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.
Summer in the City (or country)!
It’s summertime, and it’s a hot one. Everyone knows that hot weather can be dangerous; people get heat stroke and hyperthermia every summer. So, “keep your cool” this summer!
Don’t forget about our pets since our dogs and cats are wearing fur coats! Here are some tips to keep us all “chill” this summer.
Hydrate – Keep plenty of water around for your pet. Make sure it’s fresh, cool, and in the shade.
Sunbathing – Dogs and cats love to sunbathe. However, too much time in the sun can cause heat stroke and skin cancer (yes, even with all that fur). Be sure there are shady areas for your pet to relax in.
Hot Cars – We know NOT to leave our pets in the car with the windows up, but even a car with the windows partly down can heat up to a deadly temperature quickly. It is NEVER safe to leave your pet in a hot car.
Pups and Seniors – Pets, both young and old, are far more susceptible to the heat. Look for signs of distress; heavy panting and trouble breathing are the two most likely indicators that they are overheating.
Hot surfaces – Pets don’t often complain, but a hot parking lot, sidewalk, or boiling beach sand can get them in trouble. Not only can it burn their foot pads but it can quickly raise their body temperature.
Soaking – A hard plastic child’s pool with a few inches of water in it will cool off your pet.
Ice – Some dogs and cats love ice cubes in their water or to play with, if yours does give them some (in moderation) during the day, it’s fun, cooling, and it ups their hydration.
Exercise – Only take your dog out for exercise early in the morning or late in the day. Watch them carefully; they don’t always know when to stop.
Treats! – Buy or make some frozen treats for your dog; it will keep them quietly busy and cool them down too.
A/C – Keep them inside if you have A/C and if you don’t, keep a few fans going.
Digging – Let your dog dig! It’s cooler at the bottom of the hole than at ground level. I know people that have a designated “digging” spot for their dogs!
Spa Day – Some long-haired pets may benefit from a bath, trim, and good brushing.
Keep an eye out for danger signs of heat stroke: drooling, fatigue, heavy panting, vomiting, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, or seizures.
If your dog or cat has these signs check their temperature (over 103 for a dog or 104 for a cat is too high). If it is high, you need to cool your pet off quickly. The easiest way is to spray or immerse your pet in cool (not cold) water. You can apply cool, wet towels to their groin and feet; this will help lower their temp. Or soak a beach towel in cool water and have your dog lay on it.
If you believe your pet has suffered a mild case of heat stroke, even if you’ve treated it in time and successfully, you need to see your vet. Heat stroke can cause serious internal problems that may not be obvious for days after the event.
Enjoy the summer, beat the heat, and let your best friend snooze through the hottest part of the day!
Bunny Benefits
Are you looking for a pet that is friendly, easy to train, but not quite as demanding as a puppy? Think bunny! They may make an excellent addition to your family.
Bunnies are wonderful pets, perfect for smaller households, and are ideal for families with kids. (very young children are too rough on bunnies and thus not suitable as playmates until they are a bit older).
Here are some bunny positives:
Bunnies have loads of personality!
They bond with their people just like dogs and cats do.
They need less space than many other pets.
They are quiet.
They are easy to train and as smart as dogs and cats.
A bunny has a long lifespan (into their teens with good care).
Rabbits are playful.
They come in all sizes, shapes, and colors.
There are a lot of rescue bunnies available, so check with your local shelter. Be sure you’re ready for any pet before you adopt. They all come with joys and challenges.
They are very clean pets and easily housebroken.
Rabbits make fun, loyal pets. If you’ve decided that a bunny might be a good addition to your home, read the links below and call your shelter or local rabbit rescue society.
August 8 – International Cat Day
August 10 – Spoil Your Dog Day
August 17 – National Black Cat Appreciation Day
August 26 – National Dog Day
Dog Pupsicle Recipes!
Almost any food your dog loves can be frozen into a summertime treat. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Apple, Peanut, and Yogurt Pops
Use a container of non-fat plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and a cup of apple sauce. Mix them together in a bowl and freeze in a popsicle mold or an ice tray. Serve!
Chicken Pupsicles
1 cup low sodium chicken stock, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup canned 100% pumpkin, and some finely chopped chicken. Mix in a bowl, pour into an ice tray and freeze. Yum!
Bacon Pops
1 cup non-fat plain yogurt, 1/2 cup apple sauce, and a handful of real bacon bits. Freeze and serve!
Banana Peanut Butter Frozen Treats
1 ripe banana, 1/2 cup peanut butter, and 1 cup of apple sauce. Mash and freeze!
Fruit Pops
Mix together a couple of fruits your dog loves like watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, or banana. Add a cup of non-fat plain yogurt. Freeze and serve. Delish!
If your dog is diabetic go lightly on the bananas, as they are high in natural sugar. Instead, you can substitute 100% pumpkin for the banana in the above recipes!
Enjoy your summer with one of these cool treats!
Pet Reads!
Here are some interesting pet articles, pictures, and videos We’ve found on the net this month. Enjoy!
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.
Summertime Itching & Scratching Blues!
A scratching dog is no fun; you know your best friend is uncomfortable, and every time you hear the jingling of his tags as he scratches, you cringe. Let’s get your dog feeling good again.
Keep in mind that itching is a symptom, not a disease. Unfortunately, there is no magic cure; it may take a bit of detective work to figure out why your dog is itchy.
There are two separate causes of excessive scratching, the skin itself and allergies. Allergies can be environmental, seasonal, or caused by fleas.
The first and easiest step is to determine if your dog has fleas. If so, time for a flea treatment. If not, part their fur and look at the skin in various spots on their body. Is the skin dry, infected, cracked, or red? If the answer is yes, schedule a vet visit so they can help determine what is going on with your best friend.
But in the meantime, these tips will help soothe your pet’s itching.
A high-quality diet.
Healthy oils in their diet (Omega-3).
Consider probiotics for a healthy gut and a healthy dog.
Allergies Rx – ask the vet about antihistamines – Zyrtec and Benadryl. Consider allergy testing.
Bathe with a nondrying shampoo like Oatmeal.
Some people swear by plain yogurt or coconut oil, just try a little in their meals.
Epsom salt mixed with water and soak itchy spot (or rinse them with it).
Ocean water helps a lot of itching problems.
Witch Hazel can help with itching; it’s 100% natural. Soak a cloth or cotton ball and rub on the itchy areas of your dog.
Baking Soda has anti-inflammatory properties. Mix a tablespoon with water and make a paste, then put it on the itchy areas or 2 T in 8 ounces of water and spray it on.
With the help of your vet, allergy testing, and these tips you’ll soon have an itch-free dog!
Thinking About Getting a Bird?
Think hard before you buy.
Did you know that there are a LOT of birds available for adoption? That’s the best way to go, rescue! Birds live a long time; many go into rescue and neverget adopted. So please check your local shelter, vet, Petfinder.com, or Rescueme.org. And consider opening your home to a lonely bird.
As a matter of fact, think about adopting more than one bird. Birds are flock animals and very social; they do far better with a friend.
Read everything you can about the type of bird you’re going to adopt. Birds are highly intelligent and friendly pets. Although they don’t take up much room and are relatively low maintenance, they need attention so be sure you can commit to that.
Be prepared to offer them as much “out of cage“ time as possible; this will mean bird-proofing your home. When birds are loose, they need to be supervised because they like to chew: wires, cords, walls, even furniture. Be sure the windows are closed; some birds are escape artists. Keep your birds away from your other pets until you are sure they get along.
Speaking of cages, provide your bird(s) with the largest cage you can afford and accommodate. A bird cage can never be too big.
Feed your bird a healthy diet. This might come as a surprise to you, but your bird should eat very little seed. Most birds do best on a diet of high quality, organic pellets, fresh fruits, veggies, and some grain. Study your bird’s diet and talk to your vet about feeding; use only high-quality food.
Find a board certified avian veterinarian because many dog and cat vets do not treat birds. It’s not always easy to find someone certified in avian medicine, but it will make all the difference in your bird’s health.
If you’ve looked into birds and are ready to welcome one in your home, you won’t regret it. They are very loyal, smart, and entertaining pets.
Fun Pet Holidays in July
Adopt a Rescue Rabbit Month
July 4 – Fun Day For People, FURightenting Day For Pets
(see Pet Reads section below for help)
July 11 – Cow Appreciation Day
July 14 – Shark Awareness Day
July 15 – Pet Fire Safety Day
July 31 – National Mutt Day
The 5 Serious and Sneaky Cat Diseases
I know us “cat lovers” give our kitties high-quality food, preventative care, a safe and loving home, and lots of attention, and exercise. But did you know there are five health issues that can sneak up on cats, even when you give them the best of care? On your next vet visit ask your vet to check for these silent health issues.
On the top of the list is chronic kidney disease. If caught early this illness can be managed well with low protein diets, medications, and more water intake. There are signs to look for; excessive drinking and urination, weight loss, large clumps in the litter box, bad breath, lethargy, and weight loss.
Diabetes is another sneaky illness. Many cats are overweight which puts them at greater risk for diabetes. It’s another disease that if caught early can be managed fairly well with insulin and diet changes. You will need to monitor your cat’s glucose levels and make more vet visits. Look for frequent thirst and urination, decrease or increase in appetite, funny smelling breath, and possibly vomiting.
Hyperthyroidism is another silent disease that is often seen in middle-aged or senior cats. Again, the signs are similar to the other to illnesses. Excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, weight loss, and eventually a ravenous appetite. Treatment for hyperthyroidism is very effective with medication and a special diet.
Heart disease is often hard to diagnose in cats; they don’t typically get a heart mummer like dogs (and people) do. So look for these signs: racing heart rate, passing out, blue gums, increased respiratory rate, open mouth breathing, and cold or paralyzed hind limbs. The long-term outlook for heart disease isn’t great for our animals. Your vet will probably medicate your cat; heart disease is progressive, there is no cure for it.
Lastly, cancer is another quiet killer. Just like people, as animals live longer we see more cases of cancer. The most common type of cat cancer is gastrointestinal cancers. Look for these cancer signs: weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness, hiding, vomiting, and bloating. The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the better the outcome.
Let’s keep a close eye on our cat companions so they can live longer healthier lives and avoid these sneaky diseases.
Pet Reads!
Here are some interesting pet articles, pictures, and videos We’ve found on the net this month. Enjoy!
oo like Oatmeal.
Feed your bird a healthy diet. This might come as a surprise to you, but your bird should eat very little seed. Most birds do best on a diet of high quality, organic pellets, fresh fruits, veggies, and some grain. Study your bird’s diet and talk to your vet about feeding; use only high-quality food.
Adopt a Rescue Rabbit Month
attention, and exercise. But did you know there are five health issues that can sneak up on cats, even when you give them the best of care? On your next vet visit ask your vet to check for these silent health issues.
You will need to monitor your cat’s glucose levels and make more vet visits. Look for frequent thirst and urination, decrease or increase in appetite, funny smelling breath, and possibly vomiting.
