EKG Petsitting

12/16/2024

They can cause blockages and intestinal upset or damage that can be very dangerous in some circumstances

It's not always inappropriate to give rawhide, like if your dog isn't a very powerful chewer, but it is often not worth the risk. Always ask your vet.

12/16/2024

Enjoying a quiet morning with Martin van Purren 😁

12/13/2024

He's actually perfect 🥰💗

12/13/2024

Does anybody want to be my guinea pigs with these forms so I can test that everything is going through okay?

https://forms.gle/6t1dqpPUFzhfsTBU8

https://forms.gle/zbqqY3sbyMgC9TLe7

Welcome to EKG Petsitting. We are delighted you have chosen us to care for your pets in your absence. This form will need to be completed for each individual booking with one of our members. If you have not filled out the New Client Details form, please do that as well.

11/28/2024

Absolutely true. Backyard breeders and puppy mills are out of control. Ethical breeding is currently a nightmare to navigate.

If you decide you need a purebred dog (most pet homes will never need a specific purebred and are just fine with mutts!), please do your research on them. As for cats, most are not purebreds but be aware of similar issues if purchasing purebred cats as well.

How many litters do they produce each year? More than 2-3 can indicate backyard breeding.

How many breeds of dog do they breed at a time? Multiple breeds being produced is a Hallmark of backyard breeders and puppy mills. Most ethical breeders will focus on one dog breed at a time. If they are two related breeds, this may not be as big of a concern, but if they breed several unrelated breeds they may be more concerned with profits over animal health and longevity.

Do they have a legitimate reason for breeding? Breeding should only be done to progress the health, longevity, temperament, and purpose of the breed. Breeding because "my dog is cute" or "my dog is nice" or just because it is a purebred dog are not legitimate reasons to breed.

Have they done any health testing and can they provide the results? Ethical breeders test 100% of the time before breeding and do not breed dogs with known genetic disorders/those disorders in their lineage.

How's their conformation? Does the dog look like a good example of its breed? Can you see both parents and assure they are both in good conformation, health and temperament? Do they have any titling for shows or sports showing they are solid in their breed?

There are many things to consider when getting a new pet. We at EKG Petsitting are big on adopting, and that is why I offer a 10% rescue discount for dogs with proof of adoption from a legitimate rescue organization within North America. Please consider the millions of rescue dogs across the nation before purchasing a pet. I can fly you a dog that is currently starving on the streets of Puerto Rico for less than the cost of many pet store puppies.

Stop buying and funding cruelty!! Adopt from shelters and rescues

11/28/2024

Hello everyone! We are preparing to start cooking and I just wanted to take a moment to remind everyone that some foods should not be given to our pet friends. This post contains images of foods that both DOGS AND CATS are typically safe to consume in *moderation only* (except the last picture with everything in it featuring Marty - some of those are unsafe!).

Please consult your veterinarian before giving your pet any new foods. I am not a veterinarian and this is not medical advice. I only wish to provide somewhat safer options to pet pawrents and their guests! If your pet has had these foods before and tolerated them well, they are probably fine.

11/27/2024

Part two of my holiday safety tips for pets summarizes several decorations with potential for harm and some ways to avoid them. Remember, most of this is about cats and dogs, but you should consider all pet species when decorating your home. For instance, many birds are quite sensitive to environmental contaminants, and they might get sick from lit candles any time of the year. You should be especially careful that if you do have birds and use candles, you do so out of their living space and only in well-ventilated areas.

Part 3 will be discussing dog- and cat-safe foods, along with a few shoutouts to other pet species along the way. Look for it out tomorrow afternoon!

11/20/2024

11/20/2024

Isn't Panda so precious 🖤🤍🩷

11/18/2024

With multiple major holidays centered around food and family fast approaching, it's a good time to remind yourself which foods are and are not safe for your pets. While these are general guidelines for dogs and cats, other pets may have different needs, so search for your specific animals' needs and save a list for each kind of animal you own. Keep the printed lists of safe and unsafe foods in a visible area and let all of your guests know they are there; this can help avoid accidental ingestions due to someone not being informed of what is okay and not okay to give your pets.

11/12/2024

Marty likes it when I'm home from sits 😆