Pet Food Recall

May 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Wow, in the past few weeks there have been a series of pet food recalls. One of my colleagues is great about staying up on these recalls, especially on Friday afternoon. She calls it the Friday night dump and run. It seems that Friday nights right before 5 is when the pet food manufacturers drop the “bombshell” that your pet food might be tainted and then no one is around to answer questions from concerned pet owners. I applaud Therese Kopiwoda with PetsitUSA.com for keeping everyone informed about the recalls. She is a good source for pet related information. I highly suggest signing up for her blogs, and following her on Facebook or Twitter to stay informed. To sign up for her blog go to http://www.petsitusa.com/blog/.

I was glad to see that several of the pet food manufacturers did post on Facebook this past weekend that they were there to answer questions over the weekend.  I cannot help but believe the open letter Therese wrote opened some eyes. Unfortunately these things do happen but it is how the pet food companies respond and help is of upmost importance.     

Every time there is a recall or I hear something about a pet related product I ask myself how I can help you the pet owner. It is my job to stay on top of things pet related.  I chose this career to help pet owners give their pet’s proper care.

 I am currently using posts on Guardian Pet Sitters’ Facebook page, Twitter, and Linked-In to reach pet owners, along with this blog. The posts on Facebook or Twitter would be the quickest way to get the latest information. Here are the links if you would like to follow us:  www.facebook.com/guardianpetsitters and http://twitter.com/GuardianPetSit.

Again hats off to Therese Kopiwoda at PetsitUSA for the great job she is doing keeping  pet owners up to date on things that affect our furry family members.

Here is a list of some of the pet foods recalled:

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul

Country Value

Diamond

Diamond Naturals

Premium Edge

Professional

4Health

Taste of the Wild

Apex

Kirkland Signature

Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain

Canidae

Natural Balance’s Sweet Potato and Venison, Sweet Potato and Bison, Vegetarian, and Lamb Meal and Brown Rice dog foods

WellPet’s Complete Health and Super5Mix Large Breed Puppy foods

Filed Under: Nutrition for Pets, Pet Care Tips, Pet Food, Pet Nutrition, Pet Sitting, Pets, Rescue Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thinking about adding a rabbit to your family?

April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Let’s continue our research on rabbits. There is a lot to learn about rabbits! We are giving you a snapshot of what it takes to care for a rabbit.

For housing needs you want to have a roomy cage, resting board, running space and bunny proofed room(s). You might want to have a fenced patio/porch or playpen for outdoors when the weather permits.

Some items you will need are a litter box, pellet bowl or feeder, water bottle or crock, pet carrier, and toys. You want to have both chew and toss toys.

Rabbits eat pellets, hay/straw, fresh salad veggies and fruits, barley/oats, and they will need multiple enzymes for digestive aids. They also need wood for chewing recreation and a petroleum laxative to help in passing hair from grooming.

Rabbits need to be groomed regularly.  You’ll want to have a brush, flea comb and toenail clippers. You’ll also want to have a flea product safe for rabbits.

Other supplies needed are dust free litter and a pooper scooper. Having a hand vacuum and a whiskbroom/dustpan would be a good idea. You can use white vinegar for cleaning up urine accidents.

Caring for your rabbit means having lots of interaction, play and being aware of how your rabbit is acting or behaving. Seek veterinarian treatment if you see these danger signs:

Diarrhea with listlessness

Sudden loss of appetite with bloat or abdominal gurgling

Loss of appetite with labored breathing

Loss of appetite with runny nose

Head Tilt

Incontinence (urine soaked rear legs)

Abscesses, lumps or swelling anywhere

Sudden change in behavior

Rabbits groom themselves constantly and they get furballs just as a cat does. However unlike cats, rabbits cannot vomit and so the excessive hair swallowed can cause a fatal blockage. Keeping your rabbit brushed is the best solution.

Rabbits need at least 30 hours a week in exercise time/space. They do get along with cats and dogs and if you want to add another rabbit it is easiest if the rabbits are neutered or spayed adults of the opposite sex. Rabbits do not tolerate the heat well. Teeth grow continually throughout life so you want to be sure that their teeth align properly to aid in keeping the teeth normal length and shape.

Rabbits don’t like to be held and hugged. They like staying on the ground. They can get hurt if they jump out of your arms.

The average life span of a rabbit is 7-12 years. There are many breeds of rabbits such as the Netherland dwarf, Rex, Himalayan, New Zealand, Lop Eared, Lionhead, and Polish.

This a brief overview on the care of rabbits. I hope this helps you in determining if a rabbit is the pet for you. If you do think a rabbit is the right companion for you—consider adopting.

Filed Under: Family, Home, Pet Care Tips, Pet Sitting, Pets, Rabbits, Rescue Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Give chocolate or stuffed rabbits for Easter gifts!

April 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Easter is here! Many of us give gifts to celebrate the gift of life. In the spring our focus turns to baby rabbits and chickens as gifts. Although they are adorable they do grow up into mature rabbits and chickens. As with any pet, they require special attention and have special needs of their own regarding their diet and housing. Let’s explore the needs of rabbits so you can make a wise decision on whether this is a pet for you and your family.

You never want to rush into purchasing any type of pet! Why not give chocolate or stuffed bunnies or chickens until you research if a live rabbit is right for you and your family.

Rabbits are social animals that need affection and can be wonderful companion animals. They are intelligent and can be litter box trained and taught to walk on a leash. Rabbits need to be kept inside (especially in Texas during the summer).

The benefits of spayed or neutered rabbits are many. Like other pets their hormones can cause them to “mark territory”. By spaying or neutering your rabbit, this improves litter box habits, decreases territorial aggression, lessens chewing behavior, and helps your rabbit have a happier and longer life.

Rabbits can have free run of the home but it is best for most rabbits to start with a cage.  To litter box train your rabbit, start by fastening a litter box in the corner of the cage that the rabbit uses for a “bathroom.”  As soon as she uses the box consistently you can give her more freedom. Use only positive reinforcement (treats and praises)—never punishment.

Your home needs to be bunny proofed! It is natural for rabbits to chew on furniture, rugs, drapes and electrical cords. The electrical cords must be concealed so that the rabbit can not reach them. For cords that you can not conceal you can encase them in vinyl tubing.

Give your rabbit lots of attention along with safe chewables and toys. This will distract her from chewing the rugs and furniture. A wonderful play box is a cardboard box stuffed with hay.

Some major health problems rabbits can have are intestinal blockages, bacterial imbalances with the stomach, and infectious bacteria that causes colds.

You want to have an experienced rabbit doctor as they will know the needs of your pet. You want to regularly check eyes, nose, ears, teeth, weight, appetite and droppings for signs of illness.

This is the beginning of our information on rabbits. Watch for more regarding caring for a rabbit in the next blog. We will cover danger signs to watch for, housing, feeding, grooming and supplies needed.

Filed Under: Business, Easter, Pet Care Tips, Pet Sitting, Pets, Rabbits, Rescue Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Guinea Pigs as Pets

March 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

March is “Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month” and in honor of this we are going to talk about having a guinea pig as part of the family.  Guinea pigs are social animals and you should consider keeping a same sex pair so they have company. Their life span is 5-7 years but they can live up to 10 which would not be unusual. They need a large cage to live in. They are usually quiet but can call out loudly and can be active both day and night. Guinea pigs make good family pets.

Guinea pigs are approximately 10 inches long and weigh around 2-3 pounds. They have a rounded stout body with no visible tail. There is a variety of breeds such as the American, Abyssinian, and Peruvian. You can find them in a wide variety of colors.

When choosing a guinea pig you have several sources—pet stores, breeders (caviary) and shelters. Make sure the guinea pig(s) are in good health and condition, and well socialized and easy to handle. Sometimes those found in  shelters might be skittish if they were not handled when young,  but it should not take long for them to settle down in a routine environment.

Some steps in choosing a guinea pig:

Look for one that relaxes quickly when handled, and does not panic. Be careful if one is overly quiet and calm as this might be a sign of illness.

Choose one that is alert and active.

Guinea pigs should not be overly skinny or grossly overweight; the body should be firm and rounded.

Nose, eyes, ears and rear end should be clean and free of discharge. The coat should be full and soft. Skin should not be flaky or red. Be on the lookout for any signs of parasites such as lice.

Some top reasons guinea pigs end up in shelters are:

No matter how much time you spend with a guinea pig you can not replace the companionship of another guinea pig. Be ready to bring home two; per one article I read this is a deal breaker. If you don’t have the space, budget or time to support a pair then it is not the right pick for this stage in your life.

Here are some tips on caring for your guinea pig:

Roomy cage

If you get one with sides so they don’t kick out their food and bedding be sure it is kept clean as this type of cage restricts the airflow. Keeping it clean prevents ammonia and odors from building up inside.

Bedding

Guinea pigs use their bedding as a soft place to sleep and as their bathroom. Shredded paper or pine chips work well.

Food

Food dishes and hay racks need to be checked daily. Water needs changing daily. They should receive daily fresh veggies (dark leafy greens included) and fruits. Have timothy and grass hay available at all times. Guinea pig pellets should be fed in small amounts. Guinea pigs are dependent on high Vitamin C, low-fat low-calcium and low-sugar food choices to maintain good health.

Every other day you should clean food dishes and water bottles with hot water.

Appearance

Long hair guinea pigs need daily brushing, short haired ones less frequently; all breeds need brushing during shedding season. You want to trim the long hair guinea pigs every few weeks to keep their fur from dragging in their bedding.

Nails need to be trimmed once or twice a month depending on how fast they grow.

Activity

An untreated wooden block to chew on will satisfy the guinea pig’s desire to chew and keep its teeth worn down. The teeth continuously grow so this is essential.

Let your guinea pig out of its enclosure to play for exercise and change of scenery. Be sure it is safe! Have large well ventilated rolling ball for them to use but keep them from stairs and direct sunshine.

You can take your guinea pig outside if you have a well fitting harness and leash.

Even if you have two guinea pigs they need daily socializing and snuggling with humans.

Veterinary care

Guinea pigs do not require vaccines but preventive care is very important. Dental problems are very common in guinea pigs. Schedule annual wellness visits so the veterinarian can perform a physical and oral exam and to discuss husbandry.  

 

Filed Under: Family, Pet Care Tips, Pet Sitting, Pets, Rescue Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

When you are away is your home secure?

March 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

When you leave for vacation or business trips you make sure you lock the doors and secure your home. You think “everything will be okay”—will it?

Malfunctions with the home don’t just happen when you are there. In the 20 years Guardian Pet Sitters has been in the pet care business, we have seen more malfunctions with the home than we have had pet emergencies.

What can you do to really secure your home when you are away? We recommend you have a reputable company visit your home either daily or every other day to check on your house. It not only makes your home appear lived in but also means if there is an issue immediate attention will be given to resolve it.

Some of the services to benefit you and the security of your home:

1.        Bring in the mail and any flyers on door

2.        Bring in the newspaper and any packages left on the doorstep

3.        Alternate lights and/or blinds

4.        Water plants

5.        Check on the pool (summer)

6.        Monitor thermostat

7.        Walk thru of the house to ensure all appliances are working or have not been left on accidently

8.        We ensure there is no water leaking anywhere in the house

Some common situations that we have had to handle when caring for pets and homes:

1.        Drain clogged in the bathroom not allowing proper drainage from the air conditioner; water filled the sink and was found dripping in the garage. If situation had not been handled the ceiling would have fallen on the car in the garage and water would have damaged the house and garage.

2.        The number of hot water tank malfunctions we see is frightening. We had many different situations of this happening when we are in the home caring for the pets. We arrive to water coming out of the front door, hearing water running or noticing dripping from the ceiling in the master bedroom (hot water tank is in the attic).

3.        Sprinkler systems malfunction in the summer, flooding the client’s yard, neighbor’s yard, and the street.

4.        Refrigerators malfunctioning–spilling water on the floor in the kitchen and all the food is thawed and hot.

5.        If you have fish tanks with automatic feeders and automatic timers you can still have problems. We arrived at a house, opened the door, and were greeted with smoke. The automatic timer had malfunctioned.

6.        Air condition or heating system malfunctions.

7.        Alarm system struck by lightening.

Wouldn’t it be nice to know someone has been to your home and done a thorough walk-thru of your house and made sure you have not left on any appliances (curling iron, electric rollers, coffee pot, etc.) and ensure all windows and doors are locked?

Wouldn’t it be nice to know that if there was a malfunction with your hot water tank or plumbing the issue will get immediate attention?

Wouldn’t it be nice to know that if the weather drastically changes such as in the state of Texas where temperatures fluctuates greatly (60 ̊̊one day and 32 ̊the next) your thermostat would be adjusted to keep pipes from freezing?

Wouldn’t it be nice to know that if your sprinkler system was to malfunction, attention would be given so it would not disturb your neighbor or ruin your yard?

Isn’t it nice to know your home has a lived in look and your mail and newspaper has been brought in the house and is secure?

With our “residential” services you can have “Peace of Mind” knowing your home is being cared for. You would also know that if we arrived at the home and were faced with a situation we would immediately start resolving the problem.

There’s no better security measure for your home then a monitored security system in conjunction with daily home visits.

Your home needs someone watching over it when you are not there!

 

 

Filed Under: Business, Family, Home, Rescue, Residential, Vacation Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pet Owners’ Responsibility to Stop Overpopulation of Pets

February 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Puppies left at shelter 2-2012

A day doesn’t pass by that I don’t read something regarding pet over-population. We even have a day designated to spaying your pet. This year February 28, 2012 is Spay Day USA! Spay Day USA was started by the Doris Day Animal League. From my investigzation this is the 17th year for Spay Day USA and the overpopulation problem still is epidemic proportions. Over one million animals have been spayed or neutered yet that is not enough to curb the overpopulation of pets.

It is up to us as pet lovers and owners to do what is needed to stop this over-population of pets. This doesn’t mean we go after the reputable breeders who give us our purebred dogs and cats; it means we stop the over-population of pets by spaying and neutering all dogs and cats that make wonderful family pets. It means we don’t let our dog or cat have a litter of puppies or kittens just so our children can have the experience. It means we take proper care of our pets by spaying and neutering. We adopt from shelters and rescues to give homes for all the unwanted dogs and cats. You want a certain breed of dog? Every breed of dog has a rescue group-check there for your next family member. 

If we don’t stop the overpopulating of animals what is going to happen? We are going to continue to hear about the “litter of puppies dropped off at the local shelter”, or the euthanasia of another dog or cat because there is no more room to keep them. Or we are going to see dogs and cats living in cages with the overworked staff at the rescue group or shelter trying to give them attention when it is taking everything they have just to get them all fed and fresh water. We are going to continue to hear about the hoarding of animals and the horrific stories of them not getting food and laying in their own feces.

This problem is an economic issue; we don’t have enough resources to take care of all the animals as it is now.   

Spaying and neutering your pet has many benefits:

  • Spaying females can prevent uterine infections such as pyometra and mammary or uterine cancer.
  • Neutering males prevents testicular cancer and reduces the risk for perianal tumors.
  • Spaying and neutering reduces the urge to roam. When pets are roaming they are subject to getting hit by a car, or attacked by another animal. Did you know that 80% of pets hit by cars are unneutered males?
  • Pet owner saves $$ on pet care.
  • Society will not have to spend time and resources caring for animals that will never get a home. 

We the pet loving people are the ones who are responsible to stop the overpopulation. Educating your family and friends on spaying and neutering their pets is a step to the solution, adopting from rescue or shelters is another step and finally help keep the message going to spay and neuter our pets. If you can spare the $$ to pay to have a pet spayed or neutered there are numerous organizations that can use your financial support. The more animals that get “fixed” means fewer will die at the end of the needle.

 I think Donn Esmonde says it best when it comes to the solution: “It’s pet owners finding their Inner Adult, landing on Planet Responsibility and getting their animals spayed or neutered.

 

Filed Under: Pet Care Tips, Pet Sitting, Rescue Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Guidelines for Pet Ownership

January 19, 2012 By 4 Comments

Recently I was reading a blog from a veterinarian and she was addressing questions I ask myself a lot. What are people thinking when they “collect” animals but cannot afford to feed or properly take care of them? What are people thinking when they let their pets reproduce irresponsibly because they want their children to experience the dog or cat having a litter of puppies or kittens? What makes people choose a huge dog for a senior citizen and a toy dog for a child or choose a herding dog for an apartment and a yorkie for the farm? 

Owning a pet is a privilege and we are to provide for the pet or pets responsibly. Since Guardian Pet Sitters started in 1992 we have taught proper pet care and believe that is one of our responsibilities as an in-home pet and home care company.

 We want to help pet owners to choose the right pet and be responsible by providing proper pet care. People fall in love when they see the pet but then don’t know what to do. If we help the pet owner learn proper pet care we are helping the pet have a good life. There is a lot to know about pet(s) and if we can help people be great pet owners then we have done our job.

 We thought we would share with you the new guidelines for responsible pet ownership approved by The American Veterinary Medical Association’s Executive Board.

  •  Committing to the relationship for the life of the pet(s). 
  • Avoiding impulsive decisions about obtaining pet(s), and carefully selecting pet(s) suited to your home and lifestyle. 
  • Recognizing that ownership of pet(s) requires an investment of time and money.     
  • Keeping only the type and number of pets for which an appropriate and safe environment can be provided, including appropriate food, water, shelter, health care and companionship. 
  • Ensuring pets are properly identified (i.e., tags, microchips, or tattoos) and that registration information in associated databases is kept up-to-date. 
  • Adherence to local ordinances, including licensing and leash requirements. 
  • Controlling pet(s) reproduction through managed breeding, containment, or spay/neuter, thereby helping to address animal control and overpopulation problems. 
  • Establishing and maintaining a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
  • Providing preventive (e.g., vaccinations, parasite control) and therapeutic health care for the life of pet(s) in consultation with and as recommended by its veterinarian. 
  • Socialization and appropriate training for pet(s) which facilitates their well being and the well being of other animals and people.
  • Preventing pet(s) from negatively impacting other people, animals and the environment, including proper waste disposal, noise control, and not allowing pt(s) to stray or become feral. 
  • Providing exercise and mental stimulation appropriate to the pet(s) age, breed, and health status. 
  • Advance preparation to ensure the pet(s) well-being in the case of an emergency or disaster, including assembling an evacuation kit. 
  • Making alternative arrangements if caring for the pet is no longer possible. 
  • Recognizing declines in the pet(s) quality of life and making decisions in consultation with a veterinarian regarding appropriate end-of-life care (e.g., palliative care, hospice, euthanasia. 

A lot of good points have been made in the guidelines. It addresses many of the problems we see today such as overpopulation and pet(s) out of control. Remember it is you the pet owner who is responsible for the life of the pet(s) you choose.

Filed Under: Pet Care Tips, Pet Sitting, Rescue Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,