Safe Spring Cleaning Tips

Safe Spring Cleaning

     Spring is about to be sprung, and we know what that means: spring cleaning! In your cleaning frenzy, don't forget about your pets. They share spaces with you, and how you clean and rearrange can affect them as much as it does any other family member. If you have specific concerns about how your pet might react to your favorite cleaning products, consult your veterinarian. Otherwise, enjoy these pet-friendly cleaning tips to keep your home spotless and your pet safe!

1. All cleaners are not created equal

We all have favorite household products we use, but have you ever taken the time to read the back or research the product? Many household cleaning products can be toxic to your pets. It's best to treat them like you would if you had an infant in the home: lock up all chemicals. There are, however, many natural or non-toxic cleaners and degreasers that will cut through grime just as effectively. Some of our favorite products include Simple Green, Kennelsol, Nature's Miracle, Seventh Generation, Method, and Mrs Myers (just to name a few)! 

2. ACHOO!
Just like humans, animals can have reactions to things like dust, pollen, bee stings, plants, and food. Allergic reactions in dogs and cats can cause minor sniffling and sneezing as well as life-threatening anaphylactic shock. If you think that your pet may suffer from allergies, it is best to consult your veterinarian. 

3. Don't let the bed bugs bite

Warmer weather means fleas, ticks, and heart-worm-harboring mosquitoes are all on the way back. Make sure to give your pet monthly preventatives to protect your pet against these pesky pitfalls. Fleas love hiding in warm, dark beds, so be sure to also wash your pet's bedding and scrub their crate frequently. It is recommended to clean bedding and crates at least once a week.

4. Do the dishes and pick up the toys

Just because a dog lick's their bowl clean doesn't mean the bowl is clean. Using hot water and dish soap, or even your dishwasher, scrub your pets water and food bowls at least once a week. Toys should also be washed once a week. Ropes and stuffed toys can be placed in a normal cycle in the washing machine, and rubber or plastic toys can be hand washed with hot soapy water.

Keep the Garden Growing

Keep the Garden Growing

The Balance Between Pet-Owning and Gardening

     As gardeners, we work extremely hard to keep our flowers vibrant and our produce bountiful! The frustration of your best fur-iend reeking havoc on your garden is all too real! Whether it's pottying on the plants, or digging it all up, we've got you covered with these helpful tips to create a dog-friendly garden.

1. Be the Dog

When planning anything in your home, you will often think "What do I as a homeowner want from this space?" However, we encourage you to think like your dog! Think, "If I were my beloved pampered pooch, what would I want out of this backyard space?" Knowing the characteristics of your dog's breed will also play a role here. Dogs like huskies, chows, and malamutes may only be digging to create a space to stay cool in. This is easily resolved by creating an area for your dog to cool down in, like a small patio or awning made just for him! Dogs that were bred for hunting in tunnels, such as terriers, dachsunds, beagles, and whippets may be digging either by natural behavior or when they find underground animal tunnels. Redirecting their attention with a game (like hiding treats above ground) while outside, or even giving them their own dig box, may alleviate the issue of digging up the garden! Some dogs will dig merely from boredom! Combating this is as easy as socializing at a dog park or doggy daycare, or exercising them as often as possible.

2. Landscaping to Protect

When planing, keep in mind that different levels and placement of gardens can deter a dog from tearing through it. If your dog's favorite pathway is directly through where you want to place your garden, it may be easier to select another location. However, if your heart is set on that location, create boundaries and use verbal commands to redirect your dog away from the garden. Elevated garden beds and mounds may also reroute your dog!

3. Sun and Shade Alike

Like we mentioned before, it's always a good idea to create a safe and cool place for your dog to rest. It's also equally important to leave a sunny spot in your yard completely undisturbed so that your pooch can soak up the sun without crushing your favorite perennials! In this area, you can include a dig box and anything else that reinforces to your dog that "this is your space."

Furrrrrrreezing! Cold Weather Tips for Pet Owners

Furrrrrrreezing! 

Cold Weather Tips for Pet Owners 

It's that time of year where frigid temperatures nip our noses. What can you do to ensure your pets are safe and comfortable? Here are some tips!

1. Keep cats inside.
   Cats are small creatures that don't produce much body heat. They are especially susceptible to extreme temperatures. Leaving them outside can be fatal, so bring them in!
2. Check for nappers!
   When temperatures drop, outdoor cats will seek refuge in warm car hoods and tire wells. If you know or suspect there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on your car hood before starting your engine. This could save a cat's life!
3. Keep dogs leashed.
   Dogs frolicking in snow is adorable! The best way to let them enjoy the snow is either a very long lead or in a fenced in yard. Snowstorms make it especially hard to find lost dogs. Always make sure your pet has ID tags!
4. Wipe their paws!
   When dogs come inside, thoroughly wipe down their legs and paws. This will prevent injury from ice. It will also prevent the ingestion of chemicals, such as salt or antifreeze. You can also use pet safe salts to spread on walkways.
5. Keep them covered.
   While it may be tempting to shave your Newfoundland to look like a lion, we don't recommend shaving anyone in the cold months! Shaving a dog close to their skin takes away their main defense against frigid temperatures. If you bath them, make sure they are completely dry before taking them outside. If you have a small dog or a short-haired dog, consider investing in a pet coat to keep them toasty.
6. Cars are refrigerators.
   We all know not to leave our dog in the car during summer months, but did you know leaving them in the car in cold weather can be just as dangerous? Cars can act as refrigerators and can be fatal if pets are left in them for extended periods of time.
     
7. Puppies hate cold.
   Puppies don't tolerate cold weather as well as adult dogs do. This may mean your new puppy is harder to housebreak. If you're having trouble, try investing in potty pads and working up to pottying outside when the weather gets warmer.
8. Feed them well.
   If your dog can't get enough of this weather, increase their protein and omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. This will keep their coat in tip top shape!
9. Old dogs ache.
   Older or injured dogs will have a harder time with colder weather. Low temperatures can cause joint pain in older dogs, or cause dogs with old injuries to feel discomfort. Keep them warm and cozy while indoors.
10. Warm in bed.
    Move pet beds off of cold tile and away from any drafts. This will keep them warm and happy!

National Train Your Dog Month - Tips

National Train Your Dog Month

Here are ten great training tips to help you and your pet have a relaxing training experience!

1. Listen to your dog
  If your dog is showing signs of stress (lip licking, panting without being hot/exerted, tucked tail, half moon eyes), then maybe a break is in order. Your pet is trying to communicate with you that they are uncomfortable or stressed. 

2. Give them tons of affection!

  It's easy to let out frustration when a dog isn't quite grasping the training, but many owners forget to reinforce the good things! Be generous with praise! This helps build a positive relationship and a stronger bond, which will result in the pet wanting to please you by doing well in training! It's okay to be over the top with your affection!

3. Is your pet enjoying the reward?

   Treats are a great way to reward a pet. You don't need to buy high-priced treats that have "all dogs love them" plastered all over the bag. Use a special treat that you know your dog absolutely loves. Pieces of cheese, hot dogs, and peanut butter are among favorites! Small soft treats are especially great for training.

4. Say no to saying no!
    It's okay to say "no" sometimes, but it's not very effective in training. Be specific with commands. If your dog is jumping to greet people, instead of shouting "NO!" try calmly saying "sit" or "down." If you just say "no" the dog may think you want them to jump higher or to the left instead of the right. When you give your dog a specific command the dog knows exactly what you expect from him/her.   

5. Consistency is key!

   Make sure everyone in the household is on the same page. If you plan on attending a training class, take the family with you. If you are training at home, make a list of commands to put in a common space. If you taught your dog "down" and someone else is saying "lay," this can create inconsistencies and confusion in the training. Get everyone on board for your dog's success!

6. Make obtainable goals!
    You probably didn't become an expert in your profession or hobby over night. Don't expect your dog to perfect their training in one day. Learning takes time! "Normal" dog behaviors such as barking and digging will likely take more time to correct. You must also factor in the amount of time the pet was allowed to exhibit a behavior. If the dog was always allowed to jump on visitor's, then the behavior could take longer to correct. All behavior can be changed, some habits just take longer to change! Be patient and understanding. 

  

7. Feed them brain food!

   Never underestimate the power of high-quality food! Get a food with the appropriate amount of protein. Higher energy dogs need more protein than less active dogs. If you ate fast food that was high in fat and low in protein, you may feel sluggish and find it hard to focus. The same applies to dogs! In addition, the money you spend on better food will save you money on vet bills and will likely add time to your pet's life.

8. You get what you train, not what you want!
   Negative reinforcement is rampant in pet ownership. Has your dog ever been barking and you gave them a bone or toy to try to quiet them? If you have ever caved to your dog to get them to stop a behavior, you're actually rewarding them for that behavior! They learn that their pesky behavior will get them what they want out of you. Every interaction with your pet is a training opportunity. An easy solution is giving the dog a command before a reward. If the dog barks, ask him/her to "lay down" or "sit," then reward them for listening to the command.

 

9. Rewards are not bribery!
   Treats are the easiest form of reward. Why not?! They work wonders! Make sure that the reward produces the treat; the treat should not produce the behavior

 

10. Let freedom ring!

   A dog should gradually earn freedom. A common mistake is giving the dog total freedom right from the start. This can often result in potty accidents and destructive chewing. Use training crates for safe zones for your dog and block off other rooms in the house. Once your dog's behavior begins to change, gradually let them explore more areas of the house. 

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.