Help! I've Got Pets

Oops…We Are Doing It Again !!! Read on to Find Out Exactly What…

2023-07-03T22:05:39Z

I figure it has been a while since the last update on how the family is doing, and we have had a lot of things happen over the course of the last several months! So read on to find out what we have been up to!

One of these days I’m going to get that bird…

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Bubbles and Her Big Health Scare

I didn’t write about it in my last update back in October but we had a pretty big health scare with Bubbles about a year ago. I was out in the backyard giving her some scratches and noticed a lump on her belly. My first thought was “oh my god not another tick” since it was just about the right size! You can read more on ticks HERE.

Wants attention but pretends not to…

But when I pinned her down (she is NOT a fan of having her belly touched at all so my very life was at stake at this point!) and managed to get a look…It wasn’t a tick but a lump. And since she’s getting on in her years it was off to the vet (they must love me in there).

The diagnosis scared me half to death. Most likely (like in 99% of cases), when there is a lump next to a mammary gland it is aggressive cancer. The recommended course of action was a double mammary strip masectomy over the course of two surgeries (one for each strip). And then chemo. I sobbed pretty much the whole way home.

My Miracle Cat

So, me being me, the first thing I started doing was research of course. And sadly my conclusion was pretty much the same as he vet’s. But I learned that the surgeries and chemo might give her another six months only. And my heart broke. The difficult decision was made that if she only had a short period of time left that I wouldn’t be subjecting her to all kinds of surgeries and pain. I’d let her go on her terms.

Lo and behold, the next vet visit revealed that the lump had not increased in size at all! And she was perfectly healthy! Several months later no less. So my Bubs became one of the lucky ones where it didn’t turn out to be what they thought. The next tears that came were tears of joy! My girl beat the odds!

Crazy Dior

Enter Dior! The reason Bubbles had to go to the vet in the first place. A beautiful Sphynx cat had turned her world upside down, and she was having trouble going to the bathroom. The diagnosis? A stress induced bladder infection. The reason? Dior’s arrival…

Looking majestic catching a few moments of sun

Back in February I had a girl who had just arrived from Ukraine move into my basement. She showed up with only a suitcase…and Dior! Dior came in as the smallest guy in the house, but easily the biggest and strongest personality. He had the dogs running and desperately wanted to be friends with the cats! Succeeding with Whiskers, and Whiskers only.

I’m going to have to do a separate post on Dior alone because he’s such a character. So you’ll have to keep a look out for it! They left at the beginning of June when her mom arrived and they moved in together. And I’m going to have to admit I miss the funny little guy and our nightly cuddles.

Rover

Deciding to sign up for Rover, it has brought a whole new bunch of dogs into our lives! Again, a lot of content so it’s going to require its own post haha. I figured…how hard can it be? I’m already out walking all the time…Well, we have had all kinds of personalities and experiences!

The crew welcomed Ramsey in for a night!

From the gentle giant Minnow, a beautiful lab/corso mix, to sweet little Edna who has a special place in my heart. We’ve run the gamut from intense resource guarding to me having to separate everyone and sit on my dining table to keep the peace! But it has been a great learning experience and has taught me so much and the vast majority of it has been a truly rewarding experience.

But yeah, you’ll have to check back for the full story…

Benson The Scaredy Cat Becomes The Tough Guy

Benson…my big cuddly baby. Scared of yoga mats and brooms (oh and feathers). So imagine my surprise when he started getting reactive. He used to be such an easy going guy, but not so much anymore. He had a few run ins with intact males and instead of cowering between my legs decided he wasn’t having it anymore…

The last time he was attacked was by two intact males in the dog park. No owners in sight, they charged him. One of them ran by…the other one engaged. And Benson being the much bigger guy, well it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that it took a matter of a mere few seconds for him to have the other dog pinned.

Coming mom!

Me vs. Benson

I didn’t know what to do. Try as I might I couldn’t manage to grab his harness through all that fur…so instinctively grabbing him by the haunches and digging my feet into the sand I hung on with all my might. I really don’t know how I managed to keep hold of 135lbs of an extremely angry and red zone dog but I did…And it gave the other dog a chance to get away after probably pretty much immediately regretting its decision…

Sauntering over casually the owner collected her dog (who was now hiding) and walked right on by us again while I struggled to hang onto Benny boy. With him turning and snapping at me trying to get me to let go. I offered my number and got a “that’s ok we are just going to meander on out” kind of a response….With me thinking it wasn’t the first time this happened.

So since that day Benson can be hit and miss when he meets an intact dog or one that shows dominant body language. You can bet I’ve been learning anything I can on reading body language to pick up on other dog’s queues now so I can prevent disaster. I have also started carrying a pet corrector and dog spray on my walks…

Let Me Introduce….

I wasn’t kidding when I said I had a lot to update! But this one is a biggie! I’ve noticed that my dogs are slowing down a lot as they come up on four years old. I knew about the shortened lifespan when I got them but I didn’t anticipate just how fast it would go. And I’ve seen what happens to a dog when they lose a cherished companion. One of the guys in my area lost one of his two Berners recently, who was younger than my two…

So have you guessed what I’m going to say next??? Yes, the new puppy comes home at the end of the summer! I’ve had everything from comments on how I’m crazy to the people who totally get it! And with Benson’s reactivity now to males (which I’ve made decent progress in training to correct), I figured the best bet was another little girl!

Getting ready for a new baby!

We are very excited for this little gal to come home!!! Bernese Mountain dogs are simply wonderful companions to have in the house! My daughter wants to name her Aurora (Rory for short, so would be Gracie, Benny, Rory). But we’ve also been given Petunia (Tunie) and Penelope as other options we are considering! Petunia seems to be the most popular, so drop us a comment and let us know which you cast your vote for!

And be sure to check back for more posts touching on other things we wrote about above!

The post Oops…We Are Doing It Again !!! Read on to Find Out Exactly What… first appeared on Help! I've Got Pets.

The Vet At Noah’s Ark – Book Review

2023-06-27T23:06:01Z

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the vet? And in particular an inner city vet? Oh and to top it off, an inner city vet in Los Angeles during the trial of police officers in the Rodney King case? That is the premise behind Dr. Doug Mader’s book, The Vet At Noah’s Ark: Stories of Survival From an Inner-City Animal Hospital.

Dr. Doug Mader

Dr. Mader is a renowned veterinarian, triple board certified and with many accolades. Through his exceptional storytelling, Dr. Doug Mader takes his reader on a journey through an incredibly challenging year of events at Noah’s Ark Veterinary Hospital, an exotic animal hospital in inner-city LA.

Through his writing, we get to see everything from the struggles and daily challenges to the rewarding moments and joy. We see his love for both animals and people, as well as his dedication to them. What it takes to not just be a good veterinarian but a great one who is truly compassionate about the love and bond between people and animals.

Dr. Doug Mader *Image used with permission

Behind The Scenes

In this book, we get a rare glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes at the vet. From what it takes to treat anything from a tiny little mouse, to snakes, ferrets, turtles, lizards and more! And that is in addition to the usual run of cats and dogs! The split second decisions that need to be made, and finding longer-term solutions to help our pets live happier and more fulfilled lives.

We also get to see what it’s like to navigate through veterinary students and unconventional staff members. I think one of the things that stood out to me most was Dr. Mader’s compassion and willingness to give people a chance. Which leads to some very interesting and memorable characters. Readers bond with them, laugh and cry with them.

I also really enjoyed reading about the different interactions with the pet owners. And how Dr. Mader chose to put the wellbeing of pets and preserving the bond with their people above everything else. The sacrifices he made both at work and personally. It really showed the reader how much he truly cares for both the people and the pets he treated.

Inner-City LA

While I think reading about what goes on at the vet is an interesting topic in and of itself, this book takes it a step further. Being a veterinarian in an inner-city animal hospital presents its own challenges. And when you consider the timing of this book during the trial of the police officers in the Rodney King case it takes it to a whole new level.

Through reading this book we can see just how much devotion Dr. Mader and his staff have to the practice. Literally putting their lives at risk to continue to show up to work each day. Everything from encounters with hookers while getting lunch to being stabbed walking to work. I found the beating up of Dave, a dedicated and empathetic volunteer with a kind and generous heart, by police officers for being in the wrong place at the wrong time particularly heartbreaking.

In Conclusion

The Vet at Noah’s Ark is a must read for any pet lover. I tried not to give away too many spoilers while writing this because I really want the reader to explore the book for themselves. To experience the wide range of emotions it triggers, the highs and the lows, from reading through this incredible story. To laugh and to cry with it. You won’t be disappointed.

Dr. Mader has given us a gift with his story, and you get to experience what it is like to work at an animal hospital, the love and compassion involved, the bond between pets and their owners. What it is like to make personal sacrifices for the sake of this bond. You can get started with an excerpt HERE.

Be sure to pick your copy today!

The post The Vet At Noah’s Ark – Book Review first appeared on Help! I've Got Pets.

How to Care for Your Pet’s Teeth

2023-06-11T13:26:02Z

Dental care is an important part of taking care of your pet, as poor dental care can lead to health problems. My first cat, Gizmo, had to have several teeth removed at a young age. My pug, Nemo, also had teeth issues which led to multiple cleanings. Which isn’t fun since they need to put your pet under anesthesia to do it. Since then, dental care has been an important part of our daily lives for all of my pets!

Gracie giving me a big smile

With the best intentions, I have TRIED to brush my dogs and cats teeth! And have you ever tried to brush a cat’s teeth??? NOT FUN! This was met with a LOT of resistance and very little success…I tried different flavors of toothpaste. I tried different approaches. The end result was that the cats never let me into their mouths to begin with…being cats of course…and the dogs? Well Grace tolerated it for a VERY short period of time. Benson, being a big scaredy cat as any of you who read that post know, was of course scared of the toothbrush and would high tail it to the door as soon as he saw it!

The crew waiting for breakfast…Benson has great bed head

According to the AAHA, most dogs and cats will have some sort of dental issues by the age of THREE! I noticed with Grace that she started getting plaque buildup right when her adult teeth came in. So I knew I had to do something about it sooner rather than later!

Early Signs of Dental Disease

Signs of dental disease in dogs and cats tends to show up early in their lives, and can include tartar buildup, bad breath and red swollen gums. If it is not treated, it can lead to chronic pain and inflammation. Dental treatment at the vet is not fun for anyone (not to mention expensive!) so early treatment is the key here!

Signs to Watch For

Pets are EXPERTS at hiding pain so you may not realize that something is amiss! Also, dental disease may not be apparent by simply looking at your animal’s teeth as it can be hidden under the gums. Signs to watch for can include decreased appetite, lethargy or irritability.

Big grin from Benny at walk time!

With Gizmo, I noticed that he wasn’t coming to eat his food which he usually would yowl for! So off to the vet. And they found that his front teeth were broken off, had gotten impacted in his gums and caused infection requiring his front teeth to be removed!

Taking a play break

Bubbles had an interesting situation as well…She had just come back to live with me so I did not know what her normal behaviour was and had no idea that anything was wrong. She was a bit of a cranky cat which I attributed to the adjustment from being an outdoor cat to an indoor cat. When I took her to the vet for her annual checkup they found that she had tooth resorption. This is a condition where the tooth starts to erode and be reabsorbed by the body!

This is actually quite a common condition in cats surprisingly, causing her a lot of pain. The vet removed that tooth and she was a different cat all of a sudden!! Much more friendly and loving. As this condition can reoccur in other teeth, I make sure that she gets to the vet for her annual checkup.

Bubbles yelling at me for her supper

Health Conditions

Dental disease in your pet can end up leading to other health issues. Besides tooth loss, the blood stream can carry bacteria from the gums to your pet’s kidneys, liver and heart which is why proper oral care is so important for our pets!

Prevention

It is recommended that you try to brush your pet’s teeth daily to prevent dental disease. Your pet’s annual vet checkup is also an important step in early detection of dental problems. However, with my experience and the inability to actually brush their teeth I ended up looking to other solutions.

Pet food was the first thing I looked to! My cats and dogs both eat Hills Science Diet Oral Care food. It is a larger kibble designed to clean your pet’s teeth when they bite it. And the best part is that it seems to taste great to my pets! And all other pets as well…I don’t even need to buy any other treats for the dogs, as they will come running for a piece of kibble! And Grace and Benson will pick that kibble out of the bowl before eating their other food! All the dogs at the dog park really like it too and I am frequently asked by other owners what treats I am giving out…

Grace gnawing on a marrow bone

My cats have great teeth when we go in for checkups now. But it still wasn’t quite enough to keep my dog’s teeth entirely clean. I give Grace and Benson frozen marrow bones once a week, which acts to brush and floss your dog’s teeth if there is enough meat and cartilage left on them. The marrow can cause some stomach sensitivities in some dogs however.

Grace and Benson were also getting a dog teeth brushing chew but I found that raw frozen chicken feet are nothing short of amazing! Their teeth at 3.5 years old look perfect! It’s a bit gross to watch them eat them, but hey it works! And it also comes with the added benefit of joint support since they have an abundance of protein, glucosamine and chondroitin.

Brushing their teeth daily is still the best way to clean your pet’s teeth, but I have found that my cats and dogs have good oral health with the steps I have taken above.

What to Avoid

If you are considering bones for your dog, it is important to find the right ones!! They should be raw as smoked and cooked bones can splinter and end up causing other health issues. Also, if they are too hard for your dog they can crack and break their teeth (I have heard of this issue with antler chews).

Size also matters! You want to make sure that you are getting bones that are too large for your pet to swallow. With my beasts this means finding the biggest bones I can!!

Nemo chilling on the beach

Treatment

Treatment of dental disease is done at the vet, and requires general anesthesia. The anesthesia in itself carries its own risks and I try to avoid it. It is also particularly risky to older pets. Nemo had really bizarre teeth and had to have dental cleaning twice and each time it was a nerve wracking process!

Prevention really is the best way to keep your pets happy and healthy! Dental care is an important part of caring for our pets and ensuring that you are taking care of it properly is vital to their overall health.

Be sure to read our other posts for more health tips!

The post How to Care for Your Pet’s Teeth first appeared on Help! I've Got Pets.

Do You Know What Your Pet Dreams About?

2023-05-15T23:33:12Z

Do dogs or cats dream? Absolutely!! But do you know what they dream about??? There’s that moment where they are soundly sleeping, then you notice a paw twitch…or a strange sound they are making…My Benny has had moments where it actually looks like he’s in some epic chase with the squirrels who always dart up a tree at seemingly the very last moment! It might not be as noticeable with cats…They are masters at hiding emotion…But you can bet there are dreams of mice kebobs going through their heads as well!

Whiskers cozied up by the fire for a few zzz’s

About Dog and Cat Sleep

Dogs and cats sleep a LOT as any pet owner can attest to! Most cats and dogs sleep on average 12 to 16 hours a day with cats generally sleeping more than dogs. Although I can tell you my Bernese Mountain dogs give my cats a run for the money when it comes to sleep time…You can read more on Bernese Mountain dogs HERE!

But dogs and cats sleep so much for entirely different reasons! With cats, it is largely due to their genetic history of being predators. It takes a lot of energy for those intense bursts to catch that pesky little mouse! Whereas for dogs it can be attributed to rest after play or a walk, or could be out of just plain boredom! It’s also about sorting out all the fun things that happened during the day!

Fawkes the Bernedoodle having a big nap!

REM Sleep – Where the Dream Magic Happens

The first stage in sleep in both humans and our pets is slow wave sleep, or SWS. The dog’s mind is relaxed but they are still ready to jump up at the slightest provocation as their muscles are not yet fully relaxed. And cats may appear to be asleep but they are generally just dozing and also ready to snap in to action!

The next stage of sleep is where that dream magic happens! The rapid eye movement stage, or REM, is where deeper sleep occurs. According to VCA Animal Hospital this happens for your dog after about 20 minutes of sleep. You may notice their eyes moving (hence the name) as their minds are active and your pup may also be making some sort of a noise, chuffing or barking and their legs may be twitching! And this is when you know your dog is immersed in dreamland! I love watching when my dogs are dreaming although by the time I get the camera out they are already done…

However, cats are a bit different from dogs. They don’t tend to enter a deep sleep for as long, perhaps only a matter of minutes! So this could be a reason why you don’t tend to catch your cat mid-dream as often as you do your dog!

Mr. Dior the Sphynx enjoying a warm cuddle and nap

So…What Are These Dog and Cat Dreams About?

It should come as no surprise that your dog or cat dreams about experiences they have had! I’m sure Benson dreams of chasing squirrels…or rolling on the beach…Where Miss Gracie could be dreaming of doing her favorite self-appointed job of being a foot warmer and getting her ears scratched! I would also like to think dogs dream of their owners and all the love and cuddles they get from their humans!

The cats? Besides world domination, they could be dreaming of a nice cuddle (on their terms that is) with their owner. Or maybe about chasing mice or squirrels (ambitious but my Ragdoll stalks squirrels all day long in the summer…although he’s never been brave enough to actually close the deal). Or they could even be dreaming of playing with a great catnip toy!

How is that even comfortable?

Do Cats and Dogs Have Nightmares?

If cats and dogs can dream, then it is fair to say that they can have nightmares as well. You might notice more intense movements, growling or whining or even a potential yelp. You can help your pet have happier dreams by making sure that they have great experiences during their day and avoid unpleasant experiences. No one knows your pet better than you do so be sure to be aware of their likes and dislikes.

Should You Wake Up A Pet During a Dream or Nightmare?

In one word: No. You should try not to wake up your pet if they are deep asleep and mid-dream! Although I know that I don’t have much of an inclination to wake up my pets if they are dreaming because I find it simply adorable to watch.

However, it can be much more tempting to wake up your pet if it looks like they are in distress and immersed in a nightmare. Waking them up can startle them though and put you at risk of injury if your pet wakes with an overreaction (like a bite or a nip).

If you do need to wake up a sleeping pet be sure to do it slowly and calmly.

Purrrrfect place for a nap!

Sweet Dreams!

So I think it’s fair to say that dogs and cats experience dreams much as we do! So be sure to give your pet plenty of cuddles and love and positive experiences to send them off to dreamland happy!

If you like what you are reading be sure to stick around check out more of our posts!

Sweet dreams Minnow!

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In Good Company – Celebrate Your Pet For National Pet Week!

2023-05-07T11:34:35Z

Happy National Pet Week! And what a better way to kick it off than to take a look at the joy and happiness our pets bring us and celebrate that bond! I was fortunate enough to speak with Johanna Siegmann with regards to her wonderful book, In Good Company (Notable People and Their Pets). This is a book that captures the unique bond shared with our pets through photography. Johanna brings stunning visualization to the magic that exists between pets and their people.

Through Johanna’s interpretational photography we can see how people and their pets go about and live their lives together, and get to the heart of the incredibly special relationship that exists between us and our pets. I purchased a copy of this book, and I can tell you it is nothing short of incredible and moving. I experienced a whole host of emotions from smiling and laughing to being brought to tears. You can feel the emotion through the pictures and Johanna’s comments on each one.

How It Began

Johanna’s love of photography started at an early age when she was given a Kodak Instamatic! She came from an artistic family and found her voice through writing. However, she found that a bout of chemotherapy changed how her mind processed things impacting her writing. As she wasn’t able to write anymore she found instead that she could capture a story through a single image and the concept was born.

I asked Johanna what led to the inspiration to capture people with their pets. She had been doing a photography shoot and at the end she was asked to take a picture of her client’s older dog. The ageing dog couldn’t get off the floor though, so the owner went down onto the floor with her dog and Johanna ended up down on the floor as well to capture the picture.

The owner and the dog leaned into each other, and in that moment she had an epiphinany that this was it, and that’s when the magic, the connection, the energy happened. This was what she was supposed to be doing.

And Johanna loves pets of all kinds, and has photographed 28 species (including us)! She loves to meet the pets and their owners and has a true passion for animals which is very evident in her magical photography.

The Concept

I found it very interesting to hear the process with regards to getting that perfect shot. And it starts well before the camera comes out! Johanna gathers detailed information about each one of her clients before the photo shoot through an intake process. From that she takes great care in coming up with a creative concept for the photograph which is unique to each and every one!

So before she even shows up at the door she already has it all planned out! The only things she doesn’t know are where the shoot is going to happen and if she will click with your pet. The end result makes it all worthwhile, with truly incredible photography that is able to capture that perfect moment between pets and their owners.

Image used with permission Source: Johanna Siegmann

The Meeting

And I’m sure that you can imagine that pets might not necessarily be the most cooperative subjects! I can’t even imagine what it would be like with my crew…So when she gets through the door she calibrates her energy to the pet when she meets them. She gets on their level. There are no theatrics or trying to get the pets to do new tricks. Johanna wants them to be themselves and act as they normally do! “Discovering part of their lexicon” in her words.

Her number one rule is never stress out the pet. When the pet is done, she is done.

Next Steps

After the meet and greet, the next steps are exploring and finding a place to do the shoot, setup wardrobe and lights and take some test shots. Pets are the last thing to come! Again, referring to the never stress out the pet rule she understands that pets can and usually do have a limited attention span. Some more than others…my Benson being a good example of minimal attention span!.

So Johanna knows the animals and is patient but ready to be extremely fast to truly capture the best shot! She knows to never take her eye off the pet. I know how hard it can be to get that picture! By the time I’m fumbling around with my phone or camera the moment has usually passed…Or I end up with a blurry or extremely unflattering picture! Capturing that perfect moment truly is a gift.

Sometimes the pet is still engaged after the initial concept is complete so she may try something else! So you may see more than one photo of that person and pet, a series that tells a story.

And it amazes me that the entire photo shoot is done within an hour! This is due to the amount of preparation that has already gone into the entire concept and she shows up ready to execute on that concept. In the rare occasion that the first concept doesn’t end up working out she usually has enough for another one that works just as well!

Image used with permission. Source: Johanna Siegmann

Our Quirky Pets

So I just had to ask Johanna which pets were her favorites to work with since has worked with so many species!

She is a cat person herself and told a rather funny story that she saw when it went viral on the internet. Its about three cats who fought and lorded over an empty box for 8 weeks before the owner could get that box away from them! According to Johanna, snakes are beautiful to photograph because of all the beautiful shapes and movements they make, and birds are funny. But donkeys are her favorite after visiting a donkey sanctuary! In her words, “they are just the best”.

Apex Protection Project

Part of the proceeds of purchases of this book go towards the Apex Protection Project. This is a non-profit organization for the protection of wolves and wolfdogs. They not only rescue them, but they also work to educate people and ranchers on understanding the importance of protecting the wolf population.

When I asked Johanna why she chose the Apex Protection Project as her charity of choice, she said that it was because of how important it is to have wolves for the ecosystem and sustainability due to the balance that they bring. And this was one single thing that she could do to have a direct impact. She mentioned what happened in Yellowstone, when wolves were eradicated in the 1930s and the ecosystem started to fail. Since their re-introduction it is beginning to thrive again!

Some Final Thoughts

I think Johanna said it best. “Pets are the most spiritual guide to becoming a better person. They humble us, don’t care about the mortgage. They are a gift to us”. And I couldn’t agree more. Her book captures the pure joy that pets bring us, the love between people and animals, the caring and compassion.

In Good Company is the perfect way to start celebrating our pets for National Pet Week! It is a book that would be enjoyed by any person who loves their pets, great for yourself or as a gift. You can find it online, at Amazon and Barnes & Noble and you can contact her though her website, johannasiegmann.com. Be sure to pick up your copy today, you won’t be disappointed! I can tell you that I was deeply, deeply moved.

And I can’t help but wonder what concepts she’d come up with for my diverse furry crew!

Note: all images used in this post are used with permission and are Copyright Johanna Siegmann 2023. Images may not be reproduced in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information browsing, storage, or retrieval system, without permission from Briton Publishing, LLC.

The post In Good Company – Celebrate Your Pet For National Pet Week! first appeared on Help! I've Got Pets.

How To Have A Safe Halloween With Pets

2022-10-07T17:30:14Z

My favorite season is among us, and it’s time to get spoooooky again! Halloween is undoubtedly my favorite time of the year but that means we have to think about how to have a safe Halloween when you have pets! Oh and of course it is also time to think about what costumes we are going to be getting! My bears have outgrown the vast majority of costumes you can buy in the store and I’m considering just throwing a white sheet over them for ghosts and calling it a day!

An amazing pumpkin display!

Halloween Decorations

Halloween decorations are the first thing to come out as we get closer to the big day. I know I have been working on my yard for the last couple of days once we got into October! However, decorations can present a multitude of dangers not only to our pets but to wildlife in general!

There can be wires that can be chewed and you have to watch for small decorations that can be swallowed as they present a choking hazard! I love to use a ton of artificial spiderwebs out in the yard as well, but be careful since these can entangle not only your pet but local wildlife! Last year I had to rescue a squirrel from mine…

Whiskers staging an attack on the pumpkin I was about to carve

Halloween Candy and A Safe Halloween With Pets

Candy and chocolate is a must at Halloween! And chocolate is a no-go where pet safety is concerned. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats due to the theobromine content as well as caffeine content. And the darker the chocolate the higher the theobromine content…According to the AKC one ounce of milk chocolate per pound of body weight is a concerning dose. If your dog consumes chocolate watch for vomiting and diarrhea, restlessness, and an increased heart rate. Since eating chocolate can also cause seizures and in some cases death you should consult your veterinarian.

Sugar free candy is another one to watch our for! This includes certain types of candy, mints and chewing gum. This is because sugar free candy contains xylitol which is also toxic to dogs and cats. Xylitol can cause listless and weakness in dogs as well as cause vomiting or collapse.

Halloween candy prepared and ready to go!

So really, the best thing to do is keep all Halloween candy out of reach to your pets (not only the contents but the wrapper can cause issues if ingested!). If your cat or dog manages to get into something they shouldn’t be sure to keep a close eye on them in case of adverse reactions. And of course consult with your vet.

A Safe Halloween With Pets and Costumes

Even as a fully grown adult with a daughter of my own, there is nothing I love more than planning my Halloween costume! And the dogs too! The cats? Ummmmm, yeah right haha. If I thought I could get away with it I would!

Grace looking every bit the superhero she is!

But did you know that there are things you need to take into consideration when picking out a costume for your pet? Pets can be prone to overheating in a cumbersome costume. So be sure to keep a close eye on your pet to make sure they aren’t showing signs of heat exhaustion in their costume. You can read more on heat exhaustion in dogs HERE.

Be sure to watch for anything that they can rip off or ingest as well.

And some costumes can be difficult to walk in and you definitely don’t want to put them in something that could restrict them from going to the bathroom! As I mentioned above I may just throw a sheet over my dogs this year…or another idea I have seen is just making a Ty heart and attaching it to their collar so they look like giant beanie babies! Sweet and simple!

Grace watching the Halloween decorations go up!

Halloween Pet Safety On The Big Night

Although my dogs love Halloween because they love attention from anyone and everyone, your pet may not be the same. While you socialize your dog and get them used to many sights and sounds at a young age, costumes aren’t your typical everyday appearance and could be alarming. There are also lots of extra sounds and excitement and doorbells being rung.

One of the pumpkins we carved last year

If your pet isn’t a fan of the ghosts and goblins, you can consider crating them away from the action in a quiet spot. Or if a crate isn’t your dog’s thing then sectioning off a quiet room for them. White noise can also help mask the extra sounds that come with Halloween. CBD could also be a good option to help your pet stay calm. You can read more on CBD for dogs HERE!

We would love to see your Halloween costumes with your pets!! Post them in the comments below!

The post How To Have A Safe Halloween With Pets first appeared on Help! I've Got Pets.

How To Budget With A Pet

2022-10-06T11:09:18Z

Figuring out how to budget with a pet is more important than ever! Many people ended up getting a new pet during the pandemic. And a lot of those were first time pet owners which for the unprepared can come with a bit of sticker shock as time goes on! We are now also seeing economic strains with inflation skyrocketing and interest rates rising rapidly across the globe. Unfortunately, this is leading to an increase in animals being abandoned or given to shelters as the financial strain of having a pet in the house is becoming simply too much.

It is so important to know what to expect on a yearly basis in terms of budget. Not to mention what the cost is over a lifetime of owning a pet. Having five pets I am fully versed in the costs of pet ownership! But it is heartbreaking for both pets and their owners to have to make the decision between keeping a pet or paying rent. A decision no one should be forced to make. So read on to find out what to expect before you bring a pet home and also for budget cutting tips!

Grace and Benson as puppies going for a car ride!

You’ve Made The Decision To Get A Pet

Congratulations! You have made the decision to get a pet! You are now likely doing some research and finding out more things such as the right breed/animal for your household and what to expect in terms of behavior and training once they arrive! But have you thought about the cost of the first year? Or the years after that? Or increasing costs once they enter their senior years?

Even the size of a pet alone can have a big impact on your budget. Got a big dog? That is a bigger food bill. And a bigger medication bill since many are dosed according to weight. I won’t even tell you what it costs to get Grace a monthly allergy shot…Not to mention it can cost more to find a dog walker willing to take on a large dog. And while you might be head over heels in love with that little pug face, you should be prepared for more health issues over their lifetime.

It sounds like a lot to consider. But by doing your research and knowing where you can save costs it can help you to prepare for a lifetime of joy with your pet! Read on to find out more!

Bubbles watching over baby Miesha after she came home

Startup Costs

Yes there are costs you are going to incur before that new little fluffball even crosses your doorstep! The first being the cost of acquiring your new pet in the first place! If you are looking for a new kitten or puppy on a budget, a rescue or a shelter should be the first place you visit. Besides their adoption fees being fairly reasonable you will also be giving that pet a chance for a new life! You can read more on the importance of adopting a shelter pet HERE.

If you are going the purebred route be prepared to pay MUCH more out of the gates unless you consider a rescue. And don’t let that tempt you to go for the too good to be true deal on a purebred puppy or kitten. Because there is a higher chance it is coming from a puppy mill and you will likely end up incurring more health problems and vet bills down the road. If not immediately…Read HERE on what to look for in a breeder…and what to avoid…

Murphy the Basset Hound puppy getting head scritches

Kitten and Cat Supplies

To be prepared to welcome a cat into your new home, at a minimum you will need to have food and water bowls, food, a kitty litter box and litter. I would also recommend a scratching post (unless you like the look of shredded furniture and rugs as they get used to sharpen kitty claws!) and some treats and toys. Kittens in particular are a bundle of energy! Tiring them out with toys leaves them with less reason to do acrobatics off your curtains!

You will also need to have a carrier to bring them home as well as take them to the vet. A collar with identification is also a good idea in case of escape…which they are masters at! And a brush helps to limit the amount of cat hair floating around and prevent matting in longer-haired cats. You can also look at a cat bed…But I have found mine are just as content (if not more so) to cuddle up on an old comfy blanket or sweater.

Grace getting into mischief with her food bowl stand!

Puppy and Dog Supplies

If you are getting a new puppy you might find yourself needing more in terms of supplies than with a kitten out of the gates! Besides the same bowls/food/toys you are at a minimum going to need a crate, collar and leash as well as poop bags, chew deterrents, puppy pads and training treats. You can read more on what to expect with a new puppy HERE.

And you have to think about what that puppy could destroy…I had to rip up all of the upstairs carpet since Grace ever so kindly decided to use it as a giant puppy pad…Or the massage chair that had the wires chewed through and went to the curb…

Whiskers says thanks Mom for the Bernese puppy!

The First Year – How To Budget With A Pet For Initial Vet Bills

Besides the initial checkup with your vet once they come home, there are many more vet bills to be incurred in the first year. Particularly if you have a kitten or a puppy! They may need to be dewormed, vaccinated, spayed or neutered and more. And if you have a female the spay is more expensive than it is to neuter a male since it is a more invasive/involved surgery. If your new pet has other issues (diarrhea is a common one…) there could be more costs to consider as well. Oh right, don’t forget about flea, tick and heartworm medication…

How To Budget With A Pet For Emergencies

Puppies and kittens are also mischievous and playful by nature! You can expect them to get themselves into all kinds of situations that could require an emergency vet visit. Be prepared to have something put aside for the “just in case” scenario. I have been fortunate with my pets so far! But went into panic mode when Benson chewed the hooked end of a hanging planter off…And I ended up sticking my entire hand down his throat to retrieve it…

Baby Parmesan over for a play date!

How To Budget With A Pet For Food

And of course now that your new pet is home you need to keep them fed right? Sure the grocery store food might be a cheaper option than a better quality one at a pet store…However, the hidden cost is that your pet may not be getting the proper nutrition and it could impact their health and teeth down the road. Which of course leads to more vet bills…Dental care for pets is NOT cheap.

How To Budget With A Pet For Toys

Cats and dogs of all ages need enrichment. Which means you will be wanting to have some toys on hand! But beware many of the cheap toys which can be hazardous to your pet’s health! Rope toys can unravel and be ingested and create blockages that require surgery. Hard rubber balls can be swallowed and choked on. And other toys that get torn apart can have parts that can also be dangerous when ingested. Best bet is to get something more durable even if it’s a bit more…

How To Budget With A Pet In Terms Of Ongoing Annual Costs

Regular vet visits, vaccinations, parasite control and of course food costs will be ongoing. If you have a dog and work outside of the home for more than four hours a day you are probably going to be looking at a dog walker or doggy daycare. Which can add up in a hurry. You will likely also need to be replacing collars, leashes and toys due to regular wear and tear. With my Berners and their growth rate over the first two or so years of their life I went through many before they were even worn out!

But outside of emergencies, you should have a pretty good idea what to expect and budget for once they get older. Although recent upticks in inflation are making this more difficult.

Grace choosing me when I went to pick out my puppy

Budgeting For The Senior Years

As much as we hate thinking about it, our pets will eventually enter old age. Which means we need to keep a more watchful eye on their health. I know with two of my cats getting into older territory we are now doing bloodwork at our annual wellness visits. And I am taking them back more frequently to address age-related issues. If you want to keep your pet comfortable as they age, put aside a bit extra if you can in case of age-related issues requiring vet visits. I think there is nothing sadder than seeing senior pets living out their last days in a shelter…

Creating Your Budget

Now you should have a good idea what to expect over the lifetime of pet ownership. And it’s important to make sure that you know how to budget for them.

Thinking Outside The Box When Preparing A Budget For A Pet

In terms of vet bills, you can get a wide variety of costs at different vets. Do your research before choosing a vet and when you have found a few to narrow it down to get referrals for the best option. For a neuter or spay your local humane society may be able to do it for a substantially lower cost than you would find at a vet. But make sure to call early because they can end up getting booked up pretty early…You don’t want to wait too long and end up with an oops…Or a male cat that sprays anything and everything in your house…

Big yawn from Whiskers after a play session

With so many pet stores out there (both online and in real life) it can be overwhelming. But many of them have sales that you can take advantage of. It may take a bit of careful planning but finding that great sale or coupon could be extremely helpful to a tight budget.

Also think about learning how to groom your pet at home since professional grooming can add up quickly! In terms of treats, consider buying a mold and making your own treats at home! It is also not only a great way to make nutritious treats but also great in terms of savings!

Budget With A Pet – In Conclusion

Knowing what you are facing when you get a pet is an important first step to ensure that you are fully prepared! With the additional first year costs with a puppy or kitten, if that seems out of reach for your budget you can always consider rescuing an older animal!

You can find a summary of the costs of owning a cat or kitten on the Ontario Veterinary Medical Associations webpage HERE and for a puppy or dog HERE.

In the US you can find the ASPCA’s table of pet ownership HERE.

If you find yourself in a dire situation reach out to some pet charities and see if they can help with some donations before considering rehoming or giving up your pet. After all, your pets are a part of your family.

The post How To Budget With A Pet first appeared on Help! I've Got Pets.

We Are Back and Better Than Ever! Did You Miss Us?

2022-10-04T14:26:47Z

We have taken a bit of a hiatus (by us I mean Grace, Benson, Bubbles, Miesha, Whiskers and of course myself!). Life got pretty hectic with a new full time job, return to the office and well, life in general!

The dynamic duo as inseparable as always!

What We Have Been Up To

As I mentioned above, a new full time job and a return to the office for a few days of the week meant a whole readjustment! I had been going in to the office when Grace first came home. But Benny boy came the weekend of the first lockdown…so I had not had to think about what it was going to take to leave two full grown (but still very much full of beans at times…) beasts and manage to get my daughter to and from school! (You can read more on what to expect with a Berner HERE).

And figuring it all out, well it was making me tired…so, so tired…I seriously underestimated what life after the pandemic was going to look like! And you forget pretty quickly what waking up at 4:30 and getting out the door to catch your bus by 6am felt like…

One of the many mice saved from Whiskers this summer

Making Arrangements

Figuring out the arrangements took a fair bit of thought and work. After all, wouldn’t anyone want to walk my really large and weirdly energetic/hoppy Berners? And the dogs know how to use the dog door I had installed…but pretty much refuse to use it…Unless a new person or dog happens to come into the yard, then they’re out the door before you can blink!

I tried talking to dog walkers I knew from my trips to the dog park, but no one had any spots open or were willing to take my two on. I was working from home for a bit yet so had some time to figure it out.

My daughter also represented me with a bit of a challenge because logging in by 6:45am meant no leisurely drive to school since she goes in a different part of the city…But I was able to line up a driver for her relatively easily.

You can imagine my relief when one of the walkers at the park agreed to add another walk to accommodate my pair! And to her surprise they weren’t quite as unruly as they would seem! Sure, Benny loves to attack Grace right before you get in the park…Try to take off after a squirrel and jump and wrestle with his leash…

I’m finding as they get older though that they listen much better and it doesn’t take much to get them back into line…And if I am going to be perfectly honest I love that Benson is still so playful and just a big goon at times!

Cat-napping hard…probably after bringing home a mouse

Return To Office

Just when we were settled into a nice routine again…The next shoe dropped…Back to the office for a few days a week! It had already been delayed a few times but this time it was for real…no more stalling…I won’t lie, it caused me a lot of anxiety. Back to figuring it all out again…I had a dog walker for the daytime and one day a week at Wild Dogs in Uxbridge already…

That being said, Grace being Grace, has decided that the backyard is NOT to be used for going to the bathroom unless it is a dire emergency! Read: if you don’t get her out immediately you’re going through a roll of paper towels to clean up the mess…Especially since she has been known to hold it in for more than 24 hours rather than simply GO IN THE BACKYARD.

This meant adjusting my schedule to make sure I was up and ready in time to take them for a half hour walk at the ungodly hour of 5:30am…With a wakeup at 4:30am. But hey, it was nice to see the sunrise for the brief month or two before it started staying dark for longer again!

Grace and Benson watching the world go by from the front porch

What It’s Like Outside at 5:30am

Even in a city as big as Toronto…it is eerily quiet outside at 5:30am…But it’s also incredibly peaceful and therapeutic I find. In the summer months when it is light out you get to hear all the birds starting their day (or in our area the Blue Jays letting out their signature screech…

Beautiful birds for sure but have you ever heard them when they get going? Key reason why I quit putting peanuts in my birdfeeder for them in the morning since they’d sit and scream outside my bedroom window at the crack of dawn every day. If you are curious about what that sounds like, check out their song HERE. And turn it up as loud as you can for the full effect!

Now that it is dark at that time of the morning all the night prowlers are still out! So we have to be wary of skunks, raccoons, coyotes and much more. I often see bats circling overhead as well! Grace decided that she doesn’t like that time of the morning, and will spin and startle at every little sound! On a rare occasion we run into another person, but at that time of day it is instant distrust, particularly from Grace…

Bubbles enjoying a moment in her golden years

Then and Now

So we are back to having things figured out and somewhat settled again. The weather is getting cooler (much to my dismay and Grace and Benson’s liking) meaning I have more indoor time on my hands. In the summer I prefer to spend as much of my day in the garden as possible since being in Canada means you only get three months of the good weather!

And over the course of the past year we have had many new experiences so you can bet that I’ll be doing some catchup writing about them!!

Be sure to check back often for new stories and posts, and don’t forget to leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts below!

Miesha misunderstanding the concept of work from home

The post We Are Back and Better Than Ever! Did You Miss Us? first appeared on Help! I've Got Pets.

Cat Hairballs: What You Need To Know

2022-03-24T15:50:23Z

Cat hairballs…I just had one of those moments as a cat owner (or being owned by a cat) where I heard that telltale, horrific yurking noise that means that one of my cats is about to throw up a hairball. And since my cats are masters of throwing up in the WORST places (over the side of a bookshelf, on the stairs, at the exact part of the floor my feet touch when I get out of bed) I ran like a madwoman to find the source to divert it to a “better” place!

And guess what? Did you guess I was too late?

Sprinting from my office down the hallway, a quick glance into my daughter’s room revealed Miesha sleeping soundly on my daughter’s bed. Moving on, Whiskers stared at me wide-eyed from the floor at the bottom of my bed as I burst into the bedroom at full speed! Not him, and he skittered off to the side…and there it was. My sweet old gal Bubbles, sitting in the middle of my freshly washed bed proudly presenting me with a GIANT hairball! UGH.

Bubbles, the regular size cat, beside the giant Ragdoll Whiskers

What Are Hairballs?

Hairballs are long and cylindrical mats of hair, tube like in their appearance. When you find one, you may notice food or liquid (mucous) with it as well. They obtain their cylindrical shape when they pass through the esophagus. If you didn’t see (or hear) your cat throwing it up, it could almost be mistaken for cat poop at a glance! But generally they are some sort of color related to the color of your cat. Pleasant, right?

How Do They Form?

Cats are fastidious in their grooming habits. I think outside of sleep, this is the number one thing mine spend their time doing. And unless you have a hairless cat some of that hair is going to be ingested as they lick and clean themselves, since their tongue has tiny backward hooks that catch the hair as they lick (why your cat’s tongue feels rough when they give you “kisses”). If that hair doesn’t get passed in their stool, it can collect in the stomach and intestine.

Trouble!

Once enough hair has gathered and clumped together, it irritates your cat’s digestive system…and let the awful retching noises begin! Whiskers in particular has another tell, and before the hacking begins he generally runs through the house yowling at the top of his lungs and I kick into action and grab the paper towels! I have to be careful not to get too close or give chase though, as this sends him running to hide and do it somewhere I can’t reach.

Are Cat Hairballs Normal?

Having cats my entire life, I’ve never had one that has not thrown up a hair ball at one time or another. The cats I have now aren’t too bad. Whiskers, being a long-haired Ragdoll, definitely has his moments though. Miesha rarely throws up a hairball but pukes everywhere more due to her highly stressed out nature.

Miesha and Bubbles

When Cat Hairballs Are A Problem

While most of the time a cat throwing up a hairball is nothing out of the ordinary, there are times that you might want to pay more attention. If your cat grooms itself obsessively it could lead to more hairballs. And you may need to look at ways to divert that behavior and reduce your cat’s anxiety. Like more play!

Also, if your cat is throwing up more hairballs than usual it could be indicative of some sort of gastrointestinal problem or blockage which requires a vet visit ASAP. This is usually accompanied by lethargy and/or loss of appetite. Other reasons for more frequent hairball production could be allergies or a skin disorder. With all of my cats, I noticed as they aged they tended to shed more which led to more surprises to step in.

Are you comfy?

What Can You Do About Cat Hairballs?

Brushing

While you’re not going to be able to prevent all hairballs, there are some things that you can do to lessen hearing the horrific sound you’re about to be presented with one. Frequent brushing can help remove dead and loose hair from their coats.

Most of my cats LOVE to be brushed with a fine wire brush. But my odd little cat Miesha does NOT like it and twitches her head all over and runs away! With her, I found a glove brush is just the right thing. And while these work fine on short hair, they don’t get deep enough into long coats so a longer bristle brush is what I use on Whiskers (I use the same one on my Bernese Mountain dogs Grace and Benson…You can read some of their stories HERE and HERE).

This guy…

Diet

You can also get special cat food and treats designed for reducing hairballs. Your vet may also be able to prescribe a lubricated medication for hairball prevention in your cat! This will help assist the hair to pass through their system. Adding more fiber can also keep their digestive system healthy and more capable of passing the hair through. In the worst cases where a blockage has occurred, surgery may be the only way to remove a hairball.

So hairballs aren’t the end of the world. They sure sound like it though when your cat is yacking one up! If you like this post, be sure to follow us and check out other posts!

The post Cat Hairballs: What You Need To Know first appeared on Help! I've Got Pets.

How To Find The Best Pet Sitter For Your Pets

2022-03-07T15:24:33Z

Finding a reliable pet sitter is something near and dear to my heart. Last summer I thought I had it made when I decided to have someone stay in the house to pet sit and look after the house and garden. In exchange we would pay a fee comparable to other pet/house sitters. My daughter and I left for our two and a half week road trip back home and I had peace of mind. However, upon our return things obviously were NOT as smooth as I had hoped…

Whiskers stretched out by the fire

The Unpleasant Return Home

Even while I was away I figured things were fine. I was getting cute texts and photos and nothing was ever said otherwise. What I found on my return home was FAR from fine. The dogs were stressed and disheveled, and two of my three cats that were declared “in the basement, I don’t know, I haven’t seen them” were actually outside and missing.

They finally, nervously came home and were scared to come in initially. They were hungry. The house was an absolute disgusting mess. This was complete with water and mold in the basement, stains on the marble countertops, rotting fruit in the sink, ripped sheets and much more.

I declared I would never, ever leave my pets alone with a sitter again! This was a referral from a friend’s ex-wife. What could go wrong, right? She came to visit the dogs several times and walked them both with hers and with me there in case she needed help. She knew the layout of the neighborhood and the schedule. I thought I had the perfect pet sitting and house sitting solution!

What I Learned

What I learned is that not just anyone can look after your pets. My Bernese Mountain Dogs Grace and Benson, while good, are BIG and can be a handful if they so choose (Read THIS story to see what I mean)! They need a firm hand on walks! And you need to constantly reinforce good training habits with them or Benson will rip your arm out of its socket going after a squirrel!

The sitter last summer tried suing me for this very reason for physiotherapy, and also claimed to fall down on my property and live with mold (that she created…) and got town council and lawyers involved…After causing thousands of dollars of damage to my home and neglecting my animals…Oh, and after coming to walk them to get to know them ahead of time.

So this time around I decided that I needed to take a different approach and go the professional route or at least ensure that I had someone that would actually be competent with my pets. And hopefully not let the house and garden go to ruins (the sitter last summer did a walk around the yard with me to see what needed taking care of…declared in her email to lawyers that she was not hired to be a gardener when everything was dead upon returning home).

Grace living her best life at home

The Dogs

There is no question that it takes someone with big dog experience to watch Grace and Benson. When the lady that came told me that her family has a Bernese that she watched. It made me feel good about leaving the dogs with someone who knew the breed.

Boy, was I wrong! I’m not sure what kind of experience she really had! According to walkers, friends and neighbors the dogs were barely getting out and never at the same time. And as mentioned above, they were stressed out. Berners are a sensitive breed. Any amount of yelling or harsh discipline towards them does not help and makes them shut down. You can read more about Bernese Mountain dogs HERE.

The Cats

The cats are super easy. If you meet their basic needs (food, shelter, water) they pretty much take care of themselves! Asking where the cats were and being told they were in the basement I headed down to find them. Miesha was the ONLY cat in the house! Panicking, I ran outside and frantically started calling Bubbles and Whiskers since they had been out for who knows how long!

Bubbles, who is a treat fiend, showed up first when I went out shaking treats. She was scared, hungry and had lost weight. Looking at the house nervously, I managed to coax her over to me, gently pick her up and carry her inside. She looked around frantically and retreated to hide.

Miesha doing her best big cat impression

Calling and calling (Whiskers doesn’t like treats, weirdo!), there was no sign of him. Finally after dark he showed up wild eyed and looking everywhere! It took some convincing, but he finally came back in the house as well. And I had my family back together again.

The Next Vacation Looming…

After not travelling anywhere but home for the past two years due to the pandemic…I did something crazy…I booked us a trip to Mexico this spring! After being conditioned to just stay inside and stick close to home, just hitting the “BOOK NOW” button was a huge feat…Then it hit me…WHAT was I going to do with the animals…

Boarding

I considered boarding with the dogs. However, I am not a fan of confinement during boarding which immediately crossed a lot of places off the list. My dogs are really comfortable at the farm outside the city where they go for day trips though. And they have spent the night there before. They are welcome to roam their home for their stay. However, they aren’t booking boarding at this time.

Gracie and Benny hanging in the backyard

I could also have considered placing them in someone’s home in the city but the dogs don’t do well in strange environments and Benson will end up pooping everywhere…inside and out…as he did in the RV and at my parent’s house when I took him home two summers ago…And even if I boarded the dogs, I’d still need to find someone to check in on the cats because boarding with them just isn’t an option.

An Alternative Solution

All this led me to start getting online and doing more investigating. And one option that really seemed worth checking out to me was a take on house swapping. You set up a profile, pay an annual fee and put up a listing for your home and your pets. I went with Trusted House Sitters and set up a profile and a listing for the dates we would be away.

The idea is that someone who is either visiting your area or in your area even comes to stay in your home. In exchange for free lodging, they take care of your pets and your home! They do background checks, ID checks and you can see references and reviews. Depending on what level of membership you sign up for there are other perks such as content insurance and lounge access at airports! You can even sign up to pet sit for someone else when you are travelling!

Snow day!!!

Within a matter of two days I had a sitter lined up for the pets and the house! I have been very pleased with the process so far. I have been diligently working on filling out the Welcome Manual and am optimistic for a good experience! I’ll be sure to write an update post-trip!

Considerations

Cats

There are so many things you need to take into consideration if you are leaving your pet! I was just far too trusting and didn’t do enough due diligence. The first thing to consider is the type of animal you have! Most cats are MUCH more comfortable at home! When we first moved into our home I didn’t find Whiskers for three days!

Many cats without medical issues will be fine left at home alone with sufficient food, water and access to kitty litter for a couple days (think a weekend). It is worth having someone stop by every couple of days to check in though just to make sure all is well.

Dogs

Dogs, on the other hand, need more hands on care (I know I’m stating the obvious as dogs really are just like children who never grow up!). Only you know your dog and what they will tolerate in terms of boarding and care. At a very minimum they should be up to date on their shots and healthy. Will your dog do well if they are crated for periods of time? If so, then you should have a good amount of options available.

If not, you could consider in home sitting or having your dogs visit a dog sitter’s home for the duration of your trip. My dogs are most comfortable in their own environment which is why I find it important to find someone who is able to come stay with them in their own home.

Age or Other Conditions

Age of the animal also makes a difference. A young kitten should not be left at home unsupervised for long periods of time because they can get into so much trouble! You know, chewing wires, shredding curtains, getting caught up in something…And older cats and dogs can also need extra care which is where in home sitting situations may be a better option. If your animal has any medical needs an in-home sitter can ensure they are getting the proper care and attention they need.

Cozied up by the fire

What To Look For

Experience

Does the pet sitter you are considering have the appropriate experience with your animals? Cats generally are easier than dogs since they are pretty much self-sufficient once their basic needs are met. They may have some attention and grooming requirements. If they have medication requirements, you may need a pet sitter who is experienced in administering medications including pills, drops and injections (i.e. for diabetic cats requiring insulin – you can read more on feline diabetes HERE).

Dogs on the other hand are much more dependent on their caregiver. They require exercise and attention. They may be more laid back or very energetic! My dogs are gentle giants, but I still need someone with experience handling large dogs or it can be an issue as I mentioned above. If you can, try to have your pets meet your pet sitter ahead of time to see how they react with and handle your pets.

Chilly beach day

References

Reference checks are important! You want to find out what experience the other pet owners had first hand. This is where I really like Trusted House Sitters since you can see reviews from previous pet siting visits right from the pet owners easily on the website. Be sure to have a list of questions to ask so you are getting all the information you need! Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions.

Are They Insured?

Liability insurance helps cover issues such as accidents and negligence (such as damage to your home or injury to your pet). They could also be bonded to protect against theft, which also includes having a background check. Having some sort of insurance provides you with additional peace of mind.

If I had done a proper search and found either a pet sitter with insurance or a company that provides coverage I would not have had to worry as much when I came home to find damage to my home last summer. I am just thankful that my animals (when they were all back home) did not have any injuries. The cats that were left outside easily could have been killed by a predator with the foxes and coyotes in the neighborhood. There was also an instance of the leash being let go as Benson chased a squirrel and ran across a busy road.

Additional Certification or Training

Does your pet sitter have any additional certification or training? Like pet first aid? It is important for you to know that your pet will be looked after properly in case of an emergency or if a health issue arises!

Nothing like a good belly rub!

Make It A Success!

We all want a pet sitting experience to be a success for all parties involved! There are a few things that you can do ahead of time to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

Pet-Sitting Manual

Be prepared with a pet sitting manual! Be sure to provide as much information and be as thorough as you can with regard to:

Feeding schedule
Exercise schedule
Special needs
Likes and dislikes
Personality
How to look after your house
Where to find things in your neighbourhood
What to avoid

By giving your pet sitter all the information ahead of time it can head off problems down the road and make things much more smooth for your pet and your pet sitter!

Meet Ahead of Time

Meeting your pet sitter and having them interact is important as well if you are able to arrange such a meeting ahead of time. You can see if your pets are comfortable with your pet sitter and vice versa. This helps you determine if they are a good fit.

In Conclusion

I have learned a lot through my experience what to look for (and what not to do) when bringing someone into your home to look after your pets. Hopefully after reading this you have a good idea as well what you think would be the best solution regarding finding a pet sitter for your pets!

Let me know in the comments below what you have found works for you!

The post How To Find The Best Pet Sitter For Your Pets first appeared on Help! I've Got Pets.