Mobile Veterinarians in Miami

November 13, 2018 By Katie Casell Leave a Comment

Golden retriever puppy playing with stethescope.

Mobile veterinarians in Miami provide great care for your beloved pets.

Just a few weeks ago I was at a client’s house, an older couple, and they were telling me how hard it is for them to take their pets to the vet as they have gotten older. I told them about a mobile veterinarian in Miami who also has an office not too far from their home. They were delighted and now use this veterinarian because it works so much better for them than trying to get their pets into an office. There are not a lot of mobile veterinarians in Miami. Here are the ones we are familiar with and our clients have used and are happy:

Coral Reef Animal Clinic

Location: 15301 S. Dixie Hwy, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157

Phone: 305-233-2920

Along with the office, they have a mobile veterinary van that is fully equipped. I know because I had the opportunity to go inside. They have been there to help several of our clients who needed or wanted at home veterinary care for their pets. We have so many clients that just love everyone at this clinic. They are knowledgeable and compassionate.

The Visiting Vet

Location: 8279 SW 124^th St., Pinecrest, FL 33156

Phone: 305-235-1578

I have had personal experience with Dr. Snyder and her team when a client had to say goodbye to her beloved dog and The Visiting Vet came to her home to help her dog transition peacefully in his own home. I was so touched by their caring, compassion and bedside manner. What a wonderful group.

Links of Love

Location: 13033 SW 112^th St., Miami, FL 33186

Phone: 305-338-3620

We have several clients that use Links of love for their veterinary care and are thrilled with not only the expertise but the kindness their pets have received. They too have an office that is state of the art and their mobile veterinary van is fully equipped.

Have you ever used a mobile veterinarian?

Filed Under: Cat Care, Cat Health, Dog Care, Dog Health, Pet Care, Pet Health

The Key Lock box: Convenience or Asking for Trouble

November 6, 2018 By Katie Casell Leave a Comment

close up of combination lock with numbers 987

A key lock box may leave your home vulnerable

It seems the new fad for pet sitting and dog walking companies is to offer their clients a key lock box so that the company doesn’t have to bother with client keys any longer, but what is the risk to your home and pet?

What is a Key Lock Box?

A key lock box is a small metal box that can be attached to your door or home. It is equipped with a combination that opens the box. Inside you are supposed to place the key to your home for easy access. It is the same thing that realtors use for houses they are trying to sell. The big difference is most homes with a lock box are empty.

How Secure is a Key Lock Box?

I did a little research and I found several YouTube videos with step by step instructions on how to break into a lock box. All the thief needs are a pair of scissors, an aluminum can and a little knowledge. The thief can break into that lock box in less than three minutes. Once the thief does that he or she has the key to your home where he or she can let themselves in to not only steal from you but either harm, steal or release your beloved pets.

But I live in a Secure Building.

A secure building does help, but these building also have workers coming in and out. If someone is adept at breaking into lock boxes it won’t take them very long before they have your keys in hand. And while a lot of these building have security cameras, someone intent on getting in and out of your apartment or condo without being caught on camera is going to do just that. Why give them extra help by providing them with a key?

Why We Decided against them

When I was selling my mother’s home our real estate agent would not put a lock box on the door because she felt that it would make my mother’s home vulnerable. There were still items inside the home. I’m sure a lock box would be fine for a realtor who wants to sell an empty house but are you willing to take that chance with your home and pets. I know I wouldn’t be.

From the very beginning Dances with Dogs has taken the security of our clients’ homes very seriously and that is why we will not be jumping on the lock box train unless the technology improves considerably.

What is your thought on the key lock box?

Filed Under: Cat safety, Dog Safety, Home Safety, Pet Safety

Halloween Safety Tips for Your Pets

October 22, 2018 By Katie Casell Leave a Comment

Halloween safety tips that will help you keep your pets safe and calm.

Halloween is right around the corner and while we are planning what costume we will wear and what treats we will be handing out we also need to think about our pets. Here are a few Halloween safety tips for your pets.

Walk with Care

The Halloween decorations start showing up on our neighbor’s lawns a month before Halloween. Some of these decorations can be very scary for our dogs. Whether it’s an inflatable skeleton riding a motorcycle or a giant inflatable pumpkin, for our dogs those things can be terrifying. This is the time to make those walks as positive as possible. If your dog is too stressed out by those novel Halloween decorations it might be wise to skip your walk until the decorations are gone or contact a professional dog trainer who can show you how to make those decorations less scary for your dog.

Six children in costumes trick or treating at woman's house

Keep your pets away from open doors. People in costume can be scary for your pets.

Keep Them Calm and Secure

Halloween can be a very stressful time for our pets. Doorbells are ringing, there are lots of knocks at the door, there are strange people coming to the door dressed in costume, children are yelling “Trick or Treat!”. It’s all very stressful on our pets. The best thing you can do for your pets on this stressful night is put them in another room with the door closed and either turn on a radio, television or white noise machine. Do not leave your pets outside.

Identification

While you want to keep your pets confined and away from open doors accidents happen. Make sure your pets are wearing a collar with an identification tag attached. Collars can get lost, so your pet should also be microchipped.

Tire Them Out

Before the Halloween festivities begin, get your dog out for a nice run or game of fetch in the backyard. Breakout your cat’s favorite toy and get them playing. By tiring your pet out, you should be able to reduce some of their stress.

Ceramic pumpkin filled with Halloween Candy

Halloween Safety Tips for Your Pets Include Keeping All Candy Safely Out of Reach.

Keep Candy Out of Reach

Chocolate is toxic to both dogs and cats and can cause symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, rapid breathing, and even death. The darker the chocolate the more toxic to your pets it will be.

Xylitol is found in many types of candy and gum. Xylitol can cause liver failure, a drop in blood sugar, and seizures in dogs. If you suspect your pets have ingested chocolate or any candy it is best to be safe and get them to the veterinarian.

two bernese mountain dogs dressed up like clowns on white background

Have “dress rehearsals” if you want to dress up your pets for Halloween.

Let’s Play Dress Up

Not all pets like to be dressed in costume. If you want your pet to wear a costume on Halloween practice “dress rehearsals” before the big day. When getting your pet used to wearing a costume make it a positive experience and if they are uncomfortable, don’t force it.

Are Your Pets Ready for Halloween? We Would Love to See Pictures of Your Pets in Costume!

Filed Under: Cat safety, Dog Health, Dog Safety, Dog Training, Dog treats, Pet Care, Pet Health, Pet Safety

All About the Pit Bull

October 15, 2018 By Katie Casell Leave a Comment

October is National Pit Bull Awareness Month. Here is why we love the breed.

Pit Bull Terriers have been getting a bad rap (pun intended) for a very long time, but why? There are so many falsehoods about the breed that have been told for so long that it has become hard to separate fact from fiction.

The breed was originally brought to the United States in the mid to late 1800’s with their British immigrant owners. Around that time the breed was named the Pit Bull Terrier or the American Pit Bull Terrier.

The term “Pit Bull” refers to dogs with the same physical characteristics and personality traits. These include the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and dogs that are mixes of both.

Personality

Pit bulls are active and intelligent, playful and funny. Their intelligence can get them into trouble. Once they set their mind to something they give it everything they’ve got. So, if your dog is determined to scale your 6-foot fence then be prepared. Pit bulls don’t usually throw in the towel.

Trainability

Because of their intelligence, they are quick to respond to training. Their intelligence is also the reason you should start training your pit bull as soon as possible. Since pit bulls can be unfriendly to other dogs if not properly socialized at a young age, once your puppy has the proper vaccinations a group obedience class or puppy class can be a great way to expose your pit bull to other dogs.

Exercise Requirements

Pit bulls generally require a good amount of exercise, so if you are a couch potato a pit bull may not be the right dog for you. If your dog does not get enough exercise they will find their own way to expend that excess energy and you may not like the results, so get your pit bull out for some daily exercise.

Grooming Requirements

Because the Pit Bull has a short coat, grooming is easy. A daily brushing with a rubber curry brush, followed by a quick wipe down with a clean cloth will remove the dead hair and skin cells and stimulate the natural oils in your dog’s coat, leaving your Pit Bull’s coat looking healthy and shiny.

Breed Specific Legislation

Unfortunately, many cities have banned the breed. This breed-specific legislation bans all dogs of a certain breed regardless of each individual dog’s temperament. The fact is, any dog can bite from the smallest chihuahua to the largest St. Bernard and these breed bans are, in my opinion, unfair and ineffective. Thousands of dogs are euthanized each year, just because they are a certain breed. Most of these dogs are not dangerous and have no history of aggression.

If you are in a city where Pit Bulls are legal, and you want a smart, charming, funny, energetic dog that requires a lot of exercise, but little grooming then consider the Pit Bull.

Do You Have A Pit Bull in Your Life? Please Let Us Know Why You Love Your Pit Bull.

Filed Under: Dog Care, Dog Exercise, Dog laws, Dog Safety, Dog Training, Pet advocacy

Black Dog Syndrome: What It Is and Why You Should Care

October 1, 2018 By Katie Casell 3 Comments

close up of a black dog on a black background.

A black dog is less likely to get adopted.

October 1^st is National Black Dog Day, but thousands of black dogs sit in shelters across the country overlooked and unadopted. How could that be? Black dogs are just as wonderful as white dogs, or brown dogs, or grey dogs or fawn colored dogs or spotted dogs. Could it be Black Dog Syndrome?

What is Black Dog Syndrome?

I remember speaking with a friend who does dog rescue a few years back. She was out with a beautiful black lab mix puppy. I asked about the puppy and she proceeded to tell me that he had just been returned to her because the adopter’s husband felt the dog had the mark of the devil because he was black. I was stunned. Here was a beautiful, smart puppy who was returned because he was a certain color!

This is part of Black Dog Syndrome.

According to a study done by petfinder.com less-adoptable dogs are listed on their site four times longer than other dogs. What dogs are considered less-adoptable dogs? Senior dogs, dogs with special needs and black dogs. This survey included other pets too.

Why Does Black Dog Syndrome Happen?

While there is no clear proof as to why Black Dog Syndrome happens, it may as simple as the features of black dogs are harder to see, so they look unfriendly. I know that I have more difficulty taking pictures of black dogs than I do taking pictures of lighter dogs. Black, in general, is often equated with evil and bad luck. Look at the villains in old Western movies, they wear the “black hat” while the hero of the movie wears the “white hat”. Then there is black magic. Let’s face it, some people tend to associate black with bad.

What Can You Do?

Well, you could adopt a black dog, but if that is not an option to spread the word. Tell your friends and family about Black Dog Syndrome. If people are aware of the issue they can work to fix it. It may just be that you tell someone who was just getting ready to add a dog to their family and now they are on an active hunt to make that new family member a black dog. Awareness works! If you are a great photographer, volunteer at your local shelter to take pictures and show black dogs in a different light. When your local shelters post pictures of black dogs up for adoption, share those pictures on social media.

Filed Under: Dog Care, Dog Health, Dog Safety, Pet adoption, Pet advocacy

10 Ways to Keep Your Cat Happy

September 24, 2018 By Katie Casell Leave a Comment

Orange long haired kitten playing with multi-colored ball on white background

Toys are a great way to keep your cat happy.

September is Happy Cat Month, so how do you keep your cat happy? Here are 10 tips for a happier cat.

Entertain Me!

Cats need lots of different types of entertainment. Provide a variety of toys such as catnip stuffed toys, toys with bells, toys that roll, kick toys, and toys they can chase such as wand toys with feathers attached. Be sure to put any toys with strings away when you are not there to supervise. You don’t want you cat getting caught up in the string. Boxes and paper bags are loads of fun for cats too. Even a crumpled-up piece of paper that your cat can bat around can provide fun entertainment. Make sure you rotate your cat’s toys. You don’t want your cat to get bored, mix things up.

Providing toys is great but you also need to play with your cat. Playing with your cat on a daily basis will strengthen your bond.

Lots of Love

Spending time with your cat is another way to keep your cat happy. While cats don’t mind spending time alone doesn’t mean they don’t like attention too. Spend time petting and playing with your cat daily.

Provide proper scratching items to keep your cat happy.

Scratch, Scratch, Scratch

Scratching is a way for your cat to stretch their muscles and sharpen their claws. It is a natural instinct, so it is important for you to provide appropriate things for your cat to scratch so that your cat doesn’t choose something inappropriate, like your furniture. Not all cats like to scratch the same way. Some cats like vertical surfaces, while others like horizontal surfaces. Some cats like carpeted items, while others prefer things covered in rope. Some cats would rather scratch the corrugated cardboard scratching boards you can buy at your local pet supply store. Take the time to find out what your cat likes. It will save your furniture and carpeting in the long run.

A Place to Escape

While cats enjoy spending time with you they also need a place where they can get away. Provide your cat with a place where they can sleep, hide or just relax.

black and white cat sitting on floor looking out window.

Provide a place for your cat to view the outside world to keep your cat happy.

A Room with A View

Cats love to look outside. Provide them with the window where they can see the birds, lizards, squirrels, and other wildlife while remaining safely inside.

Keep it Clean and Private

Want to keep your cat happy? Keep their litter box clean and secluded. Cats are fastidious when it comes to their litter boxes. Cleaning their litter box daily will give you a happier cat. Don’t be surprised if your cat finds another place to go if you don’t keep their litter box clean. Cats also like privacy and will be happier if their box is located in a private place such as a closet or unused room. Do not put their litter box near their food. Cats don’t like to eat in their bathroom any more than we do. If you have a multi-cat household you will need one litter box per cat, plus one extra box. So, if you have three cats, you should have four litter boxes. Don’t have all the litter boxes in the same place. Disburse them throughout the house. As I said, cats like their privacy.

Cat grass is one way to keep your cat happy.

Let the Grass Grow

Cats love to graze on different types of grasses. Purchase some cat-friendly grasses at your local pet supply store and place the containers throughout your house. These grasses can be good for your cat’s health and are easy to grow. Your cat will thank you.

Fresh water should always be provided to keep your cat happy.

Fresh Water and Good Food

Provide your cat with fresh water at all times. Some cats prefer drinking water that is moving. You can purchase a drinking fountain online or at your local pet supply store. Providing fresh water is important especially if you feed your cat dry kibble as there is very little water content in dry food.

Don’t overfeed your cat. Open feeding can cause your cat to overeat and become obese. An overweight cat will become sedentary and unhappy. If you are concerned about your cat’s weight talk with your veterinarian about the best way to get your cat back to a healthy weight. Do not put your cat on a diet without first talking with your veterinarian.

Keep Them Healthy

Regular veterinary checkups are a great way to keep your cat happy. Cats do not show signs of illness readily, so regular trips to your veterinarian are imperative to making sure your cat is healthy.

Train Them

Yes, you read that correctly. Train your cat! Train your cat to walk on a leash so that they can safely enjoy the great outdoors. Teach your cat tricks to keep their brains challenged and amaze your friends. You can teach a cat to do anything you can teach a dog to do. Cats can learn the basics, such as sit, down, stay and even more complicated behaviors such as running an agility course. Keep your training sessions short and fun. Get creative.

How Can Dances with Dogs help?

If you want help training your cat our certified trainers can get you started. If you don’t have time to keep your cat entertained or litter boxes clean our professional pet care specialists will be happy to take care of those things for you. Don’t have time to get to the store? Our pet supply shopping service can pick up that kitty water fountain, those fun toys or the cat grass you cat is craving. Does your cat need a ride to the vet? We can do that too! Contact us for more information.

Filed Under: Cat Care, Cat Health, Cat safety, Cat sitting, Cat training

Disaster Preparedness for Your Pets

September 17, 2018 By Katie Casell Leave a Comment

Blacktop road with yellow are you ready wording.

Disaster preparedness should include your pets. Are you Ready?

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month. What most of us think about when we think about disaster preparedness is how do I keep my family safe? How many days of food and water should we have? How much water do we need per person? What important papers do we need to keep with us? What should we take with us if we need to evacuate?

You have prepared for your human family, but what about your pets? Here are a few things to help your disaster preparedness for your pets.

Identification

All dogs and cats should wear a collar and identification tag. It is a good idea to put more than one phone number on the tag if possible, in case you lose your cell phone. Pets can escape if your home is damaged or if you must evacuate and your pet gets scared and bolts out of an open door.

Microchip

Collars come off for a variety of reasons, so it is a good idea to have your pets microchipped as well. Make sure your information is up to date with the microchip company.

Pet Rescue Sticker

Some emergencies require you to leave your home in a hurry and scared pets can be difficult to locate. A pet rescue sticker will notify rescue workers that there are pets in your home. This sticker should be placed where it is very visible and should be updated to include current pets in your home.

Pet-Friendly Places to Stay

If you must evacuate with your pets you will need a pet-friendly place to go. Don’t wait until the last minute to try and find a place to evacuate to with your pets. Not all emergency shelters accept pets and once the pet-friendly shelters are full they cannot take in any more people and their pets. Some boarding facilities and veterinarians will board your pets during a natural disaster, but if they are under mandatory evacuation you will once again be looking for a place for your pets. These facilities also fill up fast, so make arrangements well ahead of time. You can also talk to friends and family that are out of harm’s way and close enough to get to, ask if they will take your pets. If you want to keep your pets with you, here is a list of pet-friendly hotel chains.

Who Near You Can Help?

If the disaster happens while you are away from home who can you call to help you with your pets? Choose someone who lives near to you that will be able to get into your home and evacuate your pets if you can’t.

Have an Emergency Kit for Each Pet

Each of your pets should have an emergency kit that includes the following:

Carrier – If you need to evacuate your pet you will need a way to contain them and easily move them. If you are going to stay in your home you should still contain your pets, in case your home is damaged.
Collar or harness and Leash – While your dog or cat should always be wearing identification, you should have an additional collar with identification in case the collar your pet is wearing should break or get lost. An extra leash should always be on hand.
Food and Water – You should have a week’s worth of food for each of your pets. This should be stored in airtight containers and stored with the rest of your evacuation items. If you feed dry food, make sure you change out the food every two months to prevent spoilage. Canned food should be changed out every three months. There is a possibility that authorities will declare the water unsafe to drink. Make sure that you have enough water for everyone including your pets.
Litter and Pans – If you are evacuating it might be easier to have several disposable litter pans that you can take with you. Make sure you purchase the pans that have the litter included. If you are going to be staying home have enough litter for at least one week and store in an elevated area where it will not get wet.
Pet First-Aid Kit – There are some great pet first aid kits on the market, but always check with your veterinarian to ensure your kit is complete. Your vet may suggest some items that are not included in a commercially available kit.
Medication – Plan to have at least two weeks’ worth of your pet’s prescription medication. Your pet should be up to date on heartworm and flea and tick preventative too. If their next dose is looming near make sure you have those mediations on hand also.
Photographs of your pets – If your pet gets lost you want to be able to post their picture on lost pet sites and make lost pet posters quickly. This is also important so that you can provide proof of ownership if your pet is found.
Vaccination records – You will want to have proof that your pets are vaccinated.
Small pets – If you have small pets such as gerbils or hamsters make sure you have enough extra bedding for their cages. Be sure to take a water bottle for them.
Birds – Depending on the weather, have a misting bottle on hand to keep your bird cool in warmer weather. You may need extra blankets to cover their cage if the weather is cooler. Having a catch net and heavy towel or blanket on hand is a good idea.

Are your pets prepared for a disaster? Share your disaster preparedness plans with us. We would love to hear how you have prepared.

Filed Under: Cat safety, Dog Safety, Home Safety, Pet Safety, Travel

Why Do Cats Knead?

September 10, 2018 By Katie Casell Leave a Comment

Orange kitten lying on back on grey sofa

Why do cats knead? There are several reasons.

That motion of your cat or kitten pushing their paws in and out against your lap, pillow, blanket or other soft surface is called kneading. I have even seen cats knead another resident cat and the resident dog. You may have heard it referred to as “kneading the dough” or “making biscuits”. Not all cats knead and not all cats use their claws. Most of the time your cat is purring contently. But why do cats knead?

Why Do Cats Knead?

Child’s Play

There are a lot of opinions on why cats knead. Kneading is most likely instinctive. If you have ever watched newborn kittens nursing, you have seen them knead their mother’s belly. This action helps stimulate milk flow so that the kittens get nourishment. As kittens get older is most likely continues to be a behavior that provides comfort for the cat.

Let’s Get Comfy

Cats like to sleep on soft surfaces. In the wild cats would knead down leaves and grass before bedding down. Now you might notice your cat kneading a blanket or pillow before bedding down.

Mine!

Cats are territorial, and kneading may be a way for them to mark their territory. Cats have scent glands in their paws and kneading activates those scent glands. This territorial behavior can also be seen when cats scratch surfaces from sofas to tree trunks. Their scent is like a calling card saying, “this is mine”. Next time your cat is kneading you it may mean she is claiming you as hers.

Love and Trust

Cats may knead as a sign of affection. Since kneading is a comforting behavior, next time your cat is kneading while lying in your lap it may be his way of telling you he loves and trusts you.

Kitty Yoga

Kneading could be a way for cats to stretch and flex their paws and legs. After all, being agile is important when you are a cat.

Pure Bliss

Cats purr and knead when they are happy. So next time you see your cat purring and kneading you can know they are happy.

Can You Stop Your Cat From Kneading?

It is never a good idea to punish your cat for any reason and since kneading is an instinctive behavior it will be virtually impossible to stop her from doing it. If your clothes are getting snagged from kitty claws kneading in your lap, make sure your cat’s nails are trimmed regularly. You can also place a towel in your lap.

Do Your Cat’s Knead? Let Us Know

Filed Under: Cat Care, Cat Health

How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need?

September 3, 2018 By Katie Casell Leave a Comment

Dog lifting weights wearing blue hat, blue shorts and gold chain

How much exercise your dog needs depends on several factors.

Owning a dog carries a lot of responsibility, food, water, veterinary care, love, and exercise. But how much exercise does your dog need? Generally, dogs need between 30 minutes and 2 hours of exercise per day. How do you know where your dog falls on that timeline though?

Dogs need to get out and explore their world so daily walks are important for not only their physical health but also their mental health. Walking, however, is not always enough. Here are some things to consider when thinking about how much exercise your dog should get and what type of exercise is right for them.

Health Advantages

Just as exercise is good for your waistline, exercise is also good for your dog’s waistline. Exercise will help keep the weight off, keep muscles toned and help extend the life of your dog. Exercise is also good for the mind. If you have ever experienced a bored dog, you know they can become destructive as a way to burn off excess energy.

Age

No matter whether your dog is young or old, they need exercise. But the age of your dog will be one of the determining factors in how much exercise your dog needs. Age is also a factor in what kind of exercise your dog should be getting.

We all slow down as we get older. While our senior dog will always enjoy getting out to sniff and stretch their legs, take your dog’s advancing age into consideration before setting out on a long, strenuous hike. Old creaky bones are not going to enjoy a high impact run through the neighborhood either.

Dog’s under one year of age should also avoid high impact exercise as their bones are not fully developed. Young puppies will not have the stamina to go very far either.

Breed

Some breeds are higher energy than others and require more physical exercise. Other breeds are much lower energy and require much less exercise. So, while some breeds will only require 30 minutes of exercise per day, others will require 2 hours of exercise per day.

A word of warning for owners of brachycephalic dogs such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Rottweilers, Boxers, Boston Terriers, etc.: These dogs are prone to heat stroke, so use caution when exercising your flat-faced breed.

Types of Exercise for Your Dog

While walking is a great way to exercise your dog, it is not the only way.

Letting your dog out into your yard to exercise himself will usually not work. Running along the fence line barking at the neighbor’s dog may get some of his physical energy out, but it is most likely not good for his mental health. And expecting him to run around by himself is something most dogs don’t do. If you have more than one dog and they are close in size and age, then you usually have a built-in dog park. Dog play can be a great way to expend energy, but keep in mind it is difficult to know how much exercise your dogs are really getting, so it is best not to count this as the main way they are getting a workout.

If your dog likes to retrieve, then playing ball can be a great way to get some of that pent-up energy out.

Training your dog is the perfect way to exercise your dog’s body and mind. A few short training sessions a day will not only improve your dog’s health but will improve your bond together.

Before Getting Started

Before you start an exercise program with your dog it is a good idea to talk to your vet. Your veterinarian will tell you whether your dog is ready and how much exercise you should begin with.

How Can Dances with Dogs Help?

Our dog walking service can get your dog out when you are working long hours, not physically able to get your dog out for a walk or you just don’t have enough hours in the day. Our training program is perfect for people who want a better-behaved dog, have limited time but can squeeze in a few short training sessions a day, and want to further strengthen their bond with their dog. Contact us if you would like to learn more.

Filed Under: Dog Care, Dog Exercise, Dog Health, Dog Training, Dog walking, Pet Care

Planning a Trip? What Are Your Best Pet Care Options?

August 27, 2018 By Katie Casell Leave a Comment

What are the best Pet Care Options for your pets?

As a pet owner, it is likely that one one of the things on the top of your list when planning a trip is what are your best pet care options for your beloved pet.

While some pet care options may not fit your needs others may be exactly what you are looking for. Here are a few to consider.

Boarding

Boarding is a popular option, but here are some things to think about:

Most kennels are very loud and can cause undue stress to your dog. If the facility boards both dogs and cats the constant barking of dogs can be especially stressful for your cat.
Does your pet really want to leave home? Most pets do best if left in their own environment, with their own beds, toys and the familiar smells of home.
Car travel to and from the boarding facility can be stressful to both dogs and cats.
While you take every precaution, your pet is still at a higher risk of contracting a disease.
Cats are not big on any kind of change to their surroundings.

Friends and Family

If you want to save money it is safe to say most friends or family members will not charge you to care for your pets. But before imposing on your family or friends here are some things to consider:

Will they know what to do if there is a true emergency? Will they know the signs if your pet is ill and what to do?
Will your pet be their first priority? What happens if they have other plans or commitments?
While they won’t say it outright, asking your friends or family to care for your pet is an imposition especially if you are not paying them.
Can you comfortably tell your friends and family how to care for your pet without sounding like you are their boss?
How will you handle it if they don’t do a good job or something happens to your pet while under their care?
Will they have a backup plan? If your friends or family have an emergency who will take over the care of your pet? Do leave it up to them, make sure you have a contingency plan in place.
Will they send you regular updates? It’s a lot to ask of your friends and family.
Of course, as stated earlier, it is definitely the most affordable option.

Professional Pet Sitter

With a Professional Pet Sitter, your pets get to stay where they really want to, home. A Professional Pet Sitter is skilled to care for all types of pets and will visit your pets as many times per day as you would like and tries to keep your pet on their normal routine.

When you are looking to hire a Professional Pet Sitter here is what you should look for:

Are they true Professional Pet Sitters with bonding and insurance? What other qualifications do they have? You want a business that operates full-time as a pet care company.
Are your visits guaranteed? What is their backup plan?
Do they provide you with a contract? A true Professional Pet Sitter will have a contract that protects you and your pets.
Will they send you updates? A Professional Pet Sitter should happily send you updates and pictures of your beloved pets.

How Can Dances with Dogs Help?

We offer Professional Pet Sitting and Dog Walking as well as professional dog and puppy training. Please contact us if you feel Professional Pet Sitting would be the best option for your pets.

Filed Under: Cat Care, Cat sitting, Dog Care, Dog Sitting, Pet Care, Pet sitting, Travel

Looking for Dog Training or a Walker in Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest or Kendall, FL?

Navigation

Coral Reef Animal Clinic

The Visiting Vet

Links of Love

What is a Key Lock Box?

How Secure is a Key Lock Box?

But I live in a Secure Building.

Why We Decided against them

Walk with Care

Keep Them Calm and Secure

Identification

Tire Them Out

Keep Candy Out of Reach

Let’s Play Dress Up

Are Your Pets Ready for Halloween? We Would Love to See Pictures of Your Pets in Costume!

Personality

Trainability

Exercise Requirements

Grooming Requirements

Breed Specific Legislation

What is Black Dog Syndrome?

This is part of Black Dog Syndrome.

Why Does Black Dog Syndrome Happen?

What Can You Do?

Entertain Me!

Lots of Love

Scratch, Scratch, Scratch

A Place to Escape

A Room with A View

Keep it Clean and Private

Let the Grass Grow

Fresh Water and Good Food

Keep Them Healthy

Train Them

How Can Dances with Dogs help?

Identification

Microchip

Pet Rescue Sticker

Pet-Friendly Places to Stay

Who Near You Can Help?

Have an Emergency Kit for Each Pet

Why Do Cats Knead?

Child’s Play

Let’s Get Comfy

Mine!

Love and Trust

Kitty Yoga

Pure Bliss

Can You Stop Your Cat From Kneading?

Health Advantages

Age

Breed

Types of Exercise for Your Dog

Before Getting Started

How Can Dances with Dogs Help?

Boarding

Friends and Family

Professional Pet Sitter

How Can Dances with Dogs Help?

Schedule Your FreeMeet-n-Greet Today!

Social Networks

Our Furry Clients

Let’s Socialize

Keeping Your Pets Happy and Safe!

Fully Bonded & Insured!

Looking for Dog Training
or a Walker in Palmetto Bay,
Pinecrest or Kendall, FL?

Schedule Your Free
Meet-n-Greet Today!