Happy Thanksgiving from Reliable Pet Sitter
|
|
November 2008
|
|
 Greetings!
Ah, the sights, the sounds and the smells of
the holidays! For some dogs, the holidays are a cornucopia of joy. A
friendly dog loves the hustle and bustle; new people, new things and,
best of all, good food stream into the house. For all he knows, the
show is being put on for his benefit. It's like a never-ending car
ride. The real question is...do dogs experience holiday stress like we
do? more...
|
 Home-Alone Anxiety
If Bowser becomes a weapon of mass destruction when home alone, the cause could
simply be boredom, anxiety, or fear. To counter the boredom factor, be sure he
has plenty of toys to c hew, pull, and toss. Help him relax by leaving the radio
or TV on at low volume while you're out. Soothing music and the sound of voices
comforts a lonely pooch and may be enough to ease his anxiety. Finally, come and
go calmly. If you don't make a big fuss of your departure and return, he might
not, either.
| |
|
| Contact Us |
|
|
44 Lake Warren Road
Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania 18972
610-294-2901
www.reliablepetsitter.com
|
|
|
|
Are you a Dog Person or a Cat Person? They really are different!
WebVet staff report
The American Veterinary Medical
Association has released research that suggests there are some true
differences between cat and dog owners. Some factors included in the
research involve marital status, economic standing and eduction. "Our
surveys show that single people are more attracted to cat ownership,
while dog owners are married with children," said James Flanigan, head
of marketing at the AVMA. "While the demographic information is
interesting, some of it is concerning, too...cat owners are much less
likely to seek veterinary care for their animals, they spend less, and
this divide seems to be growing," he said. Click here for the full story.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dog Stress
The holidays put a lot of stress on everyone involved, some of it good
and some of it bad. Our pets have to withstand any number of unusual
circumstances that are novel each year because they don't have the
chance to get used to them. Do dogs experience stress? We believe they
do.
These are just a few of the situations dogs have to deal with:
ˇ A constant stream of company.
Friendly dogs may go through a paroxysm of joy because they have an
ever-changing audience to applaud and adore them. However, shy or
fearful dogs will see their once safe haven overrun with strangers.
ˇ Lousy eating habits. One
of the side benefits to all that company is the chance to sneak some
snacks, either from the floor or from a surreptitious hand under the
table. This usually isn't healthy. Or in the hectic days that lie
ahead, your dog's feeding schedule may get disorganized. Either way,
her nutritional balance may get thrown off track. She won't know when
to expect her next meal. Also, these extra snacks can cause
gastrointestinal disturbances such as vomiting or diarrhea.
ˇ Less exercise.
How much exercise have YOU been doing since the holiday season began?
At least you have to huff stuff up and down stairs, in and out of cars,
not to mention hike all those miles in malls and supermarkets. Your dog
has come to expect and enjoy a certain level of activity. Depriving him
of exercise is stressful. (Think about how you feel about it.)
ˇ Foreign objects.
Your dog isn't going to understand just what the heck this tall green
thing, sitting in the middle of the living room, is meant to do. Is it
a toy? Food? Furniture to climb? Lacking your aesthetic tastes, your
dog just doesn't appreciate seasonal décor. Then there are the objects
under it, as well as the other things around the house that mark the
holiday season. (And let's not mention the consternation caused by the
singing, swaying Santa Claus or Hanukkah Harry dolls.) Worse even, dogs
are often discouraged from exploring.
ˇ Frequent scolding.
Many dogs like being where the action is - which is you struggling to
carry bags of gifts or groceries into the house. Some dogs don't
understand your frequent scolding or cursing, not necessarily at them
but at the fact that you had to drop the bag containing three dozen
eggs. Your emotions can add to the stress level.
ˇ Kenneling. The other side of
traveling during the holidays is putting dogs into a kennel. For a dog,
a good kennel should be like vacation, with a lot of activities to keep
him occupied (although he's still going to miss you like mad). However,
some dogs are very stressed at the kennel. It is a different
environment, different routine, different smells, different people and
he'd generally prefer his normal little routine with you.
Tips to Help Minimize Dog Holiday Stress
So what can you do to ease the burden? Three words: routine, routine,
routine. Keeping as close as you can to your pet's normal schedule is
the best antidote to holiday stress. Stay consistent with feeding times
and amounts, and be on guard against illegal snacks.
Maintain his exercise, walking schedule and playtime. A tired pet is a
happy pet. This advice, by the way, goes for people too. Exercise is a
great stress reliever. If time is precious, combine your exercise with
your pet's by setting aside a specific amount of time each day - 20
minutes for instance - for you both to play and work up a little
healthy sweat. Staying in shape improves attitude and behavior in pets
and people.
Getting your pet used to crowds in the home also helps. Bring your
friends or family over to get your pet used to it, and reward him if he
behaves correctly. Learn more points of etiquette and safety by seeing
the story on guests and pets.
It is important to reserve a room for your pet to retreat to, equipped
with his favorite toys, a bowl full of fresh water, some food perhaps,
and clothing or blankets with your scent on it. This gives your pet a
safe comfortable place to which he can retreat from the madness.
As for Christmas Trees and holiday decorations, there are a lot of
hazards your pet faces - it's important to know what to look for and
how to secure your home.
Traveling during the holidays is stressful whether you bring a pet or
not. Dogs usually travel better because they are by nature in love with
car rides. Pre-planning is an absolute must, whether by car or by airline.
If your pet is showing any signs of distress or you suspect your pet is seriously ill, CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN immediately.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Save 20% |
On All Services except Holidays, if booked before December 31, 2008. Not combinable with any other promotion. Good for any service from one day to long term. |
|
Offer Expires: December 31, 2008 |
|
|
