Water safety and your dog

Spring Break is fast approaching and some of  you are headed for your favorite beach or hotel pool! Packing Fido in and surfs up may not always be that easy! Here are a few tips for making sure you both have a great experience.
  Whether your dog is a swimmer or a watcher your dog yearns to be right there playing along side of you.
     Never throw your dog in just as children they need to be introduced to the water slowly,not all dogs are natural swimmers and many body types are not naturally buoyant.
If you have a pool and are just introducing your pet to the water dog proof the area so there won't be any unforeseen accidents.A pool fence or lockable gates can be key. In case your pet is very intelligent teach  them how to get out of the pool by getting in and having them follow you out,do this several times so she or he will know what to do.
Never throw a ball into unfamiliar waters until you check to see what's underneath, rocks or sudden drop offs can be very dangerous and may enhance drowning.
  Just like humans swimming can be exhausting having a life jacket can be beneficial it ensures your pet will be safe and stay afloat. Most important make your dog rest, some dogs will fetch until they drop and tired dogs are more likely to drown or be pulled by the current or undertow. Just like children sometimes they need to be coaxed out to take five.
 Never allow your dog to drink pool water as the chlorine is toxic and will promote vomiting. Same for the ocean, there are many pollutants, algae and salt that can be harmful and make your pet sick.
 Always bring a fresh clean container of water to offer while resting.
 Bring clean towels and cotton balls for drying out your pet's ears lessening the chance of ear infections.
 If possible shower your dog after swimming to rid their body of chlorine and other unwanted pollutants.
 Most of all have fun and enjoy the sun with your favorite pal.

Best Dog Breeds for families

So you are ready to get that perfect pet for your child. You have waited patiently for the right time and the right age. What is the right age for you to get a puppy? Will your child be old enough for all the responsibility? Time is a major factor as well,will you have enough time during your busy schedules to make certain your dog gets the right amount of exercise?
 I had a client ask me not too long ago what the best types of dogs are for children and here are some that made the list. Golden retrievers were high on the list, they are very loving and loyal. Next comes the Pembroke welsh corgi and the schnauzer.
At about 25 pounds, the Pembroke Welsh corgi is a popular pet. This stocky short tailed breed needs daily exercise and loves romping with the kids. They are best with older kids (over 6 or 7 years) as some dogs can be bossy and possessive. Following behind is the red Irish setter sweet and gentle and always eager to please.
 The schnauzer is also a wonderful family pet. Eager to please and to keep the family safe, this breed usually requires regular grooming and daily exercise. This breed thrives on human companionship and is available in three different sizes. Rounding out the final three are the poodle, the bischon frise and the Labrador retriever.
 Make sure to do your homework before bringing home any pet,they are a lot of responsibility. Make certain you can afford to feed and take care of medical bills as puppies and adult dogs require shots as well as spaying and neutering. You may also need to think about which ones need the most grooming which must be done in order to have a healthy pet. Whatever your decision good luck and may you have a wonderful and loving addition to your family.

Why help The Animal Humane Society?

 It is estimated there are over 6-8 million dogs and cats in shelters all over the US. More than 3-4 million animals are euthanized  every year. This is just incredible to me as I am reading more and more about these shelters and the animals who enter them.
Low adoption rates are one factor driving the high number of animals in shelters, but every year, millions of dogs and cats  are relinquished by their owners—or rescued from the streets by animal control officers and private citizens—and brought to animal shelters. These circumstances leave shelters and rescue groups with a large number of animals in need of homes.
 To help reduce the number of homeless animals, The United States Humane society works to promote responsible pet ownership and to reduce pet overpopulation through public education, legislation, and support for sterilization programs
 In the 1970s, American shelters euthanized 12-20 million dogs and cats, at a time when there were 67 million pets in homes. Today, shelters euthanize around 4 million animals, while there are more than 135 million dogs and cats in homes.  This enormous decline in euthanasia numbers—from around 25 percent of American dogs and cats euthanized every year to about 3 percent—represents substantial progress. We will make still greater progress by working together to strike at the roots of animal overpopulation.
Most animal shelters have no set time limit for holding an animal. In the vast majority of shelters, decisions about adoption and euthanasia are based on factors that include the temperament and health of the animal, and the space and resources available to humanely house and properly care for the animal.
I believe there are so many animals in need and not enough homes to be placed in.
I also think when a person is wanting a pet they should look into adopting one before buying one.I think this practice makes the heart grow fonder and you are helping one of God's creatures to be loved and nurtured and have a chance at true happiness, not only for the pet but for yourself.

How do you know which pet foods are best?

This is tough because in my experience when my vet gave me a certain food for my dog, I thought because it came from my vet it was the best. After doing some research and finding out what  exactly is in most dog foods I was astounded. Most dog foods have sugar and unhealthy preservatives  making them more appealing to our pets. In turn these foods produce over weight and unhealthy coats as well as skin rashes and allergic reactions.Try to stay away from foods with these preservatives BHT & BHA. These have been shown to cause cancer,kidney disease,pancreatic disease as well as hair loss. Make certain to read food labels and determine which foods have what preservatives. There are many dog foods that say they are Holistic and contain no  byproducts just remember that small print. There are a lot of good choices out there and many manufactures are now aware more consumers are demanding better and more healthy choices for both cats and dogs.
Remember like us daily nutrition and  exercise are key to a happy more healthier pet.

Apartment Pets

I know I always wanted a dog when living in my first apartment with my husband. We talked about it several times but kept coming to the same conclusion it would be best to get one when we had a house and yard for them.
After doing some research I found that the average apartment dogs are between 5-15 pounds and typically have short hair and compact snouts. The most common are pugs and chihuahuas.
Many people opt to keep cats for the same reasons as they are small and mainly quiet and compact creatures.
 I have pet sat for many couples who live in apartments and their pets are well adjusted as long as they are able to get out and exercise regularly and get some playtime.
Make sure when you are thinking about getting a pet while living in an apartment that it is allowed and you follow the rules for where to bring your pet for walks and designated potty areas.Always curb your dog as this makes a good neighbor and pet owner. Most of all enjoy and love your pet they commonly make the best roommates.

Traveling with Fido

Spring break is coming will you be taking your pet with you to that long sandy beach?
Some great ways to make sure you both have a relaxing and fun vacation are first make sure your dog is healthy enough to travel. Make an appointment with your vet to ensure  all vaccinations are up to date . Also if you have an older pet who requires medication you may want to make arrangements for him to stay home as travel can be stressful on older animals.

You may also want to get updates on shots such as kennel cough and have all paperwork in hand when you leave the  office.
You may never know when you dog may run away so make certain to have dog tags with you name and phone number,even if your dog is micro-chipped  go ahead and get him a collar for extra peace of mind. Also make certain your pet is welcome whether you are going to a family members or place of lodging know ahead of time the rules and regulations, you would hate to get to your destination only to find out you will need to kennel your dog in a strange town.
If nothing else enjoy your time with your pet the memories will last a lifetime.

“The Love That Cures (Solving the Mystery of How Animals Keep Us Healthy)

New research confirms and expands earlier studies indicating a link between pet ownership and a reduced risk of developing heart disease. Results of studies have shown a reduction in triglycerides and cholesterol levels as well as lower systolic blood pressure readings for pet owners rather than non pet owners.When examining the results, researchers tried to determine if there was some factor other than pet ownership that was influencing the outcome. Not so.  A look at lifestyle risk factors also failed to turn up any evidence that could have influenced the findings. Pet owners reported that they were more active, but they also drank more alcohol and ate more take-out food.  While studies continue…pet owners can look at their animal companions with even greater appreciation for the ways they enrich their lives. Animals also give us a much-needed natural outlet for touching and cuddling – especially to those who live alone. So…the next time you find yourself tense or irritable, take a few minutes to play with your pet. You may find that animal companionship is a wonderful prescription for healthy relaxation!

Playtime is important for your cat

Playing is fun, right? So why do we need to know anything else about it, surely that’s is all there is to it. Well it’s true that the main reason we might play with our cat is because it is something fun to do, but for your cat it has a far more important role and is key to their general mental and physical well being. This means that it should be something that all cat owners should spend a little more time thinking about and incorporating into their every day cat care routine, rather than as an occasional playtime.A good substitute to hunting is therefore energetic chasing, stalking and pouncing playtimes, where the cat can engage all their natural instincts into the game and feel stimulated by the play. Unfortunately just leaving a motionless cat toy lying around just doesn’t meet those requirements, so it is important for cat owners to interact with their cats during playtimes. Ideally you should play with your cat at least a couple of times a day for about 10 to 15 minutes each time
Playing with your cat as you can see is much more than just a fun thing to do, it will promote confidence, fitness, reduce boredom and aggression and generally help in your cats over all mental and physical health. As an added bonus, regular play between you and your cat will strengthen the bond you have with each other. Your cat will associate you with fun and excitement and will seek your company out more often than with someone who just feeds them. Over all playtime will benefit everyone involved and should be encouraged throughout a cat lifetime