Monday 12 May 2014

Clever Bathing Tips to Wash Fido Right







Does widdle-biddle, Mr. Wiggles, want a bathy-wathy?
 
It's likely not the first time you've heard yourself say that while trying to get your dog in the bath. But doggone it, that smell isn't going anywhere and it's got to be done! 

Before you start to barter with treats galore, here are some tips for making bath time a doggone walk in the park: 

1. Round up the Right Tools: Be sure to prep the tub area before bath time. Place a rubber bath mat or thick towel in the tub so your pup won't slip, and lay another towel just outside the tub. A hand sprayer can make rinsing much easier, says the management at Delta Faucet. Their four-setting Palm handshower can gently spritz a schnauzer, or hose down a hound. Consult your veterinarian or groomer and choose a mild shampoo formulated for dogs. Finally, place extra towels within close reach. 

2. Start with Persuasion: Bath time can be downright stressful for Fido. Most dogs don't like being restrained, and many hate water more than the neighbour's calico cat. Teach your pup to associate baths with things he loves. Precede the dog wash with a romp in the yard or end with a treat, new toy or long walk.

3. Give Him the Brush Off: In the backyard, gently brush your dog's coat to detangle knots and remove loose hair. (Trust us, your plumber will thank you.) When you're both ready, lead your dog to the tub, lift him in and reward him with a tasty treat. 

4. Get Wet: Thoroughly soak your dog with lukewarm water, being careful to avoid spraying near his sensitive ears. Work in the shampoo, using a massage technique, and be sure to lather up the smelly spots – neck, toes, belly and yes, rump. Use a soft cloth to wipe his face. Rinse your furry friend well as even a little shampoo residue can make them itch. 

5. Do the Shake: Towel-dry your dog as much as possible while he's still in the tub, then pull the curtain closed, and let the shake begin. Rub him down with another towel, and then let him loose. Reward him with praise, snuggles and a treat – he earned it. 

www.newscanada.com

Friday 9 May 2014

Top Tips to Protect Your Pet in the Great Outdoors





The arrival of spring and summer means our pets will be spending more time exploring and playing outdoors. Long walks, frolics in the yard, and trips to the park are fun for dogs and owners alike, but do keep an eye on health risks, say advisers in this field.

Pets Plus Us, a pet owner community and insurance provider, offers some guidance for the warmer months: 

• Provide your pet with ample water and food.

• Don't leave a dog or cat exposed to the hot sun for extended periods. Make sure they have ready access to shelter or shaded areas when outdoors, and bring them inside for breaks.

• Never leave a pet in a parked car. The temperature inside can quickly rise.

• Take your dog or cat to the veterinarian to ensure they have up-to-date vaccinations and preventative medications to keep them healthy all year long. 

“In addition to heartworm disease, there are other serious and even more common health issues that pet owners need to be wary of, ,” says Dr. Chip Coombs, the chief veterinary officer at Pets Plus Us. “Be on the lookout for signs of intestinal parasites in your pet, like roundworms and hookworms, which not only make your dog ill, but can also cause problems in people who contract them. Now is a good time to visit the veterinarian to ensure your pet is protected.”

Here are a few things to keep in mind to minimize the risks posed by parasites:

• Regular deworming of any outdoor pet is the best solution to guard against these internal parasites. 

• Be attentive and watch for symptoms. Ticks and fleas are easier to spot than internal parasites. If your dog has internal parasites, usually you will notice that they aren't acting themselves. Symptoms vary, but your dog may be lethargic and lose its appetite. Other signs may include vomiting, diarrhea, and swelling or pain in the abdomen. 

• Provide your pet with healthy food and fresh water. A high-quality diet is key to their overall health.

• Groom your dog regularly to maintain a healthy, clean coat and skin.

• Take the time to discuss these and other pet health practices with your veterinarian. 

Finally, pet health insurance helps us look after our furry friends by covering the costs if they fall ill or have an accident requiring medical attention. It can even cover more routine items like exams and vaccinations. 

More information on pet health is available at www.petsplusus.com.

www.newscanada.com

Wednesday 7 May 2014

Prepare Your Pet for Emergencies





Emergency Preparedness Week (May 4-10, 2014) is a good time to think about preparing your family for emergencies of any kind, like a power outage, severe storm, or hurricane. It's also important to remember the furry and feathered members of your family too.

Here are some tips to help keep your pets safe:

Identify your pet. If you become separated during an emergency, identification may be the only way to find them. Make sure each animal wears a collar and identification tag at all times. 

Put together a pet emergency kit. Here are some things to include:
- A sturdy crate or carrier
- A strong leash or harness
- ID tag and collar
- Food and water for at least 72 hours (4L/day per average dog, 1L/day per average cat)
- Bowls and can opener for food
- Newspaper, paper towels, plastic bags, litter, and/or litter box
- Special medications, dosage, and veterinarian's contact information
- Pet file (including recent photos of the animal, your emergency numbers, contact information for friends who could house your pet, copies of any licenses, and vaccination records)
- A pet first-aid kit
- Blanket and toy

Plan for evacuations. The best way to protect your pet in an emergency is to bring it with you, however, most evacuation shelters will only accept service animals. Make a list of where your pet can be taken, such as:

- Hotels
- Boarding centres and animal shelters
- Animal clinics
- Family members and friends 

Keep your pet inside during severe weather. Animals are sensitive to sudden changes in temperature and often isolate themselves when scared. Never leave a pet outside or tethered during a storm.

Separate cats and dogs. Keep smaller pets such as hamsters away from larger animals. Stress can lead to unusual behaviour.

Keep newspaper inside for hygiene purposes and feed your pet wet food in order to reduce the amount of water it may need.

If ordered to evacuate, take your pet with you. If you must leave your pets in the house, do not tether or cage them. Leave a sign in the window and a note on the door indicating what animals are inside. Provide water and food, and leave toilet seats up.

More information on emergency preparedness is available at www.GetPrepared.ca.

www.newscanada.com

Monday 5 May 2014

Tips for Boating with Your Dogs






Boating is a pleasure for the entire family including your beloved pets. No matter whether we are out on the water for a day, a weekend, or a month, we all prefer to bring our pets on board instead of leaving them on dry land.

DiscoverBoating.ca offers some helpful tips to prepare to go boating with pets including:

Bring a Flotation Device. Pets should always wear a flotation device, preferably one with a handle so their head can be lifted above water.

On-Water Exercise. Get your pet active by letting them run on deck or swim. Bring floatable toys to play with. It's a good idea to have their nails trimmed and in good shape before your boating excursion.

Eats and Treats. Bring a little extra pet food, plus some treats, just in case they work up an appetite. Carry a fresh water supply as well. 

You don't own a boat? Go to DiscoverBoating.ca to discover all the other options for getting out on the water anywhere in Canada. 

www.newscanada.com

Friday 2 May 2014

The Benefits of Using Doggie Strollers



Doggie strollers are great! There are many who think it is a frivolous and ridiculous concept and that dogs and cats should walk and not be carried around in strollers. On the other hand, there are others who love the idea, because they are cute, and able to bring their furry family with them everywhere; and for some it is a necessity.

Apart from being cute there are benefits to using a pet stroller to carry your dog or cat.


Firstly, by way of doctor’s order, recovering dogs are sometimes limited to activities in the home because they are not allowed to move around depending on their illness. Also big dogs and older dogs are prone to arthritic pain and cannot go too far because it is too painful to move about. However, a stroller is a perfect way for pets in these situations to get some fresh air and still join in family activities. You can push them in the stroller to the park where they can get out and move around.

Furthermore, it’s a great way to take your pet to an event with you, whether an outdoor concert or festival. It makes it easier to maneuver with them through the crowd while protecting them.

For smaller dogs it reduces the strain from carrying them, their snacks and toys. It is also a wonderful option to have them window shop with you at the mall.

For the athletic and active, pet parent, it’s an awesome way to get a run in with your little furry friend.

Now that you have seen the advantages of having a pet stroller, here are some tips on how to choose the perfect one for your loving pet. They come in all shapes,sizes and colors.

Choosing the right size: Make sure it is roomy enough for your size dog or cat, they should be able to have enough room to sit up and to lay down. Be mindful of the height within the cabin as well as the height from the floor for your comfort.

Suspension- This is important because you want it to be easy maneuvering, especially over bumps.

A vet shares, the benefits of using a doggie stroller:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHevEDEvQs4

Happy strolling...