Why you should hire a Pet Sitter

Pet sitting is becoming very popular. It is a great alternative to bringing your friend to a kennel or doggie daycare.
Think about all the work you have to do in order to plan your trip. Then there's your best friend don't forget about them.
Having a pet sitter is like having a babysitter for your child.they are nurturing and caring .also an expert in their profession because of their love and knowledge of animals.
Instead of bringing your pet to the kennel and having them on a new schedule where they will  have limited exercise your pet  can remain in the safety and security of familiar surroundings,. Also it can reduce stress and anxiety on both the pet and the owner.
This insures a great trip for you and a great time for your dog or cat. Also, you can count on your pet sitter to bring in the mail,trash,newspapers,dim or turn lights on or off making it seem as if someone is at home and keeping unwanted guest at bay.
 One thing clients seem to enjoy most is their pets being  there to greet them upon arriving home.
Most pet sitters are insured and bonded. References go along way in insuring your peace of mind knowing you did the right thing in hiring a professional to take care of your pets.

Do we need to Groom our pets?

One benefit of regular pet grooming is that it encourages a stronger bond between owner and pet. In the wild, many animals only allow others of their kind to perform grooming tasks. If a domesticated animal allows his owner to brush out his coat or clean out his ears, this is a sign of complete trust. Pet grooming involves a significant amount of handling and petting, which also benefits the pet's emotional state.Pet grooming can also be a necessity for some pets' proper daily functions. For example, a dog with long toenails may not be able to walk comfortably, which in turn discourages her from exercising daily. A cat may develop more hairballs throughout the day if not brushed, leading to overnight distress depending on the coat it has. Guinea pigs with unchecked teeth can develop severe overbites, leading to an inability to eat and ultimately to starvation. By performing simple pet grooming tasks, an owner can prevent serious health complications down the road.Another important consideration is animal comfort. A dog with a thick coat of hair may become overheated during hot summer months. Some breeds of animals need regular grooming to remove excess hairs and spread healthy oils to the coat. A haircut may not only help the animal look more attractive, but it also allows more air to circulate and keep the animal cool. Cats may groom themselves more often than other pets, but they still need some human aid from time to time. Pet grooming efforts such as giving a cat a bath may seem to call for expert help, but they are necessary to remove excess saliva from the cat's coat. Some people with cat allergies may be more sensitive to a cat's dried saliva than to its dander.

Exercise your Dog it's important !

Daily physical activity is an important part of your dogs health.Lack of exercise can lead to many health related issues such as obesity,poor muscle tone,heart problems and bone disorders. Dogs who don't receive daily activity can also start exhibiting emotional behaviors and lead to strange doggy quirks.An exercised dog can be rest more and remain calm and be less nervous when left alone
Physically your dog feels  it's best when coming home from a fun and interesting walk.Some suggestions are  give your dog a basket or a toy while walking.
Other suggestions are to hide your dogs toys and let them find them or you behind a tree or bush! This is great for mental stimulation.Most importantly let your dog play with other dogs it is important for social as well as physical behaviors.
There are some activities you can do indoors with your pal such as tunnel play,let them crawl through a cardboard box or boxes. Assemble some chairs in the form of a tunnel and encourage them to crawl through.
Dogs love the challenge and will love the praise and treats they receive as well.
I believe the biggest plus is the time you are spending with your pet or pets they will appreciate it and so will you!

When your pets are jealous of a new relationship

It may be hard to imagine pets having such a "human" emotion as jealousy, but like children, pets can find it difficult to share their owner's attention and affection with not only a new lover, but also a lover's pet. Many animal behaviorists agree that pets might not actually get jealous, but they react to the changes that a new person can bring. Pets may display their displeasure with new loved ones by exhibiting behaviors ranging from the annoying to the alarming.Cats can show their stress and unhappiness with a new situation by becoming distant and dogs may start biting, excessive barking or growling at the unwelcome newcomer. They may urinate on your new honey's favorite chair to let them know who's in charge, or cats may scratch the newcomers hand.
If your pet is "jealous," time and space could be the best remedy. Introducing a new pet and/or a new person into the home, even if it is just for short regular visits, can upset a pet's sense of well-being. They are territorial and get bent out of shape if they feel their space is being invaded. If the pet's displeasure is directed at another pet, make the introduction gradually over time. Keep them in separate areas at first and then slowly move them closer so they can get used to each other.To help with the transition, never punish a pet for the bad behavior. Visit the vet to rule out any physical problems. For dogs, create or try sticking to routines such as taking a walk at certain times. If your pet is used to hanging out on your bed, set up a new routine of playing with them in a different part of the home, so they won't feel abandoned if your new loved one spends the night.New relationships may mean less time spent with your pet. Shower them with love and extra attention and make the most of the time you do spend with them. This can reassure the pet that they are still wanted. Enlisting the services of a pet behaviorist can also provide some relief to the situation.

Older Dogs skin,hair and coat changes

As with people,dogs may start to show changes in their skin and haircoat as they get older. Become aware of these changes so you are prepared to deal with them. Some changes are the haircoat turns gray, mainly around the muzzle and face.It also may become thinner as well as duller.Keep your dogs coat groomed to keep it in top shape against the harsh environment.Also grooming makes your pal feel better because you are taking the time to have one on one time with them.Skin changes may include dryness due to their changing hormone levels it makes the skin more fragile making your dog more prone to injury and slower to heal. A few things that have been proven to help are omega-6 fatty acids for Haircoat and a spray on moisturizer for their fragile skin.
Also be aware of skin and haircoat changes as they also can be a sign of disease and may need your vet to examine them.

Kidney Disease in Elderly Dogs

The risks of kidney disease (renal failure) increase as a dog grows older. The condition can either be acute(occurs suddenly,signs can be severe) or chronic (slow onset with generalized signs)
Renal disease can be due to changes in the kidney, or it can result from the dysfunction of other organs. For example if the heart is impaired, decreased blood flow to the kidney impairs their ability to function properly. Kidney health is measured through blood tests,urinalysis,and,in some cases,imaging techniques.These test can can identify the problem before physical signs of kidney disease are evident. One of the most frequent signs and early signs is an increase in water consumption and urination,but this generally does not occur until about 70% of the kidney function is lost.
If there is a problem with kidney function,your vet may suggest changes in diet and lower dosages of certain medications to decrease the stress on the disease organ. With proper diagnosis and proper treatment,acute kidney disease may be reversible; chronic kidney disease can be managed to give dogs extra months or years,depending on response and over all health of your dog.

Healthy hearts created by pets

Pets of all shapes and sizes enter our hearts when we don't even reconize or realize it.
In my 43 years I have had many wonderful critters any where from small grey tabby kittens to thirteen hand horses. I grew up in New England around the rolling hills of Vermont and New Hampshire, I could walk up the hill to the neighbors farm. I had a really tough childhood my mother constantly brow beat me.
Escaping to ride like the wind across the fields of the green hills leaving all the nasty crap behind, my mothers screaming her demanding perfection. Whenever I had a really bad day I went to find a creature who demands nothing of you but love or to have fun with.
Someone to say come play give me the ball seeming to say come on mom throw the ball like a little child who doesn't get enough attention.
When my daughter came here to Georgia from hurricane Katrina devastated the first thing I did was go to the local vets and adopt a tiny black kitten who crept into her heart and helped her heal.