Laura's Critter Care

http://amherst.wgrz.com/news/pets/northtowns-pet-blog-cool-summers-pets/57385

Protect Dogs, Cats, Birds and Exotics from the Heat

After a long winter and a spring thaw, we’re eager to get back out into the sunshine and enjoy the long days and warm nights with neighbors, friends and family. And for many of us, “family” includes our pets.

In fact, including your pets in your summer activities is healthy fun for everyone. But when the summer heat and humidity start to rise, it’s important to understand how pets are affected by the spike in temperature and take the necessary precautions to keep them cool and comfortable.

H2O is a Pet’s Best Friend

Unlike humans, dogs and cats have few sweat glands, which hinder them from cooling off by sweating. Instead, they lose heat and moisture from their tongues by panting. This water loss needs to be replaced, so it’s important to keep some fresh drinking water available at all times. This is especially important when you take them out for long summer walks or car rides.

Don’t Park Your Pet

Never leave your pet alone in a parked car, not even for a few minutes. The air in a parked car doesn’t circulate and, even in the shade, the temperature in a vehicle will start to rise and become life threatening in just a few minutes.

Rules for Pools

Getting together at your backyard pool to swim, have fun and cool off is a great summertime tradition. But the pool can be dangerous for adults, children and pets unless safety is observed at all times.

You should always be cautious when your pets are in or around the pool, especially if they’re older and can’t get in and out of the pool as easily as they used to. Some manufacturers produce ramps to allow pets an easy escape from an accidental fall into the water.

Block That Sun

It may be surprising to learn that pets with light-colored skin and hair can get sunburned. In fact, extensive time in the sun can even result in skin cancer. If you are going to be in a situation where your pet will be spending a long time outside on a hot, sunny day, talk to your veterinarian about using specially developed sun block for pets on unprotected areas like the nose and ears.

Make Some Shade

If you keep your pet outside, be mindful of the fact that a cool spot in the morning can turn scorching hot by mid-afternoon. Be sure to always have a comfortable, sheltered area available that they can retreat to for their rest. A kiddie pool in the shade can provide relief on those scorching summer days.

Summer can be a particularly difficult time because overweight dogs and cats can overheat faster as extra layers of fat act as insulation, trapping heat and restricting breathing.

Grooming is Cool

Common sense would lead you to believe that animals with longer hair would be cooler in the summer if you gave them a “haircut”. However, just as a pet’s coat insulates against cold, it also insulates against heat. Be sure to brush your pet’s hair regularly to get rid of mats and tangles and remove loose undercoat. The more you brush, the more the hair “breathes”.

It’s a Breed Thing

Yes, it’s true. All breeds are not alike and some, because of their nature, can have a more difficult time in the summer than others. Flat-nosed breeds such as Pekingese, Pugs and Bulldogs, for example, have a harder time staying cool than long-nosed dogs because their shortened nose and oral cavities don’t allow them to breathe as efficiently. Learn more about your pet’s particular needs by talking to your veterinarian.

A Weighty Problem

Studies show that between 25 and 40 percent of all household pets in the U.S. are overweight or obese. In fact, according to VPI Pet Insurance’s actuarial data, this trend is leading to a steady rise in obesity-related pet illnesses such as diabetes mellitus. Obesity is also known to be associated with, or can exacerbate, a variety of medical conditions such as high blood pressure and osteoarthritis.

Now, what does this mean with regard to the summer season? Well, summer can be a particularly difficult time of year because, as with humans, overweight dogs and cats can overheat faster because the extra layers of fat act as insulation, trapping heat and restricting breathing. If your pet is overweight, it’s important that you talk to your veterinarian before taking your pet on any outdoor activities you may be planning.

High Noon is No Time for Exercising

If you’re used to taking your dog for a walk during mid-day, it would be wise to change your schedule during summer to early morning or late afternoon walks with fresh water always at hand. Hot pavement can burn a dog’s pads, and walking outdoors during the hottest time of the day can lead to heat stress. After the summer is over, feel free to return to your usual schedule.

Keep the Bugs Off

The warm weather, longer days and summer fun keep us and our pets outdoors more often, increasing our chances of running into those pesky fleas and mosquitoes. Fleas and mosquitoes can transmit a number of diseases including tapeworm, heartworm and even West Nile Virus. During the summer months, be sure your dog or cat is tested for heartworm and that you’re using veterinarian-recommended flea and heartworm preventive products.

Avian Advantage

Birds handle heat better than dogs and cats because their normal body temperature ranges from 104 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. However, lacking sweat glands, any increase in body temperature can cause heat exhaustion. Make sure cages are kept away from direct sunlight and that there’s a fresh supply of drinking water available. As a special treat for your feathered friend, get out your spray bottle, fill it with water and give him a spritz.

Rabbits and Ferrets

If you can’t cool your home during the hottest part of the day, wrap a 2-liter plastic bottle in a towel and place it in the cage in the morning. This way, your rabbit or ferret can lie next to the chilled bottle to cool off.

Guinea Pig Habitat

If you’re going to move your guinea pig’s hutch outdoors for the summer (as some folks do), be sure the hutch is made of small wire mesh to keep out unwanted visitors like mice, foxes, coyotes and the neighbor’s dog or cat.

So sit back, sip some lemonade and read over these safety tips so you can give your pets the coolest summer ever!

Laura Stauffiger is the proprietor of Laura’s Critter Care, an in your home pet sitting and dog walking service in Amherst, and a member of Pet Sitters International and PetSitUSA. For more information visit her website or send an Email.

Article is from petinsurance.com

More of Laura's Critter Care's New Clients

2011-07-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

Your Invited to a Doggie Play Date hosted by Laura's Critter Care Save The Date!

2011-06-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

Your Invited to a Doggie Play Date hosted by Laura's Critter Care Save The Date!

Laura's Critter Care Spring Waste Clean-Up Special

2011-05-23T10:06:00.000-07:00

Laura's Critter Care Spring Waste Clean-Up Special

2011-05-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

Newest Doggie Clients

Pet Toxins

2011-05-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

Pet Toxins

What to Do if Your Pet Becomes Lost

2011-05-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

What to Do if Your Pet Becomes Lost

Meet Reagan

2011-04-30T20:17:00.000-07:00

I start taking care of Reagan next week. I am looking forward to walking this little cutie. Reagan is just a few weeks old.

Fido in Fiji and Hairballs in the Hamptons: Featured on wnywoman.com

2011-04-29T08:08:00.000-07:00

Fido in Fiji and Hairballs in the Hamptons
By Laura Stauffiger
Summer travel season is approaching and a recent survey reveals that consumers plan to spend the same or more on travel this year as they did in 2010. According to Travel Leaders, one of America’s top-ranked travel companies, more than 88 percent of us will equal or increase last year’s travel budget. With 62 percent of households owning one or more pets, “What shall we do with the cat and dog?” is now a common question on the checklist of many travelers. Laura’s Critter Care, members of Pet Sitters International (PSI), offers these tips to help pet owners consider the family pets in their travel planning.
Carefully consider if your pets should stay or go

According to the Travel Industry Association of America, 14 percent of all U.S. adults (29.1 million) say they have traveled with a pet on a trip of 50 miles or more. If you are thinking about traveling with the family pet, closely consider your travel plans, lodging accommodations and trip agenda. If you are traveling in a personal vehicle, taking your pet has fewer implications, but be sure to verify that your hotel, resort or campground is pet friendly.

If your lodging accommodations allow pets, there’s more involved than just checking your furry family member in at the front desk. Hotels impose restrictions that can include the size and number of pets, expensive non-refundable pet fees and rules against pets being left unattended in hotel rooms. Be sure to confirm all pet restrictions before making reservations. Also ensure that the tourist attractions, amusement parks and restaurants you plan to visit are pet friendly. If not, you will need to make special arrangements for your pet.

Consider your pet’s health. Has your pet had a recent veterinary check-up? Does your pet’s age or physical condition make him an ideal candidate for travel? If not, consider finding care for your pet at home while you travel.

If Fido’s flying, plan ahead!

Keep in mind that buses, trains and cruise ships do not typically allow pets. Most airlines allow pets to travel in the cabin or as cargo. The ASPCA recommends that pet owners not fly their animals unless the pets are small enough to fit under the passenger seats. If you’ve already committed to transporting your pet on a commercial airline, the ASPCA offers a list of helpful tips for safe air travel with your pet.

If the pets don’t go, hire a pro.
The process of locating a quality caregiver for companion animals may seem daunting. PSI provides an Official Pet Sitter Locator, a ZIP code-driven search tool that enables pet owners to conduct criteria-based searches of nearly 7,500 professional pet-sitting businesses. Users can download a Pet Sitter Questionnaire and search the database for custom-tailored services ranging from daily dog walks to caring for pets with special needs. And pet owners can refine searches even further by specifying credentials such as bonding, liability insurance and pet first-aid training.

"There is no substitute for using the services of a pet-sitting professional," says Patti Moran, PSI president. "Friends, family and neighbors are not always the best solution for ensuring your pets are cared for while you're away, even for shorter weekend trips."

In addition to caring for pets, Laura’s Critter Care, also provides basic home-care services, such as bringing in the mail and alternating lights to give your home a lived-in look.

For pet owners traveling with their pets, Laura’s Critter Care can be a valuable resource for pet-care while visiting attractions or restaurants that are not pet friendly.

Whether Fido and Fluffy accompany you on the trip or stay in their home environment under the care of a professional pet sitter, planning ahead can ensure their safety, comfort and contentment. For more information on the advantages of hiring a professional pet sitter visit www.petsit.com or contact Courtney Klein, at courtneyklein@petsit.com

2011-04-21T20:11:00.001-07:00

2011-04-16T21:10:00.001-07:00

2011-04-16T21:04:00.000-07:00

March 2011 Newsletter

2011-03-27T18:21:00.000-07:00

Check it out!

http://campaign.vpweb.com/f99df83c-918d-42c0-b0d7-ee7bccd5cad1

2011-03-27T18:19:00.001-07:00

2011-03-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

2011-03-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

Laura's Critter Care Welcomes Nicole Pelkey to the Team!

2011-03-22T21:39:00.000-07:00

Laura's Critter Care Welcomes Nicole Pelkey to the Team!

New Clients

2011-01-21T13:55:00.001-08:00

Lots of new clients for the last couple of months. I am posting a few of them.

Three Options for Caring for Your Cat While You're Out Of Town

2011-01-20T18:54:00.000-08:00

Cats are pretty self-sufficient creatures, but that doesn't mean you can leave your kitten alone while you go out of town. Even an overnight trip can be traumatic for a young kitten or a cat that is very closely bonded to you. You wouldn't leave a five-year-old child alone to fend for herself for days, leaving a couple of boxes of cookies out so she doesn't go hungry, so why would you leave your cat alone?
As a responsible cat owner, you have three choices for being sure your kitten stays healthy while you're away from home:

1.A trusted friend or family member - If you ask a neighbor or friend to take care of your cat, you need to know that he or she will be responsible and come to visit your cat at least twice a day, feed him, and empty the litter box. If you don't feel absolutely sure that this individual will remember to do what you asked him or her to do, don't put your cat's life in their hands.

2.Boarding - Some vets offer boarding services, and a variety of other cat boarding facilities are also available. If your cat is very ill or needs daily medication, vet boarding may be a good choice. If you board your cat at a cattery, the facility will require proof that his vaccinations are up to date. Cats that are shy or easily traumatized may not handle boarding well.

3.A pet sitter - A pet sitter comes to your home, feeds your cat and administers any necessary medications, cleans the litter box, and spends time each day visiting with your cat. Because cats generally prefer not to travel, many people find a pet sitter a good option. Be sure to find out if the pet sitter is comfortable with cats (some are better with dogs or other animals) and if your cat is comfortable with the pet sitter. Pet sitting services can vary in price and quality, so be sure to check a potential sitter's references before entrusting your cat's care - and your property -to him or her.

Information obtained from catster.com

Pet Sitters International partners with Garfield and Paws Inc

2011-01-11T13:28:00.000-08:00

Top 10 Reasons to Join Pet Sitters International

2011-01-11T13:26:00.000-08:00

Surprise...Ferrets as Gifts

2010-08-31T14:23:00.000-07:00

Cute and cuddly, ferrets hold a special appeal to many people. Unfortunately not everyone holds this view, or even if they do, they might not be ready for a ferret at this time.

Almost every spring between the middle of January and the end of March, we see a surge of young ferrets dropped off at the shelters.

“I got it as a gift”, is often the reason given. People usually have good intentions, but don’t think things through. A friend says that they would love to have a ferret, but for some reason they don’t have one. This doesn’t mean that buying them one would be the perfect present. Maybe the reason they don’t have one is because they live in a no pet apartment, or maybe a family member is allergic to animals. Maybe they don’t have the finances right now to buy a cage, supplies and food or to pay for vaccinations and other veterinary care.

Also, people often express interest in an animal, but that doesn’t always mean that they actually want one. I love tigers and leopards, but that doesn’t mean that I would want someone to go out and get me one! I would not have room for one, nor do I have the time and proper resources to provide the attention and care that such an animal would require.

If you still want to give someone a ferret as a gift, don’t make it a surprise. Let them know that you were thinking of getting them a pet ferret and would like to have them come along to pick it out. This lets them know that you are planning a special gift for them, yet gives them a chance to say “No” if necessary. If they say yes, then at least you know that they will be getting the animal that they want. What if you had bought an albino and they really wanted a sable? Or what if they preferred a female rather than a male?

Another option would be to buy a couple of books on ferrets and give them to the person along with a note letting them know that if they still want a ferret after reading up on them and learning about them, then you would be honored to take them to get one.

If the person does decide that they want a ferret, suggest going to a shelter since there are so many ferrets in need of homes. This way you will be giving the ferret a gift, too – a gift of a new home!

Laura Stauffiger is the proprietor of Laura’s Critter Care, an in-home pet sitting service in Amherst, and a member of Pet Sitters International. For more information, visit her website or send an email

Summer Paw-Care Tips

2010-06-30T20:55:00.000-07:00

Summer Paw-Care Tips

2010-06-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

This is Winston. He is my newest client. I just had to post him because he is so adorable!

Cancer In Pets

2010-06-22T17:17:00.001-07:00

Cancer in Pets

Cells naturally divide and increase in numbers in a process called mitosis. Normal cells divide to replace those lost or injured and then stop. Cancer cells are abnormal in that they continuously multiply uncontrollably, and may grow into adjacent tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. The accumulation of these cells eventually become large enough to produce lumps, masses, or tumors that can be detected. The tumor can be benign or malignant.

Once we have a complete understanding of your pet's health and type of cancer, we can design an appropriate treatment plan

Benign tumors are not cancerous and can usually be removed. The majority of these do not return, nor do they spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant tumors are cancerous. They can also be removed but can invade nearby tissues and organs and can metastasize. metastasis is when the cells break away from the tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system to form secondary tumors at different locations.

*** It is important to realize that if your pet has been diagnosed with some form of malignant cancer, it does not necessarily mean the end of his or her life. Many pets can be cured or go into remission for months or years.

Cancer Therapy

Cancer therapy in pets includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. One or a combination of these treatments may be used and is tailored to your pet individually. Whether a treatment or therapy is appropriate for your pet with cancer depends on:

1.The type of cancer (based on biopsy or cytology)
2.The grade or stage of cancer (how aggressive or fast moving it is)
3.The location of the growth
Surgery:

Surgery may be warranted in cancer treatment for many reasons including:

a.Surgery to remove or destroy cancerous tissue including the removal of some tissue around the tumor and/or nearby lymph nodes.
b.Surgery to remove samples of the tissue from a suspicious area for testing and evaluation to confirm a diagnosis or identify the type of cancer.

Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to treat cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is used at Georgetown Animal Clinic as a treatment for non-operable cancer involving more than one part of the body or post-surgical if the cancer is one that is likely to metastasize. The goal when using chemotherapy is to control the cancer and prolong survival while still maintaining a good to excellent quality of life for the patient. It is very important to understand the difference between complete remission and a cure.

For example, the majority of dogs with lymphoma (a cancer of the lymphoid tissue) will enjoy a rapid and complete remission following initiation of chemotherapy. Lymphoma, however, will ultimately relapse. A cure means the cancer is totally gone and will not likely return.

Radiation Therapy:

Radiation therapy is the treatment of cancer and other diseases with ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation deposits energy that injures or destroys cells in the area being treated (the target tissue) by damaging their genetic material making it impossible for these cells to continue to grow. Although radiation destroys both cancer cells and normal cells, the normal cells are able to repair themselves and function properly. Radiation therapy is generally used to treat localized solid tumors. Radiation therapy is performed at a facility specialized in this technique.

Treatment protocols for cancer is determined based on:

◦Your pets overall health and medical history
◦The extent of the disease
◦Expectations for the course of the disease
◦AND MOST IMPORTANT, informed decision

http://www.georgetownanimalclinic.com/site/view/101361_CancerinPets.pml

Fun Facts About Pets

2010-06-13T13:33:00.000-07:00

Fun Facts About Pets

I LOVE WHAT I DO!!

2010-06-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

Here are 2 of my clients, "Luigi" & "Max". They are very sweet dogs.

Local Businesses Will “Go to the Dogs” on Friday, June 25, 2010

2010-05-14T23:48:00.000-07:00

This June, the “dog days of summer” will take on a whole new meaning at workplaces across America . On Friday, June 25, water coolers will be joined by water dishes; the blue-plate special will be kibble with gravy; and the collars worn by the day’s special office visitors will have leashes attached to them.
That’s how the scene will be set when thousands of hard-working dog lovers are joined by their canine companions in commemorating the 12th year of Pet Sitters International's Take Your Dog To Work Day(TYDTWDay®).
Laura Stauffiger of Laura’s Critter Care encourages local businesses to join forces with professional pet sitters and animal shelters, humane societies and rescue groups on this special day to celebrate the great companions dogs make.
Over the past decade, companies have increasingly embraced the event. Last year, there were more than 125,000 visitors to the Web site in the months of May and June alone seeking ways to participate in TYDTWDay. Created by Pet Sitters International (PSI) and bolstered in 2008 by sponsors Comfort Zone with D.A.P. and Modern Dog magazine, this unique awareness event has encouraged businesses to open their doors to employees’ well-mannered dogs on this day.
The day is built around a positive approach to confronting the not-so-positive issue of pet overpopulation—an issue that impacts nearly every community in the United States and beyond. PSI believes that TYDTWDay bolsters pet adoptions from animal shelters, humane societies and rescue groups by educating the working public on the benefits of responsible pet ownership and the power of the human-animal bond. A fun, interactive and dog-centric Web site takeyourdog.com is available to cubicle-dwelling canine enthusiasts and skeptical bosses alike who are seeking information on how to get involved.

Laura Stauffiger, invites anyone interested in learning more about the advantages of hiring a professional pet sitter to visit her Web site, www.laurascrittercare.com. To learn more about Take Your Dog To Work Day and how you can participate, visit takeyourdog.com.

Services Offered By Laura's Critter Care

2010-05-11T20:07:00.000-07:00

* Pet Sitting Visits

* Overnight Pet and house Sitting

* Dog Walking

* Doggie Play Date

* Quick Stops/Puppy Checks (shorter visits)

* Dog and Cat Bathing

* Yard Clean Up

* Pet Taxi and Errand Service

Laura's Critter Care

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PetsMatter: November / December 2011

Laura's Critter Care

Northtowns Pet Blog: Pets may not be good party animals for Halloween | Pets | Amherst News

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Events | Laura's Critter Care

Laura's Critter Care October 2011 Newsletter

Your Invited to the next Doggie Play Date hosted by Laura's Critter Care Save The Date!

www.petsit.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/31/6efa44e235ebd11a6dddd2481616f863/misc/pet_safety_download_holidays2.pdf

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More new clients!

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Holiday Pet Sitting from Laura's Critter Care

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More of Laura's Critter Care's New Clients

Your Invited to a Doggie Play Date hosted by Laura's Critter Care Save The Date!

Laura's Critter Care Spring Waste Clean-Up Special

Pet Toxins

What to Do if Your Pet Becomes Lost

Meet Reagan

Fido in Fiji and Hairballs in the Hamptons: Featured on wnywoman.com

March 2011 Newsletter

Laura's Critter Care Welcomes Nicole Pelkey to the Team!

New Clients

Three Options for Caring for Your Cat While You're Out Of Town

Pet Sitters International partners with Garfield and Paws Inc

Top 10 Reasons to Join Pet Sitters International

Surprise...Ferrets as Gifts

Summer Paw-Care Tips

Cancer In Pets

Fun Facts About Pets

I LOVE WHAT I DO!!

Local Businesses Will “Go to the Dogs” on Friday, June 25, 2010

Services Offered By Laura's Critter Care