Cat Trees and Pet Supplies

I know I’ve been lax with my blogging, but until today I had no idea how long it’s been!  I apologize for the long span.  The summer has been packed with graduations, birthday parties, pool parties, family get-togethers, and a short little vacation.  I’m sure your summers have been jam packed too.  I hope you and your pets are enjoying every minute of the summer air!

We recently just got back from Wisconsin Dells.  (If you’re not familiar with the area, it’s waterslide central!)  Anyway, I found it very interesting that so many hotels advertise that they are pet friendly now.  Hotels are starting to realize that when it comes to pets, people treat them like children- and who wouldn’t take their children with on a family vacation?!  So, I did a little research, and it looks like most hotels have the same charges and rules. 

• It’s roughly $10 or $15 a night for dogs, and usually not more than 2 dogs per room. 
• When taking them outside you must have them leashed, and clean up after them. 
• No Cats- this was listed on a few of them, some didn’t specify.
• Do not leave pet unattended in room.  If unavoidable circumstances require a pet to remain in a room while the owner is offsite, the pet must be secured in a pet crate or travel carrier on your service day to avoid injury or damage.

All in all, that’s not bad!  Not having a dog sitter is no longer a reason to call off a vacation!  Take them with you!  And if you’re worried that you’ll have too much to do, and would have to leave your pet alone in the room more than you’d like, some hotels even have their own version of “doggie daycare”.  Feel free to comment if you have stayed at a pet friendly hotel with your pet, and let us know what you thought.  Our current dog doesn’t like car rides very much (I know, strange) so we probably wouldn’t bring him with on any vacations, but I’m glad that the option is there if we decide to!  Happy travels!

Pet carriers have changed quite a bit over the years.  Gone are the days where only 1 style “box” was available in different colors.  Today, you can choose from a variety of pet carriers that fit you and your dog or cat’s personality and style.  Here’s a quick peek at a couple Modern Pet Carriers we thought you’d like:

Deluxe Backpack Pet Carrier On Wheels- Great for hiking, bike rides, shopping, travelling, or the usual trip to the vet.  It offers the hands-free benefit of a backpack, and easy maneuvering of a wheeled carrier (which is convenient if you have back trouble). This carrier features polyester side and back panels with rubber mesh for ventilation, front-zippered storage pocket, zippered top and bottom opening for easy access to pet, and a removable floor insert.  Available in Pink or Camouflage, this carrier is perfect for both men and women.

Deluxe Flower Prints Pet Carrier- Great for trips to the beach, shopping, and of course travelling.  This carrier also features a zippered opening for easy access to your pet,  a zippered side pocket for pet accessories, a removable floor insert, and a safety clip inside to attach to your pet’s collar.  It will even fit under an airline seat!  Available in Orange and Blue.

According to the ASPCA pet statistics, approximately 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year.  Caring for animals is an expensive business. It also requires a great deal of time, space, and involvement, and these things are not always available for every animal.

Many Animal Shelters are usually privately funded and can do with all the help they can get from the local community. If there is an Animal Shelter in your area, you can consider making a donation or, if they allow it, volunteering your time.  Check with the shelter to see what items they are in need of most. 

For the most part, most shelters need:

• Financial Support- as stated above, it’s a very expensive business
• Litter and litter boxes
• Break-away cat collars and dog collars
• Food-Many of the animals dropped off or found are malnourished and in need of a good meal. 
• Flea treatments
• Toys and Treats- the best way to socialize rescue animals is through play.
• Cleaning supplies (Bleach, towels, trash bags, newspapers,plastic bags, laundry detergent,etc)
• Pet houses, pet beds, and pet cages and crates- If an animal needs to be confined due to an illness then a pet cage or crate is necessary. Pet carriers are also high in demand.
• stand alone scratching posts
• and of course, people willing to adopt

Anything you can do is a big help.  New shelters are going up every day, but they’re filling up immediately and need all the help they can get.

If you have an older or disabled pet that has trouble walking, you may want to think about investing in a pet stroller.  I know some people think pet strollers are a little odd, and that it defeats the purpose of getting your pet out for exercise - but what if your pet physically can’t get exercise anymore?  Should they be confined to the house?  Absolutely not.

Fresh air and a change of scenery are also benefits of going for a walk.  Not to mention pets usually also love the companionship and one on one time they get with you while going for a walk.  A pet stroller alllows your best friend to still enjoy time with you, out in the fresh air.  Pet strollers have come a long way since they first came out.  They are very stylish now, and have many convenient features.  Some can even convert into pet carriers and/or car seats!  And if you’re a jogger, or enjoy bike rides, there are Pet Bike Trailers and Jogger strollers.

Pet owners all over agree that their pets are like children to them.  Many take them for professional photo shoots for cards and family portraits.  Or maybe you just take hundreds of pictures of your cutie at home.

Either way, we’d like to see your Pet Easter photos.  Whether dressed up in a pet costume, sitting in a basket, or lounging in the sun after Easter dinner- we want to see it!  Have some fun and show off your furry friends!

Any pet owner knows that the genuine love they feel for their pets cannot be dismissed. If you are searching for a meaningful gift, that can be of great use for a new pet owner, try a personalized pet placemat. 

Personalized pet placemats help keep your floor clean, and keep your pet’s feeding area looking nice and neat.  These mats are stain, fade, mold and mildew resistant, so they will last for years to come.  A non-slip backing keeps the mat, and your pet’s dinner bowls from sliding across the floor.  Choose from a wide variety of fonts, carpet and thread colors, and sizes to match the decor of  your friend’s house.  In the end, you have a thoughtful, stylish, useful, personalized gift for the new pet owner in your life.

Winter is definitely here.  The frigid, arctic air has everyone bundling up to go outside.  Make sure your pets are warm and safe this winter too.

If venturing outside with your pet, here are a few ideas to keep them warmer:

• Pet Boots or Shoes-Keep their paws from freezing on a long walk.
• Pet coats- Not all animals have long fur.  Dress your pet in a pet coat for any outing this winter.
• Pet Sweaters- No reason your pet can’t be stylish while keeping warm!

If your pet is normally outside year round, make sure that they have a nice warm pet house to seek shelter in.  This will block the wind, and give them somewhere to relax out of the elements.  Make sure they have fresh food and water, and that it’s not frozen.  Keep  a warm blanket in their house for them to cuddle up on.  When temperatures get into the single digits or lower, bring them in the house or at least into the garage.  How would you like to be sleeping out in the frigid cold air?!?!?!

Your pets can’t tell you exactly what they want or need, so use your common sense and have a little compassion. Put yourself in their “shoes”.  If you think it’s way too cold outside, dress them warmer or bring them inside.

The weather outside is getting colder.  As you begin to pull out all your warm winter clothes, make sure you’ve got your four-legged friends covered too. 

Dog Hoodies will keep your dog warm and comfortable for those winter walks around the neighborhood.  For the milder days, he can sport a trendy dog shirt!  For the holidays, try Christmas hoodies and shirts.  There’s a wide variety to choose from, but all will give your pooch his own festive style, not to mention extra attention at any parties he may attend with you!  These adorable christmas hoodies and shirts are sure to get some smiles this holiday season.

Give your pets somewhere warm and comfortable to relax this holiday season.  Since cats and dogs sleep up to 14 hours a day, they will appreciate their own cozy pet bed.  Sure, they would prefer to sleep right next to you in your bed, but this is not always feasible or practical. Your pet needs a spot to retreat, and relax, somewhere soft and comfortable to call his own.

Pet beds come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors.  Once you’ve chosen a size, think about how your pet sleeps.  Does he curl up?  Sprawl out?  This can help you decide what shape of pet bed to buy.   Then, decide which room you want to put the bed in.  Choose a color to match your decour.  Smaller dogs can even use a cat cuddler!

Make this Christmas memorable for your pets, and get them their own cozy pet bed!