Leaving your Pets

It seems like our lives just continue to get busier and more hectic each day, and it’s become more difficult for us to find time for ourselves, let alone time for our pets. But we are all doing our best to fit our pets into our busy life styles. Every morning as you leave for work, are your pets trying to “talk” you out of leaving by staring at you with those sad puppy eyes? Are you feeling guilty for leaving them home alone for yet another day? If you are, we are going to give you some tips* to relieve that guilt and let your pets feel a little less lonely.

Tip 1:
For dogs that are home alone for the majority of the day, consider setting up a doggy door—this way your dogs can choose to come in and out as they please. Remember, leaving your pets outside for long periods of time is not a good idea. Pets may are more vulnerable to intruders and even heat strokes! But keeping your pets cooped up inside is not healthy either. Just like us, dogs need at least an hour of exercise everyday.

Tip 2:
For those who are not too keen on the doggy door idea, opt for a dog walker! Adult dogs should be walked once a day; one long walk will be enough to tire them out. Puppies and seniors should be walked twice a day; two shorter walks are enough to keep them healthy and happy.

Tip 3:
Create an ideal sanctuary for your pets by making their crates as cozy and as comfortable as possible. Crates with a soft padding will keep your pets more relaxed and at ease. Leaving their favorite toys in their crates help pets stay busy and occupied throughout the day. Rewarding them with a new toy every month will keep them entertained. But don’t forget to leave out plenty of food and water!

Tip 4:
When you have been busy at work all day, all you want to do is to sit, relax, and unwind. This is the perfect time to cuddle with your pets! Some quality time with your pets before bed is a great way to end the day, and your pets will definitely appreciate this quality time.

Tip 5:
Adopt another! This may seem crazy, considering one dog seems like more than enough. But dogs love the companionship. They can keep each other company while you are away during the day. They will also get plenty of exercise just by playing with each other!

If you have any other great tips, share them with us!

(photo via Daily Puppy)


*Disclaimer: The information provided here is general information for the reader. It is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of professional medical care.

| More

Dogs on Treadmills?

It's the winter time, and taking your pets out on long walks just doesn’t seem too appealing anymore. Even though your pets are rarely affected by the cold weather, the possibility of running into rain or snow is a messy situation that you and your pet would not want to be caught in!

Indoor activities that get K9 hearts pumping, like playing fetch with small treats or going through fun obstacle courses, are great, but indoor exercises are limited. These activities just never seem quite adequate enough. So have you ever considered walking your dogs on your treadmill?

There is a misconception that walking dogs on the treadmill is dangerous, but treadmills are actually relatively safe for pets. In fact, there are even treadmills designed especially for dogs, although normal treadmills are just as efficient. As long as a few simple rules are followed, walking dogs on the treadmill is a great cardio workout for dogs.

Some important tips to remember:

• Don’t tie your dogs to the treadmill. You should allow your dogs to walk off the treadmill at anytime.
• Don’t hold any treats or toys in front of your dogs while they are walking, as this could be extremely distracting!
• Don’t let your dogs walk on a treadmill right after a nice long nap in their crate. Dogs are groggy after a long nap too!
• Do start at a slow speed. Let your dogs adjust to the treadmill for a while before increasing the speed.
• Do put a pillow or a towel behind and next to the treadmill.
• Do stay close by and keep a watchful eye while your dog is exercising on the treadmill.
  

With a combination of fun indoor activities and ten minutes of steady walking on the treadmill, your pets will be in tiptop shape for the rest of this cold winter! Try it and share your stories with us!

For your enjoyment and as a confident booster, check out these fearless dogs taking a stroll on the treadmill!

| More

Every Crate needs Cratewear

Every pet owner knows how important having a cage is. It's often where our pets go to relax and unwind, but also a place where we send our pets for a time out when they have been behaving badly. To say the least, cages are a necessity. But wired crates are not the most attractive to look at, and definitely not a chic decorative addition to your home, especially when the crate is stuffed with your pet’s chewed up toys and wrinkled blankets.

A simple and elegant way to cover up the mess and make your pet’s crate seem even homier for your pets are crate covers and crate pads. Our customized crate cover and pads come in two classic colors, stone gray and sand beige. These covers will blend beautifully with your home, while providing privacy for your pets.

| More