The Many Benefits of Private Dog Boarding

By Kaili Williams from DogsGoWalking.com
      Dog kennels are a standard option for many pet owners, but they are not the safest option. There are a variety of issues with kennels, such as improper feeding and portion control, a lack of daily exercise, lack of play, or lack of other needed care, the chance of your pet contracting contagious diseases (kennel cough being the most common) or parasites, and unclean (and therefore unsafe) environments. 

While many owners may find kennels that are suited to their dogs just fine, private dog boarding and pet sitting care is a safer option. Private dog boarding residences are disease and pest free, clean, under constant supervision, full of toys and room to play, and without restrictive cages.

With private dog boarding, your dog can vacation in a familiar home environment where they will receive an abundance of love and care. They will be able to continue their familiar and necessary diet & exercise routine, as well as have the comfort of familiar toys or objects. This helps to eliminate your dog's stress from being away from you.

Private pet boarding homes are kept puppy-proof, safe and clean, and doggie guests are required to have up-to-date shots & flea and tick control (and in some cases, residences may require that your pet is spayed or neutered). Your dogs are able to roam through a puppy-proof home, and explore or play as they please. In these places, your furry kid gets to have a vacation of their own, with lots of care, socialization, and love.

Many private dog boarding pet hosts are knowledgeable animal lovers that work at home. Pet hosts will often invite you into their home so that you and your pup can evaluate if it is a proper place for your pet's needs. These introductory meetings also give you a chance to know the pet host and other pet guests, as well as for your dog to get to know a new environment, people, and dogs. Pet hosts will often have a limit of pets per home, so that they do not take in more dogs than they can properly care for. This ensures that your pet will have adequate care while you are away.

Dog boarding is a great option for many dogs, but not all dogs. If you have three or more dogs, a pet that is not sociable, or another form of special-needs sort of animal, you should look into pet sitting visits in your home while you are away.

Importance of Dog Exercise

    

 By Kaili Williams from DogsGoWalking.com
   
    Routine exercise is a vital part of your pet’s health needs. Just like their human counterparts, your pet needs regular, daily exercise in order to maintain their optimum weight and health. Regular dog walking, or other forms of active pet play, can relieve stress and destructive behavior, keep bones and joints healthy, and overall extend your pet’s quality of life.
    If you would like to start an exercise routine with your pet, start slow. Just as with people, jumping right into an intense schedule can do more harm than good. You want to ensure that exercise is fun and safe for you and your pet. Start taking a daily 15 minute walk with your dog, and slowly build up time as your dog becomes comfortable with it. Within one or two weeks, you can try moving onto 30 minute dog walks, and then up to hour long dog walks. If your pet enjoys your long walks, and still seems active and energetic afterwards, you may want to move on to dog running or jogging.
    Be mindful of your dogs behavior while you are exercising. Know when your dog is pushing too hard by watching for breathing trouble or signs of fatigue. Always walk your dog with a leash. If you are walking or running with your dog in the dark or low light, make sure that the both of you wear reflectors. Try to keep to natural substrates such as grass or dirt - concrete and gravel can be uncomfortable on pet paws. Check weather reports to ensure that it will be safe to walk. If it is too hot or too cold, a long walk could be harmful. Additionally, it would be wise to avoid getting caught in storms. If you are going on a long walk, make sure that you bring enough fresh water for both yourself and your dog. Finally, If your dog needs to stop and rest, make sure that you allow him or her to.
    If you are in a position where you do not have the time or ability to exercise with your dog, you can always hire a dog walker or runner. Dog walkers can help to ensure that your dog will get the exercise needs he or she requires daily.

How to Kitten-Proof your Home

By Kaili Williams from DogsGoWalking.com

When you are ready to bring a new kitten home, you should ensure that you have a safe environment for your new bundle of fur.

Keep raw meat, potpourri, medications, small objects, household cleaners, candles and electrical wires out of reach of your kitten. Be mindful that your cat can and may jump on counter tops. Because cats are so agile and known to climb to high places, you should make sure that dangerous objects are far out of reach, or locked away in an area where your cat cannot access them. Keep a sealed garbage bin that your cat cannot get into.

House plants can pose as a serious threat to many cats. A lot of common household plants can be toxic to your cat when ingested. Make sure that your plants are in an area safe from your cat, or at least make sure that your house plants are not toxic.

Cords from curtains & blinds look like string toys to kitties. However, cats can get caught in these cords and seriously injured. Keep them wound and secure or otherwise out of your cat’s sight. Additionally, fishing line, yarn, wool and other string fibers can be swallowed by cats and cause intestinal blockage.

Always make sure your kitten isn’t asleep beneath an item of furniture before moving it. Recliners, futons, and drawers may trap or crush a kitten if they are moved without checking first.

Try and keep your toilet lid closed to avoid clumsy kittens falling into it. Additionally, if you have a tub or sink full of water, make sure that your cat cannot access it.

Cats love to crawl into strange places to sleep or hide. Therefore, you should make sure that you always keep your fridge & freezer, washer & dryer, and oven closed or otherwise inaccessible to your new kitten.

Kitten-proofing is all about creating a safe and stress-free environment for you and your new pet. Be cautious and aware of your kitty and what he or she is up to, in order to ensure that he or she is safe. While these are guidelines, you may discover for yourself more areas of the home or objects that need attention when it comes to your individual kitten. Adapt to your kitten’s needs as neccesary.

Cats: A Womans Best Friend

By Kaili Williams from DogsGoWalking.com

There are plenty of studies about man’s best friend (the dog) and canine and owner interaction, however science is just now beginning to look into cat and owner interaction. It turns out that if dogs are be mans best friend, cats may be woman’s.

A study conducted at the University of Vienna has conducted that female cat owners may have a stronger bond with their feline friends than male cat owners - or, more accurately, cats tend to favor women. This is because throughout the study (which examined 41 cats and their owners over long-term periods), they found that the cats would approach female owners & initiate contact at a higher frequency than with male cat owners. It is believed that this is because female cat owners tend to interact with their pets more often than males.

In fact, researchers saw that cat and human relationship dynamics are very close to human-human bonding dynamics. The cat can take the part of a child within a house hold, as many pet owners are sure to already be aware of.  

    Despite popular belief of domestic cats being incredibly independent, this study showed that cats tend to remember kind gestures and will return the favor later. For example, if a cat wishes to play and the owner complies, that cat will be more likely to tolerate the owner’s wish to play at a later time. Cat and owner interaction is strongly influenced by both the cat AND the owner, and cats can manipulate human behavior (demanding to be fed) just as much as humans can manipulate cat behavior (training).
    In summary, cats attach to humans for more than the relationship perk of receiving food. Cats build strong bonds with their owners and have complex relationships that offer social support, play, affection, and love.  
    If you are away from home for a period of time, consider hiring a cat sitter to visit your cat and provide their essential needs for not only food, but love and interaction while you are away.

Pet Obesity within the US

By Kaili Williams from DogsGoWalking.com

Obesity is a rampant problem within America, but studies are showing that more than just people are impacted - their pets are too. A 2008 study showed that 57% of American cats, and 44% of American dogs are overweight. Obesity is a problem that impacts every aspect of your furry friend, including osteoporosis, heart problems, skin conditions, diabetes, and other issues.
    How can you tell if your pet is overweight? Your pet should have an hourglass shape - there should be a visible waist without the ribs or hips protruding to the point where you can see bone. If you are uncertain, a veterinarian can help to determine your pets ideal weight.
    How is this happening? Well, our pets are having the same problems that many Americans are: too many calories, and not enough exercise. Be aware of the calorie content of your pets food, as well as their treats. Additionally, be mindful of table scraps and other food that your pet may be getting into. All of those factors can quickly add up to a calorie total that is higher than necessary for daily consumption. Treats, being comparable to human-junk food, are often the biggest problem. Treats should only make up 10% (or less) of your dogs daily calories. Furthermore, treats lack essential nutrients, so too much could be impairing dog health in more ways than just packing on the pounds.

Other factors of obesity include stress and lack of exercise. You can alleviate these issues with one solution: exercise and play. Human interaction and activity help to relieve stress and aid in your pets weight loss. You can schedule extra time for daily walks with your pet, or, if you are short on time: hire a dog walker.

    If your pet is overweight, you may consult your veterinarian in order to determine a proper portion to feed your pet daily. By feeding your pet on a schedule with controlled portions, you will be in control and aware of how much your pet eats per day. Furthermore, vets can prescribe diet food for your pet if needed.