I can’t believe it is October already. Where did the summer go? Oh that is right,not much of a summer here in the North West.

My favorite month is October for many reasons, one is the spooky little creatures that come to my door every October 31 and while everyone enjoys treats and tricks, we mustn’t forget our four-legged furry friends.

I found these tips from the Pet Sitters International webpage and thought I would post them here.

5 tips to ensure pets stay safe, comfortable.

When asked about his plans for Halloween, Garfield, the world’s most finicky feline, said, “Halloween is my kind of a holiday. Not like those other stupid holidays. I don’t get pine needles in my paws. There’s no dumb bunnies, no fireworks, no relatives, just candy. Boom, you go out, you get candy. It’s as simple as that.”

Halloween can be a traumatic and even dangerous time for pets. As the only “Garfield-approved” pet-sitting association, Pet Sitters International cautioned the fat cat about eating candy.

The association shares these suggestions with its members, and the 740,000 pet owners who use its members’ services, in hopes that all pets have a howlin’ good Halloween.

1. Think things through before putting your pet in a Halloween costume. Unless your dog or cat is extremely receptive to this kind of thing, you could be causing discomfort and stress. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume doesn’t obstruct your pet’s vision and isn’t uncomfortable or unsafe.

2. Know when to say “No!” This isn’t news to anyone, but dogs and cats will beg for treats. But please remember that Halloween goodies are for the Trick-or-Treaters, not pets. Most pet owners know that chocolate is poisonous to pets, but candies made with the sugar substitute xylitol are also dangerous. Candy wrappers can also pose a problem. Be sure to keep candy and candy wrappers out of paw’s reach.

3. Your pets might not be the party animals in your family. If you’re having a party, put your pets in a room where they won’t be disturbed. Be sure to check on them and reassure them that everything is all right. They may not be prepared to take part in the Halloween fun, but they don’t want to be isolated and ignored, either. Also don’t give alcoholic beverages to dogs, cats, birds or any other animals. Keep a watchful eye on party guests. Some may think it’s funny to give an animal alcohol, but it can result in serious illness and even death.

4. Don’t let your pets become escape artists. Be extra careful that cats or dogs don’t dart outside through an open door. Once a pet is out the door, its familiar neighborhood can become unfamiliar and scary territory on Halloween. House and yard decorations, Trick-or-Treaters and increased traffic can panic an escaped pet. A panicked pet may run too far from home to find its way back.

5. (Fire) safety first. Pets don’t understand that small fires are inside of Jack-O-Lanterns. Dogs, particularly enthusiastic tail-waggers, can easily knock over a pumpkin and cause a fire. Curious kittens also run the risk of getting burned. Place Jack-O-Lanterns where they can’t be knocked over by swinging tails or prying paws.

Most of all, have a safe and fun filled Halloween.

I saw this in a monthly news letter I get and thought I would post this in its entirety.

Written by Casey Lomonaco, KPA CTP

Seasonal pet health hazards should be considered during the extreme temperatures of both winter and summer. Keeping pets safe during the summer is easiest if you know what the risks are and how to manage them for your dog’s safety.

The dog days of summer provide lots of opportunities for fun with your dog (camping, hiking, swimming, kayaking and backpacking, to name a few) but also bring a unique set of health hazards and risks pet owners should be aware of; including, but not limited to: dehydration, burned pads, parasite infestation, heat stroke, leptospirosis, and seasonal allergies.

Six Common Summer Hazards for Dogs

1. Dehydration
One of the best ways to keep your dog safe in the summer time is by providing lots of cool, clean, fresh water. Consider preparing low sodium chicken broth or yogurt ice cubes, and introducing canned dog foods (best when frozen in a Kong!) to increase the moisture content in your dog’s diet.

2. Burned Pads
Under the summer sun, asphalt on sidewalks and streets can heat to a temperature that can burn a dog’s paws. To avoid scorched paws, walk your dog very early in the morning or in the late evening when the streets have cooled off. If you must walk your dog during the day, dog booties can protect his feet. Always put your hand down on the asphalt for about thirty seconds – if you must pull your hand away because the street is too hot, it is too hot for your dog to walk on without hurting his paws. If you don’t want your hand on the street for thirty seconds, your dog probably does not want his paws on it for thirty or more minutes of walking.

3. Parasites
Summer is the season for fleas and ticks, and mosquitoes; pests which can present a minor discomfort to your dog at best and at worst may be life threatening or cause self-mutilating behaviors. Feeding your dog a high quality diet, without preservatives or chemicals will build his immune system, making him generally more resistant to parasite infestation. There are a wide variety of preventatives on the market, including chemical spot-on treatments, repellent shampoos, essential oils, and flea and tick collar; talk to your vet to see what she recommends for your dog. Cleaning your house frequently and keeping your dog well groomed will also reduce the risk of parasite infestation.

4. Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a serious risk to dog’s health – in worst case scenarios, it can be fatal. You can prevent heat stroke by restricting your pet’s exercise during the hottest hours of the day (early morning or late evening are the best times for exercise during the summer), by making sure he is well hydrated, providing cool places for him to relax, providing opportunities to swim, cooling mats, and by never leaving your dog unattended in the car during summer heat.

Many dogs die annually in hot cars. Even if your windows are cracked or you park in the shade, heat can build quickly in a car in the summer, turning it into an oven. If it’s 95 degrees at noon and you leave your windows cracked, the temperature in your car may still rise as high as 113 degrees. This is a recipe for disaster for your dog. If you must leave your dog in the car for any period of time, the air conditioning should stay on. Leaving a dog to die in a hot car is not just a health risk for your dog, but may be cause for animal cruelty charges in some area. The solution? Don’t leave your dog in a hot car.

5. Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is contracted through bodily fluids or tissue and can be transmitted through direct (as in the case of a bite or ingestion of flesh) or indirect contact (through water sources, food, etc.) with an infected animal. Stagnant waters are a common source of leptospirosis bacteria. Lepto can cause permanent health problems or death if not treated quickly. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, trembling/shaking, lethargy, anorexia, tenderness of joints and muscles, and increased water intake. If you suspect your dog has lepto, get him to a vet right away, an emergency vet if need be.

There are vaccines for lepto but they do not prevent all strains and can cause significant adverse reactions. Talk to your vet about weighing the risk of infection with the risks associated with the lepto vaccine.

6. Seasonal Allergies
Your dog may be allergic to one or more seasonal items, which include fleas, grass and various plants, and mold. If you suspect your dog may have seasonal allergies, is scratching and perhaps losing fur, a visit to your vet is recommended.

since the sun is in and out today and temps have cooled.

Today I am pet sitting a cat, who is originally from Russia! He is a great cat, with long hair and beautiful azure eyes. He also knows how to play catch too. Its funny to see a cat fetch a toy. He loves it though.

A lot of people, the majority dog lovers, think that cats don’t get lo nely. Since starting my business I beg to differ. They do and the love attention. They may not be pack animals like dogs, but a nice warm lap to sit in, a good belly or back rub goes along way in reassuring them that they have not been abandoned by the their pawrents. I know some probably think so.

I do want to point out to cat owners that in my years of taking care of cats, having  a pet sitter or friend visit them once every other day for 30 minutes, truly is not enough. Many things can happen to cats when owners are away. They can get sick, get stuck or try and escape. That means there is 47 and half hours of time for something to happen to a cat. Please be aware of this when planning a get away or vacation.

I am very excited to look out the window this morning and see yet another day of sun. Feels great.

Its also  great day to take your dogs out for a stroll. Just remember that even though its not in the high 80′s that dogs can still get over heated, so take plenty of water with you. If you have a white dog, like I do, remember to use dog safe sunscreen so they do burn. Yes, dogs can get sunburns just like humans.

Have a great Sunday from the House of Pawz (HoP)

The last couple of days have been bitterly cold, especially with the wind chill factor. I was made very aware of this yesterday as I started my dog walking rounds. Not only should you bundle up and dress warm. (layer, layer, layer), but you should also be aware of how the cold affects your dog, whether they are an outside dog or you are taking them for a walk.

I have compiled a list of things what you should do for your pet during this cold snap.

If your dog spends most its time outside be aware of frostbite. Watch for signs of frostbite. It’s seen most often on ears, the tail and footpads, and look for pale, glossy or white skin.  Make sure the dog house is slightly up off the ground and has plenty of straw or burlap bag stuffed with cedar shavings. Make sure he or she has plenty of water, (no ice or frost) and its changed daily. Even in the cold a dog can get severe dehydration. Better yet, prevent frostbite all together put your dog into a warmer environment, such as an area inside your house or garage.

If your dog is an indoor dog, make sure they acclimated and are not outside for too long. If they are short-haired breed you might consider a sweater or coat, this comes in handy especially on walks. ( I put sweaters on all six of my dogs yesterday while out for their walk).

Consider bumping up their food intake in sever conditions. Consult your veterinarian if your not sure.

Check for dry skin, just like humans, winter conditions cause dry,itchy skin in dogs and regular bathing is essential. If you dread bath time, consider a waterless shampoo. Most pet stores carry such products.

Whether the dog or cat lives indoors or outdoors, aging pets often develop arthritis. Keep a heated pad available for them, this helps reduce the pain. Make sure they are well fed and exercised as well. Joints stiffen up especially during the winter season.

The winter season is upon us whether we like it or not. Following a few simple tips can prevent discomfort or even danger in your pet.

The first green shoots have announced that Spring has sprung and its that time of year when the garden needs replanting, the moss laden lawn needs revitializing..etc..etc.If your a pet owner, Spring also means making sure that your pets are safe from hazardous plants, chemicals and fertilizers.
I happen to have four dogs around my house that are still in the puppy stage, so I want to make sure that they are safe should I bring home any new plants or even old established ones for that matter.  Many people, myself included are not aware of the many toxic plants that are out there. A harmless looking plant may not be that harmless after all.
I have compiled a few tips that will help keep you a happy gardener and your pets..well a happy and healthy pet.
Dogs and Cats can’t tell the difference between pesticide or fertilzers, so use only non-toxic products that aren’t harmful to animals. A common ingredient among pet-safe fertilizers is manure. Cow, bat, and sea bird manure are popular ingredients. Fish, kelp and worm castings are also frequently used in pet-safe fertilizers.
When shopping for pet-safe weed killers you may choose to look for products that are veterinarian or EPA certified. It is important to read the ingredients. Avoid commercial products that contain inert ingredients.
Beware of using snail bait–the kind with metaldehyde as the active ingredient. Many formulations look like dog pellets, which are a sure magnet for dogs, but metaldehyde can cause vomiting or labored breathing in your pet.
The taste and scent of any flower can be deceiving to a dog and cat when the flower tastes good. Naturally, the pet will continue to eat the flower despite the poisonous content. There is a high toxicity in the Easter lily, morning glories, buttercups, oleander, tulips, lily of the valley, and Christmas roses, Mistletoe, marigold, creeping Charlie, Ivy (all varieties), red lily, azaleas are just a few of the toxic plants. Morning glories have a high toxicity level which causes hallucinations, possible seizures, stomach upset that can lead to death.
In the event that your dog or cat had ingested any of these contact your local poison control center. It is best to keep a list of toxic plants and the phone number of the poison control center nearby.
These tips are not to raise a panic, its just a reminder that pet owners need to be aware and watch their pets carefully. A little bit of attention will go a long way in helping  keep the furry ones out of harms way.