Guest article provided by Jessica Brody of Ourbestfriends.pet
Edited and photo by Nina Jussila of All in a Day's Bark
IRVINE, CA - Leisure travel remains heavily on the minds of American citizens. According to vacation industry professionals and CNBC, people are increasingly voyaging to international destinations. Though jet setters often consider their pets equivalent to family members, bringing along nonhuman relatives typically isn't possible. Hiring someone to care for a furry, feathery, or scaly friend becomes mandatory. All in a Day’s Bark has a rundown of some matters every traveling pet parent should know
Why Hire a Pet Sitter
Many opt for enlisting a neighbor rather than a professional. This decision can be a dangerous mistake. Someone whose occupation is devoted to critters has superior training during an emergency. Additionally, quality caregivers come with pet-sitter insurance.
Beyond their ability to handle injuries, pet sitters reduce an animal's stress levels which tend to skyrocket when owners are absent. Ask them to look for signs of anxiety, like sudden behavioral changes or excessive scratching. Maximize this benefit by having the caretaker stop by for cuddles and playtime at consistent intervals. Seeking a professional pet sitter that is fear free certified will not only alleviate your worries but will ease the stress on your pet while the owner is away.
Where To Look for a Pet Sitter
When looking for a pet sitter, start by checking local online directories and review sites to find reputable service providers with positive feedback. Asking for recommendations from fellow pet owners, friends, or family can often lead to trusted sitters who have proven their reliability. Social media groups dedicated to local pet communities can also be a valuable resource for recommendations and firsthand experiences. Additionally, professional organizations like Pet Sitters International, National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Fear Free Certified Professional offer directories of certified pet sitters in various regions.
How To Qualify a Pet Sitter
Interviews are an excellent method of zeroing in on an appropriate match. Brainstorm and write down questions before conversing with candidates. Inquiries concerning experience, fees, and training can shed valuable light. Verify familiarity with unusual species if the pet in question happens to be uncommon. Ask for references before saying adieu and conduct a criminal background check afterward if you're inclined.
What To Provide a Pet Sitter
Point out where supplies are kept, including food, toys, and grooming supplies. Ensure there is enough food for the pet and all necessary pet supplies are provided and kept in the same locations as shown to the pet sitter. Local emergency contact information needs to be provided to the pet sitter as well as the name and number of the vet and emergency animal hospital.
What To Tell a Pet Sitter
Detail how to administer medication and discuss signs that indicate discomfort, along with proven strategies for relieving distress. Review dietary requirements as well as playtime and walking schedules. Consider providing a list of forbidden foods. Chocolate, for instance, is toxic to canines. A professional pet sitter should know what human foods are toxic to pets and should only provide the food and treats approved by the owner. Share which treats, vegetables and fruit are allowed and the pet's favorites.
Caring for the home should also be covered. Explain using the thermostat to ensure the home is not too hot or too cold for the pets and the pet sitter. Indicate any indoor plants that may need water and mailbox that may need to be checked.
How To Communicate With a Pet Sitter
Further instructions ought to include the desired frequency of updates. Be specific about the preferred method of communication. Let the pet sitter know how often you want updates and what you want included in those updates. Pet sitters can provide photos and video as well as written messages regarding your pet. Keep in mind that different time zones might pose an obstacle.
Prepare for a Peaceful Trip
Leaving your pets can be a stressful choice for you and your critters. Hiring a specialist to care for a nonhuman family member should deliver superior results compared with a neighborhood teenager looking to earn a fast buck. The appropriate person will play a calming role for the pet, treat the home with care, and know what action to take in the event of an emergency. Do your research and find the best pet sitter for your four legged friends so you can travel with peace of mind
All in a Day’s Bark provides dog walking and pet sitting services in a calm, loving, safe and reliable manner alleviating stress and anxiety for you and your pet. Reach out if your pet is in need of compassionate care in the Orange County area of Southern California, specifically in Irvine, CA.
Just as you child-proof your home for a new baby, similar preparations are necessary when a new pet is arriving in your home. Your new furry companion needs a home that is as safe for them as it is for you.
Pets, especially puppies and kittens, can be curious. If you look the other way, even for a second, you may find your pet playing with a live electric wire or chewing through one of your plants (which may be poisonous to them.) Therefore, owners must learn to stay vigilant!
How do you manage that while simultaneously balancing your daily life and work?
Keep reading for pet-proofing tips and how to begin.
Pet-Proofing Your Home - How to Begin?
Start by looking at your home from your pet’s point of view. Where in the home are they kept? What are the potential threats in that area? You may have to put extra effort in pet-proofing your entire place for pets allowed to wander anywhere in the home. Otherwise, those who allow their pet in a restricted area can work around securing that particular section.
Consider the rooms the pet has access to and all the items in the room that could be potentially harmful or destructive. This could be a small toy that can be swallowed or a hair straightening iron. Pet-proofing would mean removing those items or relocating those items to a place where your pet does not have any access. Remember pet-proofing takes time and also a hefty amount of research, if you want to get it right the first time.
Only when your pet is safe, will you be able to stop constantly worrying about them. The following tips are for pet-proofing each room in your home.
Bathrooms and Laundry Room
Bathrooms and laundry rooms are filled with various items that are toxic to our beloved curious companions. Laundry rooms have chemicals such as bleach, detergent as well as fabric softener and appliances with tubes and cords. Bathrooms typically have medications, chemical drain openers and deodorizers which are potential hazards for your pets. Sharp items, such as razors, can potentially cut or injure your pet. Such items should be kept out of the way to avoid a run to the veterinarian. Keep in mind the following bullet points when pet-proofing bathrooms and laundry rooms:
- Place medications in a securely closed medication cabinet or drawer
- Keep the dryers and washing machines properly closed
- Relocate your chemicals to keep it out of the reach of your pets
- Close the lid of your toilet bowl when not in use. Better yet, keep bathroom doors closed at all times, so pets do not have access to garbage bins, toilet paper, etc.
Living Room
Living rooms are decorated with a myriad of items varying from heavy furniture and potted plants to showpieces and fancy lamps. Some of these items can hurt your pet. They might bump hard into the furniture while playing or accidentally swallow a toxic house plant. You may also end up with chewed up furniture or items on coffee tables. Same is the case with lit candles in your living room. You have to be cautious about it when your pet is around. They might knock it over and start a fire. 
Follow these pet-proofing tips when allowing pets in living rooms:
- Move candles elsewhere out of reach or snuff the candle properly after use
- Remove all expensive items from the living room if your pet is young or energetic
- Keep all chewable/swallowable items out of reach or closed in an inaccessible place
- Research about poisonous indoor plants before getting one for the home
Kitchen
The kitchen can be dangerous especially for pets who are big enough to access countertops and tables or agile enough to jump up on tables and countertops. Dogs and puppies especially will reach out for anything within their reach such as trash in bins or food on the table. Research and learn which food items and ingredients are toxic to pets. Here are tips on pet-proofing your kitchen:
- Keep all garbage bins covered or securely closed in a cabinet or drawer
- Secure cabinets with child-proof locks
- Restrict access to refrigerators, ovens, stove and other appliances
- Keep utensils and especially breakable china safely secured in drawers and cabinets
- Install a safety gate to keep pets out of the kitchen altogether
- Do not leave knives and other objects in places accessible to your pet
- Store leftover food and ingestible items properly
Bedrooms
Although not everyone loves to bring their pets on their bed, there are people who love a good cuddle with their furry friends. While a bedroom may seem like a harmless place, it is often the unexpected and little things that turn problematic. Pets may chew or swallow items like earrings, ear buds/plugs or electrical cords. A discarded shopping bag increases the risk of suffocation if pets stick their head in and the handle gets caught around their neck. These are just some of the minor things that you need to take care of.
- Place mothballs out of reach of your pet
- Keep earrings, hairpins, ear buds and other accessories out of reach in a box/drawer
- Keep closets and drawers closed at all times
- Cover electrical cords or keep them out of reach
Garage and Basement
A garage or a basement is a place where there may be useful and discarded household items. Items found in garages (such as antifreeze, motor oil, gas, battery acid, car wax, etc.) are lethal for pets.
Dogs and cats are curious animals. They like to sniff and touch things around to acknowledge them. Additionally hazardous items that may be found in the garage or basement may include rat poison, paints, pesticides and paint thinners. Be aware of sharp objects that may be lying around and put them away. Keep in mind of the following as well:
- Store tools, nuts and screws in a secure box or closed jars
- Keep chemicals in securely closed cabinets
- Do not leave any open paint cans in the garage or elsewhere in the home
- Regularly check garage floors for any spills or leaks
- Store sharp objects properly
Yard
Pets love to spend time outdoors to run about in the yard or bask in the sun. However, there are numerous items presenting a threat to pets in the yard. Certain items used in a yard or in a garden (such as pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, compost, and mulch) are harmful and highly toxic if consumed by animals. Proper care and supervision must be taken to keep pet safe from any hazard. Follow these tips to begin pet-proofing the yard:
- Enclose the yard with a fence or gate
- Remove any poisonous plants
- Keep pets away from fire pits and grills
- Schedule flea control service or treat lawn with natural products
- Store chemicals away from the reach of your pets
- Never leave pets outside unsupervised
Pets will explore every nook and cranny of their home. This is why pet-proofing the home is extremely essential and the necessary first steps to keeping pets safe and give pet owners some peace of mind.
Written by guest blogger, Stuart Mill of My ESA Doctor
Edited and photos by Nina Jussila
Irvine, CA – As new neighborhoods keep popping up in the city of Irvine, many new parks and some trails have been developed as well. The Bosque is one of those places where people and their dogs can explore new paths.
As a dog owner, a dog walker and a resident for the past 2 years, my dogs and I have become very familiar with these trails. We enjoy these trails, but I do have some words of caution.
The Bosque is currently just over 1 mile in length when walking the concrete path from one end to the other. The concrete path is shared by pedestrians, cyclists and dogs.
While walking my dogs on the path this afternoon, there was a person on an electric bike that sped by us although the bike path is meant for Class 1 Bikes. Be aware of where your dog is and those around you. Keep you and your dog to the right as bicycles ride the center.
The 1-mile length of The Bosque crosses several blocks, yet there is no need for those walking their dogs to cross any streets. Underpasses and parking lots are conveniently situated to avoid cars and crossing any roads.
The Bosque also conveniently has many poop bag stations along the paths as well as trash cans and recycling bins.
I do have a word of caution for those walking their dogs along these trails. Stay alert, aware and keep dogs on leash and especially keep small dogs close. I have come across coyotes along these trails several times (all during the day) including this afternoon.
One more tip that I have is to avoid these trails with your dog during the hot days of summer. The trails get covered in ants. For whatever reason, the ants come out on hot days and will crawl all over your dog as they did mine.
The Bosque is a scenic place to enjoy walking your dog. Just beware of coyotes at any time of day and ants during hot days.
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Stay comfortable at home with cute socks displaying a personalized photo of your pet or other loved one! I had the pleasure of receiving my pair with my fur baby’s face on the socks.
I had a choice of many different designs and colors including one that said “Dog Mom.” I selected the “I love you” statement with my cavalier’s smiling face. Slipping the socks on while lounging on the couch seeing my dog’s happy face smiling at me in person and on my socks simultaneously puts a big smile on my face.
Check out the collections page available on the Printsfield website at printsfield.com/collections/face-on-socks to pick your preferred design with your favorite pet pic and use my code, which is allinadaysbark20, to received 20% off your purchase.
Happy stay at home socks shopping!
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Note from All in a Day’s Bark: Most seniors living in retirement communities are being told to not have any visitors during this current pandemic. To combat loneliness and isolation, seniors could consider adopting a shelter animal for companionship.
Guest article from James Hall of Senior Care Fitness
Pet ownership has been known to do wonders for older adults. Healthwise, it’s been found that keeping a pet can contribute to a healthy heart by giving seniors more cause to be active and stick to a healthy routine. Moreover, a pet can keep seniors more sociable, which, in turn, helps protect against loneliness and other emotional and mental concerns.
On the other hand, pet ownership tends to come with more than its fair share of challenges. In fact, it’s been found that seniors who have pets are less likely to visit the doctor or agree to get hospitalized and are more likely to delay moving into assisted living facilities or nursing homes. No doubt, this is very concerning, especially as one’s physical needs increase with age. However, there are measures you can take to ensure that you and your pet remain safe and healthy together in your golden years. Here are a few.
Assess Your Needs
Of course, there’s little question that you want to take your pet with you wherever you choose to move. While this is well within the realm of possibility, it’s also a good idea to recognize that in some facilities, you may not be able to do so. With that said, it’s of utmost importance that you consider your own medical and physical needs first, and these should be your biggest concerns when it comes to choosing senior housing.
There are numerous options when it comes to housing that you can consider, and assisted living is one of the most compelling options. You will find many of them in your area of choice, so when searching assisted living facilities, make sure to focus on the ones in your price range that offer the amenities you prefer. It’s also wise to visit several before making a choice — not just to see how they satisfy your budget and lifestyle, but also for you to get a real feel of the place. Also, don’t hesitate to contact advisors through sites like A Place for Mom if you need a hand selecting a facility, such as in Long Beach, that features everything you need.
Pay Attention to the Fine Print
Now, the good news is that many assisted living facilities today are able to accommodate pets. However, it will also serve you well to know that such accommodations often come with caveats. Generally, there will be conditions on the type of animal and breed you can bring in, as well as other factors such as size and temperament.
Another thing to note is that, more often than not, the care and assistance you receive in assisted living usually will not extend to your cherished companion. Invariably, this means that you will be fully in charge of your pet’s care. This, in turn, means you also have to honestly assess your own physical capacity to know for certain if you are, in fact, up to the task.
Invest in the Right Tools
Whether you’re caring for your pet in assisted living or in your own home, you will find that having the right tools and supplies on hand will be greatly beneficial to your own comfort and convenience. As a senior, having to constantly bend down to feed or clean up after your pet can prove to be a hardship physically. With this in mind, it’s smart to rethink your setup. Consider investing in elevated food and water bowls that can make feeding time a breeze. Self-cleaning litter boxes and taller waste scoops and rakes will make clean-up a lot easier on you, too.
The risk of falls is also a cause for concern if you have a dog to walk. While there’s no equipment that can offer a quick fix for this, you can actually avoid falls and prevent injuries by incorporating balancing and strengthening exercises to your physical routine to ensure that you’re better able to handle your pet when you’re out and about.
Indeed, it’s true that keeping a pet will be challenging in old age, but it’s also true that few troubles are as worthwhile. At the end of the day, you’re only going to want what’s best for your pet, so make sure to explore the many ways in which you can both have a long and happy life together, as well as learn how to let go if you have to.
Photo by Nina Jussila
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Guest article from Tyler Evans of Dogzasters
Humans are good at creating messes, but dogs are right up there with us. There’s plenty of fur, dander, and odors to go around, which can leave your home feeling dirty. Cleaning up after your pooch doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are many proactive steps you can take to keep your home looking and smelling clean no matter how many paws you have running around.
Start with a Good Cleaning
Giving your dog a bath sounds like an obvious solution to the odor, but baths are time-consuming (especially if Fido hates them), not to mention your dog soaks up shampoo like a sponge. Regular baths are recommended, but there are plenty of options for cleaning your dog that don’t require shampoo, water, and the accompanying mess. Use dog wipes or freshening spray for a quick refresh, or stock up on a few bottles of doggie dry shampoo. Make regular brushing via a dog shedding brush part of your weekly routine as well. Not only will it cut down on the amount of fur that ends up on you and your furniture, but you also might even spend less time vacuuming up hairballs.
Suck It Up
Depending on your dog’s breed, you may enjoy a shed-free experience. However, many dogs have moderate to heavy shedding. As a dog owner, you know how quickly hair can pile up. Before you invest in a pricey vacuum, consider using items you already have in your home for easy hair clean up. Those same rubber gloves you use to clean the bathroom and kitchen can be rubbed over furniture to pick up dog hair, as can a pumice stone, lint roller, or piece of duct tape. However, you can’t beat a good old-fashioned vacuum to really suck up all that dog hair. The good news is that there are plenty of cheap vacuums, some under $150. Check out this list courtesy of the Strategist for a list of hair-busting vacuums to meet every budget.
Don’t Let Dander Put a Damper on Things
Contrary to popular belief, it is actually dander, not hair, that wreaks so much havoc on asthma and allergy sufferers. The best way to remove dander is to regularly clean your home, including carpets, furniture, and all surfaces. Carpet is a prime spot for dander to collect, but a HEPA grade filter on your vacuum will pick up particles as tiny as 0.3 microns. Changing your air filters can also help maintain the air quality in your home, but keep in mind that some filters are better suited for pet owners than others. HEPA filters are the best here as well, but there are other options that work just as well. If you’re still having issues with dander, it may be a wise choice to have a professional cleaning service come in on occasion. Cleaning services in Long Beach average $159 per cleaning, but it’s worth the price if it’s in your budget.
What’s That Smell?
No matter how many times you bathe your dog, you’ll eventually walk into a room one day and think, “What’s that smell?” You might even become nose blind to it, but when a guest is over and their nose wrinkles up, you might look to your dog as the culprit. Then, you can look in your cabinets for some DIY odor fighters. Baking soda has many uses, one of which is stopping odors in their tracks. Sprinkle it on carpets and furniture, let it sit, and then vacuum it up. You can even sprinkle a small amount on your pooch during your brushing routine for instant deodorizing. For those smelly urine spots, a blend of vinegar and water will do the trick. The vinegar will leave a pretty strong scent at first, but when it diminishes, it takes the odor with it.
Your dog is an important member of the family. However, hair, dander, and odor are just part of the package. Rather than deal with the mess, use budget-friendly methods to keep your home clean, the humans happy, and those tails wagging.
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Why do people with unleashed dogs assume every person and every dog likes to have an unfamiliar and unleashed dog charge at you and your dog? Many leashed dogs can become reactive or aggressive out of fear or surprise when an unleashed dog rushes up to them. Such an occurrence is all too common, all too scary, all too dangerous and against the law!
All dogs are required to be on a leash in public places in California except at specific dog parks and dog beaches. Orange County Code of Ordinances Sec. 4-1-45 states “no person owning or having charge, care, custody, or control of any dog shall cause or permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, any such dog to be upon any public property unless such dog be restrained by a substantial chain, or leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length, and is under the charge of a person competent to exercise care, custody, and control over such dog.”
Unfortunately people who fail to keep dogs leashed in public are putting the dogs at risk of being bitten, pepper sprayed or worse. Be lawful, smart, safe and considerate by keeping dogs leashed.
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The two dogs bitten by rattlesnakes were not on a hiking trail but at a dog park in the San Fernando Valley. According to one witness who spoke to KTLA , one of the dogs yelped after being bitten, ran down the hill, collapsed and died. The other dog received medical attention and is currently recovering.
“Dogs are about 20 times more likely to be bitten by venomous snakes than people and are about 25 times more likely to die if bitten,” the Animal Medical Center of Southern California‘s website states. “Snake bites are life-threatening, extremely painful, expensive to treat, and can cause permanent damage even when the dogs survive.”
Spring and summer are the seasons when rattlesnakes are most active as the weather gets warmer and the snakes are mating. Not to mention, rattlesnakes “live in a variety of habitats, ranging from wetlands, deserts, and forests, and from sea level to mountain elevations,” according to Animal Medical Center of Southern California.
The following precautions can prevent your pet from suffering a venomous snake bite:
- Walk your pet on a short leash
- Actively observe the ground in front and around you and your pet
- Stay on trails and cleared paths
- Prohibit your dog from digging or sniffing holes
- Vaccinate your dog with the canine rattlesnake vaccine
“The canine rattlesnake vaccine…is meant for use in healthy dogs to help decrease the severity of rattlesnake bites,” states the website for the Animal Medical Center of Southern California. However, the vaccine does not protect dogs from all types of rattlesnakes.
The bottom line to keeping pets safe from rattlesnakes or other dangers is by not letting them run free or off leash outdoors.
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Spring has arrived! Spring means the Pet Expo will be in the OC soon! America’s Family Pet Expo arrives at the OC Fairgrounds on Friday, April 26 and continues through Sunday April 28, 2019. The Pet Expo’s focus is not only on entertainment and adoption but also about education and nutrition.
New to the Pet Expo this year is the “Kid’s Pet Care Course.” Kids ages 6-12 will have the opportunity to earn a responsible pet ownership certificate by participating in the Kid Camp at the Pet Expo guided be licensed dog trainers.
Another new and interactive exhibition is called The Lab. “The Lab will be a central meet-up location for socializing, new product launches, demonstrations and pet education seminars,” Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Business Development Courtney Harold stated. “The Pet Expo is about connections, whether they be with fellow pet enthusiasts, or with the animals.”
Pet enthusiasts and social media influencers will likely enjoy “Moshow the Cat Rapper,” who raps about cat care, cat lovers and cats in general. His instragram is @iAmMoshow with over 224K followers.
The usual favorites, such as Splash Dogs, The Free Flight Bird Show, Repticon, Aquatic Touch and more will be returning this year as well the All-Star Stunt Dog Show and Catit Playground.
With more than 698 animal adoptions last year, this Pet Expo will have numerous animal rescues in attendance as always. Pets will be available for adoption onsite.
America’s Family Pet Expo will be at OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa on Friday, April 26 from 10 am – 6 pm; Saturday, April 27 from 10 am – 7 pm; and Sunday, April 28 from 10 am – 6 pm. Parking lot fee is $9. Tickets available in advance on line through April 25 for $16. Box office tickets are $18 for adults, $14 for seniors, $11 for kids 6-12. Kids 5 and under as well as active/retired military (with ID) are free. Ticket purchases and more information on exhibitions and show schedules are available online at PetExpoOC.org.
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Imagine the horror of realizing your beloved pet is lost. You have no idea where your pet is. You visualize your scared and confused pet running the streets or hiding in a bush as you hope and pray your furry family member gets picked up by a good Samaritan and brought safely back home but then realize, to your dismay, that your pet is not wearing a collar with identification tags.
I guarantee we have all seen flyers and social media posts about lost pets. What do these lost pets have in common? These lost pets do not have on a collar with tags. If the pet did have a collar with a tag identifying the owner, the pet would not be lost but easily returned to the owner.
“The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recently found that only 33 percent of pet parents said they keep ID tags on their dogs and cats at all times,” as stated in the March/April 2019 edition of Petsitter’s World magazine. That means 67% of pet owners do not consistently keep tags on their dogs and cats.
Why take the risk of a loved pet possibly getting away from you, being lost and having no visible identifications attached to them? Why not make it as easy as possible for you to be reached and reunited with your lost furry family member?
I’ve heard the reasons why people do not keep collars and an ID tags on their pets:
“My pet does not like wearing a collar.” Pets, I assure you, do get used to wearing a collar just as they get used to wearing a harness and walking on a leash. Give your pet the opportunity to adjust to wearing a collar.
“The collar irritates my pet’s neck.” There are plenty of different types of collars out there from soft cloth to leather. Try different options of collars and even tags. Tags come in all different materials as well.
“My pet may strangle himself when left alone wearing a collar.” This is unlikely unless they are being crated. Cat collars have a release mechanism, so that does not happen.
“My pet is always with me and never runs away.” Is that actually true? Is the pet with their person for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year? Is the pet never left home alone? Does anyone else have access to the home when you are not there, such as a maintenance person, housekeeper, family member, neighbor, friends, etc.? Those looking for their lost pet did not intentional lose their pet. Obviously something unexpected happened to lose a pet.
“My pet is microchipped, so a collar and tag are not necessary.” A microchip can only be read if the pet is captured by animal control or taken to a vet or shelter. Why not make it as easy as possible for you to be reached, if your pet is lost? There are also some people who may not check if a pet is microchipped. They may assume the pet found with no collar or tags is abandoned, so they keep the pet.
Pet dogs and cats should always have a collar with identification tags. Make it as simple as possible for anyone to get in touch with you, if your pet is found roaming the neighborhood or streets. Have a collar and tag with up-to-date phone numbers on it. Don’t let your pet go naked! Allow your pet to wear a tag showing they belong to you who cares enough to be easily reached.
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