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Month: June 2017
Giveaway Time!
See this #AmazonGiveaway for a chance to win: INNX Waterproof Quilted Microfiber Dog Seat Cover Covertible Hammock Pets Bench Seat Cover for Sedan Cars https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/a03b3264acac9bf1 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends the earlier of Jul 1, 2017 11:59 PM PDT, or when all prizes are claimed.
Tips for Air Travel with Pets
Here are some general airline travel tips for pets to bear in mind:
- Never sedate your pet on a flight. High altitudes and sedatives are a dangerous combination and should never be mixed.
- Always have your pet’s leash and collar easily accessible for walking prior to departure, but do not take the pet out of the kennel inside the airport.
- Identification tags for your pet and travel kennel, including pet’s name, home address and phone number, are essential.
- Never use a muzzle on your pet during travel, as this is dangerous to the pet.
- Familiarize your pet with the kennel prior to the trip so that it is comfortable to him/her at travel time.
- Always make advanced reservations or arrangements with the airline when you are making your own reservations. The airline always reserves the right to refuse travel if there are too many pets on board, so make sure you advise them early.
BBQ with your dog
It’s that time of year when having a barbecue is a good idea, especially with how spectacular the weather has been lately. Bringing your dog to a barbecue is a great idea! It gives your dog the opportunity to socialize with other dogs and humans.
You might think you aren’t harming your dog by offering him or her a scrap of leftovers, but it can have some severe consequences! Dogs don’t have the same digestive systems as we do. Many of the foods we love to eat can make your dog ill, causing symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting.
These foods are usually high in sugars, salt, or fat. Other foods, such as chocolate, macadamia nuts or onions (popular barbecue foods!) contain chemicals which can be deadly to dogs.
Before you think about sneaking your dog a piece of your food from under the table, consult with your veterinarian or do your research! Keep your dog safe and healthy by only feeding it an appropriate diet. 
Outdoor adventures with your dog
It’s important to spend quality time with your dog, and though your daily routine will normally be a few walks and some play, why not make things exciting on occasion by going on an adventure!
1. Find a local park and figure out a time when no one else is around so that your dog can run free, off leash (assuming they are well trained). If they need a little work on their recall, a dog-friendly playground or tennis court works as well.
2. Visit friends or relatives in rural areas with plenty of land to explore. The more fenced in the better, but on leash romps are great too!
3. Setup play dates with other friendly dogs. Create a network of “social buddies” for your pooch.
4. Find a quality doggie daycare that lets the dogs socialize and play all day.
5. Go to an empty beach in the off-season and let your dog dig in the sand! Many dogs go crazy once they realize the holes they can dig!
6. Contact a friendly farmer and make arrangements to tour and/or roam the farm at appropriate time, so your dog can experience new sights and smells.
7. Hire a pet care specialist who knows of unique exercise opportunities for your dog.
8. Visit local streams and rivers and let your dog wade and swim in warm weather.
9. Find unique terrain that your dog has never seen before and let him explore.
10. Take your dog bird watching, or maybe just squirrel watching! We have a feeling this may not be too successful!
11. Take your dog camping! Spending time in the outdoors is a great way to bond with your dog!
12. Take a Dog friendly vacation! Rent a cabin by a lake, a yurt in a forest or a room at a Canine friendly B&B!
13. Get involved in dog sports or clubs. There are local groups in almost every state.
14. Introduce your well-behaved dog to other animals. Many farm animals get along great with friendly dogs. We’ve seen dogs play with goats, horses and cows.
Hiking with your dog
Hiking with your dog takes some preparation. Use our nifty dog hiking checklist to make sure you don’t leave anything behind even when you’re running out the door in a hurry.
- Up-to-date ID tags and microchips
- Hiking booties for sensitive paws
- Water bottle and doggie water bowl
- Food and treats
- Leash, harness, and collar
- Insect repellent and tick collar
- Cloth or paper towels to wipe down dirty paws
- Dog brush
- Plenty of poop bags
- LED light to attach to the harness
- First aid kit complete with bandages, antiseptic for wounds, and tweezers to pull out ticks or thorns.
- A backpack to carry everything in
Water sports for dog
Those of us who own any type of retriever know that on a hot day, it’s hard to keep them out of that nearby pond, lake, or stream. No matter what the breed, water sports are a great way to cool down your dog as the temperature heats up, and now it’s safer than ever to let your pet go for a swim.
Just as you would with any member of your family, consider water safety if you like to take your best friend out boating with you. While many dogs are natural swimmers, you should still bring along a coast-guard approved pet life preserver to keep your dog’s head above water without restricting her movement or breathing.
Hot car warning to dog owners
What most people don’t realize that on a mildly warm day in the 80s, the inside of a car can go up to 100 °F or more in just 10 minutes. On a hot summer day, it just takes a few minutes for the inside of the car to heat up to over 120 °F. Even if you leave all of the windows cracked open, a hot car can be perilous to the safety of your pet and can lead to a fatal heat stroke. In some states, leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is illegal and can subject you to fines of up to $2000 . Even if you only plan to be out of the car for just a few minutes, please don’t leave your pets in the car anytime the outside temperature is over 60 °F, even in winter, even with the windows cracked, and even in the shade. (source) Car interiors get too hot for a pet in a very short time. A short delay in your getting back to the car quickly can be fatal to your pets.
