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!

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.

Fourth of July can be a very stressful holiday for your pets.  All of the noise and bright lights can not only scare them, but cause them to be confused and possibly violent.  Whether going out, or having a party at your own house this fourth of July, keep these things in mind for your pet:

• Resist the urge to take your pet with to see the fireworks.  It’s fun to show your pet off, and good exercise to walk them around, but fireworks may only spook them.  They may end up trying to run off, dragging you with them and knocking over innocent bystanders.
• If having a get-together at your house, keep them inside.  Even if you aren’t setting off your own fireworks, they will hear them off in the distance.  They may get confused and run off.  Even inside the house they may get aggravated and show violent behavior.  Make sure anything of value is put up, or get a pet crate to keep them at bay.  If you put a comfortable blanket inside the crate, it will be more comfortable for them.  Leave a radio or TV for some distraction from the noise outside.
• Do not leave your dog chained up outside.  If they get confused, or startled, they may frantically try to run off.  This could result in strangulation.
• Do not leave your pet in the car while enjoying the festivities.  Not only will your pet be nervous and scared with all of the commotion, but it could be too hot for them to handle.

Your pets rely on you to take care of them and keep them safe.  Follow these few pointers, and you will do just that.  Have a Safe and Happy Fourth of July!

Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety.  They become very attached to you, and do not know what to do when you are gone.  If your dog seems to “act up” more when you are gone, he may be suffering from separation anxiety.

If you know you are going to be leaving for several hours, take your dog for a nice long walk.  He will get to spend quality time with you, and will most likely be tired and want to rest.  Or maybe play catch with a ball for 10 minutes or so.  This will also tire him out, and he’ll have fun with you while doing it. 

If this doesn’t work, and you still come home to a mess, you may have to try putting him in a pet cage or crate.  For some dogs, this is the only way they will relax while you are gone.  Get a cage/crate that is big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in.  Put a blanket or towel on the bottom for him to lay on.  Give your dog time to get used to the cage or crate, before you leave him alone in it.  Once your dog is used to it, he will most like feel at home and actually relax!

In the event of an emergency,  are you prepared?  Do you have an evacuation plan in place for you, your family, and your pets?  Don’t assume that your pet’s natural instincts will save them.  Be prepared for anything.

In the event that you have to leave your home, take your pets with you. If it isn’t safe for you to be there, it isn’t safe for them either. No drinkable water for you means no drinkable water for them, too. 

You should have a disaster kit in your home as well as a smaller version in the trunk of your car. The kit should include a week’s supply of food and water in airtight containers to ensure freshness.  You should replace this food and water every six months, and re-assess what’s in it once a year. If you pack canned food you’ll want to make sure you have a hand-held can opener too. And don’t forget a plastic dish that can double as a food and water dish. An extra collar and leash are also important things to have in your kit.

You should also have a portable pet carrier or pet crate for each of your pets handy. The official Red Cross policy is that there are no animals allowed in emergency shelters, but they have been known to make exceptions if the animal is securely confined.  Make sure your pet has an ID tag with your information on it, just in case they get separated from you.  Also keep a copy of their recent vaccinations on hand.  If you have to temporarily board them, some facilities may require proof of vaccinations before they will take your pet in. 

No matter where you live, you never know when, or what, disaster may strike.  Be prepared and you, your family, and your pets will stay safe.

With today’s economy, even pets who had a home need your help.  Families dealing with foreclosure, sometimes cannot find friends or family to care for their pets while they re-locate.  In these instances, their beloved pets end up in shelters. 

You can help.  Shelters need donations.  Some examples of items needed are bath towels, fleece blankets, tennis balls, cat toys, dog collars and leashes, easy-walk harnesses, cat collars (quick-release), large dog crates and kennel cabs, cat litter, and scratching posts. Check with your local shelter to see what they need.  And visit www.theanimalrescuesite.com  for a more detailed list of items needed, more ideas on how to help/donate, and sign the pledge to help pet victims of foreclosure.  (The bottom of the home page has a banner to click on to get to this information.)

Travelling around to dog shows can be a lot of work, for you and your dog.  There’s a lot of preparation, and the days can be very long.

Make these trips a little easier on yourself, and more comfortable for your dog.  Try a soft pet crate.  Soft pet crates are lightweight, easy to carry, and assemble in minutes.   They are also well ventilated, secure, and comfortable for your dog.  Usually they have storage pockets, and removeable covers that are easy to wash.  And don’t worry- they are actually pretty stylish these days!

Kennel cough, or infectious tracheobronchitis, is a contagious upper-respiratory disease.  It is transmitted by an airborne virus and often complicated by secondary bacterial infections. Because the virus is airborne, normal cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces cannot eliminate it.  It is most common in puppies and young dogs at kennels or shelters, since they are in contact with so many other dogs.

Dogs with kennel cough are usually bright and alert and usually eat well; however, they have a dry, hacking cough or bouts of deep, harsh coughing often followed by gagging motions. The gagging sometimes produces foamy mucus. Most dogs with kennel cough do not have a fever.

If your dog has these symptoms, consult your veterinarian for treatment. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent or cure a secondary infection.  Keep dogs in a relatively warm environment and make sure they are rested to help prevent the development of pneumonia. Prevent the spread of this disease by keeping your dog away from other dogs.  You may want to invest in a pet crate if you have other dogs in your house.  This way you can quarantine your sick pup and keep the others healthy.

Not every cough is “kennel cough.” Some dogs bark almost continuously while sheltered, which can lead to a sore throat or many other upper-respiratory diseases.

If your dog has a fever, is less active than normal, has a decreased appetite, has discharge from the eyes or nose, has difficulty breathing, or is older than three years, a more serious problem may be present

Dogs need their own sanctuary.  Something that is just large enough for them to fit inside and feel secure. They need a “home away from home” where they can go when they are stressed. If you don’t provide your dog with their own sanctuary, you may find them in the small area behind the couch, wedged between the bed and the wall, or under a chair somewhere.  Some dogs don’t completely rest until they are are inside their own pet crate.

A crate is an indoor doghouse that should only be used for short periods of time. Its primary function is to serve as a resting place for your dog.  It can also be used to potty train your pet or keep dogs that suffer from separation anxiety from destroying the house while you are away. It should never be used for hours on end as a place for your dog to live.  Several hours in a crate, day in and day out, can lead to severe social problems for your dog - and they will most likely begin to despise the crate.

The crate should be kept in the room where the family spends most of its time. That way, your dog can relax in his own sanctuary, yet still be part of the family. Once your dog realizes that the crate is a sanctuary and that no one can bother him while he’s in it, your dog will enjoy being in the crate. He will spend more time in it, without persuasion.

Some things to keep in mind when travelling with your pet.

• Never leave your pet unattended.
• Always make sure your pet is properly identified with tags on his collar. Include your destination as well.
• Train your pet to travel in his kennel or pet crate. This will reduce the stress your animal endures while travelling.
• Make sure your kennel or crate is the proper size for your animal.  Large enough for your pet to stand and turn around in comfortably,  and properly labeled with “This end up” and “Live animal” stickers if traveling by plane.
• If traveling by plane, book direct non-stop flights. Inform flight attendants that you have a pet in cargo, if it is unable to be in the cabin with you.
• Bring copies of vaccination records with you.  Health certificates are generally required to fly with an animal on an airline.
• Plan well in advance. Some states have strict regulations on traveling with pets.