5 STAR PET & HOUSE SITTING SERVICE

We Provide Care When You're Not There!

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." - Will Rogers

 

Summer Pet Care Tips
 

  • Pets face a variety of health problems in the warmer weather. Mosquitoes increase dramatically in summer months and carry one of the most deadly ailments household pets suffer-- heartworm. Mosquitoes carry a parasite that causes pulmonary vascular disease that can lead to heart failure. The best way to avoid this deadly illness is to use preventative medication. Heartworm is most common in dogs but cats can also suffer with the disease.

  • Wasps, bees and hornets are also a problem during the summer.  Dogs think of flying insects as potential snack food and end up regretting their culinary exploration. Kittens experience stings because of their playfulness. There is no real way to train either dogs or cats to avoid such stings, however they can be treated with antihistamines to reduce swelling that occurs following an attack.

  • Since dogs and cats can only release heat through their footpads, cooling properly can pose a real problem, particularly for dogs. Heavy-coated dogs should be clipped before the summer months. Leaving a dog in a car can prove to be fatal. Even a day that seems mild -- with temperatures in the 70's -- can cause a heat stroke for an animal trapped in a car or closed garage. A dog's normal body temperature is about 101.5 degrees, but left in a closed car or garage can raise their body temperature within a few minutes to 107 degrees. They can suffer dehydration, irreversible brain damage and even death in a very short amount of time.

  • Give your pet plenty of water. This not only keeps the animal cool, but it also helps prevent dehydration.

  • Don't leave your pet outdoors for extended periods of time in high temperatures. If it isn't possible to bring the animal inside, make sure they have plenty of shade so they are able to get out of the sun. When taking animals for a walk, be careful when walking them on asphalt. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn the pads of your dog's feet causing severe damage. It may be best to wait until evening when the asphalt has had a chance to cool a little. Remember if you like to take long walks or jog with your pet bring water for you and the animal.

"What greater gift than the love of a cat?" - Charles Dickens

 

Fall and Winter Pet Care Tips

1.  All animals, wild and domestic, are naturally attracted to sweets. While the taste of antifreeze is sweet, it is also poisonous. Clean spills up quickly. Or, even better, purchase antifreeze that is "pet safe".
2.  Sidewalk salt is caustic to animal paws. It can burn the paws as well as make the animal sick when they lick their paws. Shovel regularly and use a less hazardous substance such as kitty litter.
3.  As the daylight hours become shorter, use a reflective collar on your dog when walking in the evening. A jacket with reflective tape for you, along with a flashlight will keep both of you safe.
4.  Cats seek warmth in car engines. If you have strays in your area, knock loudly on the hood before starting your engine. Keep your companion cat(s) inside.
5. Cats will also seek warmth from the window sills where heat is seeping out. This often causes the cat to freeze to the sill. Again, make sure your cat is safe inside and advice those in your area to do the same.
6.  If your dog is outside in a doghouse , be sure the house is well insulated, off the ground, facing south with a flap over the door. If you have a dog house to donate to a less fortunate animal, please call the shelter.
7.  Animals going outside, even for short periods in bad weather, should have an increase of fat in their diet. This will help maintain body heat.
8.  During the holidays, keep chocolate out of the reach of dogs. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and can kill them. Call your vet immediately if your dog does ingest a large quantity.
9.  Do not feed your dogs bones as a holiday treat. Bones can splinter and lodge or cut the throat, stomach and intestinal tract.

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. -Roger Caras

 

Keep Your Dog Fit & Trim


Just as with humans, one of the biggest health problems today for dogs is obesity. Many owners think their pudgy dogs are adorable, when in fact they are extremely unhealthy. Overweight dogs can develop the same kinds of problems that overweight humans can, such as diabetes mellitus, which can be very tricky to treat. Obesity can also reduce your dog’s life expectancy.

If you are not sure if your dog is overweight, there is a very easy way to do so visually and by touch. A dog of normal weight should
have an indentation at his waistline, and his ribs should be easily felt under his skin. An overweight dog will not have a waistline and there will be a thicker layer of fat over his ribs.

There are several factors that can contribute to obesity in dogs. Among these are overfeeding, not enough exercise, health conditions such as hyperthyroidism or hyperadrenocorticism, age, gender, and breed. If your dog is overweight, the first thing you should do is have your veterinarian do a full examination. This will help rule out any underlying health conditions.

If no health conditions are present, the next thing you should look at is the quality and quantity of food you are feeding your dog.
Many store brand and generic foods do not have the proper nutrients required to keep your dog fit and healthy. If your dog is
overweight, you will want to choose a high quality food specifically designed to be low in calories. Many prescription and over the
counter diets are available. Talk with your veterinary staff to help determine which food is right for your dog. If you will be switching
to a new food, you will want to do this gradually, over the period of about a week. This will help reduce digestive problems like vomiting and loose stools. Feed your dog the amount that the label or your veterinarian recommends.

While your dog is losing weight, ideally you should cut out all treats. Many people feed their dogs the appropriate amount of food,
but do not realize how high in calories many treats are. Keep track of what kinds of treats and how many you are giving your dog. You may be amazed to find out that his caloric intake of treats is greater than that in his food. If you must feed your dog treats
while he is dieting, choose healthy snacks like carrots or a low calorie manufactured treats. You should also never feed your dog leftovers. Not only is this unhealthy for dogs, it can lead to unwanted behaviors such as begging. In general, your leftovers do not have the proper balance of nutrients that dogs require and are often higher in fat and calories than dogs should have.

Proper nutrition is not the only factor in reducing weight in dogs. You must provide them with appropriate amounts of exercise. Many people do not understand that dogs require an awful lot of exercise to maintain proper health. If your dog is overweight, you will want to go for at least one walk in the morning and the evening for up to 30 minutes each time, depending on the size of your dog. Dog parks are an excellent place for both you and your dog to get exercise.  Sign up for a class like agility or flyball to help keep your dog active. Play lots of games like fetch and Frisbee. You have to be an active partner in helping your dog reduce his weight.

Weight loss in dogs should be very gradual. Dogs should only lose between one and two percent of their overall weight per week. You should weigh your dog on a regular basis to keep track of his weight and to check your progress.

Dogs become overweight by overeating and inactivity. By following the feeding guidelines set by your veterinarian, reducing the amount of treats given, and increasing the amount of exercise and activity our dog gets, you can help your dog lose weight and become the healthy and happy dog you want him to be.

"I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through." ~Jules Verne

 

KEEPING KITTY'S LITTER BOX CLEAN

 

Baking Soda

Don't waste money on expensive deodorized cat litter. Just put a thin layer of baking soda under the bargain-brand litter to absorb the odor. Or mix baking soda with the litter as you're changing it. 


Lemons
You don't have to use an aerosol spray to neutralize foul-smelling cat-box odors or freshen the air in your bathroom. Just cut a couple of lemons in half. Then place them, cut side up, in a dish in the room, and the air will soon smell lemon-fresh.


Plastic Bags
Nobody likes to change the cat's litter box. Make the job quick and easy by lining the box with an open plastic bag before pouring in the litter. Use two bags if you think one is flimsy. When it's time to change the litter, just remove the bags, tie, and throw into the trash.

Emergency Kit for Pets
 

You can't prevent disasters or accidents, but you can be prepared if they strike. Remember, if it's not safe for you, it's not safe for your pets.

If you are asked to evacuate in an emergency situation, have a 72-hour pet emergency kit ready to go along with the rest of your family's emergency supplies.  It should include:

  • Always have a collar with ID tag, city license tag and rabies tag on the pet.
  • Proof of current shots and health records in a waterproof container such as a freezer bag.
  • Current photo of pet.
  • Food and water bowls with enough food and water for three days. Remember to keep the food in a watertight container.
  • Pet carrier with bedding
  • Plastic bags to dispose of pet droppings and other waste
  • Leash
  • Medications
  • Toys
  • Manual can opener for canned food
  • First Aid kit
  • Grooming supplies
  • Paper towels/wet wipes
  • Flashlight and spare batteries
  • Cat litter and litter box

The most important thing you can do to protect your pets and the rest of your family when the unexpected happens is to plan ahead.

To find a hotel or motel that accepts pets check out www.petswelcome.com or www.takeyourpet.com.

For more information on emergency planning call 630-CITY (2489).