Our Summer Schedule is Filling Up Fast! Be Sure To Schedule Your Summer Vacations Soon.
All Inclusive visits! Did you know that our visits to your pet are one price? We don’t charge you extra if your pet needs medication, or if the visit runs a bit longer. No surprise charges on your bill, our goal is to keep your pet happy and healthy!
New clients can learn more about us and register here.
Help! My Dog Is Feasting On Grass!
Some dogs seem to be part cow with all the grass eating they do. Does your dog munch on grass? If so, why? Are they sick, bored, or hungry? Will grass eating hurt them?
Guess what?Grass eating is very common but not very well understood. Many dogs love eating grass, it’s even been observed in wild canines, so there is nothing unusual about it. Most vets consider it a normal canine behavior.
So why do they do it? There are a number of theories why – below are the most popular.
Many people will tell you their dogs eat grass when they don’t feel well, and they use a grass snack to throw up. Studies have shown that less than 25% of dogs throw up after eating grass, but this may occasionally be their reason.
Dogs, like people, are omnivores – which means their diet consists of meat and plants, so it’s natural for them to include plants in their diets. It may add roughage, help their digestion, or offer nutrients they need.
It’s tasty and available! And dogs, for the most part, enjoy the process of eating (don’t we all).
Sometimes dogs are bored. They dig, chew grass, or eat dirt just for something to do.
Occasionally dogs are anxious and need to be doing something, so they chew plants.
Some studies have shown that wild animals eat grass to eliminate intestinal parasites. Plant material speeds up their intestine and helps to get rid of parasites. Since most domesticated dogs are free from this problem, this may be a leftover wild behavior.
The only caveat with a grass eating dog… you need to be sure the grass they are munching on is fertilizer and pesticide free. Many people use all sorts of dangerous chemicals on their yard to keep it in tip-top shape. So be sure the grass your pet is eating is “organic” and don’t worry when your dog does a little grass snacking, it tastes good!
Here is a study that seems to debunk the myth of an upset tummy.
If your best friend is coughing, has a runny nose, or is just “off” you might be inclined to think they have a cold. The colds people get are not contagious to dogs, so the short answer is: Your dog does not have a cold.
Dogs do, however, get illnesses that can affect their respiratory system that may result in a cough and runny nose. One of the most common is called kennel cough or Bordetella. This illness is highly contagious. Any dog can get it even if they haven’t been in a kennel recently, but it does tend to spread quickly in kennels (a great reason to use a Pet Sitter).
If your dog displays the following symptoms, it may be time to take them to your vet and have them evaluated.
persistent, “honking” cough
watery nasal discharge
sneezing
eye discharge
loss of appetite
lethargy
Kennel cough can lead to pneumonia if left untreated. There is a vaccination for Bordetella so you may want to discuss that with your vet next time you’re there. Follow your vet’s advice and get your pup back to good health and high spirits.
Adopt a Cat Month
National Pet Preparedness Month
National Microchip Month
June 4 – International Hug Your Cat Day
June 4 – Pet Appreciation Week
June 8 – Best Friends Day
June 11 – Pet Memorial Day
June 23 – Take Your Pet To Work Day
Pet First Aid Kit Supplies
I bet you have a first aid kit in your home for people, right? You might consider having one for your pets too. Accidents happen, and a first aid kit will tide you over while you head to the vet. If you ever have to evacuate in an emergency, it’s easy to have a first aid kit all set up so you can just pick it up and go. As promised last month, here are few things that should be in your kit:
the name and number of your vet and emergency clinic
the Animal Poison Control Center
your pet’s medical records
gauze
self-adherent wrap bandages
adhesive tape
activated charcoal
eye dropper
scissors
styptic powder
tweezers
flashlight
disposal gloves
eye/ear wash
thermometer
cotton swabs/balls
wound disinfectant
Benadryl
muzzle
leash
Pet Reads!
Here are some interesting pet articles, pictures, and videos We’ve found on the net this month. Enjoy!
An important part of keeping your cat healthy and happy is checking and cleaning their ears. Because the ears are one of the few parts that cats can not reach themselves they need a little help from a loving owner. Keeping your cats ears clean is extremely important because any unremoved dirt, debris, or wax can clog the ears and cause infections. Regular ear cleaning at home augment’s your cats own natural grooming habits.
Thinking of getting a new pet this spring? A wise owner will do a lot of preparation before the new pup or kitten comes home. You need to consider where they will sleep, if they will be allowed on the furniture, what will they do all day long, and who will train the pup?
You will also need a lot of supplies. Here are some of the essential items you’ll need before your puppy or kitten comes home.
Dogs
Food and water bowls – consider non-tip bowls, they will result in less of a mess for everyone. Larger breeds like their bowls raised for easier eating and drinking.
Puppy food – choose a top brand food made for puppies.
A crate – they are very helpful with house training, and it’s a perfect place to keep your pup safe and confined when you can’t supervise them. Most dogs that are introduced to a crate as puppies love them and use them as their “den” as adult dogs. Never use a crate for punishment.
Bed – put it in their crate if you are using one so that it will be your pup’/s “safe spot.”
Walking equipment – collar, leash, and ID tags.
Car harness/seatbelt – be sure they are sized correctly.
Training basics – treats (small) and possibly a clicker.
Puppy toys – we love a Kong! Also, consider a ball, a rope/tug toy, and a good teething toy like a flavored NylaBone. Dogs and puppies like new toys so keep rotating them. Pups love stuffed toys and Kong makes some good sturdy ones, but be aware that no stuffed toy is indestructible so keep an eye on it when your dog is chewing them. Many a dog has swallowed a squeaker.
Essential grooming tools – the appropriate type of brush for your dog’s coat, nail clippers, and a toothbrush.
Potty bags – be a responsible dog owner and clean up after your pup.
Enzyme cleaner – there will be accidents in the beginning, so it’s best to be prepared!
Cats
Food and Water Bowls – consider non-tip for kittens too.
Kitty food – high-quality kitten food.
Potty basics – litter box, litter, and scoop.
Cat bed – you will need at least one. Every cat loves a bed or shelf that attaches to a window; who doesn’t love a view?
Scratching post – along with training, this will help save your furniture.
Grooming tools – a brush, nail clippers, and toothbrush.
Breakaway collar and ID tag – this should be on your cat every time it leaves the house, even for a vet visit.
Carrier – for trips in the car.
Cat toys – be sure they are not too small – we don’t want your kitten to swallow them.
Vital Visits Pup and Person Info!
Happy May!
Memorial Day is right around the corner and summer vacations are right behind that! If have your vacation dates please book your pet sitting as soon as you can.
All Inclusive visits! Did you know that our visits to your pet are one price? We don’t charge you extra if your pet needs medication, or if the visit runs a bit longer. No surprise charges on your bill, our goal is to keep your pet happy and healthy!
New clients can learn more about us and register here.
Pet Emergency Preparedness
It can happen to you, a tornado strikes your town, a hurricane blows through, or a flood happens. Make plans ahead of time to be sure your pets are protected when disaster strikes.
Make a pet evacuation plan. Research shelters and their pet policies. Keep copies of your pet’s vaccination records to take with you. If you don’t have a car find emergency service organizations that will help transport your pet.
Have a one week supply of food for each pet.
Keep a list of boarding facilities and hotels that will take pets contact them to be sure of their policies.
Identify your pet clearly. Make sure their ID tag is up to date, have your pet microchipped, and use medical tape and a permanent marker to put your emergency location on their collar.
Put together an emergency kit. It needs food, their dishes, medications, leashes, and kitty litter.
Have a secure way to transport your pets, with a crate, harness, and seatbelt.
Have an emergency first aid kit (for people and animals) and take it with you when you evacuate. (we’ll go over what you need in that next month)
Mabel is one of our favorite dog walking and swimming clients. Did you know that most dogs LOVE swimming and it offers many benefits for your pet?
Swimming is a great hot weather exercise, your dog gets a great workout and doesn’t overheat. Experts say that 1 minute of swimming is equal to about 4 minutes of running.
Swimming not only releases pent up energy but it helps a dog relax. For an older dog, it’s great exercise without too much stress on their joints. And a great workout for an overweight dog!
As you can see Mabel loves any activity and swimming changes up her routine, so she isn’t bored. She is always thrilled to see us at the door.
If you are going to try swimming with your older dog or one with health issues, talk to your vet first. For safety always watch your dog in the water, better yet, go in with them!
We have a variety of Pet Packages that we tailor to your dog’s age and exercise needs. You can read about them here.
Fun Pet Holidays in May
National Pet Month
National Microchip Your Pet Month
Pet Cancer Awareness Month
Grass eating is very common but not very well understood. Many dogs love eating grass, it’s even been observed in wild canines, so there is nothing unusual about it. Most vets consider it a normal canine behavior.
Adopt a Cat Month
the name and number of your vet and emergency clinic
Kitty food – high-quality kitten food.
he corner and summer vacations are right behind that! If have your vacation dates please book your pet sitting as soon as you can.
with you when you evacuate. (we’ll go over what you need in that next month)
Meet Mabel!
As you can see Mabel loves any activity and swimming changes up her routine, so she isn’t bored. She is always thrilled to see us at the door.
glands in their paws.