Feed your pet a natural diet. Check pet food labels and avoid additives, chemical preservatives and anything artificial.

Minimize vaccines. A titer test is a simple blood test that can help your vet determine necessary shots.

Limit chemical exposure. Use natural cleaning products around the house.  Eliminate air fresheners that contain harmful chemicals.

Try using a natural flea control such as herbal pet shampoo containing citrus oils.

Sunny regards,

Beverly

www.AffectionatelyYoursPetSitting.com

Dental problems are the most common medical conditions suffered by dogs and cats.  The build up of plaque results in tooth and gum diseases. Routine dental health care can prevent these problems, but if the dental problems have advanced, consult with your veterinarian.

The signs of dental problems include bad breath, bleeding gums, lack of appetite, drooling, teeth that are discolored, cracked, broken or missing.

Daily brushing removes the plaque and helps prevent gum disease just as it does in humans. Use only veterinarian approved pet toothpaste and a specially designed pet toothbrush.  Annual professional cleaning will probably be required but preventative dental care will result in healthier teeth and gums.

Sunny regards,

Beverly

www.AffectionatelyYoursPetSitting.com

One of the most important signals for cats is the tail signal.  If a cat is holding her tail straight up or slightly curved over the back, she is inviting approach. If the cat raises and gently waves her tail, she is giving other cats the opportunity to interact.  All tail motions will be fluid with no sign of tension.

Friendly felines greet one another by gently touching noses.  My cats and I go through this gesture when I come home followed by their heads pressing into mine depositing their scent.

Sunny regards,

Beverly

www.AffectionatelyYoursPetSitting.com

Car Windows. Don’t let your dog hang his head out of a moving vehicle.  Bugs, pebbles and other debris can injure his eyes, nose and ears.  He is also at risk of jumping out onto the road.

Automatic car windows can cause serious injury or death.

Pet Nappers. Pet theft is a serious problem.  The number of pets stolen from yards and unlocked vehicles increases during warm weather months.

Please keep your pets safe this summer.

Sunny regards,

Beverly

www.AffectionatelyYoursPetSitting.com

Each year, many pets accidentally drown in backyard swimming pools when left unattended.

Keep fenced-in pools locked securely when not in use and keep your pets from unenclosed and/or unoccupied pools.

Sunny regards,

Beverly

www.AffectionatelyYoursPetSitting.com

Many of my pet sitting customers use air freshener products around the house to cover up pet odors.  Sometimes these are more stinky than what they are trying to cover.

The fragrance or should I say smell of these products can be quite overwhelming especially in a closed up house.  Almost immediately upon entering, my eyes and throat become irritated.  I wondered what effect these products were having on the pets in the house.

According to the ASPCA website, air freshener products can be used with dogs and cats residing in the house provided they are not used in close proximity to the pets and there is adequate ventilation in the house.

If your pet has allergies or asthma, it is best to consult with your vet before using the products.  Check the label for ingredients as often there are harmful chemicals that are worse than a stinky house.

Sunny regards,

Beverly

www.AffectionatelyYoursPetSitting.com

The summer heat can cause big problems for our pets just as it does for us.  Heatstroke is a very real threat.

Cats and dogs do not perspire to cool down. Panting is their primary way of cooling.  Sweat glands are limited to their nose and foot pads.

A dog or cat’s normal body temperature is between 101 and 102 degrees.  A raise in body temperature as little as five degrees can lead to brain damage or death.

A car left in the sun with the windows up will reach 120 degrees in 15 minutes and over 140 degrees within 30 minutes.

Even with the windows open part way, the temperature will reach 110 degrees.  Any pet left inside will suffer heatstroke quickly and death is likely.

Never leave your pets in the car without the air conditioning running.   If you see a pet in an unattended locked car, please notify your police department.

Sunny regards,

Beverly

www.AffectionatelyYoursPetSitting.com

Friday, June 24, 2011 is Pet Sitters International’s 13th annual Take Your Dog To Work Day. This event celebrates our wonderful relationships with our companion dogs and encourages the adoption of homeless dogs from shelters, rescue groups and humane societies. Speak with your employers about this special awareness day and encourage them to welcome your canine companions to the workplace in support of Take Your Dog To Work Day.
Sunny regards,
Beverly
www.AffectionatelyYoursPetSitting.com

Dogs have far fewer taste buds than people.  It is the smell of the food that initially attracts them.  This explains why dogs will sometimes eat non-food items.

Dogs find cat food (and often cat poop) very enticing.

Cats are more particular.  Their food smells and tastes better.

Sunny regards,

Beverly

www.AffectionatelyYoursPetSitting.com

When visiting my many pet customers, I see quite a variety of shapes, styles and sizes of food and water bowls.

Whether plain or fancy, when choosing a bowl for your pet, be sure that it is heavy enough that it doesn’t slide around on the floor while your pet is eating or drinking.

Glass, ceramic or stainless steel are good choices. If you choose ceramic, check to see that it says ”lead-free”.  Replace a cracked ceramic bowl as bacteria can harbor in the crack.

Because invisible scum forms in water bowls within 24-36 hours, it’s important to wash daily with soap and water and thoroughly rinse off the soap.

Plastic bowls form scum faster than the other materials.  Plastic bowls also tend to retain oils that can contribute to acne (black crusty patches on the chin).

Cats are especially particular about their water bowls.  Cats also prefer to have their water away from their food so two-sided bowls are not necessary.  Even a single cat  likes 2 sources for water.

Please keep your toilets lids down!  I am shocked when I go on an interview for a pet sitting assignment and am told to be sure to leave the seat up so the pets can get to their water source.  Yikes!

Would you drink out of the toilet?  Not only is it alive with bacteria, but also cleaning chemicals may be present.  Certainly not healthy for your beloved pet.

Many times I have seen algae growing in bowls and especially in those water dispenser type containers.  If you can’t get inside of them to wash them, don’t use them.

Ants can be a big problem especially here in south Florida.  Keep the ants away from your pet’s food by placing the bowl in a pan or saucer of water.  Ants don’t swim.  There are also special manufactured bowls that hold water in the base.

Please provide your pets with fresh clean water daily to keep them healthy.

Sunny regards,

Beverly

www.AffectionatelyYoursPetSitting.com