Tag: animals

Rehoming Your Pet – Make It Easier Both of You

Written by Colleen Sedgwick. Posted in Health and Safety.

Rehoming your pet can be a traumatic experience for you both. It’s something no pet owner ever wants to do. We often think that nothing could make us separate from our furbaby, yet dramatic life changes can push us to our limits. Maybe you need to move? Maybe you’re no longer able to physically keep up? Maybe you need to rehome a relative’s pet after their passing? Whatever the reason we’ve put together some helpful tips for how to make rehoming easier on you both.

Rehoming Made Easier

Contact your local shelter. Animal shelters don’t want to take animals. They are much happier if all pets have loving homes and never have to pass through their care. As a result, many shelters offer services to help you identify resources you may need. Do you need to consult with a specialist about behavior issues? Do you need a directory for rehoming services in your area? They can help!
Get you pets face out there. Take quality pictures and create a sincere write up about your pets personality, preferences, and medical history. Spread the word using social media and placing flyers in places frequented by pet lovers – dog parks, stores like Petco, nice neighborhoods, vet offices. Rehoming your pet yourself as opposed to leaving them at a shelter is easier on you and your pet!
Be discerning. It’s okay to be picky about who you let take your pet. Interview them, ask about other pets, experience, maybe even ask for a home visit. Make sure that the person showing interest is a true animal lover and not someone looking for free animals to sell or abuse. Feel free to ask a small fee too.
Look for someone close. If you can find a new home for your pet nearby and foster a good relationship with the new family you might be able to visit your pet or offer services like dog walking or trips to the park so you still get to have a relationship with your pet.

photo credit: Bennilover “It’s the Little Things, like having the Wild Things to play with at the park.” via photopin (license)

Classroom Pets – What You Need to Know!

Written by Colleen Sedgwick. Posted in Fun Articles.

The summer has blown by and back-to-school is just around the corner! Are you a teacher or a parent? Did you have a classroom pet when you went to school? Maybe you’re a student who’d like to have one?Classroom pets offer a variety of cool and interesting ways to learn and engage students. They are also an obligation though. Let us walk you through some of the ups and downs!

What sort of animal makes a good classroom pet?

Not a dog or a cat for sure! Low maintenance animals are best. Ideally, it’s not a critter that needs to be taken home every night, is small and doesn’t cause classroom disturbance.

Guinea Pigs – Small, relatively quiet. They require minimal care, are generally calm and easy to handle. You will need to have a pair though to prevent boredom and loneliness.
Hamsters – All the same features of a guinea pig, but smaller. They do tend to be nocturnal though, so students will see less of their prime activity hours.
Lizards – Iguanas, bearded dragons, and the like make super low maintenance classroom pets. Their needs will vary slightly depending on the type you get but they usually require less food, interaction, and are easy to handle.
Rats – Nice clean pet shop rats (not the ones from the alley!) are a super smart and active classroom pet. Students can spend time building mazes and test the rat’s brain power! They are also less likely to bite than hamsters or mice.
Fish – Probably the lowest maintenance pet, but also likely the one with the least amount of reward. They can add a nice, calming atmosphere to the classroom though and make good study subjects for aquatic science! Also, consider hermit crabs!

Classroom Pet Pro’s

Pets in the learning space can provide exciting new ways for students to engage with their curriculum. Animals can frequently be easily incorporated into math (animal weight, food measurements), science, and even history, social studies, and literature! They also instill a sense of responsibility and respect for life in children. They can also have a great calming effect on nervous or upset students. Plus, parents might appreciate seeing how their student interacts with a classroom pet before committing to one in the home!

Classroom Pet Con’s

Most of the cons have to do with the added responsibility on the teachers part. Teachers are, ultimately, responsible for the welfare of the pet. They need to ensure students are performing daily feedings and care properly and that the pet’s living space is kept clean. They are also responsible for vet visits (though some schools may foot the bill), shots, and spaying/neutering. It’s also important for the pet to have a place to go during vacations, or even the weekends depending on the animal. It’s also suggested that parents give their expressed permission for their child to interact with the school pet, in the case of a rogue bite or scratch.

photo credit: Ukelens Guinea Pig Photoshooting Selection via photopin (license)

Shelter Animal Adoption Tips

Written by Colleen Sedgwick. Posted in Health and Safety.

Pet adoption is a cause near and dear to our hearts here at Pet Nanny. We like to see every critter in a warm loving home! Anything we can do to ease the adoption process and get a shelter animal in your home, we want to do!

Cindy Grant at NoLongerWild.com has compiled the ultimate treasure trove of shelter animal adoption tips! The labor of love is really impressive! Here are some of the highlights of her work, but ultimately, we suggest you head over to her site too for the full details if you have any questions or concerns!

Shelters

Did you know there are different types of animal shelters? Each different type has its own operating procedures. You may find it helpful to know what kind your local shelter is so you know what to expect before you go there! Here are the five types Cindy identifies:

Municipal Animal Shelters
Private Full Service Non-Profit Animal Shelters
Non-Profit Full Service With Animal Control
Non-Profit With Limited Space Animal Rescue Shelters
Animal Rescue Groups

Need help identifying good shelters from bad ones? She helps with this too! Aside from taking note of the general well-being of the animals and their living conditions she also addresses a couple important, yet not often mentioned aspects:

Is the staff friendly? That’s a great sign that they are happy to help a future pet parent! However, don’t be quick to get offended as they may grill you over certain aspects of your life. They’re not there to be your friend, they’re there to ensure each pet goes to a loving and capable home so they don’t see them back at the shelter!
Shelter pets aren’t “free”! While shelters shouldn’t demand a “donation” with adoption, they will charge you an adoption fee. This isn’t for-profit though, so don’t get the wrong idea. This fee frequently covers the cost of spaying/neutering, shots, and other preventative care your pet received under their care. It’s important that you get an itemized list of these things so you know what your pet has had, and what it still needs before you head home!

Know What Questions To Ask About Your Shelter Animal!

Shelter pets have a history and you should find out as much as you can before you adopt. Does it have any preexisting health conditions? Why is it in the shelter to begin with? What’s it’s general temperament? Important questions you need to ask! Make yourself a list – but be prepared to answer some yourself!

photo credit: M.P.N.texan Helen via photopin (license)

Earth Day 2017 – Green Pet Tips for Wallet & Planet!

Written by Colleen Sedgwick. Posted in Fun Articles.

Happy April! Stuck inside due to April showers? Take some time to evaluate you and your pets carbon footprint. April 22nd is Earth Day – a great reminder to keep the planet in good shape for all the fuzzy (and not so fuzzy…) critters, including you! So what steps can you take in preparation for Earth Day? Find out below!

Green Pet Tips in Honor of Earth Day

Spay & Neuter – Every new critter your critter produces is four more little carbon footprints! Prevent accidental litters by making sure your pet is spayed or neutered. Got that taken care of? Consider donating to a local animal shelter or charity that offers free or discounted spay & neuter clinics for shelter animals.
Buy Reusable – Often times it can be a bigger upfront investment, but over time reusable pet items not only help the environment, but they save you money too! Here are some often overlooked reusable options for pets:
Replace cat litter with a Cat Genie!
Instead of use-once puppy pads, consider switching to a washable version
Get a pet bed with a removable cover that can be washed, or replaced
DIY Toys – While the toy aisle may be tempting, don’t waste your money! Most pets are happy with bags, boxes, or other household items! This awesome list from Barkpost will help you recycle your old clothes and water bottles into eco-friendly toys your pets will love! Make up several and gift them to friends for Earth Day!

Avoid Clay-based Litters – Clay-based cat litters are created by strip mining sodium bentonite out of the ground. Its acquisition leaves long-term damage to the environment. Grist.com has a great list of reviews for some of the top non-clay based cat litters out there. Find one that suits your needs and try it out!

Avoid Vinyl, Phthalates, and BPA – These are all potentially toxic and/or petroleum based products. Most plastics (food/water bowls) and leashes are made out of these materials. Consider investing in metal dishes and buy collars and leashes made from cotton or hemp!
Be A Minimalist – Every year we’re informed about the booming pet industry – 62 billion dollars in 2016. Our pets are frequently a lot lower maintenance than we make them out to be. Instead of doling out money on things they don’t need – be a minimalist. Take that money and invest it in services, training, a savings account, or pet charity!

photopin (license)photo credit: N’Grid Snif Snif via

Charity for Pets – Helping You Give This Year!

Written by Colleen Sedgwick. Posted in Fun Articles.

Don’t forget about all the furry friends in need this holiday season! Making a charitable contribution in someone’s name can be a great gift for the animal lover who has everything. What pet charities have the greatest impact? Which ones best target the animals you feel are most in need? Let us help you find the perfect pet charity to donate to this holiday season!

Find the Best Pet Charity For Your!

Leave No Paws Behind – You know those pets at the shelter that are a little less desirable? Maybe their old, or have special needs? These are the pets most likely to live out the rest of their short and difficult lives in a small shelter pen. Leave No Paws Behind is an amazing charity who seeks these pets out and gets them hospice care, or finds them foster parents, not stopping until each one of these “less adoptable” animals has the comfort and dignity every pet deserves.
Fences For Fido – This charity helps “unchain” dogs and provide them with better outdoor care. Through this program, volunteers build dog-proof fences and provide an insulated dog house to animals kept on chains. They also help educate family’s on outdoor pet care and affect policy change to ensure pets are treated more humanely.
Pets For The Elderly Foundation – Double your impact with this charity! Loneliness is a serious affliction for elderly people and many who would enjoy the companionship of a pet are daunted by adoption costs. This charity aids elderly people with covering the costs associated with adoption – finding a home for an animal while providing companionship for a senior citizen.
Red Rover – Red Rover offers Urgent Care Grants for pet owners who can’t cover the cost of their animals unexpected injury or ailments. They will also help you locate help in your area!

photo credit: wuestenigel Golden Retriever via photopin (license)

Music for your pet? – You Bet!

Written by Colleen Sedgwick. Posted in Fun Articles.

How do you think your pet feels about your music? Have you ever left the radio playing when you’re away because you think they find it soothing in your absence? Charles Snowden, an animal psychologist at the University of Wisconsin, says your pet really couldn’t care less what you listen to – it’s just not relatable. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a tune for them though!

What Kind of Music DO They Enjoy?

Animals (people included) enjoy sounds with tones similar to their species vocal range, and tempos similar to their heart rate. It only makes sense that they would need a music of their own! And that’s just what researchers have been working on! Back in 2009, Mr. Snowden teamed up with composer, cellist, and clearly animal lover David Teie, to try their hand at music for animals. After some promising results when they composed songs for monkey’s, they decided to try their hand at pleasing cats. Curious what cat music sounds like? For $1.99 you can purchase cat songs online at Music For Cats. Check out the video below for a sampling, or order the full album from their website!

What about music for dogs? Turns out dogs are a bit trickier than cats to please, since there are so many breeds with varying tones and heart rates. It is suspected, however, that large dogs may respond to human tunes since their vocal ranges are closer to that of human males. Just don’t suspect your chihuahua to respond very favorably!

With advancements like this, maybe one day you’ll tune your radio into a special station just for your pet before you head out the door. It also may come in handy for pets scared of thunderstorms, or for use in vet’s offices to calm nerves. Something tells me, we won’t find it that relatable though!

photo credit: The Heat is On via photopin (license)

April Is Pet First Aid Awareness Month!

Written by Colleen Sedgwick. Posted in Health and Safety.

Would you know how to administer first aid to your pet in an emergency? Do you even have emergency numbers quickly accessible? You don’t need to have an accident prone pet to realize it’s just good policy to make sure that you’ve got an action plan in case of an emergency! This April, take some time to brush up on what you need to have and know – your pet’s counting on you!

Pet First Aid Refresher Tips

Get the App! Did you know that the American Red Cross has a First Aid app just for pets? It provides helpful information for both dog and cat owners in emergency and disaster situations!
Update your Pet First Aid Kit! Don’t have one? Get/Make one now! You should check your pet first aid kit annually to ensure that all the supplies are still properly packaged, any medications are not out of date, and nothing has leaked. If you don’t have one, this needs to be on your must list! There are a wide array of pre-packaged kits out there for sale. Bump those store bought ones up against this list from the Humane Society to make sure it includes everything you need. Or, use that list to make your own! Be sure to include comfort items for your pet too!
Know the basics! It’s apt that April is pet first aid month since Spring means more time outdoors for everyone! It also means that pets are at a higher risk for being victims of the native flora and fauna. Know what plants to keep your pets away from, and what to do in case of snake bites, bee stings, etc.
Vaccinations! Check your vet records to ensure your pets vaccinations are all up to date! This includes wormers, flea and tick prevention, dog flu, and rabies!
Check those emergency numbers! Maybe you’ve changed vets? Or moved to a new location? Make sure that the numbers for both your regular vet and the nearest animal hospital are still accurate and quickly accessible for the whole family!

Don’t forget to share your emergency contacts and details about your first aid kit with any pet sitters you hire!
photo credit: Link’s Check-Up via photopin (license)

Happiness – A Lesson Best Learned From Your Pet

Written by Colleen Sedgwick. Posted in Fun Articles.

Pets might not talk human talk, but a quiet observation could tell us a lot about finding happiness! Dogs, cats, bunnies, and all creatures big or small have something to teach us about life’s greatest pursuit. Let’s listen!

Top Tips To Finding Happiness, From Your Pet

Take Naps – Lots of them. Every time the mood strikes you, no matter where you’re at.
Don’t be afraid to look silly – When you’re focused on the happiness of the moment, you’re not worried how others see you.
Show your love – Don’t play coy or hard to get. If you are happy to see someone, show it and show it often! (Try to not lick their face or pee on the floor though…)
Never stop playing – Make time every day for something you enjoy doing, no matter how old you are.
Love unconditionally, forgive – Pets don’t hold grudges and they’ll love you even if you don’t give them the time or treats you should.
Ask for what you need – Don’t be afraid to come right out and say it. It’s the best chance you have at getting what you need.
Be a problem solver – If there is a way out of an enclosure, or into the treat bag, your pet will find it. Solve your problems with the same determination!
Be thrilled with simple things – your pet finds happiness with relatively little. A chew stick? stuffed animal? or just having you near. Find simple things that make you happy and appreciate them.
Take a bath – Let it be a relaxing moment to reflect on yourself!

Make this face at least once a day for maximum happiness!

Be loyal – Don’t be looking for the next newest and greatest. Find a friend, partner, or pet that treats you well and commit yourself.
Live in the now – Do you think when you’re hanging with your pet they’re wondering about what’s for dinner? or they’re plans for tomorrow? Enjoy each moment for what it has to offer, not constantly thinking about the next.
Body language says a lot – Pet’s don’t game with a poker face. They express themselves through their body language and you should too!
Take walks and be a part of nature, not apart from it – Don’t get lost in the human world! Look at the leaves, smell the air, see how the sun reflects off the water and enjoy the simple things around you. Do it daily!
Don’t be bitter – Have you ever met a bitter pet? A pet that was upset because they didn’t catch that mouse or get to go for a ride? Learn to let things go and find your contentment!
photo credit: Creature Comfort via photopin (license)

Kennel Or Your Home? How To Keep Smells Away!

Written by Colleen Sedgwick. Posted in Fun Articles, Health and Safety.

When you walk into your home does it smell more like a kennel than a place for people? Or are you worried that maybe you’ve lost the ability to smell lingering pet odors but guests can? Scented candles and products like Fabreeze are a great way to freshen up a home quickly. When the product fades though, those kennel smells start to creep back in unless you’ve eliminated the source. No silly, we don’t mean your pet! Stay on top of pet odors by following our tips below and make sure theirs no doubt about who the master is in your home!

Banish Kennel Scents!

Keep Kennel Scents Out of Your Home!

Source #1 – Your Pet – To state the obvious, your pet is the main source of all pet odors so keeping your pet clean is the first step toward eliminating the kennel odor. If you don’t have a self-grooming pet like a cat or bunny then regular baths are a must. What’s “regular” for your pet will vary though based on their lifestyle. An indoor/outdoor pet will likely need weekly baths while a house pet may only need them bi-monthly or less. Keep your pets fresh in between baths with daily grooming like brushing, or a quick toweling if they got damp on a walk. If you feed your pet a wet food, wipe their chins and mouth off after they dine. Staying in tune with your pet’s activities will allow you to “spot treat” them and keep them fresher!
Source #2 – Their “Home” – Pets often have their own space within your home. A little kennel or pet bed are classic sources of pet odors. Clearly tossing pet bedding in the wash is a no-brainer method of keeping odors down, but don’t forget to clean where the bedding goes too! Since most odors are caused by bacteria using a pet-safe disinfectant on the bottom of a pet kennel or where your pets bed goes will reduce odors and keep them at bay longer. Does your pet have a favorite chair or spot on a rug? Make sure you have a little steam cleaner in your cleaning arsenal to regularly deep clean these areas too! Handheld steam cleaners are great for pet accidents too!
Source #3 – Filters – There are many filters in your home that can often be overlooked and harbor kennel scents, redistributing them throughout your home every time air passes through them. Make sure that you clean and replace filters on a regular basis! These include those found in vacuum cleaners, central heating and air units, window air units, some space heaters, and air purifiers!

photo credit: are we home yet? via photopin (license)

Laws And Your Pet – Crazy Global Examples

Written by Colleen Sedgwick. Posted in Fun Articles.

As communities have grown over the years and standards have changed laws have sprung up regarding the do’s and don’t’s of pet ownership. Sometimes these protect the pets and sometimes they are out of consideration for other residents. Take a look below to see some of the strangest ones we’ve found from around the world. Some of these we have to question how they are actually enforced and some we really hope are!

Crazy Pet Laws

French Lick Springs, IN – On Friday the 13th all black cats must wear bells around their necks.
Chicago, IL – No dogs allowed in the Opera.
Georgia – Goldfish may not be used as bingo prizes. Apparently this got out of hand!
Little Rock, AR – Curfew time! Dogs are banned from barking after 6pm.
Duluth, MN – It’s illegal for cats to sleep in bakeries. Wonder if they can do other things in the bakery?
Saudi Arabia -Here there are laws that forbid men from walking dogs.
Japan – Cat curfew! Public display of a cat is illegal after 8pm. Curious what this consists of…
Wyoming – No photos please! It is illegal from January to April to photograph a rabbit.
Oklahoma – It’s against the law to make ugly faces at dogs, punishable by a fine!
France – Owners of pet pigs are banned from naming them Napoleon out of respect for Napoleon Bonaparte.

Laws in Rome prevent goldfish from being kept as pets!

Norway – It is against the law to spay a female cat or dog. Only males may be altered.
Switzerland – Only want one pet? Too bad! Pets in Switzerland are required to have a companion.
Australia – It is against the law to name a farm animal. Only pets you intend to keep may be named!
Alaska – It is illegal to tie a dog to the roof of your car. Really?!
Florida – No “duck face” here! It’s illegal to imitate an animal.
Switzerland – Laws here require aspiring dog owners to pass a verbal and written test before they may take one home.
Sweden – Dogs in boarding houses or day car must be able to see out a window.
Rome, Italy – Owning a goldfish as a pet is illegal as it is deemed cruel.
Oklahoma – Dogs are forbidden from getting together in groups of larger than 3 without a permit.
Paulding County, OH – It’s LEGAL for police officers to bite a dog to calm it down.
Michigan – It is against the law to own both a cat and a bird.
Maryland – Pet lions are not allowed in movie theaters. Thank goodness!

photo credit: goldfish via photopin (license)