Pet Prattle and Products

A friend of mine is expecting her first baby and has made some great preparations to get her dogs and cats ready for the new arrival.  She got these from her veterinarian, so that’s a good resource for more. 

For her dogs, she got them used to walking beside empty pet strollers.  This allowed them to get used to the sounds the pet strollers made before she got an actual baby stroller.  She also moved the large dog beds into a separate room.  Previously the large dog beds had been where the baby is going to be.  She used treats to reward them for walking calmly by the pet strollers and for staying in their dog beds.

The cats were a bit different.  She placed the cat beds on elevated places like bookshelves and cabinets to start getting the cats aware of where they were.  That way they would know where their cat beds are to escape to when the baby starts crawling.  She also put a crib tent on the crib so the cats couldn’t get into the crib. 

Throughout this time she’s playing baby sounds, gradually increasing the volume, so her pets can get used to it.  The moving of the pet beds, use of baby noises and walking with pet strollers well ahead of her due date should make for a much smoother transition for the new arrival.

Till next time …

Whether you’re going for a long distance or short, there are certain features to look for in dog carriers and cat carriers.  The most important feature is ventilation.  This is true for pet strollers as well.  You really want to buy dog carriers, cat carriers and pet strollers that have at least three sides ventilated.  These are available in both hard and soft sided varieties. 

Next, you should be sure your pet can stand up, turn around and lie down in the chosen carrier.  But also, when lying down there should be space left over for food and water bowls.  This is especially important for longer trips. 

Finally, look at the construction and features.  You want doors that either latch or zip and have a removable water resistant pad for the bottom.  You can also get removable fleece bottoms to add more comfort.  Personally, I also look for additional zippered pockets and a shoulder strap in any dog carriers, cat carriers and pet strollers I purchase.

Till next time …

The cat beds and large dog beds are safely put back in their respective places after the tropical storm Fay failed to develop in our area.  The outside dog pens didn’t need the reinforcement they received after all.  Things are starting to return to normal, although they now say there’s a chance Fay will turn back toward Florida toward the end of the week. 

These type storms are so unpredictable and our pets think we’ve lost our minds.  We pack the cat beds and unpack them the next day.  Same with the large dog beds.  But we didn’t go anywhere so I’m sure Sugar and Pepper are a little confused.  I think we’ll leave the reinforcement on the dog pens … just in case.  Hopefully, this hurricane season will be a mild one for everyone!

Till next time …

With Hurricane Fay already churning over the Florida keys, we are getting everything together here in Tampa.  One thing many with pets forget to do is check to see if they have all their vaccination paperwork together, as well as knowing what shelters take pets.

Hurricane Fay isn’t expected to be a “bad one”.  Even so, it does make you start putting things in order.  We have the dog crates, cat carriers, pet beds, food, bowls, water and toys all set out and ready for loading.  Actually, we are more prepared for our pets at this point than we are for ourselves.  Maybe it’s because it seems easier to get their things together. 

Hopefully, we won’t have to use any of them other than here at home.  I will happily unpack the dog crates, cat carriers, pet beds etc.  Sugar and Pepper know the drill. They’ve seen us do this several times before, but we’ve never had to leave.  I think they just look at each other and shake their heads.  But you just never know with these storms. 

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As you know, we have dog carriers, cat carriers and pet strollers so that when we go out, our pets can go with us.  They love it and it’s so good for them after being couped up all day while we’re working. 

Many veterinarians say it’s important to spend quality time with your pets when you get home from being gone for many hours.  Of course, the use of dog carriers, cat carriers  or pet strollers prohibits “active” exercise or play, so it’s important to incorporate those activities for times you are at home.  This helps to reduce separation anxiety and potential medical issues.

Our pets enjoy any time spent with us and now there are pet strollers that have detachable wheel bases so they can become hand-held dog carriers or cat carriers.  Somebody was definitely thinking on that one!

Till next time …

Many of us humans don’t realize that when we adopt a new dog, they aren’t automatically thrilled.  Use of dog crates and dog pens are appropriate for a newly adopted dog until they adjust to their new environment.

Just because the dog appears comfortable and content when you bring them home doesn’t mean they won’t flee.  Put yourself in their place.  New people and unfamiliar surroundings create uncertainty.  Use of dog crates and dog pens create that “den instinct” dogs like to feel safe.  Once they get used to their new home and their new humans, the use of dog crates and dog pens won’t be as necessary.  Of course, use of dog crates when your dog is with you in your car should continue for their safety and yours.

Till next time …

I was looking at a magazine this weekend that showed what is called “pet-centric” designs for homes.  People are building their homes, or even adding a room, with their pets in mind.  One picture showed a fully enclosed room that looked more like the tropics with luxury pet beds around including chaise lounge cat beds and large dog beds.

One room had a cat walk about a foot from the ceiling with a curving staircase that came down to the floor.  Most of the floors were either tile or a colored cement for easy cleaning.  I saw one with pet beds that were ironically unique to the pet like birdhouses for cat beds and large dog beds in duck shapes.  Very creative, but I can’t see our Sugar who is a yellow lab sitting in a duck house. 

Even so, owners are really bringing their loving pets into their homes in so many ways now.  It’s a wonderful thing to see.

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Okay, I just had to finish the story about my friend who tried pet sitting at her house as a way to make some extra money.  “The beast” leaves today and she’s thrilled about that.  However, in talking to her last night, she has other problems.

Evidently, one or more of her guests came in with fleas.  Another good question to ask about, right?  Since her pet beds were for her pets, at least what was left of them after the beast got through with them, the guests took up residence in her dog carriers, cat furniture, cat carriers and pet strollers.  That’s where she found the flea infestations. 

She told me last night she would never do this again.  All the critters would be gone by this Saturday and then she would start washing all her pets, buy new pet beds, wash out the dog carriers, cat furniture, cat carriers, pet strollers, spray the yard and carpets, etc. to get rid of the fleas and their eggs.  She said she would spend more getting her place back to normal than she made doing the pet sitting.  I told her, next time she thought about pet sitting, do it at their house, not hers!

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So my adventurous pet sitting newbie called last night to tell me “the beast” was more than she bargained for.  She ended up having to put him in the dog pens outside.  Fortunately, she has two dog pens so he could be separated from the other dogs.  The beast’s owners said he was an inside dog and very affectionate when she took him in for a week.  Not even close …..

I asked her if she was using any dog crates inside the house for unruly furry guests.  She replied she had dog crates but couldn’t get the beast into one, so she had no choice but to use one of the outside dog pens.  Evidently, he’s none too happy about dog crates or dog pens as he barks and howls when left outside.  It seems the beast is the only problem child as her other guests are now fine as the beast is not among them.  She said she’s just waiting for Friday when the beast leaves.

Till next time …

To make some extra money, a friend of mine decided to do some pet sitting.  She had pet beds in the small and large dog beds varieties, as well as various cat beds and cat furniture.  These were already spoken for as they were for her pets.  So she did a bit of advertising and received several calls for her services.

This was a new venture for my friend, so she didn’t ask several questions she now would upon taking in other folks’ furry friends.  For example, does your dog have aggressive tendencies or like to chew on things?  Does your dog get along with cats or does your cat get along with other animals?  Things like that.

Unfortunately, she found out the hard way.  Her lab’s large dog beds became massive chew toys for one beast and the other pet beds and cat beds also suffered damage.  She had one heck of a time getting everyone calmed down once the destruction started.  She still has the beast with her so I’m sure there will be more to come.

Till next time …