet do not have any ticks attached to yourselves. You can learn how to remove a tick on the CDC website. There also are tools designed to remove ticks from dogs and cats.
How does Lyme disease affect my dog?
Lameness, fever, or possible bacterial infection in the kidneys or heart can take as long as 5 months to appear. Issues tend to be focused around the elbows and joints. Lyme disease cannot be transferred from dog to dog or dog to human.
What do I do if I suspect my dog is infected?
Some of the common symptoms you need to look out for are:
Fever;
Generalized stiffness, discomfort, or pain;
Lameness (can be shifting, intermittent, and recurring);
Loss of appetite;
Reduced energy;
Swelling of joints
If you have been in tall, grassy areas that may not be treated for ticks and notice these symptoms seek veterinary care.
Can humans contract Lyme disease?
Yes, humans can become infected with Lyme disease. Lyme disease cannot be contracted from your dog or cat that is infected. You can however be infected by a carrier tick that was attached to your pet. If you believe you have Lyme disease call your physician. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on a variety of factors – one of which can be laboratory testing.
Lyme disease isn’t the only disease or illness our pets can get. Make sure you’re aware of how to prevent rabies and heartworm.
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What to Consider When Scheduling a Pet Sitter for Diabetic Pets?
When you have a cat or dog with diabetes it can be a tough decision when deciding to go out of town because there are a lot of factors to consider such as finding pet sitting for a diabetic pet. We want to walk you through these points of concern and discuss when you should make the choice to stay in town and skip that vacation instead. If you decide it is okay to leave, we have a list of suggestions for pet sitting schedules that we have found work out well for diabetic pets. All pets need amazing care, but without an educated and precise pet sitter, it can be easy for a diabetic pet to become ill.
Want to skip the article? Check out our video below that covers the same information.
Should You Travel?
We are always happy to help out, but there are some factors that need to be considered with diabetic pets before you make the decision to go on a vacation.
How long since your pet was diagnosed with diabetes? In the early days after diagnosis, you are trying to get your pet’s glucose levels stable. You are often speaking to your vet regularly and adjusting medication levels. This can be hard for a pet sitter to take on.
Is your pet stable? Meaning are you still needing to adjust medication often and watch your pet’s behavior for concerns?
How is your pet accepting the insulin injections and glucose testing? If it is hard for you, it will be harder for a sitter.
How is your pet about being handled by strangers? If your pet does not love being handled (especially cats) then it is going to be tough for a sitter to medicate your pet and do glucose testing.
Does your pet have any problems eating when you are gone? Pets need to eat before receiving their insulin. If your pet typically does not eat when you are gone then it is going to be hard for a sitter to manage the food and insulin levels consistently.
Are you going to be reachable on your trip? Whenever there is a problem with a pet, especially a pet with medical problems, we will reach out to you for suggestions and ideas. If you are not able to be reached it will be hard for a sitter to determine the next course of action.
If you are seeing multiple points of concern, then you should consider waiting to travel until your pet is more stable. We are concerned for both your pet, who is not feeling well already, and the safety of the sitter who will be handling your pet in close quarters. If you think this is a good time to travel then we have multiple steps to make sure it goes smoothly!
Pet Diabetes: Should You Travel Infographic – Click to enlarge 🔍
How do You Prepare to Leave Your Diabetic Pet?
You have decided you are going to travel and want to make sure it goes as well as possible. So do we! Here is what a sitter will need so you can have the best trip:
All the data from your veterinarian. All of it. This can include normal and abnormal glucose levels, amount of insulin to be given, length of time after eating to give insulin, size of a normal meal, what to do if your pet does not eat, any abnormal behaviors to watch out for, etc. The more information you give your sitter, the more educated decisions she can make.
Feeding instructions with contingencies. It is not unusual for animals to not eat if they are stressed or not feeling well. If your dog does not eat or your cat hides during a visit, think about what your sitter should do. Do you want the sitter to stay longer (and you pay for the extra time)? Should the sitter leave and come back? Can the sitter mix in some canned food or feed a different food altogether to get your pet to eat? We have been known to sit on the floor and hand-feed pets if that is helpful, we just need to know what you think is best.
Normal animal behaviors. When your pet is not feeling well, what does she do? The better the list you make, the more we can look for.
How to reach you. We try to solve problems ourselves, but we never want to mess with the health of a pet. When pet sitting diabetic pets, we like to be able to reach you if we have concerns. This is especially true if you are a new client or your pet has recently been diagnosed with diabetes.
How to reach your vet, and permission for us to speak to them. You need to let know veterinarian know you will be out of town and who will be caring for your pets. If we cannot reach you, or the situation is urgent, we need to be able to reach a veterinarian quickly and not have to worry about any privacy issues.
We’ve put together a checklist to help you keep all of this information organized and to make sure you have all the information at the ready to provide your pet sitter.
Checklist – Click to enlarge 🔍
But what if I’m not sure how my pet will do with a sitter?
If you are unsure of how your pet will do with a sitter – we offer trial visits. At Wet Noses Pet Sitting, we require a trial visit for any cat receiving medication. We recommend trial visits for dogs, but only require it if the dog seems nervous during the meet and greet. During a trial visit, you will leave and your sitter will come just like you are on vacation. This will allow us all to observe how your animal reacts to a new person handling them and allow us to flush out any questions your sitter may have.
If you know your pet will have a hard time – schedule multiple trial visits! We are happy to come to work with you for as long as it takes to get your dog or cat comfortable with us. We want everyone to be relaxed and have peace of mind when you do leave.
Petting sitting diabetic pets is something we love and if you can prepare all of this, then you can travel comfortably knowing that your diabetic pet will be well cared for. Now you just need to decide on a schedule! Unlike other pets, diabetic pets need medication every 12 hours. Below are our suggested schedules that are built with that in mind.
Fluffy ginger cat looking up from cardboard box by Konstantin Aksenov from NounProject.com
Diabetic Pet Option #1
This is an ideal schedule for diabetic pets who need eyes on them regularly.
30 Minute Mid-Day Visit
Your sitter will use this visit for a walk and/or playtime. It is a good time during the day just to check on your pet and make sure they are feeling okay. If you have a dog, this visit should be set at a time when your dog would normally need to go outside, so it is in line with their normal routine. A visit during the middle of the day like this means that your dog will only be alone for 6-7 hours, depending on the time of the visit.
12 Hour Extended Overnight Stay
A 12-hour overnight means your sitter will feed your pet and give insulin at the beginning and end of the stay. Your sitter will arrive in the early evening (around 7 pm) and take your dog for a walk or playtime (if you have one), whichever is normal for them. Then comes feeding and some time for relaxation. Right before bed, your dog goes out for the last outing, usually a potty break. Your sitter sends you a picture with an update so you can rest easy knowing your pup has company. In the morning there is time for another walk or playtime and feeding, as well as other pet chores. The Extended Overnight Stay is especially good for dogs and cats who are accustomed to having company and companionship during the evenings or if you have a large number of pets needing care.
Two cavalier spaniels lying next to each other on bed by Anna Fotyma from NounProject.com
Diabetic Pet Option #2
This is a good schedule for diabetic pets who are used to being home alone in the evening but like having company overnight.
30-Minute Dinner Visit
Your sitter arrives ready for a walk (if you have a dog) and dinner time! Your pets will be happy to see them after a day apart, so there is usually some happy greeting time followed by a trip outside to go potty for dogs. This visit will be scheduled during the time that your pet needs their evening insulin. After dogs get their evening walk, or cats have playtime, it is time for dinner and medication. Your sitter sends you a picture with an update so you can rest easy knowing your pet has company. Before leaving, your sitter turns on some lights so your pets are not alone in the dark, and to make your home appear lived in.
9-10 Hour Regular Overnight Stay
Your sitter will arrive in the evening (around 10 p.m.) and let your dog out for a potty break. Your sitter then settles your pup in for their normal bedtime routine. Maybe your dog sleeps in the bed with your sitter, or on a dog bed in the bedroom. If your dog needs a tuck in with a blanket or a late-night treat, that will happen. In the morning there is time for a let out or a quick walk and feeding. Before leaving, your sitter will set your pup up for the day with her normal routine, including breakfast and medication. The overnight stay is especially good for dogs who are accustomed to having company and companionship overnight and provides a level of consistency that dogs appreciate. It also allows your sitter to keep an eye on your pet’s behavior for any changes that indicate she is not feeling well.
Pet cat laying down on cat perch by Noun Project from NounProject.com
Diabetic Pet Option #3
This is a good schedule for pet sitting diabetic pets who are fine with being home alone overnight.
30-Minute Breakfast Visit
Your sitter will arrive in the morning (between 7-8:30 am) and take your dog for a walk or playtime, whichever is normal for her. It is an exciting time to get up and stretch our legs first thing in the morning! Cats gets some cuddles and playtime, whatever they like. Then comes feeding, medication, and other normal chores. Before leaving your sitter will set your pup up for the day with her normal routine, whether it be a stuffed KONG or leaving a radio on.
30 Minute Late Afternoon Visit
Your sitter arrives ready for a walk and playtime! Your pup will be happy to see her after a day apart, so there is usually some happy greeting time followed by a trip outside to go potty. Then they are off for their walk or playtime outside, depending on what your dog prefers. Your sitter sends you a picture with an update so you can rest easy knowing your pup has company. Before leaving, your sitter turns on some lights so your dog in not alone in the dark, and to make your home appear lived in.
15-30 Minute Night Visit
This visit should be timed to be 12 hours apart from your breakfast visit. The sitter will take dogs out for a last-minute potty break and then feeding and medication. It allows your pup to close out the day comfortably and securely. Your sitter will let your pup out and settle her in for the night with her normal routine. At the end it is lights out and time for sleep!
Cavalier spaniel sitting under under purple blanket by Anna Fotyma from NounProject.com
Our Considerations for all Pets
When it comes to pet sitting diabetic pets, there are a few factors we like to consider when setting a schedule:
All diabetic pets need visits spaced 12 hours apart for insulin, so we stick to that when scheduling.
How long is your dog used to being home during the day? Do you work a full dog or do you work from home?
How often does your dog go outside during a normal day? It is easy to underestimate so try counting for a few days to be sure.
Does your dog need a lot of exercise? If so, consider schedules for active dogs.
Where do your pets sleep at night? If your dog waits for you to go to bed and then joins you, you need overnight stays. If your dog wanders off at 9 p.m. and you don’t see her again until 7 a.m., you can probably get away with just visits, if you want.
For you – are you more comfortable having someone active around the house? If so, then you want an Extended Overnight.
Time to Customize!
We want to work with you to set up the best possible schedule for your dog, so you are all happy during your trip. We also know that each home is different, and a lot of people have more than just one dog!
After you have a basic idea of your schedule we sit down to figure out the nitty-gritty:
Are there any other pets in the home that need feeding, medication, etc.? We make sure your visit has enough time to get everything done.
We like to allow enough time for feeding, changing water, walks, and some cuddles (if your pet is so inclined).
There needs to be enough time to clean out food and water bowls and clean up any messes, toys, etc.
Many people who love animals, also love plants! Normal visits have time for a small bit of plant watering. If you have beautiful summer gardens, then we need to see how long they take to the water and add that on to your normal visits.
On your normal schedule, we can complete household tasks like bringing in the newspaper, collecting the mail, turning lights off and on, and taking out the trash.
Do you want updates every visit? Many clients do, just keep in mind that your sitter will take 5+ minutes to send an update and that is time during your visit not focused on your pets.
It will take a sitter a bit longer to get the work done than it takes you, especially if you have extensive routines for your pets and home. You have had years to perfect your system! We always try to make sure your pet sitter will have enough time for everything so she will not feel stressed and your pets will receive the focus they deserve.
Work With Us to Keep Your Pets Healthy While You are Gone!
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One of the most common questions we get asked is “Where does a pet sitter sleep overnight?” And the answer might shock you:
Anywhere you give them the okay to sleep!
Some of the most common places our pet sitters sleep are:
Guest bedrooms
Master bedrooms
(Comfy) couches
Our sitters do enjoy when clients have freshly washed any bedding as it helps them settle in. Your pet sitter will often bring their own pillow and blanket to sleep with and to lay on top of any bedding already on the bed or place on a comfy couch. When it comes to picking a place for your pet sitter to sleep we recommend picking a place that your pets are used to sleeping. If your pets sleep in the master bedroom with you we recommend your pet sitter sleeping in the master bedroom. If you’re not comfortable with that, a guest bedroom or a preferably comfy couch is another great option.
Don’t have a guest bedroom or you don’t want your sitter sleeping on the couch? No problem. Air mattresses, roll-out beds, and futons are also options!
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Are you looking for a vet in Greeley, Colorado? You’re in luck! Folks in Greeley love their pets and the quality of veterinary care reflects that. There are some wonderful vets to chose from! Choosing the right vet for you is more about their location, expertise, and their style of caring for your pets. I personally prefer a small clinic and am willing to drive across town, but you may prefer a large clinic with longer hours or a clinic that is close.
Here is a list of veterinarians that we have heard wonderful things about. We have included a few details but you will want to be sure to check them out and make sure they are a good match for you. There is nothing wrong with trying a few veterinarians to find the right one for you!
In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, peanut butter, coconut oil, and applesauce until smooth.
Add in the turmeric, cinnamon, and coconut flour.
Let ingredients rest for 10-15minutes. If your dough is too moist, let it sit for a bit longer.
Layout a piece of parchment paper and place the dough on top. Then place another piece of parchment on top of that dough. Roll the dough between the parchment paper sandwich until the dough is about 1/4” thick.
Place dough onto a cookie sheet and let chill for 20-30 minutes.
Remove the top layer of parchment paper, and then cut using cooking cutters. You can also use something like a spice container lid for smaller, circular treats.
Bake in preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the cookies are dry and hard. Check on treats at around 20 minutes as these can be finicky. Let cool completely.
3. Grain-Free Veggie Packed Dog Treats
Ingredients:
⅔c Pumpkin Puree
¼c Peanut Butter
½c Applesauce
3c Almond Flour
1c Carrots, peeled and shredded
1c Baby Spinach, chopped
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl, beat together the pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and applesauce until well combined.
Add in the almond flour, ½c at a time.
Add spinach and carrots. Mix until incorporated.
Roll the dough into small balls OR use cookie cutters to make fun shapes. If using cookie cutters, allow dough to chill for at least one hour before cutting.
Place treats on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 25 minutes or until treats turn golden brown on the edges.
4. Tuna Yum Yums
Designed with cats in mind, Tuna Yum Yums are great for smaller dogs too.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of flour
1/4 cup of water
1/2 cup of non-fat milk
1/2 can of tuna
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil or fish oil
1 beaten egg
Optional: a teaspoon of catnip, mint, or parsley
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place parchment paper on a cookie sheet
Mash or cut the tuna into small pieces, mix in the flour and milk
Pour in water and vegetable oil, then mix well
In a separate dish, beat the egg
Mix the beaten egg into the tuna mix
Mix well, until the mix becomes dough-like
Shape the dough into small balls, about the size of blueberries, and place on the baking sheet
Cook the dough for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Stick a toothpick in to check that the treat is fully cooked
Cool for an hour before feeding to your kitty and make sure not to overindulge them.
In a small bowl, melt carob chips and peanut butter together. You can do this in the microwave in bursts of 30 seconds. Stir in between each burst until melted.
In a large bowl, mix popcorn, bacon, and the carob-peanut butter mixture.
Stir slowly until the popcorn is evenly coated.
Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes or until firm.
Do you want even more treats? Check out these other great recipes:
Did you make any of our dog treat recipes? Tag us @WetNosesPetSitting or #WetNosesPetSitting.
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Are you looking for a vet in Windsor, Colorado? You’re in luck! Windsor is a quickly growing area and has a wonderful selection of veterinarians for your dogs and cats. Choosing the right vet for you is more about their location, expertise, and their style of caring for your pets. Some people prefer a small clinic with a single veterinarian and others prefer a larger clinic with more staff.
Here is a list of veterinarians that we have heard wonderful things about. We have included a few details but you will want to be sure to check them out and make sure they are a good match for you. There is nothing wrong with trying a few veterinarians to find the right one for you!
Taking better pictures of your pets is something most of us would love to do. On World Photography Day we thought we’d share some tips our sitters use when capturing that perfect pet picture. Whether it’s capturing your resident house panther (a black cat) or a speedy Italian Greyhound our sitters make sure to get your pets best side.
The best shots are taken from below or at the animal’s eye level.
There are exceptions to this but animals aren’t usually too fond of looking up. Getting down on their level or below provides the best shots.
c: Kari Shea
This lovely kitty was captured with a Canon EOS 6D.
Use the rule of thirds
The rule of thirds is a basic composition technique to elevate your photos. If your camera doesn’t have a setting, imagine breaking the image up into 9 equal sized rectangles.
John R. Daily, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons
Your subject shouldn’t be the exact center of the photo but rather off to the side a little bit. Nor should your subject fill the entire screen. Two-thirds is enough. Here’s an example captured on a Fujifilm X-Pro2 of a cat being slightly off-center but taking up two-thirds of the image.
c: Timothy Meinberg
Focus on the eyes (especially with cats!)
Eyes are fascinating. They can contain many different pigments and really make an image pop. Think of how the Time Magazine cover featuring Sharbat Gula uses her eyes to really bring you in. You can do the same with animal photography.
@cedric_photography
Image was captured with a Canon EOS 77D.
Action shots are great but require a high-speed continuous shooting mode to get them in focus.
This can be jumping, leaping, running, or chasing a toy for example. If you’re not sure how to capture this without professional equipment, iOS has Burst Mode and can achieve the same thing.
@madamemenge
The image above was taken on a Nikon D750.
Portrait mode is great for keeping the subject in focus and the background not in focus.
This is another basic composition technique and is easily achieved by manually adjusting the focus on your lens. For those who aren’t using an actual lens, portrait mode is great for replicating this technique.
@darisja
Here’s an example of a person playing with a pug that was shot using portrait mode on an iPhone.
Struggling to get a subject to look at the camera? Treats!
Some pets just need a good ole fashion bribe of treats. Or a favorite toy to squeak. You have many options when it comes to getting your photo subjects attention. Even making a sharp trill noise works!
c: okeykat
Conclusion
Everybody loves to take pictures of their pets. What makes those photos even better is when the shot is amazing. Follow our tips and you’ll be taking professional level pictures in no time! If you do a lot of phone photography, I highly recommend Cadrage which simulates different focal lengths and will take the photos all at once so you can pick and choose.
Do you have any pet photography tips? Let us know in the comments and share your pet photography with us @WetNosesPetSitting or #WetNosesPetSitting. We love to see cute pet pictures!
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Preventing Heatstroke In Your Dog This Summer: 3 Things You Can Do Today
It’s important that every pet parent know how to prevent heatstroke in your dog or cat. Even as temperatures start to cool, your it can still get too hot for your pets and cause heatstroke. But what exactly is heatstroke? “Heatstroke is a term commonly used for hyperthermia or elevated body temperature.” [Source] Heatstroke can be recognized by:
Elevated breathing rates;
Dry or sticky gums;
Abnormal gum color or busing in the gums;
Lethargic behavior or disoriented behavior;
Seizures
While these aren’t the only visible signs of heatstroke it’s important to be able to recognize the more common ones so you can act quickly. If you feel your pet is suffering from heatstroke, get them into a shaded or cool area and contact your vet. But we never want your pet to get to that point!
Here are 3 simple things you can do to help prevent heatstroke in your pets:
Never leave your pet unsupervised outside on hot days.
Access to fresh water, shade, and shelter away from direct sunlight.
Never leave your pet alone in the car – even if you think it’s cool enough. Leaving a dog in a hot car without adequate ventilation is the most common cause of heatstroke.
If you know you can’t bring your pet with you inside or if you’re unsure you’ll be able to, it’s best to leave them at home. If you’re going to be gone for awhile, consider hiring a Wet Noses pet sitter to check in on your pets during the day.
By following these three simple tips you can help prevent heatstroke in your pets. Do you have any tips you think others should know? Let us know down in the comments or @WetNosesPetSitting or #WetNosesPetSitting.
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How to Clean Your Pets Toys and Keep Them Looking New
Learning how to clean your pets toys is an essential skill every pet parent should have. Keeping your pets toys clean helps prevent illness in not only your pet but you as well. Who knows where that ball has been! It also can be a great way to get your pets excited about a toy again and helps to reduce wear and tear on toys.
The first thing you might reach for is dish detergent but wait! These types of products can leave residues that can be harmful if ingested. Using a solution of vinegar and water might not taste the best when your pet puts it in their mouth but it will be a solution that will not be harmful if any residue is ingested.
Machine-wash or hand-wash soft toys
Soft toys can become damaged if washed too roughly or even shrink if dried improperly! If your pet has a very dear soft toy this toy should be hand-washed to ensure it doesn’t shrink, seams don’t break, and stuffing doesn’t come out. Toys that your pet cares less about that are soft may be safe to machine-wash in a dedicates bag.
If you’re unsure it’s best to hand-wash. I’ve never had trouble with any of my pets larger soft toys. Smaller ones I usually hand wash as I don’t want them to end up in the “sock dimension”.
Spend more time cleaning those outdoor toys
Toys that have been outdoors have the potential to be covered in more germs that come from more sources. If your pet leaves their toys scattered in the yard, you don’t know who or what has potentially played with them overnight.
Rotate toys
Rotating toys is a great way to help keep your pets toys in better condition since they aren’t being played with every day. Rotating is also a great way to act as if the toy is new – especially toys that usually sit in the bottom of the bin.
Be excited when returning the toy
Treating an old toy like it’s a new one is a great way to encourage pets to play with their older toys. Just like with kids, they usually are much more interested in the newest toy they have been given and can use some encouragement to play with their older toys.
and finally…
Clean the toy bin
When was the last time you cleaned your pets toy bin? Not just the toys?
Do you have any tips we missed for cleaning your pets toys? Let us know in the comments or @WetNosesPetSitting.
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