Pet Care Articles

November 22nd, 2011
What should you do before and after you rent an apartment as a dog owner?  The following fix tips are recommended...

1) Check the rules.  Make sure your dog is welcome before renting the apartment.  Sounds stupid, but many people put down a deposit and assume fido is welcomed only to find out that isn't the case.

2) Let your neighbors know about your new best friend. The sounds could disturb your neighbors.  Also, if your dog gets loose, your neighbors could find it and would know if belongs to you.

3) Pet Identification is essential.  The brest method here is a microchip for easy and secure identification if your dog gets lost.

4) Poop bags – never leave home without them.  It's courteous and it's the law to not leave a mess behind when you walk your dog.

5) If you work all day, give Fido a place to play. Hiring a dog walker, sitter, or dropping him off at a doggie ...   Read more...
November 12th, 2011

In an effort to help pet owners, Southeast Area Animal Control Authority has released a list of tips to help pet owners keep their pets safe from wild animals.

1. Don’t leave food outside your house.  Wild animals can be expert foragers. Leaving food outside (leftovers, pet food, trash or anything else) can be an invitation to wild creatures.

2. Get your pet vaccinated ASAP.  Wild animals can be a mode of rabies transmittal. Ensure your pet is vaccinated just in case he or she is attacked and infected.

3. Notify the authorities if you see anything unusual.  If you notice a wild animal or animal tracks near your home, immediately contact your local animal control or wildlife service agency. They have the resources and skills to handle these situations and make your environment safer for your pet.

4. Protect your home and clear your surroundings.  Make sure wild animals cannot get into your home ...   Read more...

November 1st, 2011
Shelters are overflowing with abandoned dogs, cats, and other pets.  Doing just one thing on this list could save a little life...

1) Adopt a pet.  Consider making your new family member a special-needs animal.  An animal like a blind kitty needs love and a home too.  Find a special-needs pet in your area by searching petfinder.com's directory of more than 13,000 shelters.

2) Donate pet food to Petco's Food Bank Collection Program.  This program helps pet owners who have fallen on hard times.

3) Supply shelters with cozy bedding fgor animals.  Pets sleep in cramped cages while waiting for new owners.  Purchase a bed for as little as $35 from kuanda.com/donate and the site will ship it to a shelter of your choice.

4) Visit theanimalrescuesite.com.  Every time you click the "Click Here to Give - It's Free!" button, the site's sponsors will donate money to animal charities ...   Read more...
October 20th, 2011
There are several types of foods you should NEVER give your pet...

1) Bread Dough - The yeast inside will expand in a dog's stomach leading to a serious vet emergency.  Luckily, most dogs return to normal in a few days.  

2) Oninions - A big NO.  They can harm the red blood cells and may cause serious illnesses, even death.

3) Raisins/Grapes -  They can cause severe health issues in pets and should be avoided. Some pets experience gastrointestinal upsets with milk and milk-based products.

4) Macadamia Nuts -  They can be harmful to dogs. Hypothermia, vomiting, tremors, loss of coordination, dizziness, and hyperthermia are some of the symptoms seen in the affected dogs.

5) Avocados - Not just the fruit but also the leaves, fruit, seeds and bark.  They can be harmful to dogs by inducing diarrhea and vomiting. Some birds and rodents can be sensitive to ...   Read more...

October 10th, 2011

What are the most common mistakers pet owners make?  Read on to find out...

Mistake 1: Buying a pet spontaneously

Always do your research before buying a pet.  Does it fit your lifestyle?  Can you take proper care of it?  If the answer isn't YES, then don't buy it.

Mistake 2: Skipping obedience training

Bad habits can be difficult to train out of a pet. So unless you have the know-how to school an animal, you need the help of a pro.

Mistake 3: Being inconsistent with the rules

Make the rules for your pet consistent and make sure all family members know them so the pet isn't confused.

Mistake 4: Dispensing too many free treats

Treats lose their training value if your pet gets them for no reason.  Make them special and only give them to your pet as a reward.

Mistake 5: Neglecting to ...   Read more...

September 30th, 2011
We are slammed with pet visits this week, so I thought I'd just share a link to a very interesting story about a cat who waits for his owner as a train station.  Amazing!  Enjoy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/20/cat-waits-for-owner-at-tr_n_971881.html   Read more...
September 20th, 2011
Many more dogs are being stolen from their owners in recent months.  The American Kennel Club states in the first seven months of 2010, there were 150 reported dog thefts, compared to 224 in the same period this year.  Why are people stealing dogs?  For money and due to the economy.  The dogs could be held for ransom or resold as pets or for use in dog fights.  Which dogs are being stolen the most?   Some say pit bulls and other large breeds, but toy breeds, puppies and purebreads are being taken too.  What can you do to protect your pet?

1) Keep your dogs inside when you are not at home.

2) Don't leave your dogs unattended outside or tied up.

3) Microchip your pet so they have permanent identification.

4) If you dog was stolen, please report it to the police and tell local shelters.
  Read more...