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The Pet Maven Newsletter  

May-king Plans for Fun!   
May 2015
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The weather has certainly taken a turn for the better, and we hope you have a lot of exciting travel plans on the horizon! It's with travel in mind that we offer some timely tips to keep your pets comfortable and safe: whether they're traveling with you to the Hamptons, or holding down the fort while you're flying to Peru!  

 

Nobody likes Fleas and Ticks (well, except maybe their mothers) and the best way to keep them from ruining your plans is to make sure they never settle in! We've found a few great resources on this itchy subject.

 

Also, while you may be ready to travel, be sure before you go to make sure your stay-home pet doesn't try to follow your footsteps. Every year city pets are injured and even killed when they manage to slip out a poorly-closed window or gate. Take time to make sure your windows are escape-free, and make this spring the safest and happiest yet! 

 

Helen Adler
Tick and Flea Season is Here

Spring is here, which means stir-crazy New Yorkers and their pets are out enjoying the sun in droves. The season holds many delights: trees are covered with leaves, flowers bloom overnight, and the grass grows lush and thick.

Unfortunately, you aren't the only ones enjoying the season. Warm weather is a favorite of ticks and fleas, and anyone who has dealt with these tiny terrors knows what a negative impact they can have on you, your pets, and everyone's sanity.

A three-part preventative approach is the best way to stave off these blood-thirsty beasts, treating your pets, your home, and your environment.

Dr. Karen Becker has an excellent article that covers all the bases, but here are a few additional points we thought we'd highlight:

Pets: Always consult with your vet before trying a new pest treatment, and never use a treatment meant for dogs on a cat, or vice versa. Read labels carefully, and know the signs of poisoning.

Home and Environment: Vacuum your home frequently, especially areas where your pets sleep. Check your pet for fleas and ticks regularly by combing them with a fine-toothed metal comb. Natural insecticides like Boric Acid or Diatomaceous Earth make the environment less pest-friendly, and discourage pests from settling down. 
Memorial Day is Coming!! 

Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner, and your kitties want to know if you have reserved their favorite cat sitter!

They know you have a lot on your mind, what with plane tickets, reservations, and finishing up that report before you leave, but really, they'd feel a whole lot better if you'd just send a quick message.

They wanted you to know that nothing needs to happen to your grandmother's antique Tiffany Lamp. They wanted you to understand that they only mention it because they care, and they want what's best for you. They want you to be able to relax during your trip, knowing your precious babies are safe and being spoiled rotten by a Pet Maven cat sitter! It will just take a moment, as compared to how long it will take you to clean up all those shards of fragile colored glass and bits of twisted metal. But it's your decision.
Window-Dos and Window-Don'ts

A cool breeze or a pesky pigeon can be an awful temptation to an apartment-bound pet! Keep pets safe by taking steps to ensure your windows are secure, and cannot be forced open by a curious nose or paw!

Cats, especially, are prone to the temptation of an open window or unenclosed terrace. People imagine their cats are in no danger of falling, but it only takes a moment of distraction for a cat to lose its footing and fall. In fact, it happens often enough that veterinarians have a name for it: High Rise Syndrome.

If you simply must open your window to catch a delightful spring breeze, there are several things you can do to keep your pets safe.

Invest in some sturdy screens, and make sure they are properly installed. Never open windows wide enough that your pet can squeeze through, and if you have a balcony, be sure to enclose it with netting or chicken wire. And finally, never leave your pet unsupervised on an unenclosed balcony. Learn more ...
Three Cheers for Chipping!  

Since May is Chip Your Pet month, we invited some Pet Maven clients to chat about why they love their chips!

What I like best about my microchip is that it never falls off, no matter how hard I play at the dog park!  -- Rufus, UWS

I see my microchip as a declaration of true love and devotion: kind of like that five-carat engagement ring I swallowed. That was an exciting day! -- Mimsi, Tribeca

My microchip makes me feel safe! I know that even if I get lost, that Mommy and Daddy will be able to find me! -- Sherman, LES

Even though I'm an indoor cat, I'm glad that I have my chip! I am quite the escape artist, I can't help it, and I know Mom would be devastated to lose me! -- Peppy, Flatiron