Pawcific Northwest Pet Sitting » animal safety

A good day to cat sit

Michelle — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:47:07 +0000

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.

Can you believe two days of sunshine!

Michelle — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 19:00:17 +0000

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)

Cold days in Portland and going to get colder

Michelle — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:43:05 +0000

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.

Spring gardening; Keeping you pets safe

Michelle — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 04:53:18 +0000

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.