Six Ways to Pamper Your Pets
Article from the Daily Inter Lake, Saturday, January 14, 2012.

Pets are an important component of any household.  The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that 63 percent of all households in the United States features one pet or more.

Today’s pets are genuine members of the family, and pet parents want to do as much as they can to pamper their cats, dogs, birds, and small mammals.

Dogs, cats, and other pets are acquired through a number of methods.  Statistics show that most pets come to families from friends or acquaintances for free or low cost.  According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, 10 to 20 percent of cats and dogs are adopted, while only 2 to 10 percent of animals are purchased from a pet store.

Individuals who want to go above and beyond in their treatment of pets frequently push pampering to the limits.  Some people treat dogs and cats as if they were children, with all of the same benefits.  Thousands of dollars a year may be spent being sure these animals live the high life.  Whether this has any benefit on the animals’ well-being is debatable; the fact remains that individuals spend quite a few dollars caring for their pets.
 
Those who want to take pampering to new levels can consider these pampering ideas:

1.  Pet treats:  While the occasional catnip or dog bone is a nice idea, there are entire bakeries designated to whipping up gourmet delights for pets.  Many feature organically grown food items that are human-grade.  Cakes, cookies and the like can be purchased that fit with the specific diet and tastes of the pampered pet.

2. Doggie daycare:  Why leave the pooch home alone when he or she can hang out with other tail wagging friends?  There are a number of businesses that now cater to the canines and offer fun activities and socialization for dogs who otherwise by latch-key pups.  Some daycare centers offer accommodations that mimic home, such as cozy couches and quiet corners in which to curl up.  Furthermore, they enable dogs to catch up with their friends, a necessity when Mom or Dad won’t let them log onto Facebook.

3. Home away from home:  Instead of sending pets to a boarder when individuals are on vacation, people are choosing to take pets along.  Road and Travel magazine has reported that many pet parents—approximately 78 percent of them—often take to the roads or the skies with their pets in tow.  There are many pet friendly accommodations, and travelers have been known to compare amenities and regulations when choosing a hotel/motel for their trips.

4. Pet birthday parties:  One in four pet parents in the U.S. has admitted to celebrating their pets’ birthdays, according to Best Friends Pet Care.  Some go as far as hosting a birthday party in honor of the birthday pup or kitty.  Some pet sitters are daycare centers actually will host pet parties where other animals can be invited to celebrate.  Pet parties are growing in popularity and can be quite lucrative considering the millions of pets currently in the country.

5. Spa treatment:  From lapping in a heated pet pool to receiving a massage, some pet owners treat their favorite friends to relaxation treatments.  Gone are the days of a simple bath and haircut at the local groomer.  Today’s dogs and cats can receive massages, aromatherapy and acupuncture while enjoying additional resort-like amenities.

6. Spending time:  Of course, one of the easiest ways to pamper a pet is simply to spend time and devote attention to the animal.  After all, most animals are content with some love and affection from their owners.

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Take Extra Care with Cats in Cold Weather

Article obtained from:
The Daily Interlake, Kalispell, MT on Wed. Dec. 14, 2011

Take Extra Care with Pets in Cold Weather

With winter weather here, the Flathead County Animal Shelter urges pet owners to take precautions to ensure the safety of their pets. Help keep your pets safe during cold weather by following these simple guidelines:

* Don’t leave pets outdoors when the temperature drops. Dogs and cats are safer indoors, except when taken out for supervised exercise. Regardless of the season, short-haired, very young or old dogs and all cats should never be left outside without supervision.

* Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. Routinely check your pet’s water dish to make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen. Use plastic food and water bowls rather than metal.

* Wind chills can threaten a pet’s life. If your dog spends significant time outdoors, he or she must be protected by a dry, draft-free doghouse that is large enough to allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold in his or her body heat. The house should be turned to face away from the wind and the doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.

* Warm engines in parked cars attract cats and small wildlife that may crawl under the hood. To avoid injuring any hidden animals, bang on your car’s hood to scare them away before starting your engine.

* Salt and chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pet’s feet and may be harmful if ingested. Wipe your pet’s feet with a damp towel before your pet licks them to remove snow packed between your pet’s paws. Pet-friendly ice melts are available at many pet supply stores or online.

* Antifreeze is a deadly poison, but it has a sweet taste that can attract animals and children. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze (and all household chemicals) out of reach. Consider using antifreeze coolant made with propylene glycol, which is less toxic in small amounts than traditional ethylene glycol antifreeze.

* If you’re feeding homeless cats, be sure to provide an insulated shelter for them. Information about building a shelter, spaying and neutering and more is available at http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/feral_cats or contact the Spay and Neuter Task Force.

* During the winter months, the happiest dogs are those who are taken out frequently for walks or exercise but kept inside the rest of the time.

For more information or any questions, contact the Flathead County Animal Shelter at 752-1310 or go to www.flathead.mt.gov/animal. Shelter hours are Tuesday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 11 am to 4 p.m.

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Preparing your Kitty for Holiday Boarding

How to Prepare for Holiday Pet Boarding
from the Daily Inter Lake, Saturday November 12, 2011

(MS) – The holiday season is a time when many family and friends come together.  If you’ll be going home for the holidays, that trip may or may not include the family pet.

For people with a pet at home, it might not always be possible to bring the pet along during holiday excursions.  Therefore, arrangements must be made for the animal while you will be away.  From pet sitters to boarding facilities, pet parents must decide where to turn.

According to the American Pet Products Association, Americans spend roughly $3.5 billion on grooming and boarding their pets every year.  Boarding is common during holiday travel.

When preparing a pet for boarding, there are suggestions for making things go smoothly.  The process begins even before your brining your pet to the boarder.

Finding a Boarder

Most animals are like extended members of the family.  Therefore, pet parents want to find a facility that will take good care of the animal and ensure its comfort and safety.  World-of-mouth recommendations are one of the best ways to get a feel for a particular boarder if you haven’t’ used one before.

When visiting facilities, look for certain things, including cleanliness, the number of employees available, the appearance of the animals, the areas where the pets are allowed to go and things of this nature.

Ask certain questions, including how pets are housed and exercised.  Find out if you are allowed to bring in food for the pet and his or her own treats to minimize stomach discomfort.  Investigate how a health issue is handled, including whether you veterinarian will be called or if the facility has a relationship with another vet.

Steer clear of facilities that do not offer satisfactory answers to all of your questions or seems opposed to your ideas and concerns.

Preparing your Pet

Many boarding facilities require that pets be vaccinated prior to their stays.  The boarder may have specific immunizations that are required.  Be sure to update vaccinations a month prior to boarding your animal.  Sometimes the vaccination can produce minor symptoms of the actual illness, which the boarder may mistake as a sick dog.

There are also other things that you can do to prep a dog or cat prior to its stay.  Get a vet checkup just to ensure your pet’s health, especially if the animal is old and has chronic conditions.  At this point, double-check medications and get extra supplies for the boarder.

Bathe the pet and keep up with flea/tick prevention so the animal will be protected when in close proximity o other animals.  Inspect the dog or cat to ensure that the pet does not have an infestation.

Checking in

Bring your pet to the boarder early and pack along some of the animal’s comfort toys or belongings, including a piece of clothing that has your scent.   Clearly mark bags of food and any items you bring so they will be identified for your dog or cat.

Leave contact information with the boarder and review the information on how long the stay will be.  Inquire as to what times are best to phone in and check up on your pet.  Some high tech boarding facilities may have cameras in the building that you can access via the Internet to see the goings-on while away.

Leaving your pet may pluck at your heartstrings, so it’s best not to linger, otherwise you could add to your anxiety and also the dog or cat’s level of nervousness. 

If you do your homework researching facilities, changes are you have found a boarder that will provide adequate care for your pet and you’ll return to find a pet that is healthy and happy to see you.

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Great Cat Treat Tip

Pet Care Tip

Reserve a percentage of your cat's daily food allowance to use for treats.  This insures that your cat stays within his recommended calorie intake, while still making him feel rewarded for good behavior. 
Food rewards don't have to be big -- a little goes a long way.

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Keep Your Kitty Healthy and Happy

Eight Ways to Keep a Cat Healthy and Happy
Credit: Saturday, September 24, 2011, Daily Interlake Newspaper

(MS) – Most people view their pets as an extension of the family. Therefore, pet parents are interested in the best ways to ensure their dogs, cats, birds, or small mammals are healthy and happy.

It doesn’t take much to keep a pet healthy, but these steps are essential for the well-being of the animal. An individual who is not able to provide the general care for a pet – whether financially or emotionally – should reconsider if it is the right time to bring a pet into the household. A pet that is well cared for can live many years and provide great rewards.

1. Choose healthy foods.   Many commercially prepared foods are full of fillers and sugars in stead of fresh meats and grains. Although it may cost a bit more, pet food that is formulated with good quality meat and grains with minimal preservatives, artificial flavorings or colorings can keep a pet in better form. Diet can affect health in a number of ways including energy levels and coat appearance. So good health begins with good food.

2. Keep fresh water handy.   All animals should be given fresh water that is routinely changed. Bacteria and viruses can multiply in water that is left sitting around. Plus, there could be other contaminants in unfiltered water that is left stagnant. If a person wouldn’t drink the water, it should not be offered to a pet.

3. Exercise your pet.   All animals need exercise to be healthy. Exercise helps to keep weight in check, banish boredom and ensure that the systems of the body all get pushed to their potential. A dog that does not get to exercise may become destructive in the house when the owners are not home.

4. Consult with a veterinarian.   Routine health checkups should be part of keeping a pet healthy. Not only does the vet give pets annual vaccinations that can prevent common diseases, but also the vet will examine the animal to diagnose or catch illnesses early. If a pet is not acting normally, consult your vet.

5. Groom the pet regularly.   Some animals groom themselves. Others can use the help of nail clipping, bathing and fur cutting to keep in top form. Matted fur can pull at the skin and cause irritation. Dogs and cats may lick or bite at a wound and cause more trouble. In general, a clean pet is a happy pet.

6. Know pet dangers around the house.   Pet proof the home just as one would baby-proof it. Keep chemical products locked up so they cannot be consumed. Certain products smell sweet and inviting to unsuspecting pets, but consumption can be deadly. Even certain house plants can be deadly when eaten.

7. Avoid “people” food.   Certain fruits and vegetables can be supplemented in a pet’s diet (consult with a veterinarian). However, on the whole, limit the amount of human food that pets eat. It may not provide the nutritional value the animal needs and can contribute to obesity. Foods like raisins, grapes, onions and macadamia nuts can be toxic to dogs and cats and should be avoided.

8. Show interest in the pet.   A pet needs a certain level of interaction to be content. Discipline, affection and exercise with a pet parent are key components of animal health.

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