Whether or not your pets get along depend on their personalities. Your current pet may view a new pet as a threat; there may be a few scuffles as each animal establishes his "place in the pack". Do not interrupt them if there is no danger of injury, and provided they are supervised at all times.
Some pets will merely tolerate each other. Others will become great companions (like my own two dogs and cat). Here are a few tips for introducing a new pet into your home.
Always supervise your pets until you are absolutely sure they get along. Until then, separate your pets by confining at least one of them to its own room. Only allow them to interact with each other with your supervision. It may take them hours, days, weeks, or even months for your pets to adjust fully to one another.
Introduce your pets indoors in controlled situations. Keep your dogs on a leash and do not tolerate any aggressive behaviour. If you are introducing a cat to a dog, do not allow the dog to chase or corner the cat - even if it's out of playfulness or curiosity.
When introducing a cat to a dog, do NOT hold the cat in your arms. A frightened or nervous cat may scratch.
Allow your new pet to familiarize itself with its new home. Temporarily confine existing pets to a room to give your new pet a chance to feel more comfortable with its surroundings.
Give your pets separate food and water bowls. If you are introducing cats, also provide separate litter boxes. Feed your new and existing pets in different locations.
Be especially careful when introducing dogs or cats to caged animals. Dogs and cats can live in harmony with rabbies, guinea pigs, birds, etc... but please introduce them under strictly controlled supervision. Keep in mind that cats are very agile, so placing a cage high up on a shelf doesn't necessarily protect the caged pet. Don't take any chances - one mistake could be fatal to your caged pet.
Give them time. Do not try to force your pets together; allow them to adjust at their own pace. Give all your pets - particularly the new one - time to gain confidence and decide when to face his or her new housemates.
Before you bring your new friend home, it's best to be prepared to prevent unnecessary confusion and stress.
Establish the rules. Decide who's responsible for what: grooming, feeding, exercising, cleaning, play-time, and so on. Also establish whether or not there will be areas that are "off-limits" for your new pet. For example, you may not want your pet to sleep on the bed.
Have all the necessary supplies ready. Examples are food, food and water bowls, leash or harness, collar and identification, brush, and so on.
Pet-proof your home. Some things you may want to consider include:
- Lock away household chemicals, such as cleansers, insecticide, antifreeze, and others. Animals are especially attracted to antifreeze; be sure to clean up spills immediately and keep the rest out of reach as even a small amount can be fatal.
- Place houseplants out of reach. Many houseplants are poisonous.
- Have separate areas for your new pet and any existing pets. Pets need to be introduced to one another slowly; be sure you have an extra room or a kennel so that your pets can be separated until they have grown accustomed to each other.
- Tie electrical cords out of the way, if you can. Dogs and cats can chew on electrical cords - or even catch them while walking (or running!) around, causing lamps, TVs, radios, etc. to fall.
- Keep doors closed - this includes the doors to your washer and dryer, your closets, the cupboards ... inquisitive little animals can sneak in just about anywhere!
- Keep household trinkets out of your pet's reach. Stuff like garbage, medicine, pins, elastics, thread, needles, and so on should be placed out of the way.
Make sure everyone knows how to properly handle your pet. Everyone should know how to safely pick up your pet. Also emphasize certain rules such as your pet should never be disturbed while eating.
Keep other pets away at first. Your new pet may be nervous ... help him or her feel more comfortable by keeping your other pets confined until you are ready to slowly introduce them.
It's so exciting to think you'll soon be bringing home a new addition to your family!
No, I'm not talking about a baby: I'm talking about a pet.
Adopting a pet is a life-long commitment. It is an extremely rewarding experience - not only will your pet become a part of your family, but it has been shown that pets improve our lives in so many ways ... there are even health benefits such as lowered blood pressure and more exercise. Consider these things before choosing to adopt a pet:
Your family's activity level. If your family is the type that goes hiking often you will probably want a pet that you can take with you. If your family tends to stay at home to relax, a cat or a low-activity dog may be better for you.
Pet size. Is your home, yard, and car big enough to accommodate a large-breed dog? Are you able to physically handle a large dog? Do you have any physical conditions that may prevent you from exercising or caring for your pet?
Your schedule. There's no doubt about it: dogs require far more time and effort than cats. Cats are wonderful for people who like the companionship but don't have time to walk a dog everyday or let it out every few hours to do its "business". Consider exercise needs, need to regularly eliminate, feeding, training, and attention.
Coat type. Generally speaking, long-haired dogs and cats will require regular grooming either by your family or a professional groomer. This can be very time-consuming (not to mention expensive!).
Your budget. It's back to the money thing again ... Just keep in mind that large dogs also require large amounts of food. Another consideration is long-haired pets that may require regular trips to the groomers.
Kitten or cat, puppy or dog? Baby animals are cute. They're marvellously intriguing ... and a lot of work. If you do not have the time or the patience to train a new kitten or puppy, consider adopting an adult. Adult dogs and cats have plenty of love to give and will bond to their new people.
Where you live and go on vacation. If you are renting accommodations or going to college, keep in mind that there places that no not allow pets at all, while others allow small dogs or cats but are extremely resistant to larger breeds. There may also be restrictions on the number of pets you may have. The same thing goes for vacations: if you would like to take your pet with you, you will find it easier to find accommodations that will allow small pets.
Your lifestyle. Are you always travelling (business/pleasure)? Is someone at home for a good part of the day, or is everyone always on the go? You might want to hire a professional pet sitter to fill in the gaps. When you are working long hours or you take a vacation, you can have peace of mind know a professional is there to watch over your pets, as well as your home.
Your family.
- Do you have kids or family members with special needs? Some breeds of dogs have known tendencies to bite. Others are known to be extremely high energy dogs who require a great deal of attention and exercise, such as border collies. Young children in particular place restrictions on the type of dog you can get. You will also need to be able to properly supervise your children and dog at all times.
- Has everybody in the family must have agreed to getting the pet? It is heartbreaking when pets are turned into shelters or abandoned because someone in the family did not want it.
- Does anyone have allergies? Spend time with different types of pets if you can. Regardless of claims that a dog or cat is "hypoallergenic", find out for yourself before you adopt. Dogs and cats both produce dander, which people can be allergic to.
Please do not adopt a pet as a surprise gift. Many pets are turned into animal shelters every year because the recipient of the pet did not want it. Pets have thoughts and feelings just like we do and it is frightening and confusing to be dumped at a shelter.
If you want to give a pet as a gift, please bring the recipient of the pet with you to choose one for themselves. Or ask if you can purchase a "pet gift certificate" that would allow the person to select a pet when they are ready.
Because dogs are born with an instinctive pack mentality, they are very sociable creatures. Domesticated dogs look at the humans in the home as part of their “pack” and when some dogs are left alone, it can create a panic response. Dogs with separation anxiety will often dig or scratch at doors, engage in destructive chewing, howl, bark or may even urinate or defecate, even long after they have been housetrained.
There are steps you can take to help a dog that begins to exhibit signs of separation anxiety, but it can take some time for these tips to work. One of the first steps to take is to limit your dog’s ability to be destructive in your home. Rather than strictly containing the dog, place them in a room with a window which offers distractions rather than totally isolating them in a crate. Be sure to leave toys for the dog to play with and some experts recommend an old clothing item with your scent on it that will calm the dog. For severe cases of separation anxiety, hiring a dog walker is an excellent way to reduce the dog’s anxiety.
The holidays are a tempting time for the little ones in your house — all those interesting new things to touch and taste. That's why it's important to take extra precautions.
- Avoid putting tinsel or popcorn on your tree — it looks fun to eat.
- Don't leave edible gifts under the tree, where they are easy for pets to discover.
- Place small breakable ornaments high on the tree, out of reach
- Don't put edible gifts in stockings near a fireplace — that's a disaster waiting to happen.
- Mistletoe, poinsettas and holly are toxic, so find a safe substitute.
- When opening gifts, dispose of plastic wrapping, bows and ribbons quickly — they too look like they would be fun to eat.
- Don't throw wrappings or packaging into the fireplace — some of it burns very rapidly, almost explosively — same goes for Christmas tree branches.
- Place candles out of reach and away from combustibles. Extinguish them when they are unattended and remember — hot wax burns.
- Don't let your pets drink the water the tree is sitting in.
- Don't feed pets chocolate, candies or cookie!
Courtesy of Sears Brands
If you are traveling for the holidays be sure to have someone checking on your home. Call Park Cities Pet Sitter for the care of your pets while you’re away. We can also check on the overall security of your home while you are away. If you are taking your pets, then we can still come by and check on your home. We will bring in your mail, packages, newspapers and flyers, and alternate lights and blinds so it looks like someone is home.
At 10:30 PM on a Saturday evening in early August, I received a call from Debbie, one of my wonderful pet sitters. She let me know she had run into a problem at a client’s home, where she was having an overnight visit. The AC was out! This being one of the hottest summers on record, as well as being a weekend, we knew we were bound to face a few hurdles in getting it repaired!
This was a special time for our client, as they were on their honeymoon cruise. They had little to no cell reception, and were unavailable to do much from their end. But, we assured them we would take care of everything! This client had seven adorable babies - 4 dogs and 3 cats. The pets’ safety, as well as that of my sitter, was extremely important to me, but there wasn’t much we could do at that late hour of the evening. We tried a few AC companies, with no response. My sitter opted to stay the night with the pets, and was able to manage with a couple of fans. She put ice in bowls in front of the fans to help circulate cool air for all, and made sure each pet had cold, clean, water.
By early morning, I was on the phone looking for an AC repair company, as well as a place to board the pets. We had to keep them cool and comfortable and out of harm’s way due to the extreme temperatures rising in their home. The task was looking more and more hopeless, until it hit me - I had recently moved my home office to a duplex, which was equipped with a dog door, as well as a small dog run. It would be the perfect place! While we do not take animals into our homes because we believe they should remain in their own environment, in this special circumstance, I was more than happy to be able to accommodate. I called Debbie, and she loaded everyone up into their crates. They were in our office relaxing and cooling off by 11 AM!
I finally reached an AC repair company who responded very quickly, and was more than happy to help. One Hour AC of Dallas arrived at the client’s home by 12:30PM, and had the AC repaired and running within the hour. We can’t thank them enough, and will be sure recommend them, as they were very professional, courteous and WONDERFUL!
By 5PM the same day, all of the babies were back home, and things were back on track. You never know what you may face as a pet sitter, but one thing is for sure - it’s always an adventure, and never a dull moment!
Accommodations: Many hotels do not except pets and if they do require they not be left alone.- Plane trips: Even with a reservation, airlines can refuse transporting your pet. Cargo holds are not heated or cooled or sound proof and can be very stressful on your pet and may even cause death. High altitudes also have an amplified affect on medication or sedatives.
- Car trips: All pets should be crated or restrained in a harness. Numerous dangers exist for your pets inside and outside your vehicle.
- Identification: Trying to find your pet lost in a strange city will ruin your vacation. And they are at greater risk because they are disoriented by the strange sights, sounds and smells.
- Behavoir: The stresses of traveling can test even the best-trained and well-socialized pet.
- Food & Water: Drinking local water while traveling and changes in diet can cause stomach upset and diarrhea.
- Dangers, Diseases & Illness: Allergies, ticks, mosquitoes, poison ivy on their coat transferred to you, just to name a few.
- Leashes & Laws: Every state has a “Leash-Law” that are ticketable offenses.
- Emergencies & Vets: Trying to find an emergency animal facility while dealing with your hurt and injured pets is another way to ruin your vacation.
- Alternative: You have a Bonded and Insured Professional Pet Sitter caring for your pet and your home. Hiring Park Cities Pet Sitter can give you immeasurable peace of mind while you are out of town. Let us “Take Care of the Family You Leave Behind”.
Park Cities Pet Sitter loves the animals we care for and want to do all we can to keep them safe. Here are some helpful tips from UL.
Safety doesn’t take a lot of time, but it does take thought and planning. Not sure how to Commit a Minute to Safety? Pick one, 10 or 100 of the things below and get started today. You’ll see that sometimes it just takes a minute to avoid what could be a lifetime of regret.
- Test each smoke alarm in your home
- Replace the batteries in each smoke alarm
- Count how many smoke alarms you have in your house. If you do not have one on every level and near sleeping areas, purchase additional smoke alarms
- Designate an outside meeting place for your family (for example: the mailbox) in case of a fire or emergency
- Blow out candles before leaving the room or going to sleep
- Use a sturdy candle holder or hurricane lamp
- Turn down your hot water heater to 120 degrees or less to prevent burns
- Roll up your sleeves before you start cooking
- Have oven mitts nearby when cooking
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove
- Store all matches and lighters out of reach of children
- Put hot food and drinks near the center of the table only
- Put down your hot drink when carrying your baby
- Test hot water with an elbow before allowing a child to touch
- Post your fire escape plan on your refrigerator
- Put water on cigarette butts before throwing them away
- Unplug small appliances such as hair dryers and toasters after using them
- Use flameless candles
- Move anything that can burn, such as dish towels, at least three feet away from the stove
- Practice “Stop, Drop and Roll” with your kids
- Schedule an appointment to have your furnace cleaned and inspected
- Look for the UL Mark when you buy appliances
- Tell kids to stay away from the stove/oven
- Turn space heaters off before going to bed
- Remove any gasoline from your home
- Put non-slip strips in your tub and shower
- Install night lights in the hallway
- Put a flashlight in each bedroom
- Wipe up spills as soon as they happen to prevent slips and falls
- Use a sturdy Christmas tree stand
- Water your Christmas tree every day
- Keep your Christmas tree at least three feet away from any heat source
- Inspect your Christmas lights for signs of damage
- Flip over large buckets so water cannot accumulate and become a drowning danger
- Store cleaners and other poisons away from food
- Post the Poison Control hotline number (1-800-222-1222) next to your phone
- If you have young children, use cabinet locks on cabinets that have poisons such as antifreeze, cleaners, detergents, etc.
- Keep medicine in its original containers
- Purchase a carbon monoxide detector for your home
- Test your carbon monoxide (CO) alarm
- Put your infant to sleep on his/her back
- Remove any soft bedding, stuffed animals and pillows from your infant’s crib
- Cut your toddler’s food into small bites
- Use safety straps on high chairs and changing tables
- Check www.recalls.gov to see if any items in your home (including cribs) have been recalled
- Move cribs away from windows
- Use safety covers on unused electrical outlets
- Test small toys for choking hazards – if it fits in a toilet paper roll, it’s too small
- Remove all plastic bags from the nursery
- Pick up any small items, such as coins or buttons, that can be choking hazards for infants and toddlers
- Write down emergency contact information for your family and make sure everyone has these numbers
- If young children live in or visit your home, move furniture away from windows so they don’t climb up to look out and accidentally fall
- Tie window cords out of a child’s reach
- Check your child’s bath water temperature (use your wrist or elbow) to make sure it is not too hot
- Remove drawstrings from your baby’s clothing
- Keep the toilet lid shut to prevent little fingers from getting slammed by a falling lid
- If you have toddlers, install a toilet seat lock
- If you have young children, install door knob covers on bathroom doors
- Use a fireplace screen
- Put toys away after playing
- Don’t refer to medicine or vitamins as “candy”
- Put on safety glasses before any DIY project
- Put tools away after your DIY project is complete
- Post emergency numbers near your phone
- Pick up one new thing for your family’s emergency preparedness kit
- Use a ladder, not a chair, when climbing to reach something
- Use plastic instead of glass near the pool
- Cover any spa or hot tub when it is not in use
- Purchase a first aid kit
- Drain the bath tub immediately after bathing
- Remove clutter from the stairs
- Use the handrail when you are walking up or down the stairs
- If the power goes out, use flashlights instead of candles
- Ask smokers to smoke outside
- Wear proper shoes when climbing a ladder
- Check your home for too many plugs in one socket and fix the problem
- Install baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs if you have young children
- Never leave food cooking unattended
- Make sure pools or spas are properly fenced to keep out small children
- Teach kids to tell you when they see matches or lighters
- Turn out the lights when you leave the room
- Unplug appliances that aren’t in use (especially in the kitchen)
- Take your hair dryer off of the bathroom counter and store it safely
- Check your electronics for the UL Mark
- Identify two exits from every room with your kids in case of fire
- Check your holiday decorations – keep breakable decorations out of reach of young children
- Replace an old light bulb with a new energy-efficient option
- Check the walls for loose paint chips and re-paint with low-VOC or VOC-free paint
- Check all the outlets in your home for overloaded sockets or extension cords
- Remove any extension cords that are pulled under rugs or tacked up
- Place fire extinguishers in key areas of your home
- Place an escape ladder in an upstairs room that might not have an easy exit
- Remove any painted furniture that is pre-1978 to avoid possible lead exposure
- Lock medications safely in a cabinet
- Consider low-flow toilets
- Check that all major appliances are grounded and test your GFCIs
- Clean the lint trap and hose on your dryer
- Check your swing set for sharp edges or dangerous S-hooks
- Take a tour of your home from your child’s perspective looking for hazards
- Hold a family fire drill
Tips Courtesy of UL.
April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month and a great time for all pet owners to learn how best to handle pet accidents and emergencies. We encourage all pet owners to learn what to do if their pet becomes injured by taking a Pet First Aid course (contact zoo sitters if interested in attending a class).
Dr. Emily Pointer, DVM, at Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City, said that the most important aspect pet owners should take away from National Pet First Aid Awareness Month is how critical it is to be prepared.
“An emergency situation can be handled much faster and more appropriately if an owner has resources like a first aid kit (if you need to purchase a kit, please visit our link to WagN Enterprises. They have the best kits around and are reasonably priced) and list of important phone numbers (veterinarian, emergency animal hospital and poison control) easily accessible,” (zoo sitters can also provide you with a copy of your Client Profile. This will contain your information, along with your detailed Pet Profile, Vet Numbers and Addresses, etc. Simply contact us if you'd like a printed out copy of your information.) Dr. Pointer said.
Just like people, most pet accidents happen in or nearby the home. Examples of the most common pet accidents include toxic ingestion, dog bites, high rise syndrome, ripped toenails, foreign body ingestions with gastrointestinal problems, eye emergencies, broken bones, trouble giving birth and being hit by a car.
Simple first-aid procedures can be the difference between life and death. Knowing how to apply pressure to a source of bleeding and place a temporary bandage is vital to your pet’s safety, and may even save the life of your pet. As a side note, all Zoo Sitters pet sitters are certified in Pet First Aid through Pet Tech so rest assured that your babies will get the best of care when we sit for you.
According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), 25 percent more pets would survive if just one pet first aid technique were applied prior to getting emergency veterinary care.
“Even after a pet owner has administered first aid, it is extremely important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible,” Dr. Pointer said. “There are many, many emergencies that cannot be managed, even in the initial period, with simple first aid.”
Another aspect of Pet First Aid Awareness Month we'd like our clients to be aware of is Emergency Planning. Unfortunately, we do live in an area that often has hurricanes, surges, and all around nasty weather. Zoo Sitters has posted some leaflets that we recommend all clients have on file in their homes in case of evacuation. These leaflets can be posted on your door should you have to leave your home, letting first responders know if you do or do not have pets left behind. Click HERE to download your Evacuation Notices from the Articles tab on our website.
courtesy of Pet Sitters International