Guest post: Introducing a new baby to your dog
August 2, 2018
This month I asked Dr. Alger to write a blog about a topic near and dear to her at the moment. Please read on for more information about what to expect when you’re expecting and already have a fur child! August is due date month for me and seemed fitting to write a blog to discuss introducing a new baby to your dog. My household consists of my husband, myself, and our 10 month old Bernese Mountain Dog, Walter, who currently weighs in at a whopping 100 pounds. We adopted Walter just before Christmas and found out I was pregnant about a week later. It is natural to worry a bit about how your pet(s) will transition to your new life and I immediately wanted to know how to prepare Walter for a baby so that I could start the process as early as possible. So, the question I will focus on this blog is: What are the appropriate steps to take to prepare a dog for the new baby? I will touch on some of the important things I found and have implemented into training and preparing my own pup for the new addition to our family. First and foremost, determine what kind of relationship you want your dog to have […]
Read PostFido and Fireworks don’t mix!
June 28, 2018
It’s the 4th of July again, and that means increased risks for our pets. According to the ASPCA, nearly 1 in 5 pets go missing after being scared by loud noises such as fireworks. PetAmberAlert.com notes that 30% more pets become lost between July 4-6th than any other time of the year. Here are some tips to make the celebrations safe for everyone! Travel safely: If you are taking a road trip with your pet, get your pet used to carrier/crates, and seat belts/harnesses in advance. Do not leave your pet alone in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked. Stay cool: Dogs and cats can’t sweat, but panting can cause them to get dehydrated. Pets can get overheated quicker, so make sure there is access to plenty of fresh water and shade. Check asphalt with your hand before going for walks to ensure it’s not too hot, and take walks near dawn/dusk to avoid mid day heat. Avoid human foods: Barbecues and parties will often present many tempting foods to your pet. Some human foods are not safe for consumption-alcohol, chocolate, onion, garlic, grapes, raisins, and the sugar substitute xylitol are all toxic to pets. Some foods can cause inflammation of the GI tract and pancreas, especially fatty foods. Other […]
Read PostMaking moving managable
May 1, 2018
As I’m writing this blog, I find myself in the middle of packing up my house and moving to a new one with two dogs who are wondering what is going on. Here are some tips to help make moving less stressful for your pets! First off, have an overnight kit for your pet-this should contain food, litter, toys and grooming supplies to last through the first few days of unpacking. Despite your best effort to label boxes, there is always a chance you won’t find your pet boxes for the first little bit and having this kit will make things less stressful. As a second part to this, pack your pet’s stuff later in the process. They will be stressed to see boxes and furniture moving and disappearing from their house. Leaving their toys, bowls, and beds alone as long as possible will help them retain some semblance of normalcy. On a similar note, your pet’s items should be some of the first items unloaded to help them feel more at home in the new place. Keep your pets out of the action. Prepare a quiet room away from the bulk of the moving noise. You can also opt to board your pet for the day(s) so they are out of the […]
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