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- Some room for improvement..Siri, Y U No Understand Me? [INFOGRAPHIC] http://t.co/oWj2mT7Y via @zite
- Finding A Groom For Dying Celebrity Dog, Lucky http://t.co/cLiUIqvS via @zite
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When Clean Can Be Toxic to Your Pets
Jessie, the curious canine: You humans just amaze me! Every year at this time, something in you goes into overdrive, and you begin to clean in a frenzy and clear out the clutter. You lovingly refer to it as “Spring Cleaning,” but not once do I see you throw out the cat in these attempts to dispose of the clutter! However, I do want to point out to you faithful wardens of our domiciles, when you go into this mad, mad state of cleaning, please be aware that certain products you are using could be harmful, if not fatal, to your four-legged friends. Sure, bleach and detergent can rid your home of those pesky bugs and viruses, but it can also rid your home of your pets. If they get into these products, it can result in extreme illness or even death to them. Please, just keep them away!
I know some of you are into the sweet, sweet smells of potpouri and their freshening oils. They smell great, we agree, but they are extremely toxic to cats and dogs. (And not to mention that we know of one 105-year-old lady who mistook a bowl of potpourri for trail mix….so think about your great-grandmas, too!)
Other harmful items to your pets include batteries, aluminum foil, moth balls, and cellophane candy wrappers…..don’t let your cat or dog choke on those!
In your garage, one of the biggest culprits is anti-freeze! This product contains ethylene glycol, and it can be tempting to your pet as it has a sweet taste. Even just a couple of drops can kill your pet. Purchase products that contain propylene glycol instead.
Well, that is my muse for the day. Please be advised that these warnings do not give you license to abandon cleaning all together! We do love a clean and inviting place in which to live…because it gives us something to dirty up again!
Have a great day!
(Information for this post was found at www.thedogbowl.com)
How to clean up after your lovable four-legged friend
Jessie, the world’s greatest dog: Did you know that there are over 40 million households in the US that share their homes with over 68 million dogs? Guess what type of pet is very popular????
Bo, the disinterested, yet confident, cat: (Yawns and returns to sleep)
Jessie: Well, with all of those dogs running around the house, you can bet there are some substantial messes to clean up, and you don’t see me running around with a mop and a bucket! So, what is a human to do? If you want to keep the pet messes in your home at bay, then here are a few tips from one in the know, ME!
**Choose flooring surfaces that clean up easily and can withstand those pesky canine nails. Synthetic carpets offer the best stain shield protection.
**Do not delay cleaning up messes. The longer a mess sits there, the more challenging it is to clean it up. (I know this because I have been trying to clean up the mess of Bo, but he has been a permanent fixture in this house that I fear his residue may never leave.)
**Avoid ammonia-based cleaners on dog messes. They smell like urine…oh, yeah, and surprisingly like Bo!
**An enzyme-based dog odor neutralizier can destory that urine smell.
**The main areas where dogs sleep and play can collect those annoying smells. Be sure to clean those areas up well and often.
**Unlike me, not every dog is flea-free. Boric acid (100%) is a great odorless powder that is won’t stain and is proven to kill fleas.
**Restrict your dog to certain areas of your home to create an allergy-free environment for yourself and your family. (I prefer to restrict the cat in our home!)
**Use vacuums that have high efficiency filters that will help to clean the air in your home. (Or, alternatively, get rid of the cat!)
**Bathe and groom your dog on a regular basis, preferably outside. (Although I do prefer the ambiance of an elegant spa!)
**Keep your home well-ventilated.
I was surprised to learn in my research that you can hand-vacuum a dog that sheds a lot. I wonder what would happen if I hand-vacuumed Bo? Would my human recognize the sound of a cat being sucked up by a vacuum? Hmmm…..
Stay clean! Have fun! Hide the cat!
(Information for this post was found at http://www.creativehomemaking.com/cleaning/dog-odors.shtml)
When Spring Cleaning Has Gone to the Dogs!
Jessie, the neat and clean dog: I am so excited that spring is here! I love the fresh, warm air; the calming breezes; and the smiling sun. It does my heart good to celebrate in this glorious season. However, along with spring comes that dreaded spring cleaning ritual. Sure, it makes us all feel good to get it done, but what a pain it can be. Plus, with pets on hand and underfoot, we can add to your work load. I tend to be rather neat and clean, but I have seen the work that my canine colleagues have done to their humans’ homes, so I am here to offer some tips to reduce that spring cleaning work load.
First, get rid of any and all house cats. They are the worst offenders.
Bo, house cat extraordinaire: I beg your pardon? It seems to me that the DOGS bring in the most dirt and grime. Cats are simply self-cleaning machines.
Jessie: I was just kidding. I only wanted to see if you were paying attention! So, back to business. If you want to avoid muddy pawprints all over your clean floor this spring, teach your dog to stand at the door so you can wipe his paws before he comes in. Be sure to use a soft, damp cloth…and remember to clean between the toes, too! He could soon come to see this as some sort of paw massage or paw-dicure!
If you don’t want your muddy dog to roll all over your floor or your furniture while he is covered in mud, put slip covers on any furniture your dog is normally allowed to sit on. Floor runners and mats can protect your carpets.
Many breeds of dogs shed all throughout the year. It might become more obvious in the spring time as they begin to shed their winter coats. To tackle this problem, brush your dog more frequently all of that fur gets stuck in the furniture or in the carpet. You have enough work to do with pets….who needs dust bunnies?
Now is a good time to wash your dog’s bedding. Use a commercial laundromat for the bigger beds. Or, if you are lucky and you have a doggie bed with a removable cover, just stick that cover in your home washing machine. It is best to use a non-scented detergent and do not use dryer sheets, as they can irritate your dog’s skin.
Those are my spring cleaning tips for the day! I hope I have kick-started your week. (Looking around now…) Speaking of kick-starting, where is that mangy cat?
(Information for this article was found at http://www.zootoo.com/petnews/howpetownerscanembracespringcl-1548.)
Beautiful Flower, But Deadly for your Pet
Bo and Jessie have taken the holiday weekend off and left me in charge of their post for today. With spring now here, many of us are planting spring flowers and plants. Our pets, like us, enjoy beautiful plants and flowers. Pets, however, sometimes like to nibble on the ones they find most appealing. This habit could have serious, even deadly, repercussions.
The ASPCA has developed a list of some the most common pet poisonous plants:
- Lilies-especially toxic for cats, ingesting even a small amount can lead to severe kidney damage
- Marijuana-causes depression of central nervous system, increased heart rate, seizures, even coma
- Sage Palm-Seeds or “nuts” are especially toxic, can cause liver failure or seizures
- Tulip/Narcissus Bulbs-may cause severe gastrointestinal irritation or cardiac abnormalities
- Azalea/Rhododendron-Severe azalea poinsoning may lead to coma or death from cardiovascular collapse
- Oleander-Can cause hypothermia, abnormal heart function and death
- Castor Bean-Severe cases of poisoning can cause dehydration, seizures, even death
- Cyclamen-Main source of poison in the roots. May cause serious gastrointestinal irritation, even death in extreme cases
- Chrysanthemum-May cause vomiting, diarrhea or loss of coordination
- Pothos-Can cause swelling of oral tissues and other parts of gastrointestinal tract
- Amaryllis-Can cause depression, vomiting, tremors or abdominal pain
- English Ivy-May cause hypersalivation, vomiting or abdominal pain
Liven up your indoor and outdoor living space with beautiful plants, but keep your pets in mind when making your selections. For more information on this subject, see www.aspca.org
Is Your Dog Getting Enough of the Right Exercise?
Different dog breeds have varying exercise needs. Small companion breeds, such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, don’t need strenous workouts, but do need good exercise and stimulation. Working breeds, like the Border Collie, are bred for stamina making their exercise needs much more strenuous. Consider the activity your dog’s breed was meant to perform, like herding or retrieving, and tailor exercise to best meet those breed-specific needs.
Variety should also be incorporated into your dog’s exercise routine. Much like us, doing the same exercise routine every day can become boring to your pet. When going for walks, change your route from time to time. The change will give your dog new sights and smells to investigate which will increase their enjoyment of the walk.
So how do you know if your pet is getting enough, and the right kind of exercise? One way to know is weight gain. If your dog is gaining weight, this is an indication more walks of longer duration are needed. Another sign of inappropriate exercise level is behavorial troubles. Chewing and excessive barking are indications your dog may be anxious or frustrated.
Many people believe leaving their dog in the backyard all day provides enough opportunity for exercise. Initially, the yard provides enough stimulation and area for them to get the exercise and stimulation they need. Over time, however, the same yard becomes familiar territory with little to stimulate them. Once this happens, behaviorial problems very similar to those of a dog kept inside all day will begin to surface.
If your pet is left alone for long hours, consider hiring a dog=walker or taking him to a doggy day-care facility.
It’s Me or The Dog: How to Have the Perfect Dog by Victoria Stilwell was a reference for this post.
What? Me? Work up a sweat? You have got to be kidding!
Jessie, the perfectly fit dog: I am sure you all have heard that exercise is great for people. They also say it is good for pets. I get enough exercise around here by jumping to conclusions and evading the issues. Why must I do anything further? I have seen many humans out on the streets running with their dogs. What is up with that? What are they running from? Or, better yet…what are they chasing? Why on earth do people run if they are not chasing a car or running from a bigger human?
Bo, the cerebral cat: If you must know, my dear canine friend. Exercise is important for both humans and animals. It keeps our hearts in shape, our bodies fit, and our minds clear. If anything, you could use a bit of fitness, if only to keep a bit more sanity about you. I do have a few tips on how to get started working out with your pets. Actually, I am just waiting for someone to open up a health club strictly for cats and dogs. It would be PAWS-itiviely awesome, wouldn’t it? They could have a spa, a salon, a place to dine on French kitty treats, a massage station, a….
Jessie: FOCUS! Our readers do not care one bit about your fantasies. If you are going to educate them, do it now and do it quickly. They have other blogs to get to!
Bo: (Clearing his throat) Fine. Well, as with anything you do in life, you need to be motivated to do it first. So, if you want to exercise with your pet, be sure to schedule in the time just like you would any other appointment. (Speaking of which, is my stylist still on speed dial?) If you have it written down in your calendar, you are less likely to skip that “appointment.” So, how much time do you need to spare for this indulgence? Most experts say that thirty-minute sessions about four times each week will suffice for a dog. Cats can get by on 15 minutes, once each day, provided they are in good health.
With your dog, you can play a game of fetch. Remember: YOU throw the ball, and HE fetches it. Not the other way around. (However, that would be highly entertaining, now that I think about it!) Take your dog on a long walk or even a jog. Play a game of chase around the back yard. (That will give the neighbors something to talk about! “Look, Norm, Jack is in his yard again, being chased by the dog!”) If you have a dog that loves the water, take him for a swim….just not at your local neighborhood pool. They might frown on that.
Cats like to play fetch with furry mice….fake ones…not real ones! Put a toy ball on a slick surface and watch the cat go wild. Catnip toys can also entice your cat to engage in some heart-pumping play.
Just remember to have fun. And make sure to offer your pet some water when finished. It is important to keep your pet just as hydrated as yourself! Before long, both you and your four-legged buddy will be looking fit and trim. After all, swim suit season is around the corner!
(Information for this post was found at http://home.ivillage.com/pets/cats/0,,p9rm,00.html)
Is Your Pet Fit or Fat?
Did you know about 44% of dogs and 57% of cats are overweight? Being overweight leads to a higher risk of arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and behaviorial problems in dogs and cats.
Not sure if your pet is fit or fat? A fit dog or cat’s ribs can be felt and there is a slight waist when viewed from above. In overweight pets, the ribs are difficult to feel and there is no waist when viewed from above. When pets are obese, their ribs are very difficult to feel and when viewed from above, there is no waist and a broad back.
For those pets battling weight issues, it is possible to still give them treats. Following are some healthy pet treat options:
- Cooked or raw carrots or green beans. Dogs love the taste!
- Reduce the size and/or number of treats given
- Reserve a portion of daily food allowance to use as treats
- Stuff hollow toys with morsels of food. Pets will work off energy trying to get the food out of the toy
Another way to help with your pet’s weight management is to get them moving. A game of Find the Treat works for cats and dogs. Hide treats at various locations and your pet will search until they’ve found all of them. This works especially well for cats using small bowls of food. Their natural predatory instinct will kick in and they will hunt the food throughout the day.
Many pets will chase remote-controlled toys. Look for ones that are pet-friendly and do not contain small parts that could be swallowed. A variation on this for cats is a red laser light. Many cats love chasing the light and this game provides a good amount of exercise for them.
With warmer weather on the way, swimming is a good exercise, especially for dogs with joint injuries or arthritis. Playing fetch is also a great exercise option for dogs.
All of these exercise options are a great opportunity to bond with your pet. Have fun and get moving with your pet today!
Information for this posting from Healthy Pet Magazine, Fall 2009 & Spring 2010
Provide a safe lawn and garden for your pets this Spring!
It is Spring Break and Bo and Jessie are taking a temporary vacation from this blog. They may be sipping Mai Tais on a luxurious island, or, more than likely, they are arguing in the back room about who needs to take out the trash this week. At any rate, we have given them a reprieve from their writing duties and present to you this post about preparing your garden for Spring while still making it safe for your pets.
With Spring in the air, many folks are putting their green thumbs back into action, and with that endeavor comes a responsibility to keep your pets safe when they roam around the yard. We all love our gardens and yards, but we also want to make sure our animal friends are free from harm and poisonous substances.
For example, when applying fertilizer to your lawn, please follow the instructions carefully and allow for the proper waiting period after application and before letting your pet run free across the yard. If your pet digests any of the fertilizer, it could cause stomach upset or even a life-threatening intestinal obstruction.
When using insecticides, be sure to store them in areas inaccessible to your pets. Be sure to follow the label for proper use and storage. While these products are necessary for a healthy garden, they can be quite dangerous to a dog or a cat.
Cocoa mulch is frequently used in landscapes for it attractive odor and color. However, its sweet, chocolately scent can attract dogs. If consumed by a dog, this mulch can cause vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, seizures, and hyperactivity. Consider using shredded pine, cedar, or hemlock bark, but make sure you also keep an eye on your four-legged buddy when he or she is out in the yard sniffing around!
Are you composting? Good for you! Mother Nature loves you! However, be aware of what types of food you may be putting into you garden soil that could be potentially harmful to your pet, such as coffee, moldy foods, and certain types of fruits and vegetables. Those can prove toxic to your pet.
And when using your garden tools, please be sure to put them away when you are finished using them. They may seem harmless, but if a dog pokes himself on a rake or on any other sharp tool, he or she can risk tetanus.
So, go ahead and enjoy your beautiful yard this Spring! Just be sure to employ a few safety tips into your endeavors so you and your pet can safely and happily play in the yard!
Now, go fetch!
(Information for this post was obtained at www.aspca.org)
Is this for real? Doggie make-up?
Jessie, the beautiful dog: You know, The Crufts dog show is being held in England as we speak. I am wondering why I am not in attendance. I am not suggesting I should be a mere spectator, either. I think I could hold my own quite well in such an event.
Bo, the annoyed cat: Are you kidding me? You could not even get a job as an usher there! This is a top notch event. It beckons the best of the best of the best. Don’t think I saw your name on the list.
Jessie: Well, if I could get our human, Karen, owner of Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Overland Park, to glam me up a bit, I might qualify.
Bo: Well, from what I have read in the news, some of those dogs are being called on the carpet for engaging in behaviors that are completely disturbing.
Jessie: What on earth do you mean?
Bo: According to my sources at www.pawnation.com, the judges for this dog show, the world’s largest, are on the look out for canine competitors whose looks have been, shall we say, enhanced with certain cosmetics.
Jessie: Does Maybelline know about this?
Bo, rolling his eyes: Do you not know anything? This is not about green eyeshadow, red lipstick, and pink blush. It is about hair removal creams and color dyes. While it has been alleged that some owners are suspected of using lipstick. eyeliner, and even acne creams on their show dogs, most are doing things such as giving the dogs a last minute shave, perhaps using a female depilatory cream, and even using corn startch to brighten up the legs. Hairdressers unite! At this event, it is all about shampooing, blow drying, and coiffing the ‘dos! One dog in particular was spotted getting a last minute shave and even having her eyes touched up wtih white powder to get that nasty red look out of them. Begs the question: How many of these canine friends are wearing colored contact lenses or have had plastic surgery? Where will it end?????
Jessie: That is why I should be in the show. With my natural good looks and dynamic personality, I would be the highlight of the show!
Bo, aside: More like the court jester if you ask me. Now, I have to get going. I have a mani-pedi scheduled in 30 minutes. What? Those of the male persuasion have to look good, too!
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