Tag Archive for: Wet Noses Pet Sitting

Where are emergency vet clinics in the Fort Collins Area?

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Unfortunately, accidents can and do happen. And when they do, you have to act fast. That’s why it’s imperative to have a quick go to list of emergency vet clinics. If you think your pet is acting strange or is very ill, they may need immediate attention. Here are a few for seeking immediate medical attention for you pet.

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Profound weakness or collapse
  • Seizures
  • Obvious signs of trauma
  • Protracted vomiting/diarrhea (especially if bloody)
  • Signs of pain or extreme restlessness and vocalization
  • Ingestion of a known toxin
  • Hindquarter paralysis
  • Abnormal urination

Our top choices for emergency vet clinics in the Fort Collins and Loveland area.

Fort Collins Veterinarian Emergency and Rehabilitation – Our favorite for the Fort Collins area

 

Aspen Grove Veterinarian Care

 

The Pet Wellness Clinic

VCA Veterinary Specialists of Colorado 

Four Season Veterinary Specialists  – Our favorite for the Loveland area

Colorado State – Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Always be prepared for an emergency

Being prepared in an emergency can help save your pet’s life. That’s why you need to make sure to always keep them on a leash when you’re outside. If you’re outside after dark use a reflective leash and take a flashlight. Moreover, take a minute to re-evaluate how “pet-proof” is your home. Remove toxic chemicals and plants from areas pets can reach. If they can’t get to them, they can’t ingest them.

Also, never leave them unattended for extended periods of time. Even the most relaxed pet can get into mischief if they are bored. Hire a pet sitter when you’re going out of town or on an extra-long day trip. We’d love to set you up with one of our awesome Wet Noses Pet Sitters to help ensure that your pet is safe. Just give us a call any time you need it!

September: Emergency Preparedness Month – Preparing with Pets

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After seeing two extremely powerful hurricanes hit the U.S. and the raging wild fires in Oregon, it makes us all consider what we would do in a natural disaster. And it’s actually a perfect time to think about your plans since September is National Emergency Preparedness Month.

We should always be ready for whatever life throws at us, like hurricanes, droughts, fire, flood, landslides, tornadoes, terrorism, and more. There are a few things we can do that will make any disaster a little easier, especially when there are pets involved. 

Emergency Preparedness for Pets

  • Update and secure collars
  • Update microchips or have microchips implanted
  • Create a list of pet-friendly accommodations if you need to evacuate
  • Keep a recent picture of each pet
  • Make a list of emergency 24hr vets in your area
  • Have emergency food and supplies on hand
  • Have a carrier and leash for each pet
  • Coordinate with neighbors, family, friends and pet sitters in case you get stranded and your pet is home alone aloneEmergency Preparedness

Make an Emergency  Kit

It’s always important to have an emergency preparedness kit at home. Here are a few items you need to make sure to have on hand. If you’re going to be evacuated, you’ll need a 3 day supply of materials.  If you’re staying at home it’s best to plan for 2 weeks.

  • Water: One gallon, per person per day
  • Food: Stock up on at least a 3 day supply of non-perishable, easy to prepare food. Include plenty of pet food and a manual can opener. 
  • Flashlights and electric tea candles
  • First aid kit that includes pet supplies
  • Batteries, including backup batteries or chargers for phones
  • Battery powered or hand crank radio
  • Camping stove/battery powered hot plate to warm up food

There are so many things to worry about during an emergency. If you have some of your basic necessities covered, you’ll have that much more peace of mind. Plan for every member of your family, including your pets. Disasters happen fast and can hit hard. Having even the smallest plan in place will help you know how to navigate if it happens to you.

In case an emergency was to happen while a Wet Noses Pet Sitter was at your home we will do everything to keep your pet safe. We will coordinate with you and keep your pets safe until they can be reunited with you.

How to Keep Your Dog Busy When the Kids Go Back to School

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It’s been a nice long summer of cuddles in the morning and playing in the afternoon. The home has been bustling with activity while the kids are out of school. And typically, most of our dogs love all of the extra attention they get during this time. That’s why it can be hard for them to adjust when it’s time for the kids to go back to school.

back to schoolGet them a few new toys dog

Help your dog get over the school day slump with new activities to keep them occupied.

  • Puzzle toys are great at keeping dog’s entertained. Not only do they challenge their brains for a reward, they also stay busy for a while as well. After playing with it, they feel satisfied from play and getting a treat
  • Dog chews will help save your shoes and furniture if your dog is really feeling the back to school blues. Often our dogs find themselves chewing when they are stressed or bored. Giving them new chews can help them ease their anxiety and boredom.
  • Tug Poles are a fun way to interact with your dog. They look similar to the familiar cat fishing pole toy, but a little tougher and more durable. Take some time each to hop it around and play with your dog to put back some fun in their day.
  • Ball launchers are also a great way to keep your dog busy when the kids go back to school. Whether it’s automatic or the chuck-it launcher, dogs love playing ball.

 

Tire them out with exercise

You won’t have to worry about your dog being bored if they are too pooped to play. Wear them out a good walk or a vigorous play session before you leave or have to start your chores. They’ll happily nap for a little while, then you can get your daily tasks completed without them begging for attention.

Turn on TV or Radio

It can get too quiet during the day, especially being used to a busy household. Help your dog through the quiet times by having the TV or radio play on low when you’re not at home. If you’re going to be gone a lot of the day, set a time so it cuts on or off as needed. They may not like it on all day, but a little ambient noise can go a long way.

Hire a dog walker

Another great way to keep your dog busy during the quiet days of the school season is by hiring a dog walker. They’ll come check on your pet, give them some TLC and a good walk. This will give them much needed attention and exercise, helping them settled down for a little while until you and the kids return home.

 

Changes in our routines and missing loved ones that are usually there can be stressful for our dogs. That’s why it good to put a little extra effort into keeping them busy during the transition. And don’t forget to call us for dog walking and pet sitting services! We’d love to help keep your dog company when the kids go back to school.

 

 

 

 

Celebrate Grandparents Day – With Your Pets!

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September 10th is National Grandparents Day. And even if you don’t have human kids you can still celebrate the day with your parents. You can celebrate the day by giving them presents from their grand-pets. As family dynamics change, it’s not that unusual to have families where pets are the children. They are every bit a part of the family as anyone else, so why not include them and your parents in this special day?  Here are some great gift ideas for those special pet grandparents in your life.

 

Dog-Grandparent Mug

grandparent

Worlds Greated Dog Grandma/Grandpa

grandparent

I Love My Granddogs Throw Pillow 

 

grandparent

Paw Print Magnet

grandparents

Grandkids Have Paws Plaque

grandparents

All pet grandparents are sure to love these cute little tokens of appreciation from their grandkids with paws!  Do you plan on celebrating Grandparents Day with your parents and pets? If so, let us know what you’re planning to do or have done in the past in the comments below.

Top 5 Places for Dog Grooming in Fort Collins

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Now that the weather is warming up, we’ve all been a little more focused on sprucing up for spring and summer. From the time at the gym to hair and nail appointments, it’s definitely the time of year to refresh grooming routines after the cold winter months. That should also be the same for your precious pets as well. It’s time to trim up those winter coats and pretty up those paws.

Need helping picking a dog groomer in Fort Collins? Check out our Top 5 places for grooming:

1.) Michi’s Grooming

2.) Animal House

3.) The Dog Pawlour

4.) Spa 5 paws

5.) Wagz Pet Market

How to Pick the Perfect Groomer:

If you’re new to getting your dog or cat groomed, don’t hesitate to give your local groomer a call. They’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and help put your mind to ease.

Here are some basic tips for making sure you’re picking the right groomer for you:

  • Visit the shop to make an appointment in person
  • Does the staff appear knowledgeable, caring, and gentle?
  • Is the facility well lit and clean?
  • Do the animals have enough room in their cages (they should be able to stand and turn around comfortably)
  • Are dogs and cats caged in separate areas?
  • Does the groomer keep complete pet records (including grooming, medical, vaccination and emergency contact information)?

Ask your friends and neighbors their experiences as well. You can never do too much research when it comes to someone handling your fur-baby. Don’t feel bad about asking questions or for a tour. A great groomer won’t hesitate to show you around and assuage any anxiety you or your pet feels about the process.

Do you have a favorite groomer in Fort Collins? Let us know your recommendations in the comments below or on our Facebook page!

How to Grow Catnip Indoors – Live with Liana!

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It’s amazing how easy it is to successfully grow catnip of your own, both indoors and out. Have you ever purchased dried catnip at the store? Then you excitedly open it for your cat only to have them sniff and it lick nonchalantly before walking away? Or maybe if you were lucky, they may have rolled in it a little bit and took a nap on it. And you’re sitting there like, “Wait, I thought catnip was so much more exciting than that for cats???”

And the truth is, it really is supposed to be more fun for them. While some cats never really take to it, most love it, especially when it is fresh. Make sure to watch the whole video for our funny story about how Liana’s cat first reacted to the fresh plant. Because that’s just it, the dried catnip at the store isn’t fresh. Plus, it’s super easy to maintain and can grow into a wonderful thick bush.

Here are some quick easy steps to get you and your cat in catnip heaven:

  1. Purchase small live plants at your local pet store. Or if you have a green thumb you can try planting and growing them from seed.
  2. Water, water water! These plants need a lot of water, so make sure to water them at least every other day.
  3. Don’t forget to trim and clip them for optimal growth. Cut stems down near the center for a fuller plant. Also, you can clip a cut stem into two segments to stimulate two new branches for additional growth.

 

Ways to dry your plant:

  • Take two or three branches and tie the bottoms together
  • Find a cool dry place to hang them upside down for 2-3 weeks until dry
  • Or tear off the leaves whole and place into a dehydrator for 24 hours
  • Don’t crush the dried leaves until you are ready to give them to your kitty for maximum freshness

 

Do you have any funny catnip stories? We’d love to hear them! Let us know in the comments below or on our YouTube & Facebook pages!

Learn about our cat visits

 

How to Safely Take Your Dog to Work

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Did you know that June 26th is Pet Sitters International’s 17th annual Take Your Dog to Work DayⓇ? It’s a special day of the year where businesses around the world will let you bring your dog to work. You get to bring your special furry friend to work to celebrate the wonderful relationship humans have with dogs and to promote pet adoption.

After all, dogs do make some of the best companions and bringing them with you on a regular day on the job is tons of fun. However, there are a few things to check on to make sure the day is still productive, as well as peaceful.

Go over this checklist before packing up your dog for a day at the office.

1. Check with your office:  Some offices don’t allow dogs no matter what the day is, so check with your boss beforehand.

2. Make sure your dog is fit for socializing: Make sure your dog’s shots are current and that they are feeling well. Even friendly dog’s can be aggressive if they’re sick.

3. Puppy-proof your work area: Remove poisonous plants, toxic chemical and hide electrical cords. Also, put away any office items that could get chewed up or swallowed.

4. Plan breaks and lunch according to your work schedule: Make sure to plan potty break and feeding in between any pressing matters such as phone conferences or meetings.

5. Pack them a lunch and goodie bag: Don’t forget to bring a doggie bag for Fido! Pack up food, treats, bowls, toys, leash and clean up items.

6. Don’t force interactions: Even if your dog is extremely friendly, don’t force him to interact with co-worker’s. Some people aren’t dog people (strange, but true!) and also the office can be an intimidating space for your dog.

7. Have a backup plan: Hope for the best and plan for the worst. Make sure you’d be able to leave to take them home if they start to get overly active or upset.

 

Take Your Dog to Work Day is a fun time to let your dog in on what goes on when you leave for the day. Instead of being like Max on Secret Life of Pets, waiting and wondering all day while his owner is gone, they’ll know where you go!

 

If you prefer to listen, we also recorded a Podcast on the subject!

How Late Can I Cancel a Dog Walk?

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When can I cancel a dog walk?

If you are a client of Wet Noses Pet Sitting then you will want to know how to cancel a dog walking appointment. Everyone has to do it at some point, due to weather, illness, or just a change of plans.

  • To get credit for the walk, or not be charged – cancel by 7 am the day of the dog walk.
  • After 7 am, you will be charged for the dog walking appointment. At that point, the sitter has set aside the time for your visit and we are not able to fill the spot.
  • You are never charged if you cancel a dog walk due to an “Act of God” such as extreme weather or a government shutdown.

How do I cancel a dog walk?

  • If you are cancelling more than 48 hours in advance, you can cancel a scheduled dog walking appointment by logging into your account and just cancelling the appointment.
  • If you are cancelling within 48 hours, contact us directly to cancel a dog walk. That way we can notify the sitter directly of the change.

Wet Noses Pet Sitting strives on making our clients happy, but our schedules can be tight. That’s why we ask that you use consideration and cancel an appointment for a walk as soon as possible. This allows us to fill the spot for your sitter and adjust schedules as needed. Although we understand that unexpected situations arise that change plans!

What Does Dog Walking Insurance Cover?

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Have you ever wondered what would happen if your dog got hurt during a visit with your dog walker? Well, that is exactly why dog walking insurance was created. Today we’re going over what it covers and why you need to make sure that your dog walker has it.

Dog walking insurance covers the client and their pet’s while in the care of a dog walker.

  • If your dog somehow gets out and makes a mad dash into traffic and gets hurt, your covered.
  • Any injuries to others they may happen while your dog is with your dog walker. For example, a child runs up to your dog and scares them, causing the child to get bit, the insurance will cover those medical expenses.
  • If the dog walker feeds them food or exposes them to something that they are allergic to and they have to go to the vet for care, your dog is covered for that as well.

What dog walking insurance doesn’t cover is the dog walker themselves.

They need to be covered by worker’s compensation insurance. This will cover them in case your dog walker or pet sitter is injured at your property. This can include instances such as:

  • They slip on ice, fall down the stairs, or otherwise get hurt while at your house
  • For some reason your feels afraid or threatened and the pet sitter gets bitten

Dog walking insurance won’t cover them if they get injured. And if their own insurance won’t cover their care, then it’s possible that they may try to get your homeowner’s insurance to cover their injuries. That’s why it is important to make sure that your dog walker or pet sitter is also covered by worker’s comp.

Are Wet Nose Pet Sitters Insured?

We sure are! All of our sitters are covered by our bonding and insurance. We are bonded and insured by the Business Insurers of the Carolinas. And if we’d be happy to provide proof of this upon request. We are also proud members of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International. We have employees (versus independent contractors) so we are also covered by worker’s compensation.

As always, if you have any questions or want to book services, don’t hesitate to contact us! 

 

 

How to Prevent Hairballs in Cats

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If you’ve owned a cat for any amount of time then you’ve probably had the awful experience of hairballs. There is no denying that they are pretty gross, a little troubling and also, totally natural for cats.

What causes them?

hairballsCats have tongues that are full of tiny hook-like growths, that’s why they feel rough when they like you. This tiny hooks are not much unlike soft fingernails because they are both made of keratin. When grooming, these hooks catch loose and dead fur which is then swallowed. Most of it passes through the digestive system without a problem.

However, some of the hair will build up in their stomachs. When too much fur has accumulated, your cat will often start to wretch and gag, eventually vomiting up the hairball. Since it has to pass through the esophagus, it usually doesn’t actually look like a “ball.”

They may also act lethargic, have a decreased appetite as well as constipation or diarrhea. Usually, once they pass the hairball they are fine. But if you feel that something is wrong, do not hesitate to contact your vet.

Five ways you can help your cat at home:

  1. Grooming is a key to eliminating the dead hair that builds up in their coats. When you remove it, they can’t swallow it. If they seem to have a lot of hairballs, try adding a dab of Alberto VO5 Conditioning Hairdressing to you the brush to help the coat.
  2. Adding oily fish to their diet also helps. A can of sardines or a tuna canned in oil about once a month can aid in lubricating their digestive system.
  3. Mix in a tablespoon or two of canned pumpkin to their food every day. Just make sure to get pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling.
  4. Another add-in on their food is oil. Mix in a tablespoon about once a week of olive oil or corn oil to keep the hairballs moving through.
  5. Get hairball formulated cat food. This brand of food can help fight against shedding and aid digestion. This type of food is oil-based and is high in fiber, helping hairballs not form in the first place.

Depending on your cat’s coat and age, you may see more or less frequent hairballs. But if you ever think that they are having too many or strange-looking hairballs, make sure to contact your vet about your concerns.

Tips on Choosing a Vet