Top 10 Ways Pet Owners Can Be Courteous Hosts

 
by Stacy K 9. November 2009 10:16

lap dog

With the holidays comes celebrations and parties, and since the warm weather is gone for many of us, that means these celebrations happen indoors. Some pets may not be used to crowded spaces and unfamiliar faces, but there are many ways to prepare both your pets and your guests for the soirée so that everyone enjoys themselves. Read on to learn how to be a good pet-loving host.

  1. Firstly, make your guests aware that you have a pet. That way, you can prepare by doing some extra cleaning and vacuuming if they have allergies.

  2. Don’t let pets sit on your guest's lap (unless it is welcomed). It can be very uncomfortable for a guest if your pet climbs onto their lap and they are not sure what to do with it. 

  3. No licking! Kisses are nice—when they are welcome, but nobody likes a big wet one to the face. Save your guest from having to wipe off pet saliva, don’t let your pet lick them.

  4. Down. Train your pet to keep four-on-the-floor (no jumping up). While it’s great to be greeted when we arrive somewhere, not everyone likes animal friends climbing up their legs.

  5. No bark! Keep your pets quiet as barking can be very loud and obnoxious and make someone uncomfortable in your home.

  6. Sniffing: while it’s alright to let your dog sniff your guest’s removed shoes, it may make your guest very uncomfortable to be sniffed all over.

  7. Make sure your pet is freshly bathed. As a guest, we might give your furry friend a pat on the head out of courtesy, but no one likes that grime left on their hands from an unwashed pet.

  8. Feed your pet before having company over. Some people can be easily sickened by the smell of fresh pet food.

  9. Guests must behave too! It is inappropriate for guests to feed your pet any food or snacks unless approved by you.

  10. Be sure that guests aren’t crowding your pet’s space, especially younger children as this can cause stress to your pet.
How do your pets behave around guests?


From the folks at Trupanion pet insurance, we thank you for visiting our blog and being a part of the community. It is our goal to educate pet owners everywhere about the importance of pet care, positive pet parenting, pet safety, and the many advantages of Trupanion pet insurance. Thanks again for visiting our blog and remember to protect your pet and yourself with Trupanion pet insurance.

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Plan Ahead Before Adopting A Pet

 
by Stacy K 2. November 2009 11:53

A recent article in the Detroit Free Press outlined the responsibility of adopting a new pet and the problems with impulse pet adoptions.

The idea of a new fur-baby brings a sense of euphoria that makes it easy to entirely forget about all the planning and preparation required for a new pet.

Adoptable dog

Impulse decisions lead to less-than-perfect pet matches and as a result, many animals get returned to the shelter left wondering what they did wrong.

Below are some basic things to consider when adding a new pet to the family to ensure both you and your new pet the most optimal situation and companionship.

  • Are YOU ready for a pet? Bringing a new pet into your home is a long term commitment of time, energy, money, and most importantly, your love. Make sure that you're financially prepared to care for a pet in the long term. Also be sure you have plenty of time to spend with the pet, especially in the first few months. If you're a late-night partier, or a frequent traveler, then a new pet may not be right for you.

  • Breed specific? Once you've decided you're ready for a pet, take time to decide what characteristics and qualities you're looking for. Size, energy level, age, gender, and breed are all very important to consider. If you're into a specific breed, research it to find out what you can expect, and prepare accordingly. Some breeds need daily vigorous exercise while others are content to sit on your lap.

  • Meet the pet. Animals act differently in a shelter than they will at your home. While Fido seems spunky and friendly in the cage, you might soon find that he is crazy-hyper and destructive at home. Be sure to spend as much time as you can with the pet and learn all about him before making the commitment. Also be sure to introduce your current pets to the new prospective because not all animals will magically get along just because you put them in the same house.

  • Be a hero. Visit an animal shelter or your favorite breed rescue instead of buying from a breeder or pet shop.
    Chicago Tribune writer, William Hageman said it well: "Shelters are becoming prime sources for quality purebred dogs -- well-kept, socialized, trained and family-ready -- because of the economy."

Main lesson learned? Think it through before bringing Fluffy home.

Can you think of more pet adoption tips? Share them with us!


From the folks at Trupanion pet insurance, we thank you for visiting our blog and being a part of the community. It is our goal to educate pet owners everywhere about the importance of pet care, positive pet parenting, pet safety, and the many advantages of Trupanion pet insurance. Thanks again for visiting our blog and remember to protect your pet and yourself with Trupanion pet insurance.

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Pets Go Green!

 
by Stacy K 23. October 2009 09:41

After a recent posting we did on our Facebook page, I was inspired to delve into the topic of saving the environment and carbon footprints and share some of the tips from that article. Most people may not realize that their pets, too, have an impact on the environment; a carbon pawprint, if you will.

"Going Green" is simultaneously a growing concern as well as a trendy way of life that is catching on as of late. As pet owners, we wouldn't particularly consider our furry friends "consumers" which means we often fail to realize that there are actually many ways that we can alter our lifestyle and pet routines to be kinder to the environment.

Tips from the Chicago Tribune article include:

Get the good stuff: Invest in a high-quality pet food that lists a protein such as beef, lamb, chicken or fish as the first ingredient rather than a by-product or beef meal. This one change can make a major impact on your pet's health while reducing the amount of poop left to scoop.

Keep it simple: Avoid all those packaged, heavily processed treats designed to resemble human junk food. Trust me, your dog can live without corn-based "treats" shaped like mini porterhouse steaks.

Recycle: Those cans and plastic food bags don't need to wind up in a landfill. Start by shopping for products with minimal packaging, and then recycle whenever possible.

Go green: Most pets enjoy the addition of fruits and veggies in their food bowl. I've had success with arugula, roasted sweet potatoes and baked carrots mixed in with my dog's food. Be prepared for a little trial and error -- Lulu detests bananas while a friend's dog loves them -- and consult your veterinarian before making major changes to your pet's diet.

Ditch the plastic: Stainless steel or ceramic food and water bowls remove the risk of exposing your pet to bisphenol A or BPAs. They also last a lot longer.

Get the 'green' poop bags: Eliminate plastic grocery bags and shop for corn-based, biodegradable poop bags. A pack of 100 bags from Poopbags.com costs around $20.

Dump the clump: Under the best of circumstances, cats can be somewhat resistant to change. So start sloooowly by adding shredded newspaper or wood chips to the kitty litter mix in place of clay-based clumping stuff that winds up festering in a landfill.

Embrace hemp: Who knew that hemp could produce durable, eco-friendly pet products? Scope out your pet store and you will probably find rope toys and stuffed animals from brands like Earthdog and Simply Fido that will appeal to the toughest chewers. Petside offers a roundup of the Top 10 Green Pet Toys for cats and dogs.

Shop with purpose: Pet toys don't undergo rigorous testing, so those super-cheap squeaky toys overflowing in the dollar bin come with a wealth of unknown risks.

This dog is trying to go green!
But "green" pet lovers have created a demand for products made from renewable resources and recycled products. Companies like Planet Dog responded with an "Orbee-Tuff" line of balls and chew toys made with nontoxic material. West Paw is another popular brand of cat and dog products made with recycled plastic bottles. The company also supports national animal shelters, so purchasing their products is like making a deposit into the karma bank for you and your lucky dog or cat.

Get crafty: You can make your own catnip, but remember that finicky felines may require patience and creativity. If you are a cat lover, you already know that.


Do you currently practice any of these habits, or plan to?


From the folks at Trupanion pet insurance, we thank you for visiting our blog and being a part of the community. It is our goal to educate pet owners everywhere about the importance of pet care, positive pet parenting, pet safety, and the many advantages of Trupanion pet insurance. Thanks again for visiting our blog and remember to protect your pet and yourself with Trupanion pet insurance.

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Back to school: Pencils, check. Backpack, check. Fido?

 
by Stacy K 28. August 2009 09:35

It’s that back-to-school time yet again. Aside from school supply lists and new shoes, we may forget to take into consideration what “back to school” means—for our pets. While it’s something we don’t tend to think about, pets experience a big shift from having kids home all the time to being alone. If you’re lucky like me and get to take your pet to work then this doesn’t apply to you. But for everyone else, here are some quick fixes to making that transition easier for your pet.

Don’t forget that pets need lots of exercise, no matter what the season. If they’re going to be home alone for longer stretches, a good idea is to make sure they get daily walks or play time. A walk or quality play time before you leave will relieve your pet of some of that energy in preparation for a long boring day at home. Of course long walks are ideal, but even if you can spare an extra ten minutes, your pet will thank you. It’s also extremely beneficial to your pet to give it some exercise in the evening as well. According to Colleen Paige's article in Urban Dog Magazine, a dog’s energy cycle typically causes it to be most active in the morning and evening times. Check out this blog post for exercise activity ideas.

Prepare for unusual behavior. Pets with separation anxiety might act out by destroying things other than their own toys and having “accidents” around the house. Be sure to desensitize your pet to your leaving and returning by keeping the whole ordeal very low-key. Learn more tips on how to deal with separation anxiety.

Sad dog

Lastly, crank up the love. I’m sure you smother your pet with love as it is, but since no one’s home during the day to attend to your furry friend, you can make up for lost lovin’ after work or school by giving your pet a little extra attention. Teach your pet some new tricks as the mental stimulation will keep him entertained and prevent destructive behaviors. Try out a new toy, or just snuggle while you watch TV. Keeping your pet happy will help him easily get accustomed to the new routine.

Though some pets are relatively unaffected by this change in routine, it’s still a good idea to make sure that they are doing well with the transition. What it all boils down to is this: Be sure to spare time between homework, lunchboxes and report cards to give plenty of love and exercise to your four-legged companion.


From the folks at Trupanion pet insurance, we thank you for visiting our blog and being a part of the community. It is our goal to educate pet owners everywhere about the importance of pet care, positive pet parenting, pet safety, and the many advantages of Trupanion pet insurance. Thanks again for visiting our blog and remember to protect your pet and yourself with Trupanion pet insurance.

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Top 10 Facts for Pet Pearly Whites

 
by Stacy K 22. July 2009 15:54

You brush your teeth to keep them strong and healthy and of course to avoid painful dentist drills. But you may forget that your furry friend's chompers need to be taken care of too! Animals can get cavities and dental problems just like humans which is why it's good to start a regular teeth-brushing regimen. This simple list provides you with all the basic facts you need to know about keeping your pet’s teeth clean and healthy.

1.       Stinky pet breath may be unpleasant for us is also a commonly ignored sign of serious oral health issues.


2.       Oral hygiene is just as necessary for our pets as it is for humans and is equally important for both cats and dogs.


3.       Poor dental hygiene can lead to calculus and plaque deposits on the teeth. Excessive plaque buildup grows bacteria which causes bad breath, gum and bone infection, and pain to your pet.


4.       Lack of a good dental cleaning routine also causes problems such as tooth decay and periodontal disease.


5.       Advanced periodontal disease can cause bacteria to enter the blood stream and infect internal organs such as the heart and kidney. Along with organ failure, it causes loss of teeth and extreme pain and discomfort to your pet.


6.       In order to keep your pet’s mouth healthy, you should develop a regular teeth cleaning routine for your pet. When brushing your pet’s teeth, be sure to use veterinary toothpaste that is meant for animals as human toothpaste contains fluoride which can be toxic to pets.


Dog with white smile

7.       For pets that are not used to having their teeth brushed, begin by letting them smell the toothpaste and get used to your hands around their mouth.


8.       Put a small blob of toothpaste on your finger or a pet toothbrush and start by gently brushing along the gums of the upper teeth. Continue in a circular motion around the mouth and try to get the back teeth as best as possible. Your pet should become more comfortable with the process as it continues to experience having its teeth brushed.


9.       Daily brushing is recommended but at least twice a week will do. A regular routine will not only keep your pet’s teeth healthy, but reduce the need for costly dental cleanings at the vet.


10.   Dry food and treats and hard chew toys and bones are best for keeping your pet’s teeth healthy on a daily basis. You might also supplement your routine by offering dental hygiene chews such as C.E.T. chews to your pet both enjoyable to your pet and beneficial to their oral health.




From the folks at Trupanion pet insurance, we thank you for visiting our blog and being a part of the community. It is our goal to educate pet owners everywhere about the importance of pet care, positive pet parenting, pet safety, and the many advantages of Trupanion pet insurance. Thanks again for visiting our blog and remember to protect your pet and yourself with Trupanion pet insurance.

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