NYE Bow Wow Bash!

NYE Bow Wow Bash

We're excited to be hosting our 4th annual Bow-Wow bash! If you have a New Year's Eve party to go to, this is the perfect opportunity to let your pup party too! The dogs will enjoy supervised play times all night long, complete with fun activities like bubbles and a "hot tub!" Your pup will be going home ready for a long nap, giving you time to recover too!

Drop off hours for this event (with daycare included!) will be our regular holiday hours from 7am to 2pm. Additional drop off hours for just the event will be 4pm-6pm. The dogs will play from 10pm to 6am, with a one hour rest time. Pick up time will be New Year's day from 9am to 10am. Lodging can be added for an additional charge. Appointments must be made in advanced. 

Call today to secure your pup's chance to party!

Benefits of Senior Pets

Benefits of Senior Pets

 
     Their affection is timeless. Their devotion is ageless. Their love is furever! November is National Adopt a Senior Pet month, and we're celebrating by doing a special article about the benefits of adopting a senior pet! Here are our top ten benefits of adopting a senior pet!

     If you're looking for very specific attributes, such as "good with children and other pets" or a pet that has a verified good health history then adopting an older pet could be your best option! When you adopt an older pet, you can "custom order" all of the qualities that you are searching for in your furever friend!

     If you have a favorite breed, chances are there is a rescue somewhere near you that rescues that specific breed. You'll be able to get a purebred pet, while still rescuing a displaced animal! It's a win-win for everyone!

     There are often not many surprises when adopting an older pet; what you see is exactly what you're adopting. The coat, general overall health, and size are already determined. When adopting a young animal, colors and patterns on the coat may change, health issues specific to a breed may arise, and size is always the biggest surprise! When adopting an older pet, there's no need to worry about any of those surprises!

     In addition to owners being able to hand pick favorable qualities, older pets also have developed refined petiquette. Senior pets have years of experience living with a family and being socialized, unlike excitable puppies that are still learning manners. Many older pets will know basic obedience such as sit, stay, and down. They may even know a few tricks! Many are house trained and it takes them less than a few hours to learn the new house rules.

     Contrary to the old saying, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Adult dogs have been living socialized with people for most, if not all, of their lives. They are keen to understanding humans and what we expect. They also have a higher ability to focus compared to their puppy counterparts. Older dogs are more attentive and eager to please.

     Because they've lived in other homes, older pets understand that everything in the house is not theirs to chew on. Dogs, much like people, go through various stages in life, including a "terrible toddler" stage. Older pups won't likely be chewing your electronics or shoes, and your older kitty won't be too curious about potted plants and shredding your keepsakes.

     Older pets are extremely relaxing to spend time with because they are so well behaved. They also have had plenty of years to perfect the art of cuddling! You won't have to worry about copious amounts of training, or finding ways to burn of extensive amounts of puppy energy. That gives you time to focus on nothing but positive time to do special and relaxing things with your furbaby.

     Senior pets are perfect companions for senior citizens. Older pets are much calmer and much more accepting (and usually prefer) to relax all day long. Young pets need a great deal of attention and exercise. The company of senior pets is often very comforting for senior citizens that may night have the energy to look after a young pet. Older pets are completely content walking through life at a slow pace!

     Adopted senior pets are thankful for your compassion. Older pets seem to have a sense that you gave them another chance when no one else would. Owner-pet bonds form instantly with older adopted pets because the animal shows the owner a higher level of regard and loyalty.

     You get to be the hero! People that adopt older animals feel a certain pride and purpose, and they should! Adopting an older pet means opening your home to a hard-to-place pet and giving them another shot at being part of a loving family.

Parker's Pointers for Halloween

Parker's Pointers

Halloween Edition

          Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! There are so many decorations to get into and bat around. Fake cob webs? ATTACK! Those wonderful decorative corn stalks? KNOCK 'EM DOWN! You get my point. Around the holidays there are often various new and exciting things for your pets to explore and play with. While I love all of those new "toys," my least favorite thing is all of the monsters that sound like they ate children coming to the door! There's so many, they're so loud, and so spooky! This means you must be cautious with decorations and when trick-or-treaters come knocking on the door. In this edition of Parker's Pointers, I'll give you tips to make Halloween purrrrfect for you and your pets.

          While we, as your pets, have the absolute cutest faces and have mastered the art of begging, the bowl of candy is only for the trick-or-treaters to dip into. Candies can be very dangerous, and even fatal, for many of us. Dark chocolates and candies containing Xylitol are especially dangerous for animals! If your pet pulled a Houdini and made some candy vanish, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Center at 1-888-426-4435 immediately. If you can't help but to drop us some seasonal treats try making or buying pet-friendly pumpkin products! Pumpkin is actually has many health benefits for pets. Check out some fun pumpkin treat recipes by clicking here! 

          Curiosity isn't just a trait us cats carry; all animals are curious, especially when new things are introduced into the home. Be careful with decorative plants like squash and corn. We may want to nibble those and doing so could upset our tummies. Likewise, be cautious with placement of wires and cords to electrical decorations. These make perfect floss for us when we have those delicious treats you made us stuck between our teeth, so chewing on them seems like a good idea to us at the time! This can cause injury and may even be fatal if we receive a nasty electrical shock or burn! Jack-O-Lanterns with real candles can also be very dangerous and curious kittens run a high risk of being burned. Try replacing that candle with an electric tea-lite candle; it will last longer and be much safer.
          Costumes are certainly a very fun part of the holiday....for humans. Costumes for pets can agitate and stress us out quite a bit. You may certainly be laughing, but we're not! If you decide to dress your pet up, make sure they are comfortable being in the costume in the first place. If they are, be certain there are no dangling parts that can easily be chewed off and eaten. If your pet prefers their "birthday suit" but you insist they be festive, try festive painting stencils on them with non-toxic colored hair spray or hair chalk. Many groomers now offer this as a fun option, so check with yours.   

          Lastly, those monsters knocking at the door and ringing the doorbell all night can be terrifying for some of us. Close your pets into a quiet secluded room in your house to minimize our stress. Don't forget our pumpkin treats! If you are unable to give us our own room be very careful not to let us dart out while you're opening the door for trick-or-treaters. Be sure we have our proper identification on in the case we do make it outside! A microchip and ID tags can be a lifesaver during this hectic holiday.
          I hope these pointers help keep you and your pets have a great and safe holiday. You can also get the most out of Halloween for your pet by bringing them to Pampered Pets Bed and Biscuit for any of our exciting Halloween activities that we will be doing all week! Check out the complete list of Halloween activities here. Remember, don't forget our pumpkin treats!

Pawsfully yours,
Parker Sr.

Happy Howl-O-Ween!

Oct. 27th - 31st

Monday, Oct. 27th
Bobbing for Tennis Balls
The dogs will be bobbing for tennis balls in the pool! 

Tuesday, Oct. 28th
Monster Madness
We will be taking photos of your pets, digitally altering them to look like spooky monsters, and emailing you a high resolution copy! Photos will also be posted to Facebook.

Wednesday, Oct. 29th
Pumpkin Art
Your pup will decorate real pumpkins! Your pet's paw print pumpkin will be sent home with you to show off!

Thursday, Oct. 30th
Straw Maze
This event is a favorite among the dogs! We let them run through and explore the Haunted Straw Maze.

Friday, Oct 31st
Costume Contest
Be sure to dress you pet up in their best Halloween costume! Pictures will be taken and sent home with you. We will also put the photos on Facebook and let our fans vote on their favorite costume. The top 3 dogs will get prizes!


Photos will be taken at all of the events and posted onto our Facebook page. Stop by or call today to reserve a spot for your pet!
Fort Wayne: (260) 489 - PETS (7387)
Napoleon:    (419) 592 - PETS (7387)

Pets of the Month - Napoleon, OH 

Jack & Jill Daycare Guest of the Month		Gracie Guest of the Month
Jack and Jill are 5 year old Manchesters that come for Daycare. They have been coming to Pampered Pets Bed and Biscuit since 2010. They come for both daycare and lodging. They love going on long walks and mingling with their friends!		Gracie is a Mini Labradoodle and is almost 4 years old. When she stays with us, she loves to bring a toy or her blanket to you! She has a cute, sweet, and feisty personality. Gracie is a dual player, which means she can play with small and large groups. She has the energy to play with big dogs and the sweetness to play with the small dogs.

Pets of the Month - Fort Wayne, IN 

Emma & Watkins Schlegel Daycare Guest of the Month		Nacho & Charlie Cummings Guest of the Month
Emma is a one and a half year old female Husky mix. Watkins is a three year old male Shepherd mix. They are usually in the large dog "Kooky Canine" group. Emma is best friends with Murphy, a shepherd mix. Watkins is best friends with Peyton, a Weimaraner. They love to play tug and wrestle.		Nacho is a two and a half year old male Chihuahua. Charlie is a four and a half year old male Pit Bull mix. They both love lots of attention from our staff here at PPBB. Nacho in particular loves to cuddle. They love to play in daycare, especially with each other, and are super sweet and friendly.

Dog-Tober is here!

Dog-Tober

National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

Photo courtesy of Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control

"The number of dogs and cats euthanized every year has gone down, but annually there are about 2.7 million healthy shelter dogs and cats who aren't adopted." -www.humanesociety.org Photo courtesy of Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control

1. When considering a new addition to your family, consider adopting from your local animal shelter or pet rescues. Often, rescue pets are more affordable and come with the "whole package," like vaccines, training, socialization, free vet check ups, trial bags of food, microchips and much more! Check with your local rescue or shelter to see what their adoptions offer!

2. We all have a favorite breed, and that's okay! Today, there are many specialized rescues for various breeds. Try resources like Petfinder and The Shelter Pet Project to search for exactly what you want! You can enter gender, breed, age, and much more.

3. Shelter pets are screened and tested for good health. Many shelters and rescues provide a spay/neuter program and vaccinations, if the pet is the appropriate age. Check with your rescue to see what is included in your adoption.

4. Shelter pets are also screened for good behavior. Many dogs are tested for aggression, both with food and toys.

5. Some shelters or rescues will help with training! Pet parenting classes are becoming more popular, and some shelters even offer free classes for new pet parents.

6. Consider adopting older pets. Older pets have "been around the block" and know a thing or two about pleasing their pet parents. Usually, less training is required with pets that have outgrown their juvenile years.

7. We're all pet lovers, and if we all wish we could adopt them all! If you aren't able to open your home permanently to a new fur-child consider fostering or volunteering for a local rescue or shelter. Check with your local rescues and shelters for specific volunteer and foster home opportunities. You'll get the benefit of the cuddles and the heart-warming feeling of helping animals.


8. Consider donating to your favorite rescue or shelter. Donations don't always need to be monetary, either. If your pet has old supplies they don't use anymore, the shelter pets would love new toys and beds. There are also pet food pantries that accept food donations.

9. Pampered Pets in Fort Wayne is celebrating Adopt a National Dog month by beginning a new sponsorship with Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control. We will be offering free spa baths for any dog adopted from ACC, within the first 10 days of adoption! We are also sponsoring one very special dog each month and offering special offers and gifts to be redeemed at the Pampered Pets Fort Wayne location! Stop in to ACC today, or check our Facebook, to meet the lucky dog and see the exclusive offer!

National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 18-24, 2014

Statistics show that every year there are over 4,500,000 dog bites each year with at least 800,000 resulting in need of medical attention. Unfortunately, most of these bites deal with children and result in an average of 400,000 children being treated for dog bites annually.

One thing to remember is no dog is exempt from biting. Even a small dog can bite and cause serious injuries. National Dog Bite Prevention Week, sponsored by American Veterinary Medical Association, is designed to help bring awareness and teach the public how to prevent dog bites. Several things can be done to protect you and your family including the following:

• Always make sure one's dog is on a leash when outdoors. This will help ensure the owner has better control of their dog and a bite is less likely to happen. While out of the house, avoid putting the dog in situations where they may feel threatened or be subject to teasing. Make sure your dog will understand and obey basic commands before having out in the general public. Make sure you spay/neuter your pet, keep them up-to-date on all vaccinations (including rabies), and exercise your pet regularly. Most importantly, never allow a child to handle a dog without adult supervision.
• Be sure to educate your children about the safety of dogs even if you currently do not have a dog in your household. Children should know to exercise caution when approaching a dog that is unknown to them. Be sure your children also know how important it is to seek permission from the dog's owner before approaching them.
• If you are unsure about a dog's temperament, avoid situations where you may run past a dog giving the dog a reason to become excited or possibly aggressive. Never put yourself in a situation where you are disturbing a dog that is sleeping, taking care of puppies, or eating. If a dog makes one feel threatened, stay still and most of all, remain calm!

A number of things can be done to prevent dog bites such as proper dog/owner training and making sure the pet has great socialization skills. Having proper information and education about dogs, and their specific breeds, are the best ways to prevent dog bites.

Parker's Pointers

            Although it is not common, sometimes we cats need to be given a good bath once in a while.  Our curiosity may get the best of us and we can get dirty or possibly something sticky in our coat.  I wanted to take a moment to share some great tips for anyone giving my feline friends a bath.

            Please keep in mind the reason we do not like to get wet is because our fur does not insulate well when it is wet.  So, the best time to give us a bath would be during a mellow point in our day.  Perhaps a play session prior to our bath would help tire us out a little.

            Since water is not one of our most favorite things, some believe that a little trim of our nails would be in your best interest.  When we are surrounded by water, we have this uncontrollable urge to try and get away to hide in a warm, dry place.

            To ensure the best possible outcome of cleanliness, a good brushing to get out extra fur would be wonderful.  I know I really love a good brushing and this would also help me relax and remain calm before going into, what I believe to be, the watery torture.  If we are willing, cotton balls in our ears will also help to keep water out of our ears during the bath.

            A great way to keep a good handle on us while we’re in the tub or sink is to lie a rubber bath mat down.  This way, it will be more difficult for us to slide around while being washed.  All that is needed for us is three to four inches of lukewarm water.  Please avoid hot water as our skin is very sensitive.

            Now is the time where we have to get wet.  Use a hand-held spray house to wet us down, paying close attention not to get any water in our ears, eyes, or nose.  If you don’t have a spray house, anything plastic like a pitcher or cup will work great.

            Since our skin is so sensitive, try to avoid using human shampoo.  Use a mixture of one part cat shampoo to five parts water and gently massage from head to tail.  Then, rinse all the shampoo off making sure all suds are gone since this can irritate our skin if left on.

            You can use a wet washcloth to carefully wipe our faces.  Again, be careful not to get water into our eyes, ears, or nose. 

            Finally, wrap us in a large, comfy towel and keep us in a warm, non-stressful place to dry.  I’m not a big fan of a hair dryer, but if your feline companions don’t mind it you can use that on a low setting.

Now comes the best part… after such an experience I am rewarded for being a good boy with praise and my favorite treats!  I hope this inside scoop straight from the cat’s mouth will help make your next feline bathing experience a little smoother.

                                                                                                Pawsfully Yours,

                                                                                                                        Parker

Pet First Aid Awareness Month

April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month and a great opportunity for pet owners to brush up on tips from the American Red Cross to keep their animals safe and healthy as we head into spring and summer.

HEAT STROKE

Heat stroke is one of the most common problems pets face in the warmer weather when they are not yet used to the warm temperatures. Pet owners should remember that the inside of a car can quickly reach 120 degrees in warm weather and should not leave their animals in the car, even during short trips. This can quickly lead to heat stroke. The signs of heat stroke include:

Heavy panting and being unable to calm down, even when lying down.

The pet’s gums may be brick red, they may have a fast pulse rate, or they may not be able to get up.

If someone suspects their pet has heat stroke, they should take the pet’s temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees Fahrenheit, they should cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring the pet to the veterinarian immediately as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.

OTHER HAZARDS

Open doors and windows can be hazardous to a pet. The animal may try to get outside, increasing the risk of falling from windows or being hit by a vehicle. Some plants and flowers can be hazardous. For instance, many lilies are very poisonous to cats. Visit the ASPCA Poison Control web site to find out which plants and flowers are poisonous to animals. If someone thinks their animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, they should contact their veterinarian.

PET FIRST AID

Courses are available at many Red Cross chapters on how to care for your pet. The Red Cross has also developed Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid Guides with DVDs that teach basic responsibilities like spaying/neutering and giving medications, to performing CPR and preparing for disasters. Visit Redcross.org/training or call 1-800 RED CROSS to see when classes are available. The Guides are available through the Red Cross Store.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY

Pet owners can follow these important steps to help keep their pet healthy:

Give pets plenty of exercise.

Make sure they have plenty of fresh, cool water.

Make sure they get regular yearly checkups with their veterinarian, and are up to date on vaccines, especially rabies.

Get pets spayed or neutered.

Keep dogs on leashes outside – another animal may be too much temptation

Know how to perform CPR and provide basic first aid until veterinary care is available

EMERGENCIES AND YOUR PET

Don’t forget to include pets in planning for emergencies in your home or neighborhood:

Make plans to take your pets with you if you have to evacuate.

Most Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Know which friends, relatives, hotels, boarding facilities will accept pets in an emergency.

Assemble an easy-to-carry kit with emergency supplies for pets: Leashes, harnesses and/or carriers

Food, drinking water, bowls, manual can opener

Medications and copies of medical records

Current photos of the pets

Pet First Aid Awareness Month is a great time for people to learn how to protect their pet and keep them healthy. More information on how to keep pets in good health are located on the Red Cross Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist.

National Animal Poison Prevention

Did you know that March 16-22 is National Animal Poison Prevention week.  Here is a list our poisonous plants.  Keep pet safe!

 

If you’re getting ready to plant a garden or dogscape your backyard, the ASPCA warns pet parents to cross the following plants off your list, since they can be highly toxic to your pooch.

• Sago Palm: Although the entire plant is poisonous, the seeds or “nuts” contain the most toxins. Even if your dog only eats a seed or two, serious effects including vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure can occur.
• Tulips: The bulbs contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.
• Azalea/Rhododendron: These plants contain grayantoxins, which can produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness and depression of the central nervous system in animals. Severe azalea poisoning could ultimately lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.
• Oleander: All parts of this plant are considered to be toxic and have the potential to cause gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.
• Castor Bean: This plant contains ricin, a highly toxic protein that can produce severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death.
• Cyclamen: The highest concentration of the toxic cyclamine is in the root. If your dog eats it, it can produce significant gastrointestinal irritation, including intense vomiting. Fatalities have also been reported.
• Kalanchoe: Ingestion of this plant can result in gastrointestinal irritation, as well as seriously affect heart rhythm and rate.
•  Yew: This pine contains taxine, which causes central nervous system effects such as trembling, incoordination and difficulty breathing. It can also cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac failure, which can result in death.
• Amaryllis: These flowers, popular around Easter, contain toxins that can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia and tremors.
• Chrysanthemum: This popular flower contains pyrethrins that may produce gastrointestinal upset, including drooling, vomiting and diarrhea. Depression and loss of coordination may also develop if your dog eats a large amount of this plant.
• English Ivy: Also called branching ivy, glacier ivy, needlepoint ivy, sweetheart ivy and California ivy, it contains triterpenoid saponins that can result in vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea.
• Peace Lily: These flowers contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue.
• Pothos: If chewed or ingested, this popular household plant can cause significant irritation and swelling of the oral tissues and parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Schefflera: This plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue.

If your dog ingests any of these plants and appears to be ill, call the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-213-6680.