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Weird Pet Behaviors That Are Actually Very Normal

If you’ve had a pet for any amount of time, chances are you’ve witnessed some weird behavior. While there may be many things that pets do that are puzzling to us humans, most of it is a lot more normal than we think!

Weird Behaviors of Pets

  • Gifts from you cat – Does your pet cat sometimes bring you dead rodents or birds? Maybe the occasional reptile? Don’t punish them! From their perspective, they have plenty of food and have managed to obtain excess, they have brought it back to their home in case you, or the other members of their “family” may be in need. It’s a cat’s act of generosity and while it may be gross, you should consider it an honor!
  • Your dog eats dirt – They don’t just roll around and nose in it, they eat it! While dirt isn’t particularly ‘digestible’ to your pet, it does contain nutrients like potassium, magnesium and others. This may be a sign that you need to adjust your pet’s diet!

  • Your rabbit eating its feces… – This one is really gross to us! Whatever you do though, don’t stop them! Rabbits have very sensitive digestive tracts that require a certain bacterial balance. They MUST eat what are called ‘cecotropes’ in order to live! It’s similar to why humans eat yogurt and probiotics.
  • Your cat and too small spaces – Did you invest in a spacious, luxury kitty bed only to have it shunned for that tiny box your Amazon order came in? What is up with your cat always picking the most cramped, uncomfortable locations for a nap? In the wild, animals are vulnerable when sleeping. Cats (and many other animals) like to feel that they are protected on all fronts from attack while sleeping. Tight spaces make them feel more secure.
  • Does your ferret steal? – Ferrets are VERY fond of hoarding. Think of them as smaller dragons who like to stash treasures away in secret hiding spaces. It’s seems weird when ferrets do so in our homes, but in the wild they often kill excess food and hide it for later. While it may not be food, it’s the same instinct that drives them to carry off your watch, pen, or other small items to their secret lair.

Does your pet have weird tendencies? Be sure to share them with your pet sitter or dog walker so they don’t worry if they notice something out of the ordinary!

Share your pet’s weird tendencies with us!

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Traveling With Your Pet: A Guide For Your Adventure

As the days countdown to summer breaks ending, families and college students across America are struggling to get in those last minute trips. Where does that leave the beloved pets of American families? Hopefully right by their owners side on the adventures! If you’re headed out on vacation, there’s no reason to leave your pet at home! Follow our guide below and spare you and your furry companion the separation anxiety!

Tips for Traveling With Your Pets

  • Invest in a quality pet carrier.  Just like you might invest in quality luggage, don’t skimp on a pet carrier! It’s you’re pets version of a car. If you’re going to be confined to a small space while traveling, you want it to be as comfortable as it can be! Make sure there is plenty of ventilation and plenty of room. A properly sized pet carrier will allow your pet to stand fully, turn around and lay down comfortably.
  • Let your pet stretch when you stretch. Look for rest stops with parks or grassy areas so that you can take your pet out for a walk every couple hours. This lets them stretch their legs and gives them an opportunity to use the bathroom. Traveling with a cat, rabbit or other small pet? Don’t be shy about breaking out the leash!
  • Make sure the pet carrier is secured. Use your vehicles spare seat belts and/or pillows to secure the pet carrier so that it is not at risk for sliding or flipping.

  • If you have a small animal, invest in a no-drip water bottle that can be secured to the cage door. If you have a large pet, be certain to offer them water in a bowl at each stop.
  • Dole out food sparingly. Make sure your pet has a good breakfast a couple hours before you embark on your journey. Once traveling, it’s best not to feed them until you’ve reached your destination. If you’ve got a particularly long travel day ahead of you, feed them before at least a 30 minute walk. Pets are prone to car sickness too, so try to not take them on a ride with a full belly!
  • Do not leave your pet in your car. Just like children, they can not take the hot temperatures of a vehicle. Be sure to travel with someone who can sit in the running vehicle while you make quick trips inside convenience stores.

Check out this website for pet friendly hotels and other resources for traveling with pets!

No matter how much you’d love to, you just can’t take your pet traveling with you? Be sure to find a high quality house sitting service with overnight pet sitting rates. Pet sitting services can provide a big relief for pet parents prone to worrying!

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Unconventional Pets: What You Should Consider Before You Buy

Are you one of those people who never really identified with cats or dogs? Or maybe you’re wanting a pet that stands out? More and more people are either seeking alternatives to cats and dogs altogether, or they are looking for unconventional pets as companions for their traditional ones. The thing is, rules that apply to one pet don’t always apply to others. There are lots of things that need to be considered before you make an impulse decision to bring home one of the many unconventional pets out there. So, before you run down to your nearest pet shop after watching some adorable YouTube videos, consider these points of interest!

Should You Get An Unconventional Pet?

Hedgehogs, while still unconventional, are a growing trend

  • Do you have other pets? – Not all creatures play well together, especially if one feels his domain is being encroached on. Take into special consideration if either species of pets are territorial. Be especially careful about trying to mix prey and predatory animals.
  • Can you get pet food? – Some pets have specialized eating habits. Snakes require live rodents and frogs need live insects. Are these foods that you can get regularly from your pet shop? Are you comfortable handling them? Are they in your price range for the long-term?
  • Are Veterinary Services Available? – Not all vets service all animals. Be sure that you have a vet in your area that is trained in your particular species of unconventional pet. For example, many vets have to undergo extra training to be certified to work with rabbits or other small creatures.
  • Do you have an emergency or vacation plan? – What if you get called out of state unexpectedly? Are sick for a week? Or you want to plan a family vacation? Most facilities that offer overnight pet sitting, house sitting, or other in home pet services are trained to care for dogs, cats, fish, or birds. You may find it difficult to find a dog walker or someone to interact with your unconventional pet in your absence. Seek out a facility, or confirm that you have willing friends before you make the purchase.
  • What is your pet at risk for? (and you too?) – Be sure to find out as much as possible about diseases or toxins specific to your pet. Did you know that you can get salmonella from pet reptiles? Or that hedgehogs are prone to skin problems?

Budgit Frog

Remember, choosing a pet is a very important decision and your new companion shouldn’t suffer because of your poor caretaking, or not understanding it’s needs. Be responsible and find out as much about your unconventional pet and it’s needs before you purchase. The Encyclopedia on Pets is a great resource, and don’t forget to talk to an area vet preemptively too!

 

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Mobile Apps Easing and Enhancing Pet Ownership

Pet ownership in the era of smart phones brings can be a pretty wonderful thing! Smart phones aid in helping pet owners in everything from researching poisonous plants, finding the closest vet or dog park, to charity apps that let you help raise money for homeless and abused pets! If you’re tech-minded and looking for some great ways to enhance your relationship with your pet while helping other animals, check out our list of mobile apps for the pet owner/animal lover!

Mobile Apps for Pets

  • PetMD’s Dog First Aid – Use this app to check symptoms for potential pet emergencies vs less dangerous situations. Know what you can do to help your pet while seeking professional help!
  • Dog Whistler –  This app lets you turn your smart phone into a dog whistle!  Adjust the frequency of the tone to one that works best for your dog and save it!
  • Puppy Coach  101 –  Helps keep you and your new puppy on a schedule that will ensure training goes smoothly and quickly! It even lets you print out a personalized diploma for your puppy once they pass all the tests! There are lots of other pet training apps out there so find one that suits your needs!
  • Tagg – A two piece mobile app that allows you to place a tracker on your pets collar and track them on your phone. The app lets you set boundaries for your pet and will send you a text when you pet leaves those boundries. Great for keeping track of your pets whereabouts and for preventing lost pets! With apps like this and microchips, never loose a loved pet again!
  • Pet To Give –  This awesome app allows you to “pet” virtual animals on your smart phone and turns those cyber pets into donations of food to animal shelters! Turn the time you spend looking at cute animals into something productive!

Mobile Apps and your pet

Do you have your own favorite app that makes your life easier as a pet owner? Share it with us and we’ll do another feature!

Fleas and Ticks and Mites, Oh My! – Pet Nanny

Last Saturday marked the change of seasons from the blossoms of Springs to the full fledge greenery of summer! And right along with it came all the insect kingdom looking for food! While mosquito’s and chiggers may target humans the most, pets take on a non-stop onslaught from the fleas and ticks and mites! Between flea shampoos and collars, shots and pills, we’ve come up with some extra steps you can add to your regimen to help keep your pet comfortable this year. While these tips may not be replacements for your pets regular flea and tick treatment, they can help to make them more effective and possibly require less frequent rounds of it. Take these tips to task and let us know if you have any of your own!

Help Keep Fleas and Ticks and Mites Away!

  • Diatomaceous Earth – This stuff is harmless to animals and pets! It feels like baby powder but is made up of super finely ground shells. At a microscopic level though it’s like a bunch of tiny razors. Spread this fine powder around outside areas where your pet likes to sleep. It’s also great to sprinkle on welcome mats or in dog houses. It has to be reapplied once it gets damp though.
  • Grow Mint – Mint has a strong odor that is a deterrent to fleas. Plant it around dog houses, or dry it and keep sachets of it around the home where pets like to congregate!
  • Rosemary Oil – Rosemary keeps ticks at bay. Purchase a cloth collar for your dog or cat and let a few drops of Rosemary Oil soak into the material before you put it around your pets neck. Be sure to wash and reapply as needed.
  • Coconut Oil – Condition you pets fur with coconut oil! A small amount massaged into your pets fur will not only help make their coats shine but also deter fleas and ticks and mites! And it’s harmless if ingested! Don’t forget to swab a cotton ball with coconut oil on the ears and just inside (where fur still grows) to prevent ear mites from taking up residence.

 

Fleas and ticks

Summer Heat – Keeping Your Pets Safe This Season!

Most of the United States will suffer from at least a few days of seemingly unbearable summer heat at some point this season. Whether your fortunate enough to only endure a few days of it, or one of the many who will endure a whole season of soaring thermometers, you’ll want to be certain to know how to keep your pets safe. You might think you’re hot, but remember your pet has a fur coat on! Check out these signs of heat exhaustion in pets and be certain to follow these steps to help prevent it!

Summer Heat Tips For Pets

  • Brush your pet regularly! Many animals will shed during the first part of the summer heat and removing  that extra hair from their coat will both help keep them cooler and keep them from ingesting so much of it during their regular grooming! Feel free to trim long haired breeds!
  • Plenty of water! We know this seems like an obvious tip, but many people get in the habit of refreshing their pets water based on winter consumption. How much your pet drinks during the  summer will often greatly increase so be sure to check their water more often than usual. Also, make sure it’s fresh and try to keep it in the shade. Maybe even freeze a bottle of water and place it in your outdoor pets water bowl to help keep their water cool.
  • Make sure your pet has plenty of shade! And we don’t mean just a dog house to get in. They need to have access to full shade and open air at all points during the day. A dog house in full sun offers little to no relief for pets during the peak of summer heat.
  • Try spraying down a shaded area a couple times a day for your pet to lounge in, or place a little kiddie pool in the shade! Staying moist is a great way to deal with summer heat.
  • Watch out for hot sidewalks and streets while walking your pet! Most animals feet are tougher than humans, but they can still find the hot sidewalks or asphalt to be uncomfortable or painful. Try walking your pet in the grass if possible. Or talk walks in the morning before the summer heat has taken hold.

Keeping Cool in the Summer HeatRemember to keep an eye out for odd behavior in your pet and check on them frequently. Also never ever leave your pet alone in a vehicle on a hot day! Even with a window cracked the temperatures inside a car will skyrocket in a very short period of time. Preparing for the summer heat ensures you and your pet a great healthy season!

 

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Pet Rabbits – What You Need To Know Before The Commitment

The trend of pet rabbits has been growing across America for the last few years, following on the heals of the rabbit obsessed country of Japan. In Japan, bunnies are so popular they have rabbit cafes that allow both pet owners and their hoppy little friends to mingle while enjoying snacks. Their bright personalities and round fuzzy bodies make them hard to resist when it comes to cuteness. This is both a blessing and burden however… Many people, (especially around Easter) are quick to scoop up the fuzzy bundles and bring them home thinking they will be a great companion for their child. The truth is, however, that pet rabbits and children generally don’t mix well. Due to “pet shop impulses” tens of thousands of pet rabbits are abandoned each year. In fact, pet rabbits are now the most neglected pet in England. Rabbit ownership is not something to take lightly (really, no pet ownership is). Unlike dogs and cats, pet rabbits are prey animals which means owning them has to be approached differently. You can’t just scoop one up and expect it to love you, it’s terrified of you. In fact, it usually takes around a week, sometimes longer, for pet rabbits to bond with their humans. Even once bonded, you are still at the mercy of the rabbits wants and needs, not your own. Because of their peculiar (yet rewarding!) nature as pets, we’ve compiled a great list of what you should know about pet rabbits before you make the commitment. Furthermore, we’ve provided some great resource sites for those of you seeking more information about creating a happy loving home for your new pet!

Pet rabbits in the fall!

What To Know Before You Get A Pet Rabbit

  • Rabbits are territorial – they need to have their own space where you don’t go. Fully loving bunnies can turn aggressive should you invade their private space. Even a free roaming house bunny should have a cage or hutch where it can drink and eat and relax in private. Pet rabbits are happiest when they can escape!
  • Pet Rabbits are the easiest of the house pets to litter box train – There’s a catch though… they choose where it goes. Rabbits are creatures of habit so once they decide where their bathroom spot is going to be, all you have to do is place a litter box there! Don’t use kitty litter though, look for litter specific to pet rabbits, often made of recycled paper or wood chips.
  • You can not punish a rabbit – They are prey animals so they are always on the look out for aggression or signs of a threat. If your pet rabbit is doing something inappropriate, it is best to distract them from the task.
  • Because of the inability to punish  pet rabbits, rabbit proofing your home is a MUST – rabbits will get into everything! And they love to chew and dig! You must either hide all power cords, or run them through plastic tubes so that they are inaccessible to your bunny. Additionally, anything you care about must be kept out of a rabbits reach – record collection, books, house plants, shoes – ANYTHING.
  • Rabbits are very different from cats or dogs – they will likely never come when called, can be occasionally stand-offish, and rather demanding creatures. Some pet rabbits have been known to thump their back foot at their owner when they want petted or fed!
  • You can, however, train them with Pavlovian responses – It is advised that rabbit owners condition their pets to certain sounds. Like making a little ‘clicking’ noise when the rabbit is getting a treat. That way, in the future, you can make that sound when you need your rabbit to come to you, like when it’s time to get in their cage.
  • Rabbits can not be carried around like other pets – some bunnies are cooler about this than others. Some rabbits simply will not tolerate being picked up. First of all, you must know how to properly pick up a rabbit. The number one cause of pet rabbit deaths in the home are caused by broken spines from owners improperly handling their pet.

Rabbits can be an amazingly rewarding pet to that can live anywhere from 5-12 years with proper care. They make soft oinking noises and will circle your feet to tell you they love you. They will groom you occasionally as repayment for petting them. They are happy, playful creatures who will do special hops and dances to show you their joy. They are certainly a pet that it’s worthwhile getting to know how to care for! If you’d like to explore more about the world of pet rabbit ownership, check out our links below!

Great resource sites for pet rabbits

rabbit.org
Binkybunny.com
Bestfriends.org
MSPCA Angell

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Spring Cleaning – Spruce Things Up While Protecting Your Pet

While April showers are making the preparations for May flowers, the season of spring cleaning has come upon us again! It’s time to throw open those windows and shake out the dust (and pet dander) of winter. While spring cleaning is a chore for most any home, there are extra precautions that pet owners should be sure to make. It’s easy to overlook the dangers that some cleaning practices may have on your pets so we’ve complied a great list of potential hazards and precautionary practices to ensure you have a house as fresh as a spring breeze and a healthy pet too!

Pet Friendly Spring Cleaning Tips

  • Avoid bleach and ammonia as well as all cleaners that contain it. These harsh chemicals can cause respiratory issues not just in pets, but humans as well. Try using natural cleaning brands like Method or Mrs. Meyers – or try making your own vinegar based detergents! Healthier for both you and your pets! Click here for pet approved cleaners!
  • Keep your pets out of the space you are cleaning. Not only does it make it easier to clean when your pets not busy messing behind you, but often times spring cleaning requires moving heavy objects or exposing areas that are often inaccessible – like access to power cords or rodent poisons. Be certain to keep your pet contained (or, better yet, send them out with a Pet Nanny!) to ensure their safety.Spring cleaning with your pet!
  • When it comes to cleaning your pet’s area and bedding, avoid heavily scented products. Try scrubbing the area down with baking soda and vinegar followed by a good rinse and wash their bedding in unscented detergent, minus the dryer sheets!
  • Be mindful of dangerous plants and flowers. Many people are likely to purchase new plants or pick/bring home flowers for display in the spring and summer months. Be sure to run a quick internet search on the varieties that you choose to be certain that they are pet friendly.

Have your own spring cleaning pet tips or tricks? Share them with us! Happy cleaning!

Rescue Series Conclusion – See the Closing Music Video!

Following up on our coverage of Josh Duhamel’s and PetSmart Charities  “Rescue Waggin: Tales from the Road” production, we are proud to present  the video conclusion of this amazing 8 Episode project featuring the actors who helped make these rescues possible – providing ‘Forever Homes’ to these pets who’ve had unfortunate starts. Enjoy!

(Video now unavailable)

The 8 episodes encourage future pet owners to adopt shelter pets instead of buying them, and walks us through the journey or relocating discarded pets from over crowded and  poorly frequented shelters to new “no-kill’ shelters where they are more likely to be picked up for adoption instead of euthanized.  You can see the appreciation of a new loving home in the dogs eyes!

                     The Sad Truth About Rescue Shelters

  • Up to 4 million dogs are euthanized each year at pet shelters
  • There are approximately 5000 animal shelters nationwide who see upwards of 5 million pets each year
  • Only 25% of pets that wind up at a shelter end up getting adopted
  • Only 15% of dogs end up getting returned to their owners, and only 2% of cats
  • 60% of dogs and 70% of cats that end up in a shelter are euthanized
  • Approximately $1Billion dollars of tax money is spent annually to pick up, house and euthanize neglected, abandoned, and unspayed/neutered companion animals.
   Look here for more pet shelter statistics and remember to make your local town or county shelter the first stop when seeking out your next loving companion!

Rescue a pet today!

Pet Facts – Expand Your Knowledge of Your Amazing Pet!

One of the great pleasures of pet ownership comes from observing the quirky, unique peculiarities specific to your pet – marveling at their differences and occasional similarities to ourselves.

Be sure to break out these amazing pet facts as a conversation starter with fellow animal enthusiasts!

 Fast Facts About Your Pet

1) Most dogs can reach speeds of 19MPH when running at full capacity – no wonder it’s hard to keep up!
2) Cats can jump up to SEVEN times their height!
3) Cats short-term memories exceed that of both dogs and orangoutangs, lasting up to 16 hours, compared to a dogs 4.
4) Rabbits can often be easier to litter train than cats. Being creatures of habits, once they pick a place to go, all you have to do is put a box there!
5) Ferrets have an exceptional sense of smell, equatable to a dog being able to smell a fly up to two miles away!
6) A common misconception is that rabbits are members of the rodent family; they are in fact lagomorphs, a unique family of plant eating mammals.

Pet Facts – Tongue Barbs

7) Cats, like humans, are either left pawed, or right, showing favoritism early on.
8) Cats tongues are covered in tiny back angled barbs, helping them to hold their smaller prey (and comb their fur!).
9) Dog and cat nose prints are unique in each animal and can be used as identifiers, just like human fingerprints!
10) Cats spend 2/3 of their lives asleep. A nine-year-old cat has only been awake for three years of it’s life!
11) The cat’s meow is used almost exclusively for humans – they very rarely meow at each other!

Pet Facts – Nose Prints

Enjoy more pet facts at the links found throughout this post. Do you have some pet fact knowledge of your own? Check out our social media and share your own amazing pet facts with us!

Happy Tails,

Pet Nanny