Poll! Does your pet like the snow? Answer in the comments with the corresponding emoji!
❄️ = Yes!
🥶 = No!
🧐 = Never seen it!
We all know the adage "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" and we're here to tell you that this is far from true!
When you first got your pet, you more than likely spent a lot of time training them and teaching them basic commands. Now that your pet is older, training might be far from the first thing on your mind.
Pets, particularly dogs, are happier when they are mentally and physically active! One-on-one training provides exactly that in addition to getting the attention they may be craving. Specifically when using positive reinforcement methods!
Positive reinforcement is when rewards come when you do something correctly, even though you may not know what you’re supposed to do. No punishments are ever handed out.
There are many benefits of using positive reinforcement training methods for pets, including:
❤️ Reduction in fear and stress of pets
🧡 A strengthened bond between pet and owner
💛 Faster learning of new behaviors
💚 Ability to teach unnatural behaviors
💙 Ability to teach complex behaviors
💜 Children can safely use this method (training involving punishment can be dangerous)
It's #walkyourpetmonth and we want to know---how often do you walk your pet? Once or twice a day? A week? A month!
Let us know in the comments down below!
Do you make New Year's Resolutions? This year, we want to take more time to "paws", take deep breaths, and appreciate all the little moments in life.
What's your resolution this year?
You may already know that overweight pets are more likely to live shorter lives. But excess weight can cause a variety of health issues with your pet in the meantime.
➡️ Cancer - Overweight pets are more susceptible to certain cancers. To treat your pet for cancer, Petplan estimates the average cost will be $2,033
➡️ Joint Injuries - Even just a few extra pounds can add significant stress to your pet's joints (knees are the most commonly affected) costing an average of $3,480 to treat.
➡️ Urinary Tract Infections - Overweight female pets have more trouble cleaning hard-to-reach places or folds of fat may trap bacteria, leading to a UTI. Petplan estimates the cost for treatment for a UTI is $590.
➡️ Heart Disease - In overweight pets, the heart and circulatory system are working overtime which can lead to heart disease and high blood pressure. Treating cardiac conditions can cost approximately $1, 232.
➡️ Back Problems - Overweight pets with short legs and long bodies are prone to intervertebral disc diseases which can cost an average of $2,033 to treat.
Be sure that you measure out portions each day appropriate for your pet, choose the appropriate diet, show love without treats if needed, exercise regularly, and visit the vet routinely!
Don't be surprised!
You may be planning a night out with family and friends which means that your pet might be left home alone with lots of confusing noises coming from outside.
Before you head out, double-check the house to make sure all the exits are secure and do what you can to ensure that your pet feels comfortable and safe.
Remember to remove any harmful plants, foods, or medications that your pet could get into.
🥳🤩 Happy celebrating and Happy New Year! 🥳🤩
Gastroenteritis may seem like a simple case of vomiting and diarrhea, but medical treatment is warranted to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances and to determine the underlying cause.
If your pet is suffering from gastroenteritis, make a veterinary appointment and have the answers to these questions on hand during your appointment:
➡️ Has your pet had any new foods or treats recently?
➡️ When was the last time your pet ate and drank normally?
➡️ What is your pet currently eating, and how much?
➡️ Has your pet been exposed to any new people, pets, animals, or places recently?
➡️ Could your pet have ingested any cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals?
➡️ Has your pet had other vomiting and diarrhea episodes?
➡️ What medications or supplements does your pet take?
Yes, our precious doggos do get dementia...It's formally referred to as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) which can present itself as involutive depression, dysthymia, hyper-aggression, or confusional syndrome.
Here are some signs of doggy dementia. And remember, always speak with a Veterinarian about any concerns you have for your pet!
🐶 Pacing back and forth or in circles (often turning consistently in one direction)
🐶 Getting lost in familiar places
🐶 Staring into space or walls
🐶 Walking into corners or other tight spaces and staying there
🐶 Appearing lost or confused
🐶 Waiting at the “hinge” side of the door to go out
🐶 Failing to get out of the way when someone opens a door
🐶 Failing to remember routines, or starting them and getting only partway through
🐶 Sundowning
Have you ever noticed your pup's nose turn from its usual dark color to more of a pink or brown color? Guess what that's called!?
Snow nose! aka Winter Nose ❄️
Snow nose most commonly affects Siberian Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs.
This condition is completely cosmetic! However, if your dog's nose gets smoother and smoother or raw with sores, you should definitely make a veterinary appointment.
You already know that overweight pets are more likely to live shorter lives. 😩 But did you know that there are other health issues that extra weight can lead to like cancer, joint injury, UTIs, heart disease, and back problems?
It's tough to help our pets keep up a healthy weight, we know.
👇Here are some simple and actionable steps you can take to help your pet stay healthy👇
1. Measure our portions
2. Choose a proper diet for your pet's life stage
3. Show love without treats
4. Exercise
5. Visit the vet if your pet falls into the overweight class to check for signs of hypothyroidism, diabetes, or arthritis
The holidays are creeping up and you might be considering taking your pet with you on a trip! Before you go, ask yourself these 5 questions!
1. Is my pet welcome?
2. Is my pet medically cleared for the trip?
5. Is the route I'm taking the most pet-friendly?
4. Are there any travel rules or restrictions to consider?
5. What does my pet need for the duration of the trip?
If your pet is good-to-go, we wish you safe travels and happy holidays! 🥰
Thank you so much for trusting us with your pet. We are honored that you have placed your trust in us. We wish you all the best this holiday season!
💛 Did you know that owning a pet improves your cardiovascular health?
💛 The CDC and NIH found that pet owners display decreased blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, which can all minimize their risk of a heart attack.
💛 Furthermore, those who have already experienced a heart attack tend to have better recovery rates if they own a dog or a cat!
A friendly reminder to consider your pets during cold weather!
Be prepared & plan ahead. Leave your pets' coats a little longer and consider getting pet coats for your short-haired pets.
If you bathe your pets during cold weather, make sure they are completely dry before taking them outside.
When letting your pets out for a bathroom break- stay with them! If it is too cold for you to stand outside, it is probably too cold for your pets.
If you do have an outdoor pet, remember that staying warm requires extra calories! Feed them accordingly. Check on their water frequently to ensure it doesn't freeze.
Wipe your pet's paws after being in the ice and snow. Ice balls can cause frostbite!
More cold weather safety tips: https://bit.ly/keepyourpetswarm
1 in 4 dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime. 50% of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer. Those are some staggering statistics! The best thing you can do for your pet is to keep them healthy and recognize the warning signs of cancer:
❗️ Unusual or fast-growing lumps or bumps
❗️ Unresolved vomiting or diarrhea
❗️ Unexplained or unresolved pain or limping
❗️ Unexplained bleeding or discharge from the nose or in urine or stool
❗️ Difficulty performing basic functions like eating, drinking, swallowing, breathing, urinating, or defecating.
❗️ Foul mouth odor
❗️ Swollen lymph nodes
❗️ Sores that do not resolve or heal
❗️ Weight loss or loss of appetite
❗️ Lethargic with no interest in usual activities
Although all of these symptoms can be linked with a variety of other conditions, they can all be linked to various cancerous conditions in your pet and should be examined.
Dogs can get the flu! Just like me and just like you! 😰
There are two identified strains of the canine influenza virus (CIV) -- H3N8 and H3N2. Both strains are spread mostly through close contact, respiratory secretions, contaminated objects, and people carrying viral pathogens that can transmit to dogs. Canine influenza viral strains are highly contagious among dogs.
CIV is mild in most cases but, as with people, some can develop into a more severe illness. Dogs with mild CIV will generally develop a mild cough that sounds similar to kennel cough. Dogs with CIV may also display the following signs:
➡️ Eye discharge
➡️ Sneezing
➡️ Nasal discharge
➡️ Fever
➡️ Lethargy
➡️ Inappetence
In severe cases, dogs can develop a high fever, pneumonia, and a bacterial infection secondary to the viral infection.
About 20% of dogs who contract CIV remain asymptomatic but can still pass it along to other dogs. If an outbreak occurs in your area, be sure to:
➡️ Vaccinate your dog for both CIV strains if you travel with, board, or visit dogs parks often
➡️ Keep your dog away from other dogs who exhibit signs of illness
➡️ If you've been interacting with a sick dog, be sure to wash your hands and change your clothes before engaging with your own dog.
Whether you're planning on adopting an older pet or you already have an elderly cat or dog, your senior pet deserves to be pampered and spoiled!
💓 Here are 6⃣ ways you can shower your senior pet with love 💓
1. ✅ Upgrade their bed: If your pet has had the same bed for months or even years, it's likely that the padding has compressed which provides little to no support on your pet's achy joints. Treat your pet to a firm, orthopedic bed that gives your pet plenty of cushion and support.
2. ✅ Encourage physical activity: Your pet is now at "retirement" age, so rest and relaxation are entirely natural! However, too little activity can cause senior pets to develop heart issues. Without regular, low-impact exercise, their muscles atrophy which, in turn, makes daily activities more difficult.
3. ✅ Mental enrichment: Your pet's brain is a muscle! Keep their mind sharp with enrichment activities like food puzzles, nose work training, or other daily training sessions.
4. ✅ Diet: As your pet ages, their nutritional needs change as well. Oftentimes, they require fewer calories. However, please remember that each pet will have individualized needs specific to their health. Speak to your veterinarian to determine the best dietary needs for your pet.
5. ✅ Home navigation: As your pet ages, going up and down stairs can be more challenging. Your senior pet may also struggle with tall furniture, slick floors, low food & water dishes, or litter boxes with tall sides. You can remedy these issues by placing runners on slick floors, raising your pet's food/water dishes, placing your pet's necessities all in one area, investing in a litter box with shorter sides, or installing ramps for easier access in and out o your home or favorite piece of furniture.
6. ✅ Bi-Annual Wellness Exams: Pets age much faster than humans and their health can change rapidly. With regular exams, you'll be able to closely monitor early signs of organ dysfunction, arthritis pain, dental
