DogGeek Originals
You might just think you are helping by not letting people get dog poo on their shoes but you’re actually doing a lot more. See how picking up after your pup is helping save the environment.
As a pet parent, it can be very stressful when your beloved dog is under the weather. Whether you took your precious pup swimming at the local lake over the weekend and she had so much fun frolicking on the rocks that her pads are sore, or your dog got into the cat food and is experiencing some tummy trouble, it’s hard to see your normally energetic dogs feeling yucky.
Even though your fur baby is not seriously ill and you know he’ll bounce back in a day or two, you’d still like to stay home from work to provide non-stop TLC. Unfortunately, you have to leave your dog home alone for awhile. Here’s how to make the best of it.
It can be hard to concentrate on work projects when you are worried about Fluffy. To help put your mind at ease, invest in a home security camera that will keep an electronic eye on your pet. Lorex Technology sells a variety of video surveillance systems that allow you to view what’s going on at home while you are gone. The wireless system features a free app you can use to see the live stream. This way you’ll know exactly what your pet is up to.
As Natural Dog Health Remedies says, dogs that are feeling sick may refuse food for a couple of days. While you will still want to call your vet and report this behavior, in most cases this is a normal response to illness and will resolve itself. You should still be sure that your dog has access to plenty of clean water. Before leaving for work, fill a few extra bowls and place them around the house and near your fur baby’s pet bed. This way, she won’t have to walk too far and she’ll have plenty of fluids if she’s been dehydrated.
If your dog got into something he shouldn’t have and is recovering from the runs or other tummy distress, it will probably be hard for him to hold it while you are away. Close as many doors in your home as possible to limit his access to carpets and beds, and place puppy pads and plenty of newspaper on the floors. This way, if he has an accident while you are gone, it won’t be too messy to clean up.
If you can’t make a quick trip home at lunch to check on your four-legged friend, consider hiring a home health services company that can come in and tend to your dog. Google “in-home pet care” and your city to find a local company that can help. For example, Pet Pros offers home health care services to pets who are recovering at home from an injury or illness. You can also ask a trusted friend or neighbor to come in once or twice during the day to check on your dog and give him some extra TLC.
Emergencies happen, especially if your dog is curious. Below is a quick infographic to help guide you through some common issues.
Eco-friendly business practices have become an increasingly important element in the allurement of prospective clientele. As a pet-sitter, it is important you have knowledge of the most earth-friendly and pet-friendly commodities for your business venture. Make your pet-sitting business stand out from the rest, with the following eco-friendly practices and pet products:
Market your business in an eco-friendly way, without the unnecessary waste of paper materials. Many smartphone owners have a QR code scanner app on their phone. QR codes provide companies the efficient ability to link their physical marketing material with their online website. When a potential customer sees a QR code, they are able to scan it and access more information about the company or their product. Go one step beyond a photo-copied coffee-shop advertisement for your business and reduce your paper waste through the integration of a QR code that links with your website.
Paper invoices are a waste of paper and mailing materials, which is not conducive for an eco-friendly business. Eliminate the headache of manual invoice composition and the waste of physical invoices, with an electronic invoice system. Conduct payment transfers through your mobile device, as a convenient service for your clients. For more information on the benefits of instant invoicing and mobile payments, Flint has an article that will guide you through this eco-friendly and efficient process.
Ensure your pet client receives the most eco-friendly treats, through provision of chemical and preservative-free, high-quality pet food. Many pet food brands will use low-grade waste meat — the discards from the beef and poultry conglomerates. These poor quality meat-based pet foods are made from the 4D’s — dead, dying, diseased, disabled animals. A pet who consumes low-grade meat will most likely encounter poor digestive tendencies and is at higher risk of illness or disease. Guide the owner toward pet foods that are FDA-certified, food-grade meat, and nutritionally beneficial for the pet. “Organic” is another certification of pet foods that are made of meats raised in a sustainable, humane environment. The organic food ensures the meat is raised without drugs or hormones, is minimally processed, and only preserved with natural supplements. Organic goes beyond the “FDA-certified, food-grade” meat, as there are stricter rules about the eco-friendly and humane treatment standards.
When you are the care-taker of a dog, use biodegradable dog-waste bags. Plastic bags are one of the worst culprits of landfill overflow– the decomposition of plastic bags ranges from 20 to 100 years. There are a wide range of biodegradable bags available for purchase at pet stores, like the BioBag at Petco. Steer clear of clay cat litter, as the clay in these litters are procured in non-eco-friendly ways, through strip-mining. Additionally, clay sediment is saturated with carcinogenic silica dust, which is harmful for the lungs of both you and the cat. The sodium bentonite found in clay clumping-litter can attach to the cat’s fur and may be ingested when the cat grooms itself. Sodium bentonite can swell up 15 to 18 times its dry size and will clog up the cat’s digestive system. Opt for a more eco-friendly cat litter, like one made from recycled newspaper, which is reportedly three times more absorbent than clay, non-toxic and dust-free.
When it comes time to take a trip out of town, many pet parents face the same dilemma: It’s not easy to find care arrangements you feel comfortable with, but traveling with a dog makes it difficult to enjoy your getaway. Take heart, dog lovers — a trip with your beloved pooch doesn’t need to be a stressful ordeal. Instead, make a doggy-inspired to-do list to make sure you and your best friend have the relaxing vacation you deserve.
Make a list of what types of activities you and your dog will enjoy both during transport and at the destination. For instance, a hiking vacation requires lots of water, a portable dog bowl and plenty of layers to keep your temperature regulated. Your dog may require more treats and high-protein snacks if your vacation is especially active and spent outdoors. For indoor relaxation at a cabin or urban hotel, bring along plenty of chew toys to keep your dog busy, so he isn’t bored and barking for the neighbors to hear.
You may have already packed your emergency contact list, backup medications and details of your travel insurance policy. But your dog needs his own emergency preparedness strategy. Write down his microchip information in case he gets lost, the names of his medications in case you lose them, and the number of your vet as well as one in your vacation area. Use a cloud storage system like Mozy to automatically back up your computer so all your files and important documents are readily available on your smartphone, tablet or laptop.
Not all pet-friendly accommodations are created equal. Find out if your hotel, apartment or vacation rental has a mini-fridge to keep any medications and snacks cold. Ask about any additional pet or room cleaning fees and about nearby dog runs and parks. Some hotels may have a policy about not leaving dogs unattended in rooms. This may sound fine in theory, but you’ll need a plan if you’re going to enjoy the continental breakfast or grab a quick drink with a friend.
Your dog may love a car ride, but driving for an entire day or two could frustrate him or make him stir crazy. And being separated from you on an airplane, or being stowed underneath a seat in a dog carrier, could create a frenzy of anxiety. Ask your veterinarian if she recommends calming medications or something to make your dog sleep. Otherwise, dog expert Cesar Millan recommends relying on one-on-one attention, plenty of playtime and natural soothing agents to help keep your dog calm. Rubbing some diluted lavender on your dog’s paws could help them relax and calm down enough to enjoy the ride or take a nap during your flight.
Figure out your game plan once you get to your destination. Even if you have activities planned with friends and family, your dog needs his own fun too. Look for parks with wide open spaces, doggie day cares that take drop-ins, MeetUp groups for dogs, dog runs and pet-friendly events in the area.
A quick and easy guide to what your dog can and can not eat.
