Guest Blogger Jackie Roberts Offers Timely Pet Tips for Busy People
You know the look. The one your dog gives you when you’re leaving for work. That look that says, “You’re leaving?! You’re leaving me here all ALONE?!” Your cat may feel the same way, but she just won’t show it until three in the morning when she expels a hairball.
Either way, the feeling of neglecting your beloved pets is heart wrenching, probably to the point where you feel so guilty, you may spoil them a little more than usual. There’s nothing wrong with the occasional indulgence, but your pets also just deserve good care. Even with a busy schedule, you can spend quality time with your pets, and take care of their needs. Here’s how.
Buy Pet Supplies Online
Think about it. How much time do you spend at the store buying the things you need to take care of your pet? You have to drive there, shop, load everything in the car, and take it home, and unless you were able to take your pet with you, it’s another hour or two she spent at home without you. Instead, do your pet supply shopping online. You can buy food, toys, treats, and even pet meds online, all from the comfort of your home while your kitty purrs contentedly on your lap, and your dog lies at your feet. Most sites even offer free shipping (under certain conditions), but even if you pay for shipping, think of the time and gas it will save you, not to mention the extra time you get with your pets at home.
Multitask Smartly
Set aside an hour or two over the weekend to watch a few TV shows you’ve recorded on your DVR during the week, or put a feel-good movie on. Then settle yourself on the floor with your pet (or the couch, if they’re allowed up there), and give his coat a good brushing. This does a few things. Brushing your dog’s or cat’s coat helps keep it healthy and shiny, reduces shedding, massages the skin to promote healthy hair growth, and best of all, just feels great for your pet! You get relaxation time, and your furry friend gets lots of attention. Win-win!
Take Your Pet to Work
Admittedly, this isn’t an ideal solution for a cat, bird, fish, or exotic pet. But a dog? Your dog would love you more (if that’s even possible) if he could spend the day with you. Many companies are adopting pet-friendly policies. Allowing employees to bring their dogs to work makes them happy, which improves morale, not to mention productivity. Your company doesn’t allow dogs? Talk to your boss or HR manager. Tell them about the benefits (If you didn’t have to rush home to let your dog out, you could work later when needed, right?). And if you manage it, take time out of your workday to walk your four-legged pal. Maybe play a little ball, or just get in some cuddle time. He’ll be much happier, and so will you.
Giving your pets the proper care and enough time out of your busy day is really just about honoring the commitment you made when you got your pet. You know it’s about much more than just feeding them, giving them toys, and hoping they’ll entertain themselves. Sharing your life with a pet can be rewarding on both ends. Your pet is ever-willing to make the effort. Now it’s up to you.
About Jackie Roberts
Jackie is a writer for 1-800-PetMeds, and loves to help and support the pet community. You can find Pet Meds on Twitter or connect with Pet Meds on Facebook.
Towel Wrap Your Cat in 5 Easy Scratch-Free Steps
Here’s Arden Moore’s latest post on Vetstreet.com — be sure to visit Vetstreet for other tips and pet stories.
When you need to trim your feline’s nails or give her medication, there’s a common household item that can make the procedure go much more smoothly — a large bath towel.
“Wrapping your cat in a towel is a great way to protect yourself from claws,” says Dr. Sophia Yin, a veterinarian and applied animal behaviorist. “Towel wrapping also prevents escapes, and helps calm down a cat.”
Toweling can also benefit cats who tend to be anxious, fearful or aggressive when handled, adds Dr. Yin, author of Low Stress: Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modifications of Dogs and Cats.
“Cats can be more difficult than dogs to restrain for several reasons,” says Dr. Yin. “In general, cats receive less socialization and handling than dogs, and their evolutionary history as a prey species can also cause them to feel more vulnerable when restrained. And cats can easily reach around to grab, bite or scratch you.”
Top Toweling Tips
Before you try the technique, Dr. Lin offers a few tricks that you can do to make toweling easier:
Never rush or force your cat into a towel. She may scream or even urinate or defecate out of pure panic.
Position your cat on top of a towel that’s on a flat surface. Then open a can of food and place it on the towel, so that your cat has to lie or sit on the towel to eat her meal.
Loosely wrap the towel over your cat’s back while she eats. Gently pet her back and let her walk away when she’s done eating.
“If your cat is more motivated by toys, dangle a feather wand for her to swat while on the towel,” says Dr. Yin. “The goal is to have your cat develop a positive association with the towel. It’s also important for the owner to be calm and not feel rushed or frustrated, because the cat can read those emotions.”
There are several toweling-the-cat techniques, but one of the most effective and versatile options is known as the “scarf wrap.” It gives you access to your cat’s rear end, front legs and head — all while keeping her snug and calm.
Scarf Wrap Your Cat in 5 Steps
Dr. Sophia Yin
Step 1 Start by placing your cat several inches from the front edge of the towel, about a foot in from one side.
Step 2 Wrap the short side of the towel snugly around your cat’s neck, like a scarf.
Step 3 Pull the short side of the towel over your cat, so that her entire body is covered, except for the face.
Step 4 Pull the front edge of the towel forward, which will wrap under your cat’s neck.
Step 5 Once the towel is wrapped all the way around, grab the other side and pull it over your cat, making sure that it’s snugly in place.
Now that your cat is secured in the towel, you can give her medication or clip her nails by working on one leg at a time. When trimming nails, use your arm to gently hold the cat next to your body, and keep your hands away from her mouth to prevent bites.
For more tips on handling your dog or cat safely, check out Dr. Lin’s book, Low Stress: Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modifications of Dogs and Cats.
Best Pet Friendly Inns in New England
Thinking about planning a vacation in New England with your best travel companion — your dog (and the occasional travel-savvy cat)? Well, please check out this savvy advice in a guest post from Noella Delaney. Be sure to share with your pet pals!
Noella writes:
When you are vacationing in New England, stop by these five inns that not only welcome pets, they cater to them! Gone are the days of feeling like a lesser citizen because you have your four legged friend in tow. None of these places will push you into one of the shabby, ground floor smoking rooms just to save a nickel on cleaning. You’ll have all the amenities you expect from quaint northeastern accommodations and also fun extras for your furry friend.
Harraseeket Inn, Freeport, Maine
In this colonial carriage house you’ll be greeted with a cozy fire, plush furnishings and world class dining options. For your pet, there is a welcome pack that includes a cushy bed, a tin of wet food, homemade biscuits, water dish and even complimentary clean up bags. While your pet is romping around the yard, you’ll be glad to know the grass is herbicide free, (the whole property is as green as possible). There is doggy room service available (1/4-pound fresh chicken or beef with sliced pork liver on top—raw or cooked to their liking), but your pet will also be able to join you on the patio of the Broad Arrow Tavern. My favorite part of the deal? The inn donates $5 from the nightly pet fee ($25) to the Coastal Humane Society!
Lazy Dog Inn, Chocorua, New Hampshire
Admittedly pup-centric, this amazing property will be both four and two-legged family members’ favorite retreat! This 1845 built farmhouse boasts the “Doggy Lodge,” a temperature controlled play area, as well as an expansive outdoor run (fenced, of course). There is a convenient dog-wash facility for those muddy days and the staff will even hang with your canine at the property if you have a no-dogs-allowed activity on your itinerary. You’ll love sweet Molly and Meghan, the resident golden retrievers, who will make you feel at home. They call it “A Truly Dog Friendly Bed and Breakfast,” and you’ll agree!
The Paw House Inn, Rutland, Vermont
This inn was just featured on the Travel Channel it’s so great! Tucked in rural Rutland near the popular ski areas, this B & B will treat your pups to plush bedding, homemade treats daily and even an agility course to play on! For humans and dogs alike, there are hiking trails and 120 acres to romp on—even outdoor movie showings! Mario’s Playhouse is a specially designed building where your pet can stay if you need to pop out for a bit. Climate controlled, safe and comfortable, it’s a great home base if you are out of the room. Play time and long walks with the staff are included in your room fee, if you are out on the slopes. This amazing place is so dedicated to pet friendliness; they impose a fee of $10 if you arrive without a pet!
The Inn at Restful Paws, Sturbridge, Massachusetts
This truly unique pet property is on 31 acres in central Massachusetts. “The place where pooches bring their people to relax,” is their motto. Nicely kept grounds with gazebos, wooded walking trails and picnic tables make your time outdoors with your dog a pleasure, but the real treat here is Rosie B’s. This custom designed dogs-only swimming pool is indoors, in ground and treated with special non-toxic, non-chemical purification systems. Your dog will have a blast jumping in after toys or wading around in the beach-style shallow end. If your dog is a real glutton for exercise, there are on-site agility classes too! Your room will come with “accident” cleaning supplies, a plush dog towel, a bean bag bed for the pup and a clever paw-print-proof bed cover for the peoples’ bed too.
Noella Schink is a travel writer from Portland, Maine. She loves to take road trips with her two shih-tzus Brutus and Chloe (they love car rides, too!). She makes her hotel bookings with Excellent Hotels when she’s traveling and always appreciates it when a property accepts both her and her dogs.
Vetstreet.com’s Insider Guide to Cat Shows
Just a couple weeks before the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club’s dog show comes the big cat show being staged in San Diego. As contributing editor for Vetstreet.com, Arden Moore of Four Legged Life chats with Joan Miller, a renown cat judge and breed expert who shares insights.
Here is a portion of that story posted today on Vetstreet.com:
Fascinated by felines but don’t know a Cornish Rex from a Sphynx? Wonder what a judge looks for when selecting best in show? Eager to witness the fast-growing sport of feline agility? Then it might be time to go to a cat show.
If you’re in the San Diego area, you can satisfy your curiosity about all things feline this weekend at one of the nation’s largest and oldest cat shows, the San Diego Cat Fanciers’ Food and Water Bowl XX, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, Calif. Scheduled two weeks before the Westminster Kennel Club’s 136th Annual Dog Show at Madison Square Gardens in New York City, the Del Mar cat show will feature more than 450 felines representing 41 breeds in eight rings of competition.
So what really happens at a cat show? What’s the proper etiquette for feline fans? For answers to these questions and more, Vetstreet spoke with Joan Miller, vice president of Cat Fanciers Association and chairwoman of its outreach and education committee, who’s arguably one of the nation’s top cat experts.
Q: What are some dos and don’ts for spectators?
A. Joan Miller: Please do not disturb the judges when they are evaluating the cats. Look for our team of roving ambassadors wearing “Ask Me” buttons; they’re more than happy to answer your questions. Leave your own cats at home — the only cats allowed in the show hall are those who have been registered in advance.
Q: What’s the proper way to greet a cat? Will I get the chance to pet a show cat?
A. Joan Miller: The best way to greet a cat is to extend your index finger and let the cat first sniff it. Cats have scent glands on the sides of their mouths. If a cat rubs his face against your finger, it’s a sign that he likes you and is ready to meet you. Don’t stare directly into a cat’s eyes. Offer a couple soft blinks – it’s a way to say hello to a cat. At the show, we want people to get to know the various breeds. Go to the educational rings and look for the flags that read “Pet Me” at various cages. As long as the owners are there, they will take out their cats and give you the opportunity to pet them and ask questions about the breed.
To read the rest, please click here: http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/vetstreets-insiders-guide-to-cat-shows
Guest Blog from Olga Horvat: Picking the Right Name for Your New Pet
As founder of Four Legged Life.com, I am happy to share insights from guest bloggers. With the new year fast approaching, here’s a timely one – especially for all of you who have or will soon adopt a dog, cat or other pet. Olga Horvat, author of Paranormal Pooch, writes:
Experts have estimated that, over a dog’s lifetime, his name will be called over 30,000 times, so a name has to sound right. Words, like thoughts, are a form of energy and vibrate on various frequencies. Picking the right name for a pet can set up the right vibrations for a happy life, while choosing the wrong name can be harmful to the animal, and even to its owner. The scholar and philosopher Jean Houston, in her book, Mystical Dogs, tells about bringing home a new dog and naming him ‘Zeus’, after the Greek god who hurls thunderbolts. That very week, her house was damaged by lightening several times, to the tune of $6,000. “It was evident Zeus was going to live up to his name,” Houston wrote.
I bounced ideas around with my husband, Alex and my daughter, Kathy. We all wanted the puppy to have a distinguished, even royal name, such as ‘Princess Di’, or ‘Princess Grace’. On the other hand, these ladies had short lives (each died in an auto crash); I did not want to associate our dog with such a legacy. Then I thought it would be fun to give her a name after a famous movie dog, such as Lassie, Maya, Nina, Rin Tin Tin, or some other very well-known Hollywood canine. But none of these names pleased me. The ‘perfect dog’ deserves a perfect name.
I kept reading and searching, dreaming up names. There was an interesting historical poodle I read about. In the 17th century, there was Prince Rupert of the Rhine, nephew to King Charles I of England. Prince Rupert owned a white poodle named Boye. Rumor had it that this dog was possessed by a witch’s spirit. Supposedly, the witch, traveling in the form of a dog, ensured the prince’s victory in his battles against the Parliamentarians. Rupert was a commander in Charles’s cavalry, and Boye was always at his side. Throughout the English Civil War, the Parliament feared the dog, claiming it had supernatural powers. Boye was finally killed at the famously ferocious battle of Marston Moor in June of 1644, which was the first major defeat for Prince Rupert and the Royalists. The defeat, coming as it did with Boye’s death, convinced many that the poodle had indeed been possessed.
Well, I definitely did not want my dog associated with witchcraft and supernatural events and bloody battles. I kept digging for the right name.
One night, a phrase just came to me ‘Princess of Swan Lake’. There was a wonderful children’s movie, Barbie of Swan Lake, directed by Owen Hurley, which we had all enjoyed. Princess of Swan Lake was such a subtle and beautiful fairy tale name, a soft and precious title befitting a darling little creature. When Alex and Kathy heard the name, they instantly knew it was just right. We’d finally found the perfect name.
Olga Horvat, MA, author of Paranormal Pooch